The Sand Ceremony
Meaning - This ceremony visually depicts how the couple is blending their lives together by getting married
Time - About 5 minutes
Supplies:
- A center vase
- Colored Sand
- Funnel
- Smaller vases (number of vases depend on number of participants)
Placement - This Ceremony Enhancement is done after the Ring Ceremony and before the Pronouncement.
Example of the wording for this Enhancement:
Spoken by the Officiant
_____ and _____, you have just sealed your relationship by making vows to one another and by the giving and receiving of rings. This covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
You have elected to symbolize you commitment through a Sand Ceremony. At this time I ask that each of you go over to the table.
Your relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these individual containers of sand together; one, representing you, _____ and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
Action
_____ is handed their vase
And the other representing you, _____, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be.
Action
_____ is handed their vase
_____ and _____, as you each now hold your sand, know that the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. When you combine your sands together, your lives also join together to make a new family.
Before you combine your sands we would, at this time, like to invite the mothers of _____ and _____ to come forward.
Mother’s name, the mother of _____, and Mother’s Name, the mother of the _____, as a demonstration of your love and support for this marriage, please join us and help pour the sand that will represent the two great families that shall this day become one.
Action
_____ hands one container to their mother first and she pours a little of the sand from the vessel into the center vessel. (Before she pours, she could take this moment to say a little something to the couple if she wishes.)
______ then hands their container to her mother and she will pour a little of the sand from the vessel into the center vessel. (Before she pours, she could take this moment to say a little something to the couple if she wishes.) After they each are done, they will hand the sand container back.
_____, now will you please pour some of your sand into the center vase. This layer is a reminder of your individuality and uniqueness.
_____, now it is your turn to pour some of your sand into the center vase. This layer is also reminder of your individuality and uniqueness.
Within a marriage each person is both their own and each others. These two individuals are choosing to create a new life with endless possibilities and new dreams that are theirs together. The final layers of this beautiful vase are made as _____ and _____ pour in the sand in together. The blending of the sands together symbolizing the uniting of the two individuals into one and the combining of the two families into one.You each will remain individuals, with your own uniqueness, but far more importantly, is the reality that your are no longer two, but one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage and your families remain combined.