A sand ceremony at a wedding is a wonderful unusual ritual. What makes it so is not only the spectacular pouring of colored sand by the newlyweds into a common vessel .
The words spoken at this moment are very important. They will forever remain in the souls and hearts of the young. That is why you need to take a responsible approach to choosing or composing a speech for the host of the sand ceremony.
Meaning and history
So, what is this ritual ? Everything is very simple - the bride and groom take turns or at the same time pour sand of 2 different shades into a specially prepared vessel. The custom in question came to us from the West , where it is widespread among newlyweds.
The meaning of this symbolic event is the following - the unification of two souls who were able to find each other among millions. Like handfuls of sand, spouses unite their destinies into a single marriage bond.
By the way, this ceremony can be performed not only by a couple in love, but also by their relatives, then this will mean that the families have become one.
The sand ritual was first carried out on the Hawaiian Islands, because there you can easily find multi-colored sand: golden, white, reddish, and even pale blue. To this day, in Hawaii, such a touching ritual remains one of the main ones when concluding a marriage.
In the United States of America, this ceremony gained popularity in the early 90s of the last century, when it became fashionable to hold wedding events on the beaches. It has especially taken root in the Western part of the country, but in the Eastern part it is less in demand.
The combination of multi-colored grains of sand is also loved by Russian couples, especially if the wedding is planned abroad, on the seashore.
Sand show
How is a sand show performed at a wedding? Everyone probably drew with their finger in the sand as a child, and the sand show is almost the same. But thanks to the skills of the master and the availability of special equipment, simple drawings on the sand turn into a fairy tale. The artist quickly draws one picture after another, and they seem to flow into each other, creating something like a film. To do this you need: a table with lighting, sand, a screen and a projector. The artist draws pictures, and the audience watches the process on the screen. The master is not just an artist, he is also a screenwriter. Based on the story of the meeting of the newlyweds, he draws up a mini-film script, where everything is clearly distributed. Such films also have musical accompaniment, often live.
How to find and select an artist? Very simple. There are quite a few companies that deal with sand ceremonies. On the sites you can see reviews, examples of work, prices. But you need to agree in advance, since the master needs to prepare a script. The customer must provide a history of the meeting and photographs of the newlyweds.
The heroes of the occasion and guests, after watching the sand animation, will probably want to try drawing themselves. Is it possible? Such issues are discussed with the master in advance, but usually the artists themselves offer those who wish to hold a master class at the wedding. Working with sand does not require special safety rules, but it is also very exciting. By the way, if there are children at the wedding, you can agree with the master to hold a master class for them after the film. Young guests will certainly find it very interesting, and adults will not worry that children are bored and have nothing to occupy them. But in this case, of course, it will be better if there are several tables with sand.
Principle of implementation
The main attribute of the ritual is sand of two different colors. Before the ceremony in question, the guy and girl choose the colors they like.
Shades usually symbolize something special or reflect the inner world of future spouses.
Also, before the wedding, you will need to prepare three special containers for grains of sand, preferably narrow, tall and elongated. One of them should be larger, where two types of sand will be poured. Its shape can be square or round.
First, each color is poured separately, and then at the ceremony, the bride and groom take turns or simultaneously, pour “their shade” into a common bottle.
Outdated wedding customs
Many wedding rituals and traditions have long been outdated and seem simply incredible. With the rapid development of the modern world, most of them have lost their relevance and look truly strange from the outside.
Unusual ancient traditions at a wedding:
- Matchmaking. Wedding customs and traditions in ancient Rus' were more strict, and often the bride, as is traditional at a Turkish wedding, was not asked at all about her consent to get married. The matchmaking could take place at the most unexpected moment for the family, when it was unprepared to receive guests. The matchmakers and the groom arrived on a horse-drawn cart, decorated with bells and bright ribbons so that the future bride could hear her groom. The matchmakers talked with the bride's family at a sumptuous table, presented the parents with expensive gifts, showing their serious intentions about their daughter. On the same day, the girl’s parents had to give their answer.
- Vytie. Among the ancient wedding rituals and customs is the so-called howling, or crying of the bride before the wedding. For this ritual, a special vytnitsa was invited to the house, a woman who sang plaintive songs, under which the future bride shed bitter tears, saying goodbye to her home and family.
- Bride ransom. Redemption in ancient Rus' represented the passage of a real obstacle. First, the groom tried to go into the village, then through the gate, and only later into the house of his betrothed. The whole ceremony took place in a large company of relatives and fellow villagers, who created obstacles for the groom, who, in turn, could pay off with a coin.
Among the ancient customs one could also find:
- bridesmaids;
- hen-party,
- handshake;
- wedding;
- tradition of the first wedding night.
What will you need?
- Two tall vessels for the spouses’ sand and one larger one, with a narrow neck and a tight-fitting lid;
- 2 types of multi-colored sand;
- a funnel or watering can to make it convenient to pour grains of sand into a common container;
- the table where everything will happen;
- optional decorative elements, these can be satin ribbons, candles, flowers.
The listed paraphernalia can be purchased at a wedding salon or ordered a special sand set on the Internet.
