The Unity Sand Ceremony Wedding Ritual is beautiful and meaningful unifying ceremony. It is symbolised through the pouring together of layers of various coloured sands.
The Unity Sand Ceremony can be written to recognise not just the joining of the couple, it is also a delightful way to signify the blending of a family.
It is the perfect ceremony to include children, as the symbolism is of the two becoming one, or the unit becoming a family. At the end, you will have a beautiful, lasting reminder of your day and the symbolism of unity.
Although the age and origin of the Unity Sand Wedding Ritual is shrouded in history and debate, there’s no doubting the abundant symbolism and growing popularity of the practice. Don’t expect to see it disappear any time soon. Read on to learn the story behind the sand unity ceremony and to find tips for how to make this tradition a unique part of your wedding day.
The Process of the Sand Ceremony
The Unity Sand Ceremony Wedding Ritual, in its simplest form, features two glass containers that are each filled with a different coloured sand and placed on either side of a larger glass container. The container can be empty or filled with a base layer of neutral coloured sand. Some versions also include an additional small container of colored sand used by the priest or celebrant.
The couple then take alternating turns, usually accompanied by a short reading or statement from the celebrant, pouring layers of sand into the centre container until it is filled. The celebrant next caps the container with a cork, wax, or airtight lid. The sealed vase then becomes a colourful keepsake that serves as a powerful reminder of the couple’s wedding day.
What’s really cool about sand ceremonies is their elegant symbolism is immediately identifiable. The different colors, of course, represent the individual lives of the marrying couple. Although combined into a single sand ceremony vase, the layers of colour show that both the couple have retained their unique identities and personalities. Yet, looking closer, it is virtually impossible to define the exact point where one layer ends and the next begins. The grains of sand can never be separated. This is a strong and beautiful representation of the “two becoming one” concept that has resonated with couples all over the world.
Create Your Own Look and Style for Your Sand Ceremony
There are, however, no formal rituals or steps to follow for holding a Unity Sand Ceremony of your own. Though they are performed at weddings in many faiths, wedding sand ceremonies are not a traditional part of any major religion. This fact accounts for the large number of variations of the practice, so many, in fact, that sand ceremonies are often unique to each wedding.
The colours of the sand, for example, are left up to the couple (though sometimes neutral coloured sand representing God is also used) and can have deeply personal significance or simply look pretty. There is also no standard size or shape for the containers. They can be any shape or size, combined with other wedding accessories or decorations, and couples are free to use whatever works best for them.
In the same way there are also no rules about when during the wedding the sand ceremony should be held. The most common time is immediately after the couple sign the documents. Some couples have even begun to make the ceremony a part of the vows themselves, pouring additional sand after each pledge.
Sand Ceremonies and Blended Family Weddings
One variation of the sand ceremony in particular has become popular among couples with children. During these blended family weddings the children of the couple are invited to add their own layer of coloured sand to the container, turning the vase into a symbol of two families coming together as one. Some couples also choose to involve other close family members such as their parents and grandparents for the same reason. The fact that there’s nearly no limit to the number of colours that can be used makes wedding sand ceremonies a unique and easy way for couples to broaden their celebration to be about more than just them.