Sand Unity Vase

Rituals help to form us in many ways and represent many different parts of our lives. I believe that it is important to have something in our homes that we see everyday that reminds us of our wedding day as well as the important people in your lives.

One of the most beautiful, as well as meaningful rituals used today in our Wedding Ceremonies is the Sand Unity Vase. This ritual represents the coming together of the couple and their families.

Most often, there are two separate vases of different colored sand (or shells, rocks, marbles, etc.) and then a Central Vase. Usually, near the beginning of the ceremony I ask the family members (who will participate in the ritual) to step forward and pour a portion of the small vase into the Couples Unity Vase and as they add their sand they also add their wishes for the couple. Each family member then adds a portion of one of the smaller containers to the center container. After each family member has built a foundation in the Couples Unity Vase then the bride and groom pour the remaining portions of the smaller containers into the central one.

This Vase signifies that we come from many but that we are still separate individuals, that just as the sand seem tiny as a grain by itself that when it is combined it becomes a thing of beauty.

This summer, I had parents who brought sand from Argentina to be used for their sons’ side of the vase. He had grown up on this beach and it represented his link to his homeland. Other couples have used black sand that they had collected from Hawaii and of course most couples use some of our Oregon Sand!

This is a wonderful ritual to incorporate when there are multiple people that you would like to honor in your ceremony or that you feel especially close to. These may be parents, step-parents, siblings, friends or children. You can incorporate anyone that you wish to.

As many of our weddings in Oregon are outdoors, this is a wonderful ritual that will always be appropriate. It is very emotional for the participants as well as the guests. It is very meaningful for you can honor special people in your life and finally, you don’t have to worry about the wind blowing the candle out!

Please visit with me about this ritual and we can together, make it a memorable part of your wedding ceremony as well as your lives for years to come.

541.929.3996 or webinquiries@oregoncelebrations.com