Origins of sand element: The Sand element has been around in various ways for years, even hundreds or thousands of years in some places. It’s a way for couples to display the joining of the flow of two lives into a single stream, or a meaningful ceremony that joins existing families into a single bond of love. Whether done done using candles or sand, the meaning is the same.

It is a long held tradition in many cultures, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Both sources are mystical and romantic. May be both are right and the Unity Sand Ceremony arose in both places. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend. It is both romantic in its meaning and spiritual in its mysticism.

Sand element meaning: Sand is used to symbolize the uniting of the bride and groom. Their separate lives are symbolized by two vials of sand (usually different colors). After the exchange of rings, the officiant explains the meaning of the Sand ceremony. The Bride and Groom then come together, and pour two individual vials of sand into one vial.

The sand flows together symbolizing the joining of the couple as they share their first experience of unity as husband and wife. The newly formed union is represented by the intertwined pattern of sand created by the couple. This symbol is cherished as a the wedding keepsake.  

Sand element on The Bachelorette: This unique celebration was recently brought into the public eye with the marriage of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, “The Bachelorette.” Rather than the time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle Ceremony, the famous couple chose the alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their decision has sparked a craze in weddings across the country.

Sand element popularity: It is now the most popular element in wedding ceremonies.  And takes the place of the traditional unity candle element. 

Sand Ceremony benefits: An excellent choice for outdoor settings where Unity candles may be difficult to light! 

Sand Ceremony vessels: Can be personalized with names, dates, monograms and even logos

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Sand element's importance for blended families: If either the bride or the groom or both have children, their marriage is more than just the union of two hearts. It represents the creation of a new family. If you’re wondering how your children can become involved in your wedding, the Unity Sand Ceremony may be just what you need to make them feel a part of the proceedings. With the Unity Sand Ceremony, you will be paying tribute to the role your children play in your lives. You’ll be celebrating the past, present, and future through the mix of sand in glass.

Children and Sand element: If you’re a bride or groom who’s about to become part of a blended family, you are in for an adventure. Not only are you marrying the man or woman of your dreams – you’re gaining sons and or daughters in the process. As a result, you’ll want to memorialize your blended family in a special way – and a sand ceremony can do just that.

This element enables you to show, in a visual way, how your blended family is coming together. As one color of sand flows into another, so the love flows through your blended family. And the Sand Vessel can become a treasured heirloom that is passed from one generation to another.

With the Unity Sand Ceremony, you’ll have a role for every member of the family. Children enjoy being part of a Family Sand element as it brings them into the ceremony and the family in a special way. And is displayed in the home as a remembrance of the ceremony.

Children can choose their own sand colors in order to put their unique mark on the ceremony. They’ll also enjoy the interactive nature of the ceremony – it’s a ritual they’ll never forget as they put their unique mark on the ceremony.

Honoring guests at the wedding: Various colors of sand are given to wedding members who add their sand to the couple’s sand, all flowing into the container, creating a colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity, strength and love.

Honoring family and friends not present: The bride and groom who wish to pay tribute to deceased relatives or family members not present at the ceremony can add sand layers to honor them.

How Sand element works:

Couple select three decorative glass vases and place one color of sand into one vase and a second color into another vase. which represents the Bride and Groom.

At the appropriate point in the service the Groom pours a portion of his sand into the third vase. The Bride then pours a portion of her sand in on top of the Groom’s in the third vase.

 To conclude the Bride and the Groom jointly pour the remaining sand in each of their respective vases into the central vase. The commingling of the colored sand is an impressive demonstration of two into one.

In those cases where children are involved, couples simply add additional colors of sand and incorporate the children in the Unity Ceremony.

Wording for Sand Element in Wedding Ceremonies:

Vow samples for sand element:

Officiant: (Bride) and (Groom), you have just committed yourselves to one another through sacred vows. Your lives are no longer two, but one. To symbolize this joining, we ask that you each pour some sand into this bottle.

Officiant: (Bride) and (Groom,) as these grains of sand are joined together, so are your hearts, your bodies and your souls in marriage. Please repeat after me: (Here the nuptial pair may add whatever vows they wish….)

Repeat after Officiant: (Bride) and (Groom,) as you pour your sand into the one container, please repeat after me: “As these grains of sand merge together as one, I merge my life with yours. Please take my love throughout the sands of time. My heart is forever in your keeping.

Repeat after Officiant: “My beloved (Bride) (Groom) as these grains of sand are joined together, so are our hearts, our bodies and our souls. I offer myself as your husband/wife forever.”

For children - Example 1:
Officiant: “(Children’s name/s) your mother (and/or father) and (name) love you very much, and want you to know that you are and will always be a very important part of their lives. Will you please pour some sand into this glass container along with your good wishes? That would mean so much to them." (Parents then hug and kiss their children!)

For children - Example 2:
Officiant: "_______________ and ______________, today you join your lives together. These bottles of sands of various colors symbolize your individual spirits of you and that of ____'s daughter_____ and ______'s son.

Each container is unique, representing who you are. As these containers of sand are poured into a third larger container, the different colors will join together to form something quite beautiful. You are joined together today, not only in marriage, but as family."

(After the sand is poured, the minister may bestow a blessing. It can be as simple as follows or something more elaborate.)

"May this marriage and family be harmonious and blessed from this day forward without end. Amen!"

Sample Sand element - 1

Sample Sand element - 2

Officiant: Groom and Bride, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and 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. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you Groom, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. 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 containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers 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 containers, so will your marriage be.

Sample Sand element - 3
Officiant: "BRIDE and GROOM, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today.

As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers 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 containers, so will your marriage be."

Sample Sand element - 5

Officiant: "Please note this empty glass. Glass, itself, is made from sand and the sands of time have come together, melting into one piece to make this vessel. The sands of time should remind us all of our eternal love and our mortality.

Today BRIDE and GROOM have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special sand ceremony. Please BRIDE and GROOM, take your separate glass of sand and alternate the pouring of sand into this joining vessel and united, repeat after me:

You are my love for eternity. I blend with you. My heart is like these grains of sands, merging with yours. I am yours. You are mine. We are together forever like the sand, like the wind. We are one."