How to Perform a Unity Sand Ceremony (for Wedding Officiants)

A Wedding Officiant's Guide: How to Incorporate a Sand Ceremony into a Wedding

 

Updated February 21, 2025

 

The Unity Sand Ceremony wedding tradition symbolizes two distinct personalities and lives united in a devoted partnership. This beautiful unity ritual can also be used to represent two families become one -- making it a very popular unity ceremony for blended families, especially when there are meaningful elders or children present. 
 
If this is your first time leading this unique ritual, you probably have questions about the best way to incorporate a sand ceremony into a wedding. You’re in the right place!

 

Below, we list essential sand ceremony supplies, then move on to how to set up the sand ceremony, best practices for your wedding rehearsal, how to deliver the sand ceremony (wording for the officiant) and important things to consider after the wedding ceremony. Let's dive in! 

See Our Minister Ordination Package!

How to Incorporate a Sand Ceremony into a Wedding (For Officiants & Curious Couples)

 

• Essential Sand Ceremony Supplies

 

What supplies do you need to do a sand ceremony? 

 

Sand ceremony supplies are usually purchased and provided by the couple getting married. As the Officiant, you should make sure that all of the essential items are on hand at the wedding venue before the ceremony starts to avoid delays. You can also offer your wedding couples advice on the best supplies to use if they aren’t sure what to bring, including the essential supplies listed below:

 

• Two smaller vessels to hold each partner's sand 

(Bring more than two containers for a blended family sand ceremony, one vessel each for anyone you want to include: children, parents, grandparents, and other meaningful friends and family members)

 

• A larger vessel to pour sand into it during the unity ceremony 

(Some couples use an hourglass or custom-made glass container. Keep in mind that this container will need to be sealed after the wedding ceremony if you want to keep it as a momento of the day. Find something with a lid!)

 

• Sand 

(You'll need sand of course! Choose two or more sand colors to symbolize your unique personalities and lives; beach sand from a favorite destination;  or symbolic alternatives to sand like sugar and flour or salt and pepper. Get creative, just make sure that whatever you choose is easy to pour.) 

 

How much sand do I need for Unity Sand Ceremony?

 

This question gets asked a lot by wedding couples: 'How much sand do I need for Unity Sand Ceremony?' As the wedding officiant, you're the expert they'll probably turn to for an answer! In general, couples will need 2 to 5 pounds of sand for the ceremony, depending on the size of their unity vessel. (Smaller containers will take less sand.) We recommend they measure the volume of their container to purchase the right amount of sand.

 

• A table to hold the Unity Sand Ceremony supplies during the ritual

 

• Decor for the unity ceremony table

(Choose symbolic decor for added meaning: flowers, magical herbs and plants, incense, candles, framed photos of family members and ancestors, etc.)

 

• Funnel

(A funnel might be necessary if the unity vessel is too narrow to pour sand into easily during the ceremony, or just to make the ceremony easier to perform for the couple and others involved.)

Pro Tip: When choosing sand ceremony supplies, make sure the opening of the large container is wide enough to pour sand into easily. If it isn’t, suggest that the couple choose a new container, or plan to use a funnel during the ceremony. Clear vessels, such as glass jars, vases, decanters, an hourglass, or other decorative glassware, are popular choices because the sand is pretty to look at while it mixes, and will make a great keepsake for a shelf or mantle! 

 

Get Creative: Don’t Use Sand! -- Creative Alternatives for Your Sand Ceremony

 

Sand Ceremony Supplies: Glass vases, champange flutes, and even quirky skull-shaped bottles... Any clear container can work well for a sand ceremony, as long as the opening is wide enough to pour sand into. For smaller containers, a funnel can make things easier. (Illustration by Jessica Levey)

 

How to Set Up Your Sand Ceremony

 

Where is the Best Place to Set up the Sand Ceremony Table? 

 

There are a few great options for how to arrange the ceremony space and where to set up a table for the sand ceremony, but first, make sure that all of the supplies are set up and ready for use on the table before the ceremony begins to avoid delays. The couple's colored sand should be poured into the smaller vessels, with a larger unity vessel placed between them. Decorate the table with flowers, candles, crystals, tea lights in glass jars, colorful fabric table cloths, and any other meaningful items that speak to the couples’ unique relationship. 

 

Now on to table placement! Where you place the table is very important to ensure guests and photographers have a great view, and that it's easy for the couple to move to the table when it's time to start the ceremony. Here are a few popular placement options to consider:

 

- Off to the Side

 

Sometimes the best spot for the unity ceremony table is off to the side, positioned behind the groom so that the couple can walk to it easily, avoiding the bride getting tangled in long dress by turning around. If both partners are wearing long gowns, it's probably best to choose a different table placement. If neither partner is in a dress, you can place the table off to the side behind either of them. 

 

- Close to the Audience 

 

Sometimes the best spot for the unity ceremony table is close to the audience (your guests and photographers), right up front and just to the side. As the couple steps forward to perform the ceremony, they’ll be moving closer to their guests, which can feel more interactive for everyone involved. 

