Sand ceremony

The principle of holding a sand ceremony on your wedding day

The main symbol of the ritual is sand of different colors. Each type of sand is intended separately for the bride and groom. It is necessary to select special vessels. It is advisable to find narrow, tall, elongated containers. The vessel into which the spouses will pour both types of sand should be large in volume, relatively high, for example, square or round in shape.

A leader will be required to carry out the ritual. It may well be one of the witnesses or the toastmaster. Sometimes the ceremony is offered to the groom. So, before the ceremony begins, three vessels must be prepared: a common one for mixing sand; two with multi-colored sand for the bride and groom. The newlyweds are invited to take the vessels with sand in their hands.

At the end of the speech, to the applause of the guests, sand is ceremoniously poured from each vessel into a common one: an ideal moment for a memorable photo.

Sand is poured in two ways:

Pour in turns, keeping a short time interval. The result: alternating stripes of sand, forming a beautiful pattern.
Simultaneous mixing. The result: a chaotic pattern in the vessel, but no less amazing and beautiful.

Having poured colorful sand, the leader of the ceremony can draw the final line of the ceremony by saying the words:

With these words, the sand ceremony ends. A common container of sand must be carefully transported and stored throughout family life. A container with an unusual and unique pattern will certainly become a wonderful attribute of your home’s interior. The main thing is not to shake it, as the pattern will be disrupted and multi-colored grains of sand will mix with each other.

Children and parents of the newlyweds can take part in the ceremony. Thus, relations will be strengthened not only between spouses, but also their children and relatives. It is known that friendly relations with mother-in-law and mother-in-law are important. The main thing is that sand of a specific color is also prepared for other participants in the ritual.

Let us note that the beautiful and symbolic ritual of the sand ceremony is suitable not only for a wedding. It is appropriate for them to decorate an event on the occasion of the birth of a baby in the family, a wedding anniversary or a date. In Russia, not everyone knows about the sand ritual. It is only gaining popularity here.

Required details

Newlyweds must prepare in advance the wedding accessories required for the sand ceremony:

You will need two glass, transparent vessels for the bride and groom. They should be long and narrow. Sand of different colors is poured into them.
You need one large vase or any transparent container for mixing multi-colored sand. It can be of any shape: round, heart-shaped or rectangular. It is better that the neck be narrow, because after the sand ceremony the container is closed with a cork and after the wedding it is sent to a permanent storage place in the house of the young couple.
Sand is needed . You can use only two shades, one for the bride, the other for the groom. In the store you can buy a ready-made set of bulk material. If you have no idea where to get sand for the ritual, then you can create it yourself. To do this, ordinary sand is mixed with crushed colored chalk of the desired shade.
A funnel may be useful if the neck of the vessel is very narrow and it is not possible to move the material carefully.

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Sand ceremony scenarios

1 message

Scenario 1: Traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony with only the newlyweds participating:

The host of the ceremony can be the toastmaster or one of the guests. If the ceremony is held without witnesses, for example, on a honeymoon, one of the newlyweds may well take on the role of host. The newlyweds pick up vessels with sand. The presenter takes the floor:

Presenter: “Now we will consolidate the union, which symbolizes the unification of two individuals, two vessels with sand. One represents the groom, and all of who he was, who he is now, and who he will become in the future. The second vessel symbolizes the bride, and all that she was, who she is now, and who she will become in the future. And, just as sands from two different vessels are combined in one vessel, the newlyweds cease to exist separately, turning into a single whole.”

What follows is the key moment of the ceremony: the bride and groom simultaneously pour sand from their vessels into a common large vessel to the applause of the guests and camera flashes.

If the bride and groom take turns pouring sand at short intervals, the sand will form a beautiful pattern, where a stripe of sand of the “male” color will alternate with a stripe of the “female” color. You can add sand at the same time - in this case, the pattern in the vessel will be less ordered, but more picturesque and unpredictable.

When the large vessel is filled, the final remark of the presenter sounds:

Host: “Just as these individual grains of sand cannot separate and return to their vessels again, so may the love and connection between you be indestructible!”

Please note: the main vessel is filled to approximately 3/4 of its volume, and there is a very reasonable explanation for this: Since the main vessel symbolizes the new family, and the sands in it are what the newlyweds brought to the family at the time of the ceremony, the empty space is reserved for future, for what the newlyweds have yet to create together. In Hawaii, a freshly cut orchid flower is placed in an empty space. Scenario 2: Traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony, in which the newlyweds and their parents and children participate:

Scenario 2: Traditional Hawaiian wedding ceremony, in which the newlyweds and their parents and children participate:

The host of the ceremony can be the toastmaster or one of the guests.

