Creative alternatives to a wedding sand pouring or sand blending unity ceremony

 

 

Sand ceremonies are amazing! We love the meaning behind them, officiants love performing them, and couples love having a beautiful keepsake around to remind them of their wedding day for years to come.

 

But -- what if you want something a little different? Something special, maybe even something offbeat or quirky? 

 

If you’re considering a sand ceremony or unity ritual, but want something more personal to you and your unique relationship, we have a few great suggestions. 

 

And if you’re an officiant looking for alternatives to offer couples -- you’re in the right place! 

 

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

 

 

Here are 4 alternatives to use in this pouring ritual instead of sand, to personalize and customize your ceremony! 
 

 

1. Flour and sugar 

 

This is a sweet choice (pun intended) if you’re a couple of bakers in love! Pour the mixture into a clear cookie jar for an extra cute touch. You can also use two kinds of sugar instead, to make things even sweeter.  

 

 

2. Salt and pepper (or other spices!) 

 

This timeless combination is a perfect mixing of opposite, but complementary, flavors. If you and your sweetie see yourselves this way, or if you love to cook together, choose seasonings instead of sand! 

 

(Check out this modern couple who used salt and pepper in their ceremony during the first summer of the Covid 19 pandemic: From Ordinary Officiant to High Priestess) 

 

 

Salt & pepper or spice blending ceremony

 

 

3. Ground coffee 

 

If you hail from a place that celebrates coffee culture (like Seattle, Kona, Rome, or Havana), or if you and your partner met at a cute cafe and bonded over a strong cup of joe, why not use coffee grounds in a unity ritual? This is practical too… you’ll make the perfect blend for your first morning as a married couple! 

 

 

Coffee blending ceremony

 

 

4. Soil from a meaningful place

 

If you want your new family to be rooted in the love and support you’ve found in your past, you can perform this ritual with soil or dirt from places that mean something special to you and your partner -- a family farm, property, hometown, or other beloved place (such as a favorite vacation spot). 

 

Soil blending ceremony

 

 

The absolute best thing about unity rituals -- and wedding ceremonies in general -- is how infinitely adaptable they are! Traditional sand ceremonies are beautiful just as they are, but for couples looking for something new, there are countless options to choose from. 

 

Of course, when you stop using sand, it might feel wrong to call it a sand ceremony… If you’re an officiant or couple trying to describe a custom ritual like one of these, come up with something clever that makes you smile (‘Love Buzz Coffee Ceremony’, anyone?) or stick to the term ‘unity ritual.’ The name isn’t important, the symbolism is all that matters!  

 

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Looking for a sample wedding ceremony script that includes a sand ceremony? 

 

Try one of the scripts below, or modify any of the other templates in our Library. 

 

• Celebration Of Community Ceremony Script
• Christian Ceremony Script With Salt Covenant
• Modern Jewish Wedding Ceremony Script With Sand Ceremony

 

Or check out Lucky in Love to find symbolism that speaks to you, and Navigating Your Wedding Ceremony to create your own custom ceremony! 

 

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