 

- Behind the Officiant

 

Sometimes the best spot for the unity ceremony table will be positioned right behind the officiant. In this case, you (the officiant) will turn and step behind the table when it’s time to start the unity ceremony. The couple won't need to move at all to take their places, and will simply turn toward you (keeping their profile to guests and photographers). This is a popular choice because the table isn’t noticeable until the officiant steps behind it, and the audience will not need to shift their attention. 

 

Pro Tip: At the wedding rehearsal, remember that everyone will be wearing different clothes on the wedding day. Keep this in mind when choosing where to place the table and any candles (fire risks!). You might need to change the placement to accomodate long gowns, veils, bridal trains, theme wedding costumes, robes, or decorative sleeves and shawls.

 

A custom hourglass is a creative choice for sand ceremonies. 

 

 

Unity Sand Ceremony Wording & Delivery: What to Say & What to Do

 

Unity Sand Ceremony: How Does it Work? 

 

During the Unity Sand Ceremony, each partner will take turns pouring their sand into the unity vessel as a symbol of their two lives becoming one in marriage. How this happens will depend on the couple, for example: They might pour at the same time, so that all of the sand blends together as it's poured; or they might take turns to create a unique color pattern (when using colored sand).

 

When do you do the Unity Sand Ceremony?

 

The Unity Sand Ceremony typically comes after the Vow Exchange and Ring Exchange, continuing these symbols of love and commitment. When it's time, guide the couple to the ceremony table. Say a few words about the meaning and symbolism of the sand ceremony, and then instruct the couple to pour their sand into the vessel. After the Unity Sand Ceremony is complete, you'll give your final blessing and any final readings, followed by the Pronouncement of Marriage. See a sample order for your ceremony below: 

 

Order of Wedding Ceremony with Unity Sand Ceremony

 

• Wedding Procession / Processional
• Wedding Invocation & Welcome
• Declaration of Intent
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Unity Sand Ceremony
• Final Blessing
• Pronouncement of Marriage
• Wedding Recession / Recessional

During the wedding rehearsal, decide which partner will go first during the ritual, or if they will pour at the same time. Decide if they'll fill the entire unity vessel during the wedding in front of guests, or if they'll just pour a small amount as a symbolic gesture (finishing the ritual by themselves later). This is important to consider if you only have time for a short ceremony. Factor in whether the vessels the couple has chosen will pour quickly or slowly when making this decision -- these small details matter for a smooth ceremony!

 

 

Unity Sand Ceremony Wording for the Officiant

 

Transitions are key when shifting from another part of the ceremony into a unity ritual. Officiants should offer a few words to let the couple and guests know what’s coming next, and then talk about what the ritual symbolizes and means to the couple. 

 

What Do You Say During a Sand Ceremony? 

Here's a Sample Sand Ceremony Script for the Officiant:

 

Wedding Officiant

 

“At this time, (Name) and (Name) have chosen to share in a Unity Sand Ceremony as a symbol of their union. Marriage is the blending of two personalities, two lives, and two families into one. Marriage is a collaboration, two paths joined in a shared journey. It is teamwork, togetherness, friendship and devotion. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated, may you be joined forever in love!

 

(Name) and (Name), as you take turns adding your sand to this beautiful vase, think about what you love most about each other, and what you will bring to the adventure ahead. (Name), would you like to go first?”

 

• The couple performs the sand ceremony. After the ritual is done, the officiant transitions into the next part of the ceremony, usually giving a few closing remarks and a final blessing before pronouncing the couple married. The officiant might say: 

 

“Thank you both for sharing this beautiful moment with us! Now, please join me back at the altar/ front/ here.”

 

Pro Tip: Don’t worry about spilling sand on the table or getting it perfectly into the unity vessel. This symbolic ritual doesn't require perfection to be beautiful and meaningful. If something goes wrong, or if the ritual is taking too long, it's ok to let the couple know (discreetly) to move to the next part of the wedding ceremony. As the officiant, you'll ensure the ceremony moves seamlessly from one section to the next. 

Become a minister today!

After the Wedding Ceremony 

 

Do Couples Keep the Sand from a Sand Ceremony? What About Clean Up? 

 

The sand ceremony is a popular unity ritual because it leaves the couple with a momento of the wedding day they can enjoy for years; most couples keep the sand from a sand ceremony in the decorative vessel placed on a shelf or mantle as a lasting reminder of their love. We’ve even heard stories of couples taking the sand from their ceremony to a local glassblower to transform into a meaningful piece of glass art! (This is called a Unity Glass Ceremony, performed with a special type of sand or glass crystals.)

 

And a final planning note for clean up: Decide who's in charge of clearing away any remaining sand after the ceremony, and who will take the unity vessel for safe keeping. This can be a friend or family member, chosen by the couple. Small vessels can be sealed with cotton balls, tape, or corks. Vessels (like mason jars or decanters) might come with their own caps or lids, making the job an easy one. 

 

---

Check Out a Full Length Unity Sand Wedding Ceremony Script

 

Mix and match your favorite Sand Ceremony Scripts! Then personalize a custom wedding script with details from the couple's love story. 

 

• Hourglass Wedding Ceremony Script (Unity Sand Ceremony)
   

• A Modern Jewish Wedding Ceremony Script With Sand Ceremony

 

• Christian Ceremony Script With Salt Covenant 

 

• Celebration Of Community Ceremony Script

 

---