Newlyweds, their children and parents take vessels with sand in their hands.

We recommend using 4 colors of sand

The presenter takes the floor:

Presenter: “Now we will consolidate the union, which symbolizes the unification of two families. The older generation brings all their experience and all their wisdom through this sacred rite, and the younger generation brings the energy of creation and hope for the glorification of both families.”

The presenter invites the older generation - the parents of both newlyweds - to be the first to pour colored sand in turn.

Host: “Let the newlyweds always feel the support and love of their parents”

Next, the sand is poured by the children of the newlyweds, the newlyweds, again the parents, the children, the newlyweds, and so on.

Presenter: “And, just as sands from different vessels are combined in one vessel, two families cease to exist separately, turning into a single whole.”

When the large vessel is filled, the final remark of the presenter sounds:

Host: “Just as these individual grains of sand cannot separate and return to their vessels again, so let the love, respect and mutual assistance between your families be indestructible!”

Please note: the main vessel is filled to approximately 3/4 of its volume, and there is a very reasonable explanation for this: Since the main vessel symbolizes the new family, and the sands in it are what the newlyweds brought to the family at the time of the ceremony, the empty space is reserved for future, for what the newlyweds have yet to create together. In Hawaii, a freshly cut orchid flower is placed in an empty space. Sand ceremony at a wedding - a rite of unity of loving hearts

How to choose attributes, music and text for the presenter?

The sand ceremony at a wedding is a rite of unity of loving hearts. How to choose attributes, music and text for the presenter?

Do you want to make your wedding unique? Tired of outdated traditions and competitions? A sand ceremony at a wedding will help diversify such an amazing event in life. This completely new rite of unity of two loving hearts will leave the newlyweds with an unforgettable experience.

Sand ceremony is a great option

For the host : each guest briefly and succinctly expresses their wishes. The process does not turn into tedious moral teachings and reading poetry
For guests who are not strong in eloquence and feel uncomfortable being the center of attention. Here, one phrase is enough for them to congratulate the heroes of the occasion.
For very sensitive people who can easily burst into tears when delivering congratulatory speeches.
For the budget conscious. This is a very budget, but beautiful gift option. This is unusual and will be remembered forever.

The article was prepared by Elena Solyannikova

If you liked the article, write us a review in the comments. Share with your friends on social networks. If you have any questions, write in the comments or to me personally on VK and Instagram

Sand ceremony set

It all depends on your imagination, event budget and skillful hands. You can purchase ready-made kits, or you can do it yourself. I would like to note that on our website there are other options for original gifts that are created jointly, are not expensive, and bring a whole lot of joy! Click on the link and see for yourself.

Sand Ceremony Vessel

You can buy ready-made ones. You can make it yourself using beautiful bottles, having previously decorated them. You can use bowl vases or glasses.

For decoration, I use a three-dimensional batik outline. Perhaps someone will say that the glass contour is better, but I didn’t see the difference. Using an outline, we apply a pattern to the neck of the bottle and to the edges of the glass. We write the date of the holiday, or the name of the event. A little gold or silver powder. This will help the contour dry faster, make it stronger and add visual charm.

After a couple of hours, the outline dries and the vessel can even be washed - this will not harm the inscription.

To do this, place a candle in a sleeve in a glass with sand. Or we attach such a candle to the bottle cap.

If you are afraid of open fire, you can use electronic candles

Thus, the souvenir turns into

family home for newlyweds
into a lighthouse that attracts friends and relatives for anniversaries
as a talisman for newborns or birthday people
as a memorable gift for a teacher, educator, etc.
into a touching symbol for new residents
as a symbol of love and light for Valentine's Day

Sand for sand ceremony

You can buy sand on websites and at holiday wholesalers. In the park, at the organizers of creative sandboxes.

You can make it yourself.

How to make colored sand at home

Wash the river sand, add food coloring or gouache, mix thoroughly. Dry. If necessary, break with a rolling pin and sift through a sieve. PROS: Very quickly. Cheap (almost for nothing) CONS: In the process, the kitchen looks like a mad scientist's laboratory. Colorful dust is everywhere, including in the nose, in the hair; after a week of such procedures, the kitchen will require renovation
Color regular salt (preferably coarse) in the same way. After carefully adding the dye, mix immediately, spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet and dry. PROS: Quick. Cheap. Not a hassle. There is no need to look for sand; salt is usually always at hand. Colored dust almost does not fly MINUSES: some heroes of the occasion are too preoccupied with superstitions. If a few grains of salt spill past, they may consider it a bad omen and become seriously upset. If you add a little more water to the dye, the salt will dissolve and instead of beautiful sparkling “sand” we will get a colored puddle.
Color the rice. The benefits are the same as salt painting. Plus rice is a symbol of fertility
Paint the salt with grated chalk. CONS: very faded colors, a lot of dust

Sand ceremony at a wedding

The gift giving block is approaching.

