Sand Ceremony to Symbolize Union
Couples have been using sand to symbolize unity for many years, and sand ceremonies in the US are starting to feature these ceremonies in addition, or more often in place of, the unity candle ceremony. It probably started in Hawaii as brides and grooms would stand barefoot on the beach. At the right moment in the ceremony, they would reach down and take a handful of sand from beneath their feet and pour it into a single container.
The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered in many ways to include family and friends. Besides the bride and groom, various colors of sand are given to wedding members who will add their sand to the couple's sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity.
Here is a sample Sand Ceremony Reading :
Today, you have committed your lives with each other. This relationship will be symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. To represent all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.
Here is a sample Sand Ceremony Reading :
Today, you have committed your lives with each other. This relationship will be symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. To represent all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.
