The Sand Ceremony

A wedding sand ceremony is very popular in Lake Tahoe. It is not a ceremony in itself, but part of the actual wedding ceremony, and is incorporated at some point into the main body of the matrimonial service where appropriate. The sand ceremony typically replaces the portion of the ceremony where the lighting of the unity candle takes place.

Two vessels of sand are poured together either into a third keepsake vessel, or into the wind to represent the coming together of your lives. If you would like a sand ceremony, you will need to bring your own sand and containers.

Sand Ceremony Examples

Sand Ceremony 1

Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand, one representing you (Bride) and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, (Groom), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.

Sand Ceremony 2

Bride and Groom, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you’ll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.

Sand Ceremony 3

Bride and Groom, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other.

Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand, one representing you (Bride), and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, (Groom), and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.