Pork
Spicy pork dishes are served with Riesling, as its fruity and citrus aroma complements the spices well. This same wine is suitable for pork kebabs/barbecues, just like a slightly “jammy” Shiraz. If the pork was cooked with fruit or served with a fruit sauce, it can be washed down with Zinfandel.
Pork fried in boiling oil is combined with Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, and can also be served with Zweigelt or Pinot Noir. Meat in a sweet and sour sauce is best contrasted with Pinot Grigio or white Zinfandel.
A meat dish with a lot of herbs, such as pork stew, should be served with Chardonnay, as its light and slightly creamy flavor will not overwhelm the spices.
Who conducts it?
To carry out this touching ritual, you will probably need the help of a professional. If it is planned during an off-site registration, then it is most likely appropriate to find a registrar, but if during a banquet, then the wedding host will completely cope with the task.
But it also happens that the bride and groom are creative people themselves and want to carry out the ceremony on their own, and sometimes these responsibilities are taken on by friends or relatives of the couple. The main thing is that everything goes according to a certain scenario.
How it all began
This interesting Western tradition, TheUnitySandCeremony, which literally translates as the Uniting Sand Ceremony, came to us from the Hawaiian Islands. It has been carried out since ancient times among the aborigines and symbolized the inextricable bond between two lovers. In a country where summer lasts all year round, it is customary to organize a wedding on the ocean shore. They also have no shortage of colorful sand, since the island is of volcanic origin and, on top of that, there are several active volcanoes. Hawaii has several colorful beaches, from pure white to semi-precious green and even blue.
Not so long ago, in the second half of the 20th century, a fashionable trend arose among Americans to hold a wedding ceremony in warm tropical countries, and Hawaii with its candle-lit summer became an ideal place, where visiting newlyweds spotted this beautiful tradition, and later “brought” it to their country. This tradition is most widespread in California. “They pour sand” not only at weddings, but also when they propose marriage, on a honeymoon.
Where to spend it?
The sand ritual is very simple, so it can be implemented regardless of the location of the wedding: at least during off-site registration, at least during a festive banquet in a restaurant or cafe, in the fresh air, basically anywhere.
If you want to do this at an outdoor ceremony, then plan the ceremony after the lovers are declared husband and wife, which will be an excellent finale to the solemn part of the event.
If it is held at a banquet, do not wait too long, because this is a touching and romantic event, so it will not be so appropriate to look when all the guests are already tipsy.
Price
Most often, the sand ritual is performed by a leader, so no additional payment will be required for its organization. The newlyweds will only need to take care of accessories for the ceremony. They can be ordered online.
So, a set of containers for a sand ceremony will cost about 2000 rubles , colored sand will cost about 200 rubles per package of one shade . It turns out that a beautiful and original ceremony will not cost much at all.
Important! You should order accessories in advance, as their delivery may take a while!
Example Scenario
- The presenter/recorder makes a beautiful speech to the lyrical composition.
- Each of the couple in love receives their own vessel with the previously chosen color.
- After the solemn speech, to the applause of those present, the young people pour multi-colored grains of sand from their bottles into a common container.
This can be done in one of the following ways: one at a time, with a short interval. The result is a unique pattern, alternating two different sand stripes. Or at the same time, then in the end you will see a random pattern. If the wedding is taking place outdoors, then the newlyweds can pour sand directly from their palms, which will look more natural and natural. - In conclusion, the presenter once again says the final words.
- At the end, the resulting vessel is sealed and given to the heroes of the occasion.
Text examples
Option 1
Not long ago, two people walked the earth. They lived their lives, met with friends, worked, celebrated holidays and seemed to be completely happy with their fate.
Until one day He, young, handsome and strong, met Her, lovely, tender, fragile. And both realized that before this meeting their lives were not complete.
These vessels symbolize you before you meet each other. Here is the groom (the presenter gives the vessel to the groom), and here is the bride (she gives the vessel to the bride).
Until today, you were like these vessels: each on his own, with his own thoughts and interests. Today you have become one. Let the grains of sand from your vessels unite together forever (young ones fill the common vessel).
Just as these streams of sand, as if hugging each other, lie in intricate patterns in a vessel, so your destinies are closely intertwined into one, bright, beautiful, happy. May your love never fade.
Option 2
Dear newlyweds! The day to which you have been walking for so long has come. They walked different paths, with different dreams and hopes.
Here is our groom. Look at him: tall, stately, like this vessel, reliable and calm, like the sand in it (the host hands the vessel to the groom). He had been waiting for a long time for the one who would interrupt his loneliness. He was so tired of cooking dumplings and sausages for himself, washing and ironing his shirts, socks and shoelaces.
And now his dream came true. Here she is, his betrothed. The soul is pure and transparent, like its vessel, gentle, like the sand in it (hands the vessel to the bride). For many years she has been waiting for a handsome prince who will fulfill all her whims, carry her in his arms and pull stars from the sky.
Congratulations! Your dreams come true! As a sign of uniting your destinies into one, fill this vessel together with your sand. Just as these grains of sand are inextricably intertwined with each other, so your couple will be united forever. The strength of the spouse takes on the fragility and tenderness of the spouse.
