“Today’s ceremony is joining two hearts, two people, and two families. To symbolize this blend, sand from two vases will be poured into a single vessel. One color is to symbolize the bride: all that she was, all that she is, and all that she will be. The second color will symbolize the groom: all that he was, all that he is, and all that he hopes to be…”
This is a portion of a common wedding ceremony performed today. Commonly called the “unity sand ceremony,” the bride and groom and their families partake in the ritual of combining sands in a vessel, which at the end is capped and displayed at the home of the newlywed couple. This has taken the place of the unity candle which is the lighting of one candle with two smaller ones to symbolize the joining of hearts. Many have come to enjoy the sand ritual as it involves meaningful vows, active participants, and produces a lasting treasure that will stand to represent the beauty that came together when two hearts met.
Choosing Your Colors
Many couples opt to choose ceremony quartz sand colors that will work well in their home, so that the displayed piece looks as if it fits there. This can be a wonderful option for the bride and groom. However, remember that although the color scheme of your living area today may be pumpkin and sage, it will likely vary - even by a drastic degree - in years to come. So, if you are looking for something that will fit with your décor over the long term, you might want to opt for neutral colors. Whites, grays, tans, browns, and taupe may be wise choices, whereas red, orange, pink, some greens and blues may find themselves sticking out like a sore thumb a few years down the road. You might consider a base of white sand to symbolize a foundation of religion, or having the parents pour colors that differ from those poured by the bride and groom. In this way, the symbolism produces an even better, more colorful outcome, more true to life when one considers the many varieties of personalities that make up a family.
Another option is to simply base the colors on the color scheme of your wedding. In this way, the sand and vase will blend seamlessly with your theme and your big day, and while it may not always match the home décor perfectly, it may not matter because ultimately it is a remembrance of the day you wed.
Choosing the Vessel
This is a simpler decision, perhaps, than choosing the colors of the ceremony sand to be used; however, there are still many options that may be considered. Many brides and grooms choose a heart-shaped container as a symbol of their shared love; however, there are other vase shapes that can be very simplistic or highly modern in shape. Nesting vase sets can be a wonderfully beautiful option, as they provide a trifecta design in the future. Etched, they can read the name or initials of the bride on one vase, those of the groom on another, and the date of their union on the main vessel. The three would then be able to be displayed hugging each other in stunning fashion.
More on Ceremony Sand:
Wedding Sand Ceremony - Unity Candle Alternative
