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| photo by Jim Creed Photography |
While certainly no longer a novelty, the sand ceremony is relatively new to wedding "traditions," and may very well deserve to become a long standing one. In many senses, the sand ceremony resembles the unity candle custom, where the simultaneous lighting of a central candle by the couple each using a separate candle, symbolizes the joining of two separate individuals and their families. With the sand ceremony, the beauty of the mixing of two separate vessels of sand is that once the sand has been mixed, it is inextricably mixed forever and can never be separated, just as the couple's two lives and families will be.
The sand ceremony works exceptionally well in lieu of the unity candles when it comes to outdoor wedding ceremonies. Particularly here in Hawaii, where our balmy weather entices many couples to celebrate their union in the open-air, the unity candle can be tricky to execute, where even a subtle gust of wind could blow out the candle (and what would the symbolism be behind that?!). For couples wishing to incorporate the unity candle into their outdoor wedding ceremonies, I usually suggest the sand ceremony instead, which is impervious to the elements.
The mixed sand also makes a beautiful keepsake following the ceremony. Some couples will even get the vessel engraved with their names and wedding date. A slew of beautiful sand ceremony kits are available on-line and even picture frames that can be filled with sand serve as a beautiful alternative to a glass container.
If planning your own wedding, consider how you'd like to personalize your ceremony. The sand ceremony might be a wonderful way to do so, but be sure to consult with your officiant first. Happy planning!
Mona
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