top of page

Ceremony Elements 1: Unity Sand Ceremony

Writer's picture: Nick WellsNick Wells

In a previous post, I explored the use of symbolism in ceremonies. If you choose a celebrant led wedding or naming ceremony, there are many choices available to you which you can work with your celebrant to weave together, crafting a ceremony which matches your personality, beliefs and heritage. The first of these which I’d like to explore with you is the unity sand ceremony.



A unity sand ceremony can be a really heartwarming way for two people to symbolise the joining of their lives together. It's simple but meaningful with each partner pouring their own coloured sand into a shared container, creating a beautiful pattern that represents their new shared life.


As the different coloured sands mix together, they can never be separated again - just like the commitment the couple are making to each other.


While each grain of sand keeps its own colour, together they create something beautiful and new. The bottle or container also becomes a meaningful keepsake of the couple’s wedding day.


This ceremony is perfect for couples who want something more personal than traditional unity ceremonies. It's particularly popular with couples who love travel and adventure.


There are also many ways to make this ceremony even more personal.


You might choose sand colours that match the wedding theme, or pick colours which mean something special to you both. Some couples even collect sand from places that are important to them - maybe where they first met or got engaged, where the went on holiday as children or where their parents are from.



The containers can be simple and elegant or decorated in a style of your choosing, potentially including your names and wedding date. They could be shapes which are meaningful to you and your relationship.


If you’d like to involve others, your parents could pour in the first layers of sand, representing the foundation of family support that helped provide you with the nurturing and growth which made you who you are and brought you to this point. If you're bringing children together in a blended family, they could add their own colours too. It's a fantastic way to show that everyone is part of this new family being created.


Your celebrant can help make the moment even more meaningful by explaining what each color represents to you. Maybe you've chosen blue for trust, red for romance, or gold for the bright future ahead. You can choose whatever matters most to you as a couple.


Thinking practically for a moment, it’s best to use dry, fine sand as it pours better and to do a practice run before the big day. It’d also worth talking with your celebrant about how they’ll make sure your container will be sealed after the ceremony. Some couples keep a bit of space in their container to add more sand on anniversaries - a lovely way to mark more special moments in your marriage.


You can connect this ceremony to other parts of your wedding as well. Some couples, for example, display their sand vessel at the reception or give guests tiny vials of colored sand as favors. Others use the same colours in their wedding decorations to tie everything together.


Remember, this ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you want. The important thing is that, if you choose to include it, it feels right for you as a couple and represents the commitment you're making to each other.


If you'd like to book a discovery call with me, just click here: This Moment


Alternatively, email me at nick.wells@thismoment.org.uk

5 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page