Anyone know about the Unity Sands Ceremony for marrige?? Its Origin, and suggested wording for the ceremony?

Answer 1

The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual of marriage, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from a container, such as a seashell, into one special container symbolizing their coming together as one.
The ceremony has controversial origins, some believing that it began with the Native Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend.

The flowing sand and blending of the colors symbolize the bringing together of two lives into one. Some couples prefer to leave a small amount of sand in their respective container to show that even though they now function as one, they remain individuals.

UNITY SAND CEREMONY

(after the minister reads the statement below, pour the two containers of sand into the third container simultaneously.)

_______________ and ______________, 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.

(If children are a part of the new family, the sand ceremony can involve them also. Some families choose a different color for each member.)

MUSIC
(This can be a good place for a song since the sand ceremony can feel awkward if done in silence.)

Answer 2

It's known as the Sand Ceremony and you can word it similar to this:

The sand represents all that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. As these grains of sand are joined together and cannot be separated so shall your lives be. (The last sentence is used as you are pouring the sand into the third container at the same time - the previous one as each of you takes it in turns to pour).

You will find more wording on wedding web sites. Have fun - it's a beautiful ceremony and gives you a lasting memory of your very special day.

It's often done instead of a Unity Candle Ceremony if the wedding is taking place outside - if you have the slightest breeze with the candles all that you were and could be can be snuffed out in an instance! That's why outside sand works much better.

Answer 3

my husband & i just poured our sand. we didn't explain it. it wasn't necessary to explain. people just know you are doing something about unity, whether a candle, etc. it is perfect especially for an outdoor wedding.