Sand Ceremony Presentation, Wording, & Advice
The sand ceremony is an act performed during your wedding where two or three colors of sand are layered in a vase to symbolize the importance of the individuals getting married and the joining of two lives into one. This is a popular option for couples that like the idea of a unity candle, but are having their ceremony at a location where it is not possible to have lit candles, such as an outdoor wedding or beach weddings where the breezes are blowing or a wedding chapel that won't allow open flames. Sometimes a bride will have a dress or bridal veil she is afraid may catch on fire from the candles (as you know, bridal veils are very flammable!). This is an excellent second option and below is some advice on wording and presentation of this event.
Also called the sand sculpture, the wedding sand ceremony begins with a layer of neutral sand to represent that the marriage has a solid grounded base. The next layers are the individual colors representing the bride and groom which symbolizes the strength and individualism of the bride and groom. The last layer is the couples colors mixed together to symbolize the blending of their lives as one in matrimony. During this event if you have a DJ company providing DJ services, you can have them play light wedding songs under your sand ceremony.
The above description is one way to deliver the unity sand ceremony. Depending on your wedding theme, this may work for you. More common is when couples only use two different colored sand instead of three. Below are a couple of choices for the pastors wedding speeches during your sand unity candle.
"Bride and Groom, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you, bride, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The other representing you, groom, and 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 you two in marriage will be."
If you have children, This is an excellent way to get them involved and to let them know that they play just as important of a role as the bride and groom.
"Bride and Groom, today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other and to honor your children as well. Your family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these individual containers of sand; one, representing you, bride, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, one representing you, groom, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be and another container for each child. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon these children. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is crucial that there be love and understanding regarding this marriage between the children and the adults. As you each hold your sand the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one family. As you pour the sand together, let it be a reminder of the uniting of the children and bride and groom into one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so, too, will your marriage and your family be, forever together."
As you can see, this is a wonderful and touching representation of what marriage and the joining of two families is all about. Be sure to create a page for this event in your wedding organizer so you are prepared (just like for the photographer, wedding DJ services, and catering insurance). If you're looking for the vases for this event, you might be abel to request them as bridal gifts from your parents or close friends. Take these wedding ideas for your ceremony and mold them to fit with your idea of how a sand ceremony should be presented.