The popularity of the Sand Ceremony has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years.
The age old tradition of the Unity Candle has now taken on new shapes and colors. The versatility of the Sand Ceremony makes vases, shadow box frames, and colored sand an easy way to incorporate additional family members and friends during your wedding ceremony. Unique sand shadow box frames and glass vases with personalization makes these ceremony pieces a true keepsake from the wedding ceremony to display in your new home.
Traditional Unity Candles while still popular only provide the joining of the bride and groom with the two of them lighting the flame easily. Colored sand adds that sparkle of color while adding your wedding day colors all in one unique sand keepsake. With either a first marriage or a second marriage the sand ceremony makes blending families together easier, incorporate kids, parents, bridesmaids and groomsmen in building a work of art that can be displayed at the reception and then at home.
How to create a sand ceremony:
The traditional Bride and Groom sand ceremony begins with either a main vase or shadow box frame, and two smaller vases with different color sand in each small vase. Your officiant or pastor will explain the sand ceremony tradition and the joining of two lives into one and how the sand represents the joining of two families usually after the ring ceremony and in place of the unity candle. Saying additional vows or promises while pouring the sand is usually up to the couple. Begin by pouring one color first and then the other color. Take turns pouring your color until the container is full. Usually your officiant or pastor will say a few more words like the old unity candle ceremony before continuing on with the rest of the ceremony.
Family members and kids can be simply added to the sand ceremony additional vases are required. Additional colored sand is optional depending on those participating. The bride and groom go first and then the other members taken part in this will follow. Everyone takes turns filling the shadow box or vase until it is full.
Helpful tips:
- Having a funnel that fits the opening of the main container will help pouring the sand into the container easier. A funnel will help the sand end up in the shadow box or vase instead of the table.
- Practice filling the main container and make sure you have enough sand. While you may use different colors make sure you have enough of the one color to fill half of the container. Be aware that sand dust may cling inside when removing the sand.
- Some couples choose to leave some sand in each smaller vase to represent while they have become one in marriage that they still remain individuals.
- Some couples decide to pour their sand together at the same time. This is best achieved with the use of a funnel if the container opening is small.