Glass containers with colored sand are placed on a beautiful table. I use transparent milk jugs with comfortable handles.

In the center of the composition is an empty container for sand.

Sand ceremony text

HOST: Dear guests, today there will be many wishes (names of the newlyweds) And I propose to materialize our wishes and give them form. Let them serve as a talisman for our (names of the young)

Before you is sand from different parts of the world. And an empty cup that you and I will fill. Each of you can add only one component of happiness to the vessel.

yellow sand from the Yellow Sea is a symbol of warmth and comfort
blue - from the Blue Sea - a symbol of serenity and peace
green - symbol of wealth
red - symbol of love

If you want to wish our newlyweds love, pour a little red sand into the vessel. Wealth - a little green. Peace and serenity - blue. If you want the family hearth to fill the heart with light and warmth - add yellow sand.

One by one, guests approach the table and pour a small portion of this or that sand into the bowl.

The ceremony is completed by the newlyweds themselves and their mothers.

The host raises the filled vessel and shows the guests what happened

HOST: And let this small gift, which contains all the wishes of your family and friends, become a talisman that will protect your family from all troubles and difficulties. Our gift is as multifaceted as life itself. But no matter how you look at her, she is still beautiful!

Sometimes we look at the same events, but we see them in our own way. Whatever happens in life, try to take each other’s side and look at events from the other side. And may your life be filled with love, care and mutual understanding.

Lighting up the family hearth

HOST: Dear (names of the newlyweds), so that this amulet not only protects, but also illuminates your life, attracts happiness, friends, children into it, I invite your mothers to light up your family hearth.

Mom approaches from both sides. A candle in a sleeve is inserted into the vessel. Moms have lit candles in their hands. From their candles, they light a candle in a bowl of sand as a symbol of the family hearth.

I provide my newlyweds with several candles so that during the holiday they will take care of their hearth and keep the fire burning. It’s very touching how from the first minutes of their life together they take care of their spark.

Sand ceremony for anniversary

It goes in the same direction. We only say wishes to the hero of the day. And a candle in a vessel with sand is a beacon that attracts happiness, prosperity, health, children and grandchildren, and new friends to the home of the hero of the day.

An original gift for a teacher

High school graduation. We say goodbye to the teacher and, of course, we want to leave behind a good memory. This is where the sand ceremony comes to the rescue.

The process itself is fascinating. And, the closer to the finale, the greater the interest of the audience. Besides, it's very touching.

Vessel box

Since the sand ceremony has a unifying character, it would be quite appropriate if the people dearest to the newlyweds take part in it. This, for example, could be parents, witnesses or children.

If you have decided that your loved ones will take part in the sand ceremony with you, this means that the number of small personal vessels will be greater than expected for two. For a more aesthetic presentation of these attributes, you can order special decorative boxes. The boxes can be signed with the names of the ceremony participants, this will help them not get confused and take the necessary vessels

Such an accessory will serve not only for convenience, but will also add sophistication and accuracy to the ceremony, which is also important for photographing your sacrament.

Wine ceremony No. 1

A beautiful ceremony that is suitable for a modern wedding is a wine ceremony, symbolizing the union of two destinies into one. In addition, in the old days, drinking wine from the same cup was considered a symbol of people’s trust in each other, the unity of their souls, which is ideal for uniting two family clans of the bride and groom.

How to do it?

The bride and groom each pour their own wine into different vessels, and then mix these wines in one large vessel. The resulting wine is tasted by the newlyweds, parents and their guests.

What should you buy?

Two bottles of wine, two vessels for the bride and groom’s wine + a large vessel for the final wine drink.

So that, God forbid, the final wine does not turn out to be tasteless, check the “final” version of the wine drink in advance by conducting a tasting.

Unusual rituals of a wedding ceremony: we are for innovation!

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VALENA

National rituals

Each culture has its own special rituals - some have faded into oblivion, some are still used today - but if you want to add variety to your outdoor ceremony, you can look to different nationalities to find the ritual that suits you best.

The wedding agency Family Values recalls two unusual rituals that they encountered in their practice. “Holding an outdoor ceremony, as opposed to registering at the registry office, gives couples endless freedom in self-expression and creativity. And we, for our part, always strive to help realize all their desires,” notes the head of the agency, Lidiya Malkina.

