| If you've attended many weddings lately, or | | | | lighting ceremony. |
| read trendy magazines or newspapers, you've | | | | |
| undoubtedly noticed that the ceremonies are | | | | The Unity Sand Ceremony can also be altered |
| no longer just your Grandmother's and | | | | in many ways to include family and friends. |
| Grandfather's typical church wedding. | | | | Besides the bride and groom, various colors |
| | | | of sand are given to wedding members who will |
| The Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that | | | | add their sand to the couple's sand, all |
| is usually two to three minutes in length, is | | | | flowing into the container, creating a |
| a meaningful joining of two lives. In this | | | | colorful and one-of-a kind symbol of unity. |
| timeless ritual of marriage, the couple | | | | |
| ceremoniously pours various colors of sand | | | | In an age where couples are planning weddings |
| from a container, such as a seashell, into | | | | that are unique to their beliefs and |
| one special container symbolizing their | | | | lifestyle, the sand ceremony can be |
| coming together as one. | | | | personalized many different ways to fit the |
| | | | occasion. After the ceremony, the couple has |
| This unique celebration was recently brought | | | | a unique keepsake to remember their wedding |
| into the public eye with the marriage of | | | | day. |
| Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter of the TV series, | | | | |
| "The Bachelorette." Rather than the | | | | Hawaii has been a popular destination for |
| time-honored ritual of the Unity Candle | | | | weddings since airplanes became the preferred |
| Ceremony, the famous couple chose the | | | | mode of travel. Its mild weather and sandy |
| alternative, Unity Sand Ceremony. Their | | | | beaches create a perfect environment for the |
| decision has sparked a craze in weddings | | | | entire wedding party to be barefoot on the |
| across the country. | | | | beach while witnessing the Unity Sand |
| | | | Ceremony - a tradition as old and exceptional |
| The ceremony has controversial origins, some | | | | as the islands themselves. |
| believing that it began with the Native | | | | |
| Americans and some insisting the Hawaiians | | | | Not going to have a wedding on a beach? Don't |
| were the ancestors of the legend. Whatever | | | | worry. Sand is available online, or the |
| its origin, the Unity Sand Ceremony is fast | | | | couple can use sand from a destination |
| becoming a nationwide wedding ceremony trend. | | | | they've visited or that has a special meaning |
| | | | in their lives. Distinctive containers |
| The flowing sand and blending of the colors | | | | designed to fit any religion or lifestyle can |
| symbolize the bringing together of two lives | | | | also be purchased online. |
| into one. Some couples prefer to leave a | | | | |
| small amount of sand in their respective | | | | Many couples write their own vows for the |
| container to show that even though they now | | | | ceremony, but passages from ancient Hawaiian |
| function as one, they remain individuals. | | | | or Native American weddings can easily be |
| | | | found on the Internet for the portion of your |
| A staple in marriages everywhere, The Unity | | | | wedding relating to the Unity Sand Ceremony. |
| Candle Ceremony has long been a tradition for | | | | |
| marriages both elaborate and simple. Usually, | | | | Whatever your dream wedding entails, consider |
| there is a single candle that both bride and | | | | incorporating the Unity Sand Ceremony into |
| groom light from a flame of their own single | | | | the celebration. You'll be sure to create |
| candle. Parents or other members of the | | | | memories that your guests will talk about for |
| wedding party often join in the candle | | | | a long time to come. |