How to Use a Unity Sand Ceremony for Blended Families

Allow the children to choose their favorite colored sand.

Unity sand ceremonies are performed at weddings to signify the blending of families, and grow in popularity, as many couples have children from previous marriages. If you have children, it is a chance for them to be included in the wedding ceremony, as they pour their own colored sand into the vase. Get together with your soon-to-be husband or wife and children, and discuss the ceremony to see if everyone is interested in participating.

Things You'll Need

• Vases
• Black sand
• White sand
• Colored sand (children can choose colors)

Instructions

Preparing

1. Choose matching vases for the bride and groom, and a smaller version of the vase for each child. Choose one large vase for the blending of sand.

2. Allow each child to choose a color of sand. The bride and groom use black and white.

3. Fill the bride's vase with white sand and the groom's with black.

4. Fill the children's vases with their colored sand.

Ceremony

1. Set a time aside during the wedding ceremony for the sand ceremony.

2. Ask the officiant to explain to the audience the significance of the ceremony, and how it represents the joining of families.

3. Allow the groom to pour half of his black sand into the central vase, then the bride to pour half of her white sand into the vase.

4. Allow each child to pour all of his sand into the vase.

5. Allow the bride and groom to pour their remaining sand into the central vase simultaneously.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a piece of decorative paper as a funnel to make pouring the sand easier.

• Have the central vase engraved with the bride and groom's monogram, or wedding date, as a special touch.

• Use the empty vases to display flowers at the reception.

• Display the central vase in your home.

• Order engraved vases well in advance for a stress free day!

References

• Sand Ceremony Sets: What is a Sand Ceremony?
• Unity Sand Ceremony: Family Ceremony