Take care of your love. And let this beautiful sand drawing you created today become the key to your happy family life.
Meaning of colors
Most often, future spouses, when choosing colors, focus on the overall style of the wedding, so that all accessories are in harmony with each other. For example, white and blue colors are ideal for a nautical-themed celebration, natural muted shades for “Rustic,” and green or mint for “Eco.”
Some families focus on the interior of their apartment, because after the wedding, the vessel with sand will remain with them and will delight them at home. But other lovers are guided by personal tastes and simply choose the colors they like for their sand ritual.
Below we list the meanings of the most common shades that newlyweds choose for the ceremony in question:
- blue - carries the divine principle, symbolizes air, tranquility and spirituality;
- pink - personifies tenderness, naivety and kindness, which is probably why girls often choose it;
- green is a symbol of hope and life, because it is not without reason that the wedding day itself is called “green”;
- red has long been called the color of love; it is also associated with passion, fire, power and strength. It will undoubtedly be chosen by bright, passionate, strong, powerful and self-confident people;
- orange is a shade of happiness, sun, positivity, joy and warmth;
- yellow – similar to the previous tone, it also carries positive emotions, happiness, sun and warmth;
- blue is a royal color;
- purple – the personification of wisdom and freedom;
- white means purity of feelings, innocence and the beginning of a new life.
Planting a tree of love
Since ancient times in Rus', newlyweds planted a tree on their wedding day as a symbol of future happiness and family well-being. It becomes a family amulet and its talisman. Gradually, other seedlings were planted to this tree when children were born. This created a beautiful garden in the yard with special symbolism. Alas, in Russia and Belarus this beautiful tradition was forgotten. While in Europe, newlyweds often plant their love tree on their wedding day.
How to do it?
Prepare a seedling, find a beautiful place in a clearing, or simply transplant it into a beautiful pot that can be placed in the country house or on the balcony. To create a special atmosphere, you can turn on beautiful music or ask the host/registrar to say a few beautiful words during this custom. And every day you will be able to watch how your tree of love grows stronger and stronger with every year of your life together!
What can you plant?
In addition to a tree, you can plant any plant you like: bonsai, cactus or even a flower. You should not choose plants that are too capricious for planting, so that they do not wither soon after the wedding.
What should you buy?
It is clear that this is the tree itself and the pot if you plant it outside of nature. Plus, don't forget a shovel (or a smaller version), aprons and gloves so you don't get your wedding dresses dirty.
Please note that unauthorized planting of trees within the city is prohibited, therefore the planting of a wedding tree should be coordinated in advance with the district administration.
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What to do with the vessels after the ceremony?
At the end of this touching event, lovers must take with them the so-called “cup of love” and keep it at home. After all, it is a symbol of the union of the newlyweds’ destinies and a reminder of that wonderful day when a man and woman started a family.
Remember that the container with your sand should not be shaken, otherwise the entire design will be ruined.
If you want to fill your celebration with modern, spectacular traditions, then do not ignore the sand wedding ceremony. After all, it will not require a lot of expenses, but it will remain in the memory of the young people for the rest of their lives, and a vessel with a beautiful pattern, made with your own hands, will decorate your family nest and please the eye.
Locking the lock
The tradition of hanging wedding locks appeared in Florence, where lovers began to hang small locks on the monument to the sculptor B. Cellini on the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and throw the keys into the river. Arno. Then this tradition gained particular popularity in Italy after the publication of F. Moch’s novel “Three Meters Above the Sky”, where the heroes of the novel, swearing eternal love, wrapped the pillar of the Ponte Milvio bridge with an iron chain and hung a lock on it, and threw the key into the river. Tiber Soon this beautiful tradition reached Russia.
How to do it?
The newlyweds hang a lock on the bridge railing and throw the key into the water. This is considered a guarantee that no one else will be able to pick up the key to the heart of a loved one.
Where to hang the lock?
Because In recent years, the authorities have been actively fighting to ensure that newlyweds do not hang locks on bridges, because they can collapse under their weight; it comes to the point that the authorities cut off the locks of newlyweds, as, for example, on the Island of Tears in Minsk. Therefore, you should think about alternative options, for example, iron trees, which is already practiced in Russia, or less well-known places.
What should you buy?
A lock with a key, especially since there are many options for locks for newlyweds: from miniature to large; from standard to engraved locks. The latter can either be cut out on the locks, or written with paint, laid out with rhinestones, etc.
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Wedding ceremony - release of white doves
A classic wedding ceremony symbolizing the beginning of a new life for the newlyweds. It is especially relevant in spring and summer, as in warm weather it acquires a special charm.
The disadvantages of such a ritual may be that this ceremony is quite expensive, and it is difficult to find a dovecote that will honestly fulfill its duties and look after its pets. However, the benefits are simply not comparable to any inconvenience.
As a result, after the ceremony you will receive stunning photographs, a sea of impressions, and a feeling of special significance of the event. This beautiful and touching tradition should definitely be considered as a wedding ceremony option.
