SAND CEREMONIES
How It Works:
1. The Groom will pour a portion of his sand into the central vessel.
2. The Bride follows pouring a portion of her sand also into the central vase creating a layered effect.
3. To complete the ceremony, the Groom and Bride simultaneously pour the balance of their sand into the central container.
To make this process a little easier, either use a wide mouthed vessel or create a funnel using decorative paper. Personalize the funnel by including names, date or even poetry that holds a special meaning for the Bride and Groom. You may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each vase to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you are still free to express your own individuality.
With additional vessels of contrasting colors of sand, children or parents can be invited to take part. The mixing of the various sand colors is a fitting way to symbolize the new Blended Family that will result from a marriage. Suggestions for order are: 1.Father 2.Mother 3.Children or 1. Bride and Groom 2. Parents of the Groom 3. Parents of the Bride
#1 Sand Ceremony
Groom and Bride, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of vows. 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 vessels of sand one, representing you, Groom and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Bride, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two vessels of sand are poured into the third vessel, the individual vessels 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 vessels, so are you now joined together.
#2 Sand Ceremony
Groom and Bride may your love always be as constant as the never-ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean’s flow; may there never be a day without your love for each other. You have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. Before us are two vessels of sand. Your wedded relationship is symbolized through the combining of these two individual vessels of sand; one representing you Bride, all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you Groom, all that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create an entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate entity. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. As you each hold your sand, the separate vessels 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. You may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each vessel to symbolize that although you are now joined as one, you are still free to express your own individuality for in a most perfect marriage it is not necessary to abandon one’s self, but open your life to the other to blend and support each other. You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the uniting of these two lives into one. The life that each of you experienced until now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united, for the two shall become one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual vessels, so too will your marriage be.
#3 Family Sand Ceremony
Bride and Groom you come here today from two different families. From these two families a new family will be created today. At this time, I would invite the parents of Bride and Groom to come forward. There are four vessels of sand one to represent each family and one to represent Bride and Groom. I now ask that the parents will take their sand and simultaneously pour the sand into the unity bowl symbolizing the foundation the uniting of the two families into one. Now Bride and Groom add your sand to the vessel symbolizing the formation of your new family.
#4 Family Sand Ceremony
You see before you six vessels of sand. The two larger vessels represent Groom and Bride: you Bride, as an individual, all that you were, all that you are today, and all that you will ever be and you, Groom, as an individual, all that you were, all that you are today, and all that you will ever be. The vessel that you are about to fill represents your future together from this day forward. This table could be filled with vessels representing each of those present, for each of you, as friends and family have the power to support this relationship or undermine it. Today we have chosen four more vessels to represent each of your parents. These represent the commitment they made to you at your birth, the love they carry for you in their hearts and their fervent hope for your future happiness and prosperity. Bride and Groom, as you pour your vessels of sand together and the grains of sand become inseparable, I ask that your parents add their sand to yours to symbolize their ongoing love for each of you and their heartfelt hopes for your future together.
#5 Family Sand Ceremony
The sand ceremony represents leaving your two separate lives and joining to make one life together. Your separate lives are symbolized by two vases of sand, in different colors. To grow a relationship requires more than just two people. It requires the love, support and encouragement of family members, extended family and friends. I now ask (names of parents, and/or children) to pour their individual vessels of sand into Groom and Bride's central vessel as the foundation for this marriage. (Each one will have different colored sand). Bride and Groom will now pour their individual vases into the central vessel. Bride and Groom you have just performed your first ritual as a deeply committed couple. Your newly formed union and the union of your two families, is represented by this intertwined pattern of sand you have created. Just as you could no longer separate the newly formed pattern into individual grains, so are you now joined together. This symbol is a keepsake of your wedding day and reminds you that from this moment on, you are one family, anchored in love.
#6 Family Sand Ceremony
Bride and Groom, today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other and honor your children as well. Your family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these individual vessels 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 vessel(s) for Child‘s Name (and Child‘s Name.) This child (These children) will share in this marriage. The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon them. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children and the adults. As you each hold your sand, the separate vessels 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. You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the uniting of your family and your future together. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual vessels, so too will your marriage and your family be.
