A sand ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolise blending two lives into one or joining families together. Learn how this unique ritual can add a personal touch to your wedding and create a lasting keepsake to cherish for years.
A sand ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolise the joining of two individuals in marriage by blending two different coloured sands.
It's a great alternative to a unity candle ritual, especially for outdoor weddings, where windy conditions can make candle lighting challenging.
Sand ceremonies can also be a meaningful way to involve children and signify the blending of two families.
Typically, you'll need three vases: two with different coloured sands (representing each partner) and a larger vase for the union. The couple takes turns pouring their sand into the larger vase, creating a unique colour combination that represents the two becoming one. (I do recommend using a funnel as it can get messy without one.)
When choosing sand, you can select your favourite colours or co-ordinate them with your wedding's theme. You can even use sand from where you were born, adding a sentimental touch to the ceremony.
When blending two families, you can add extra vases with different sand colours to symbolise each family member.
There are no rules on when or where to conduct a sand ceremony. Some couples do it during the vows and exchanging of rings, some after the signing (my preference). You can also personalise the ceremony to reflect your style and preferences.
To further personalise the sand ceremony, we can discuss your ideas and include readings, vows, and music before, during or after the pouring of the sand. At a recent wedding, they had a haka after the sand ceremony, which was powerful.
When it comes to the sand and vase, there are numerous options to choose from. You can pick the vase's shape and size, add pebbles, shells, flowers, or dried flowers to the bottom and add the sand on top. You can include a message or photograph on the front of the vase.
Some couples have used empty alcohol bottles with a wider neck (brandy|gin|whiskey etc.) and removed the label. It is best to have clear glass, not patterned, to show off the colours. Kmart and The Warehouse often have nice display bottles with corks.
It can get messy, and a funnel is a must. We also need to work out the volume of sand required to fill the bottle. After the sand ceremony, you have created a stunning sand masterpiece to take home as a keepsake of your special day.
