Step1
You will need to choose how many colors of sand that you want to use in your ceremony. You can use two to symbolize the bride and the groom; you could use three and represent the foundation that marriage is built on and the faith that the couple shares; or you can use a color to represent the children that are being joined if it is a second marriage. Once you decide what you want represented in your unity jar you will need to choose the colors.
Step2
You can have the colors coordinate with your wedding colors as the first and easiest choice. Or you can use other colors, maybe that coordinate with your home so that you can display the jar in a special area of your home. The color choice is important and needs to be personal. You can order sand of all colors for this purpose online at the link below.
Step3
After you have chosen what you want your sand ceremony to represent and what colors you are going to use, you are ready to shop for the vases and jar that you will use. You will want matching vases that will hold the number of sand colors that you have chosen to use. If you are using three colors you will want three matching vases to keep the sand in. The jar that you will be layering your sands into needs to be large enough to hold it all. I recommend using a jar with some type of a lid or cork that you can seal it so that you do not lose your sand.
Step4
Since you have chosen to use a non-traditional sand ceremony instead of the more common unity candle you will want to work with your minister or officiate to create the right words to explain what you are doing to you guests. Here is an example that you could use as a starting point:
"To symbolize the importance of the individuals within the
marriage and the joining of two lives into one entity, 3 colors of
sand will now be layered into a vase. We begin with a layer of Neutral Sand which symbolizes that the marriage is grounded. Then we layer the individual colors. This symbolizes that the marriage is based on the strength of the individuals."
(The pastor pours the first layer that stands for the faith that the marriage is built on. Then the bride and groom each pour a layer.)
And now we combine the colors, which symbolizes two lives
joined as one together forever."
(The bride and groom simultaneously combine their two colors of sand at the top of the jar by pouring at the same time.)
Step5
Ask someone in your wedding party to be responsible for getting the jar safely to your home after the ceremony. When you return from your honeymoon you can find a special place to display the jar so that it can always be a visual reminder of the commitment that you made to each other on your wedding day.
Novice 
Comments
Rheality said
on 5/9/2008 This is wonderful! Thank you so much for posting this! I will be using this in my wedding!