Sand Ceremony

Carolyn, what is a sand ceremony? Thanks. Coreen Ball

Carolyn, what is a sand ceremony? Thanks. Coreen Ball
I think she's referring to a ceremony on the beach.

Hi Coreen!

The Sand Ceremony is an alternative to the Unity Candle. The Bride and Groom are each given a vase with sand contained within, normally pink and blue. The Bride and Groom pour their individual sand in one vase, called a Unity Bottle. Their individuality shared as one entity, because the colors of sand can never again be seperated, each design is very unique after the sand is combined.

I've never heard of that Carolyn, that's an awesome idea. :)

It's really a beautiful ceremony. Great to use especially as an outdoor alternative to the Unity Candle. I don't know how clearly you can see the colors but this is a Unity Bottle.

That's very cool. Is a sand ceremony a regional thing? I'm from North Dakota and we have things like garter auctions where a male relative (either an actual auctioneer or a wanna-be) takes bids for the garter. Another very popular reception tradition is to serve "red eye", which is a sugar and Everclear with a little Kool-Aid thrown in for flavor. A little bit'll do you. :D Thanks. Coreen

I've had a few couples do the sand ceremony at their outdoor weddings. MUCH easier than getting a candle to stay lit.

Thanks for chiming in JFactor, I wasn't sure about the regional thing. Definately, much easier outside alternative to having candles lit and the keep sake lasts and stays looking intact.

Bride and Groom may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each container to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you each remain individuals.

_______ and _______, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one, representing you, _______ and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, _______, and all that you were and 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.

My evening wedding on December 30.......was my FIRST ONE to have a "Sand Ceremony"

The vessel used to combine the two colors of sand, looked exactly like the one in the picture (above).

Carolyn do you provide the sand and vessal as an add on or do they. This is a great idea, thanks for sharing

Well, most of the time the officiant does the sand ceremony during the wedding ceremony and provides the containers and the sand.

However, I have had couples that were married out of town and wanted the ceremony as part of the reception to share a ceremony with their friends and families. We then provide the containers, sand and the ceremony. The Bride and Groom receive the unity container as a keepsake, we don't give them the individual containers they can be reused.

We have supplies for these at our local craft store, not to sure about other parts of the country. I have seen them on ebay and some online stores.

Ok I just want to clearify. The bride and groom take turns pouring sand correct. Is the cork sealed in any way after its put in the bottle.:sqbiggrin:

The bride and the groom pour the sand from individual containers at the same time using a funnel to pour into the Unity container. Let the sand pack into the bottle as much as possible then seal with just the cork.

Carolyn again thanks for sharing. I just helped a buddy at a bridal fair. Seems like more brides/grooms are planning outdoor weddings. I was able to share the unity sand idea making for some really happy couples, cause they all just loved the idea. So thanks to this knowledge I was able to pass a great idea along. Again thanks

Just thought I would chime in to let you know that Carolyn is perfectly describing the "Sand Ceremony". This is very popular here in Lake Tahoe. Not just because of the sandy beaches . . . but also because of the unpredictable wind we often experience.

Here in Northern Nevada, "Sand Ceremonies" are becoming more and more popular, even in areas far removed from the beach. And not just outdoors. "Sand Ceremonies" have become the "unity" expression of choice for many ceremonies held indoors as well.

Sand ceremony has been big here for a number of yeras. Last one we did was this fall. The couple had both been previously married so as they combined thier families together, the B&G added thier sand and then the children of each added thier sand. WAY cool!

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My wife and I had a sand ceremony. Ours is a little different. The sand is black and white and its in a personalized (etched) vase without a cork. Ofcourse if our vase ever gets knocked over, so does the sand.

-Puma-

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My wife and I had a sand ceremony.
-Puma-
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Puma speaking of the sands of time I haven't heard from you for a long time my friend.... WassssssUpppppp!

As an alternative to having colored sand, you can substitute sand from the Brides home area and sand from the Grooms home area- it won't look as colorful but might be more symbolic to some couples, especially if their respective families are from different regions.

I had a B&G do this in Orlando and the bottom of the vase had sand from a beach they went to on vacation, then they poured in their 2 different colors of sand, then they were going to take sand from the islands on their honeymoon and put it as the top layer.

It was pretty cool. I've seen these done many times and it's nice when the minister says something symbolic, instead of them just pouring it in there and being done.

My wife and I have been telling B&G's about using granulated candle wax instead of sand. You can usually find it at craft stores for cheap and in various colors...possibly the colors of the wedding.

The reason....The granulated candle wax usually binds/melts together and becomes a candle that they can light on their first anniversary. It's a cool thing. Usually easier to deal with than sand too. Doesn't blow around as much in an outdoor ceremony. The only thing you have to worry about is if it is warm outside....keep it out of the sun if possible.

My wife and I have been telling B&G's about using granulated candle wax instead of sand. You can usually find it at craft stores for cheap and in various colors...possibly the colors of the wedding.

The reason....The granulated candle wax usually binds/melts together and becomes a candle that they can light on their first anniversary. It's a cool thing. Usually easier to deal with than sand too. Doesn't blow around as much in an outdoor ceremony. The only thing you have to worry about is if it is warm outside....keep it out of the sun if possible.

I ike the wax idea.


I did a ceremony where they used sand last year. It was a lesbian wedding and they were not from the area they were from CA. I thought it was odd, but it was the 1st time I have ever seen it.

I did this at my wedding, we used our wedding colors, and a simple vase with no lid. I always recommend this for outside weddings. Recently I did a wedding for a couple that was very well traveled, the each had a container with sand from their favorite places around the world ( they each had 7 diff. locations), as a symbol of the journey they had taken to meet each other and fall in love. It was very interesting that the sand from each place was very different. You can find several scripts online.