| #ffffff;" /> | | | | husband. This is to symbolize the support she |
| A wedding is the symbolic melting of two lives | | | | gives her husband. It is also to show how the two |
| into one. The traditional way has been for a bride | | | | colors of sand can mix together in harmony. |
| and a groom to be married in front of a man of | | | | Then both the bride and the groom pour the |
| God and vow to love one another for the rest of | | | | remainder into the center vase at the same time. |
| their lives. | | | | This is to symbolize equality in the marriage and |
| Some couples choose to use symbols to show | | | | the total combining of two lives into one. Some |
| their lives uniting together into one bond. One | | | | couples choose to leave a small amount of sand in |
| example of this is the unity candle ceremony | | | | each vase. The purpose of this gesture is to |
| where the bride and groom light a candle together | | | | show that even though they are combining their |
| after the vows are read. This shows their unity | | | | lives, they still are individuals. |
| as one couple instead of two separate people. A | | | | The vases, along with the sand, can be kept |
| more recent variation of this tradition is the unity | | | | forever as an important memory of the special |
| sand ceremony. | | | | day. |
| What is a Unity Sand Ceremony? | | | | The History and Future of the Unity Sand |
| A unity sand ceremony has become a new | | | | Ceremony |
| alternative to the unity candle ceremony. In a | | | | Though this unity sand ceremony is a relatively |
| unity sand ceremony, the bride and groom | | | | new trend, it has been around for thousands of |
| combine their individual vases of sand to | | | | years in one form or another. No one is quite |
| symbolize the combining of their individual lives. | | | | sure where it began: some say it was started by |
| How Does it Work? | | | | Native Americans, others argue that native |
| The unity sand ceremony works by having three | | | | Hawaiians were the first. |
| vases: one for the bride and one for the groom. | | | | No matter who started the trend, one thing is for |
| Each container holds a specific color of sand, like | | | | certain. It’s quickly becoming a popular |
| black for the groom and white for the wife. | | | | portion of the modern wedding ceremony. Many |
| There is also a center vase that is empty. | | | | couples are choosing to write their own vows and |
| The groom starts by pouring part of his sand into | | | | personalize their weddings outside of the |
| the center vase. This symbolizes the | | | | traditional church wedding and the unity sand |
| “foundation” of the marriage. Like | | | | ceremony is one way to do that. |
| the foundation of a house, it’s purpose is | | | | A growing trend in the unity sand ceremony is to |
| to show how the man builds a strong base to the | | | | have a family unity sand ceremony where the |
| relationship. | | | | couple’s children can also pour sand into |
| The bride then pours her sand on top of her | | | | the vase along with the bride and groom. |