The Unity Sand Ceremony

Barbados Destination Weddings Onsite Magazine

In recent times, more and more couples have been including the Unity Ceremonies in the wedding ceremony. This is the perfect way to symbolise your union as it represents the pledge of unity between the bride and groom and the merging of the two families and their lives and can be used in all types of weddings from the simple to the elaborate.

It can be performed at the beginning of the ceremony or after the exchange of rings. A discussion with the officiant can help to decide this and other options such as the readings.

Alternately and in the event that this cannot be done during the ceremony, it can take place during the reception. It can either be set up on the cake table just before the sticking of the cake or at the Head Table just before the toasts.

THE UNITY SAND

This is a great alternative to the Unity Candle ceremony. It can be performed indoors or outdoors where candles staying lit could be a problem. It is especially popular at beach weddings. After the wedding, the vases are a lovely unique keepsake from that special day and can be displayed in a prominent place in the home.

The mixing and blending of the sand symbolises the fact that just as the grains of sand are combined and can never be separated and put back into separate containers, so should the lives of the couple be.

The Unity Sand ceremony incorporates two small containers of sand (usually coloured) and a larger container into which the smaller containers are emptied.

The scope for this ceremony is varied. Parents and grandparents and children from previous marriages can be included (using additional containers of coloured sand) to make this a truly blended ceremony.

An idea for an ethnic couple is to include their countries of origin. You might acquire a bottle of sand from both the bride and groom's countries to mix at the ceremony.

THE CEREMONY

The groom begins by pouring a portion of sand from his container into the central container.
The bride follows by pouring a portion of her sand into the same container to create a layered effect.
To complete the ceremony together they pour the remainder of their sand into the container.

During the Unity Sand ceremony, the following is an example of what may be said by the officient:

Today , _________ and ___________, you are making a commitment of your eternal love for one another. As you each hold your sand the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. You come into your marriage relationship as individuals and you do not lose your identity. Rather, you create through your commitment the relationship of marriage.

As each individual’s sand is poured into the family’s one united common container, 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 the individual containers, so will become the bond with your family. From now on your thoughts shall be for each other rather than for your individual selves. Your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike.

As you now combine your sand together so shall your love, undivided, be one with God.

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