Don't want to miss the latest news from the wedding industry?

Subscribe to our newsletter “So, at a wedding in the style of “Ivan Kupala”, taking place on the shore of a forest lake, our newlyweds pronounced vows by the night fire and asked for blessings from the four elements (water, earth, air and fire), performing rites of consecration of the rings. » Such a ceremony refers us to Slavic culture, which, despite Christianization, retained the features of paganism.

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Wedding agency Family values

“While researching Spanish wedding rituals for one of our international couples, we found the ancient “Rose Ceremony.” Since ancient times, the rose has been considered a symbol of love, and according to legend, the exchange of roses symbolizes the words “I love you and give you my heart.”

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Wedding agency Family values

Interlacing of hands

If a wedding is an ancient holiday, then for alternative betrothal options you can turn to history; there are many interesting rituals there. One of the most famous and most ancient is hand fisting or intertwining of hands.

ribbons. This ritual was carried out in ancient times, for example, by our ancestors - the Slavs.

The ceremony of intertwining hands with ribbons has become increasingly popular in recent years, because it provides an opportunity to conduct a beautiful and very symbolic ritual, break up the routine, and also support, for example, the theme of a wedding, as was the case in one of Ekaterina Akimova’s

. “We played up the classic off-site registration ceremony in the spirit of a Viking-style wedding

. The newlyweds made vows to each other, turning to different elements, then their hands were tied with a ribbon as a sign of the inviolability of their union.”

However, it is worth noting that such a ceremony is excellent Suitable for a classic wedding

. The main thing is the host of the ceremony!

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Wedding planner Ekaterina Akimova

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Photographer Sinitsyn Alexey

One of the most popular alternatives to the traditional wedding ceremony - the bride and groom pour sand from two different vessels into one

, which symbolizes not just their unification, but also the impossibility of separation. After all, how can you really separate the grains of sand after they have been poured together?

At Skazka Project agency

They say that the sand ceremony originated in Hawaii, but has taken root in many countries.
Such a ceremony adds beauty and touchingness
to off-site registration.
An alternative or addition to the sand ceremony can be a wine ceremony
: the newlyweds must pour wine from two different ones into a single vessel, and treat each other and the guests with the resulting drink.

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Skazka Project

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Skazka Project

Planting a tree

For those who want to do something truly unusual and visual, the option of planting a tree is suitable. This way you can watch how it grows and becomes more beautiful, which will be a kind of reflection of the growth of your family.

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Photographer Galina Gallo

Common tattoos

The most daring and unconventional option on our list is general tattoos, like an oath of allegiance for life. In the wedding laboratory Alchemy

they talk about such an unusual ceremony: “Rusty beams acted as arches, instead of rings there were tattoos in the form of an infinity sign

, and the tattoo artist became the receptionist!”

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Wedding laboratory Alchemy

The ritual of the wedding ceremony carries with it a certain mystery and mystery. Don’t be afraid to create and put your own special meaning into this ritual. Let it become a reflection of your individuality, as well as a new stage in life.

Origins of the tradition

The sand ceremony originated in the West and has long been practiced not only as a wedding ceremony, but also in many other cases. Hawaii is the birthplace of this beautiful tradition. Weddings were held directly on the beach, where you could see sand of an unusual color. The sand ceremony gained its greatest popularity in America in the 90s. It was then that she could be found at every second wedding. In our country, such a custom is considered new, but no less interesting. What kind of ritual is this, what is its description and how to organize the action correctly?

What should the presenter say?

The words that will be spoken during the ceremony are of great importance for the newlyweds

That is why it is so important to think in advance what the presenter will say. You can come up with your own wording and text or use a ready-made example

Example text for the presenter:

“Before the day you met, you were completely different people and strangers to each other. But love is so strong that it could change you and make you one. And today is invisible proof of this. So be supportive of each other, appreciate and respect your partner’s strengths, and treat his weaknesses with tenderness and understanding. Learn to laugh and cry together, find comfort in each other's presence and miss your loved one during the hours of separation.

To symbolize the importance of today and to cement your love forever by joining two different lives together, I invite you to a sand ceremony. There are 3 vessels on the table in front of you:. There are 3 vessels on the table in front of you:

There are 3 vessels on the table in front of you:

white sand is a symbol of the beginning of a relationship;
pink is a symbol of tenderness and femininity, it is for the bride;
blue is a symbol of courage, reliability and support, it is for the groom.

Let's start with white sand as a symbol of a great and pure beginning. I ask you, newlyweds, to take this vessel and pour the sand into a common vase. Now let each of you add a little color of your own as a symbol of individuality. And then pour sand from your vessels together as a symbol of unity and great love. And finally, I'll add a final white layer that will represent you as a whole.

