Many couples choose to have a ‘Sand Ceremony’ as part of their wedding. I am including a couple of options. The first is including the parents of the Bride and Groom. They put in some sand representing the families the Bride and Groom come from. The second includes any children the Bride and Groom have and represents their coming together as a family. Both options can also be used together.
The supplies you need would be a smaller container of sand (colours of your choice, some choose the colours they are already using for their wedding). If children are involved they can choose their own colours. This is a nice option as it involves them in planning the ceremony. You will also need a bigger vase that can have a stopper put in it. Big enough for all the sand to fit. There are an assortment of kits for the sand ceremony that you can purchase from wedding decor stores or on line. Some can be personalized with your names and wedding date, some are heart shaped containers and others are picture boxes. The choice and options are entirely yours.
Here is a sample of how such a ceremony would go. The Officiant does all the talking and directs each person as to what to do and when.
Today bride and groom have come here from two different families. Out of these two families a new family will be created.
WITH PARENTS: At this time I would like to invite the ___________ and __________ the parents of the Groom and ___________ and _________ the parents of the Bride, to come forward and put some of their children’s sand in the vase. This represents the two separate families that ___________ and _______ have come from.
WITH CHILDREN: I would like (Children’s names) to join us.
COUPLE: Now I would invite each of you to take a vial of sand. This sand represents all you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. I ask ______ and ________ to pour their sand into the vase symbolizing the uniting of each other in marriage..
CHILDREN: Now I would like to ask _______ (Children) to pour your sand into the container.
As these containers of sand have been poured into the bowl/vase, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as the grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into individual containers, so will your marriage and new family be forever one.