| My niece introduced me to the Sand Ceremony. | | | | to perform this ritual is to have one large empty |
| She and her fiance were planning a lovely outdoor | | | | container and three vases of sand. Here, one |
| wedding on a bluff overlooking the ocean. She | | | | vase of sand represents the shared life of |
| loved the Unity Candle Ceremony but was | | | | marriage and the other two vases represent the |
| concerned that the bluff would be way to windy | | | | individuality of the bride and groom. In this |
| for candles. When she took me to visit the place, | | | | ceremony the bride and groom layer the sand so |
| the wind was blowing quite firmly and we decided | | | | that you have a layer of shared life and you also |
| that a Unity Candle ceremony was out. As I was | | | | have your individual layers symbolizing how |
| the officiant, nothing would make me more | | | | marriage can contain all. |
| nervous than trying to light candles in a wind. | | | | 2. Vases and Sand: You can be quite creative with |
| Several day later she called and asked, "Aunt | | | | you vases and sand. Because this is such a lovely |
| Kathy, have you ever heard of a Sand | | | | keepsake that can be displayed, you might want |
| Ceremony? I think it would be perfect for us." I | | | | to consider having the large container be clear |
| quickly looked it up on the internet and fell in love. | | | | class. If you purchase a kit, often times the glass |
| What a lovely and simple idea. Briefly, here is the | | | | container can be personalized. Or you can simply |
| idea behind and the components needed for a | | | | choose a lovely clear glass vase that fits in your |
| Sand Ceremony. | | | | future home. The sand can be plain sand that you |
| 1. The Sand Ceremony: Like the Unity Candle | | | | purchase at a hobby store or it can be colored |
| Ceremony, the Sand Ceremony symbolizes two | | | | sand or it can be sand that you collect from |
| individuals becoming one. There are several way | | | | places that are meaningful to you. In both of the |
| to perform the ceremony. In one way, you have | | | | ceremonies mentioned,having different colored |
| two smaller vases containing sand and one | | | | sand adds a meaningful and beautiful dimension to |
| empty, larger container. The two individual | | | | the wedding as well as being an eye-catching |
| containers represent the bride and groom and | | | | keepsake. |
| their individual families, friends, and lives. The | | | | So if you are looking for an alternative to candles, |
| empty larger container represents marriage. | | | | consider the Sand Ceremony. And my niece, she |
| During the ceremony, the bride and groom pour | | | | and her fiancee choose a family heirloom clear |
| their individual vases of sand together into the | | | | glass vase and sand from their favorite beaches |
| larger container symbolizing that their individual | | | | for their ceremony. And yes, it was a windy day |
| lives are now forever intertwined. Another way | | | | but not enough to disturb the sand. |