What is a sand ceremony?

Sand ceremonies are fun, simple to perform, visually appealing and can include as many friends and family as you wish. The basic premise of a sand ceremony is that coloured sand from separate bottles is poured into a larger bottle or vase in layers. A sand ceremony can be included as a symbolic element into ceremonies for weddings, renewal of vows and namings.

What is the significance of a sand ceremony?

A sand ceremony is a simple yet powerful symbolic element that can easily be incorporated into your celebration, usually just before or just after the vows. The sand represents two or more people blending together as a harmonious unit and is an ideal way of involving children in the ceremony. Once the sand is poured into the vase it cannot be separated, symbolising the unity of the couple and their new family. Sand ceremonies are an ideal way to include children in the wedding ceremony, although caution is advised for very young children and they may need a guiding hand to aim for the vase!

What do we need for our sand ceremony?

Amazon, EBay and Etsy all have a great range of coloured sand and jars / bottles, and if you want to get creative buy them from Hobbycraft and decorate them yourselves. The bottles and jar can be decorated with coloured ribbons and you can even get your bottle or vase etched with your names and the date of your wedding – a lovely keepsake.

You may also want to consider including some sand from a favourite beach and maybe choose colours that match the theme of your wedding– this will hold special significance for you and help to create lasting memories.

Can we have music whilst the sand ceremony is being performed?

Absolutely – it’s a great idea to punctuate the wedding ceremony with a ritual such as this one accompanied by a piece of music, particularly if the music is being performed by a guest.

What will the celebrant say during the sand ceremony?

Your celebrant will speak about the joining of two people and/or families, and if you wish they can also include a suitable poem or reading whilst the sand is being poured.

All you need for each person is a small glass bottle containing coloured sand, plus a larger jar or bottle to pour the layers of various coloured sand into. Whilst each person is pouring their sand into the main jar the celebrant will speak about the importance of unity in the marriage and family unit, and how the sand cannot be separated once it is blended.

Here is one example of wording that could be used for your sand ceremony:

 and ____, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. Today this relationship is further symbolised 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. The other, representing you, _____ and all that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, they are joined together as one. As the sand is now blended, we can see that it flows together in lovely patterns that allow for us to see the individual colours while appreciating the creation of something new and beautiful. Our wish for you today is that your lives together be longer than the time it would take to separate the individual grains of sand.

A sand ceremony provides you and your guests with a fabulous photo opportunity and a beautiful keepsake of your special day. If you’d like to discuss your ceremony just get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.