A Unity Sand Ceremony
Part 3 of The Elements Series - A Wedding Celebrant's Perspective
Part 3 – A Unity Sand Ceremony.
In this ‘Elements’ series, I take a look at how my brides and grooms have incorporated additional elements to really personalise their wedding ceremony and make it a truly unique and memorable day.
One of the most popular elements chosen by couples who want to celebrate unity in their marriage, is the Sand Ceremony.
For, not only does it give couples the opportunity to unite some very special people in their ceremony, it also creates a beautiful, colourful and unique keepsake of their day.
Reasons to have a Unity Sand Ceremony
A Unity Sand Ceremony is an unexpected and lovely moment to delight your guests and makes the ceremony unique and personal for the couple.
There are many different reasons to include a Unity Sand Ceremony in your wedding.
A wedding is a celebration of unity. However, often a wedding doesn’t just bring two people together, it brings more and therefore is a celebration of family. Incorporating a unity element in your ceremony is a beautiful way to acknowledge this.
For example, couples with children from previous relationships often choose to have a sand ceremony to symbolically represent the unity of a new, blended family.
Or both sets of parents can join the couple in a sand ceremony, to represent the uniting of the two families and the merging of their different heritages, through the creation of a new family
Sammii and Simon included a sand ceremony in their wedding ceremony because they recognised that the deep connection and close bond that they share with each other also extended to their brother and sisters.
And so, they wanted to acknowledge the significant role that their siblings play in their lives, by inviting them to share in a Unity Sand Ceremony.
Each container of sand represented one of the five siblings. Each was individual, beautiful and unique.
The green sand (a nod to his Irish heritage) represented Simon, All that he was, all that he is and all that he will ever be.
Simon poured the first layer of sand into the container, this represented how he was the foundation of this new family being created.

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into their individual containers, so the five of you are now joined together as one.
As you continue to support, love and care for each other, your lives will become as inseparable and intertwined as the layers of sand that you have combined here today.

Their brother and sisters offered Sammii and Simon their support and love for them and their marriage, as they each poured their sand. And as they poured the sands merged together and something unique and beautiful was created.. Something that can never be separated or return to what it was
Finally, Sammii, poured her Cadbury purple sand (her favourite colour) on top.
Simon and Sammii’s sand on the bottom and top of the vase represents how they will always hold their siblings closely and tightly between them. .Wherever any of them travel or however far apart they find themselves, a part of them will always remain together.
Personalising Your Wedding Ceremony
As you can see, a Sand Ceremony adds a deep, personal and meaningful touch to your wedding. It can make your ceremony truly reflect who you are as a couple. It will delight and surprise your guests and ensure your special day is a truly memorable occasion.
Many Thanks
I’d like to thank Sammii and Simon and their family for letting me share with you a part of their incredibly special day.
I’d like to also thank the talented and generous Jeff Sham for the amazing pics.
Look out for the fourth part of this series – A Unity Candle Ceremony !
For a look at Part Two of this Elements Series – A Parchment Signing Ceremony – Click here !!
For a look at Part One of this Elements Series – A Beautiful Ring Warming Ceremony – Click here !!