Many options are available to couples who want to have a sand ceremony
at their wedding. In the simplest
ceremony only the bride and groom pour the sand. If desired, the wedding officiate,
parents, and children may also take part.
In a sand ceremony, couples
celebrate the joining of their lives by pouring individual vessels of sand into
one unity vase. Once poured, the grains
of sand can never again be separated into individual containers.
The bride and groom select their individual sand colors. For couples who are blending a family with
children, each child can participate as well by choosing a sand color.
During the wedding ceremony
the couple and all participants step to the pedestal or table which has been
arranged with the larger unity vase in the center and the individual vessels
around or on either side.
Some couples begin by pouring
or having their wedding officiate pour into the unity vase a layer of white or
neutral sand representing their faith in God or their firm foundation in Jesus
Christ. Parents may also have poured
their sand colors earlier in the service at the time of their being seated for
the wedding.
The pouring can be done in
any order or fashion, but typically each child pours a color in separately,
then the bride and groom together merge their colors on top. If needed,
additional neutral colored sand can be used to fill to the top of the vase to
ensure that the design is preserved. It is important to handle the vase with
care so that it is not spilled. Place
cotton balls on top to protect the sand design. If the vase does not have a
tight-fitting lid or cork, melted paraffin or wax melts can be used to seal the
vase. The unity vase then becomes a
treasured keepsake.
