unity sand ceremony ?

IMO it works better after the vows/ rings.

Okay. I've also seen readings that are said prior to... you agree Analy?

Or during the actual pouring of the sand

I believe it occurs after... to signfy that you have just joined together...

I have always seen it done before. The flow is a little bit better that way, especially if other family members are participating. No right or wrong though, it's really whatever works for you.

Sounds good, I'll put it in after the vows/ring exchange. Thanks all!

My sister had it right after the vows and exchange of rings. She wanted to do something her two boys could be a part of in the ceremony. They are 5 and 6, so my sister and her new husband also gave them rings to pledge their love as a family, then all four of them took turns pouring in the different colors of sand to a song they picked. It was beautiful and so unique.

We did ours right after the vows and the rings.

I have been debating a unity sand ceremony but I am concerned about traveling back home with it on the plane. Any thoughts?

Cynthia: serious bubble wrap. Actually, I'd have it sent via ups/fedex/etc & somehow state it's value, super fragile. They're usually good about that.

So what do ya'll think is a good song to play during the ceremony? I def don't want it to be quiet & boring.

We are using a shadow box with a picture of us in it... I think it might travel alot better than just a glass vase

I am doing mine after the vows and rings...I agree, I dont want it to quiet and boring, so I am either going to have my cousin sing or have a song play...I havent gotten that far on chosing a song yet though!

They make some that have corks on them... and some have mentioned using hot glue to seal up the tops.

We had a reading done while we poured the sand. Went something like this:

Now you will feel no rain,

For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness for you,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,

But there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,

To enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth

Great ideas binx and denise - i'd definately ship it and i've seen one that's a heart in a stand with a cork on top but the hot glue is a great backup! sara what a neat idea! i haven't seen anything like that!

We are doing it right after our vows/rings. The song we are playing during the sand ceremony is Ben Harper;s "Forver."

The officiant will say:

"Now we are going to share in a Sand Ceremony… Brian and Crystal before today you have lived two separate lives… each grain of sand symbolizes your separate lives, separate experiences, choices, activities, separate families and separate set of friends. By the two of you along with Danica taking each grain of sand and combining them with each of the others… it is a picture of your lives now being joined into one life, and represents the joining together of your families and sets of friends to ONE as well! As an old Indian verb-age expressed… when you can separate every single grain of sand from the others… then you are free to leave! NOT AN EASY TASK!"

We got our set from http://www.sandceremonyset.com/

We did it after the rings/vows. It was beautiful and everyone at the wedding kept commenting on how neat it is. I know it is very popular on here, but nobody at my wedding had seen it before.

Here is a picture of my husband and I pouring in our sand and then our parents pouring in their sand.

So many cool ideas!

When I do the unity sand for my couples (after the vows & ring exchanges) I talk about the sand they're about to pour. After they finish, I talk about what it represents. The only time nothing is being said is the minute that they're actually pouring sand, so you wouldn't need much music.

After the ring exchange. It flows very nicely as I am a wedding officiant and have had couples share the sand ceremony numerous times. Absolutely beautiful!