(The presenter raises the vase so that the guests can see).

Although the vase may be moved and the colors may shift and blend more, the grains of sand will not be able to separate. They are connected into a harmonious whole. May your love last forever, and may your destinies never diverge like this sand.”

If for any reason you decide not to use a candle ceremony for unity, a sand ceremony can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your vows. Love, happiness and harmony to you!

Read other interesting sections

Conducting a sand ceremony at a wedding.

Every young couple dreams that their solemn wedding day will be remembered for a long time by relatives and friends. Careful preparation, search for original ideas for the holiday; selection of decor, menu, wardrobe, banquet venue - you have to think about this long before the wedding. How to surprise your guests? We offer an excellent idea - holding a sand ceremony! Before we talk about the intricacies of this extraordinary ritual, let's delve into its history.

Carrying out a sand ceremony on a wedding day is a common ritual from the culture of Western countries. When literally translated, the concept is interpreted as a unifying sand ceremony. The ritual involves pouring sand of two shades into a beautiful vessel. The essence of the process: connecting the two lives of spouses into a single whole. It is believed that the ritual symbolizes the inseparability of the two halves after they enter into the bond of Hymen.

Where did this custom come from? For the first time, the sand ceremony began to be held in Hawaii. This is not surprising, because there is no shortage of beach sand here. In addition, in Hawaii it is easy to find beaches with multi-colored sand: traditional golden, reddish, whitish, sky blue. At a Hawaiian wedding, the sand ceremony remains one of the main attributes of the celebration.

In the United States, the sand ritual became fashionable and popular around the 90s of the last century. It was then that weddings began to be organized on the shores of tropical islands. The tradition took root primarily in the regions of the western states. In the East of the country it did not receive such recognition. Here the sand ceremony never became the main attribute of the wedding.

A sand ceremony is appropriate not only for the occasion of a wedding. The ritual can be confidently combined with proposing marriage to a girl. As an additional vow of love, the ritual is a great idea for a post-wedding vacation.

What will be needed for the ceremony?

A sand ceremony at a wedding requires the use of some attributes in the form of:

a transparent tall vessel of square or round shape;
glasses or a jug with a spout for the newlyweds;
sand of two shades;
the table where the ritual will take place;
funnels or watering cans.

All items should look beautiful and fit the style of the wedding celebration. A beautifully shaped vessel is placed on the table. It is usually made of clear glass. You can lay a beautiful tablecloth or napkin under the container. This process is accompanied by beautiful music and words from the presenter.

Wedding paraphernalia in the form of special vessels, photo frames, sand can be purchased in wedding salons.

When to start?

The sand ceremony is simple to perform. The ceremony is carried out in a cafe, restaurant, outdoors or on-site registration. It all depends on the preferences of the young.

The ceremony can be held at any time. This process allows you to once again confirm the fact of marriage. It helps the newlyweds realize the transition to a new status. There should be a calm environment around.

If the newlyweds opt for an outdoor ceremony, then it is most appropriate to conduct the ceremony immediately after the moment the newlyweds are declared husband and wife. The ceremony will be an unusual completion of registration.

Since the sand ceremony is a harmonious and calm event, it is not recommended to postpone it until the middle or end of the event, since the guests and newlyweds will think more about entertainment.

Invited guests must be prepared for a lyrical perception of what is happening.

Ritual plan

The ritual is performed according to a specific plan.

The presenter must include a sand ceremony in the script in advance. To begin with, he tells the guests about the meaning and purpose of the ritual. During his speech, he shows a transparent glass vessel into which sand will be poured.
Next, the bride and groom are given narrow transparent containers. These can be glasses or jugs.
First, the host offers to pour sand on the groom. Then the bride repeats all the actions. Only in her hands she holds sand of a different shade.
If the ceremony is carried out in an open area, you can pour sand from your palms. This action will add naturalness and beauty to the event.

The glass vessel is alternately filled with multi-colored sand. During this, uniform, beautiful patterns and stripes are created.

There are two methods for pouring sand.

One at a time. The bride pours the sand first, and then the groom. This alternation will allow you to create beautiful patterns.
Simultaneously. The result will be a messy pattern.

Which method to choose depends on the wishes of the bride and groom.

Toastmaster's text for the sand ceremony

Before starting the ceremony, the host addresses the bride and groom with the words: “Dear newlyweds! Before your first meeting happened, you were living your life. Each of you had your own destiny. You could not even imagine that you would unite your souls into one whole. But after a while love changed you.

The power of true love is once again proven by your final decision. Friends and relatives in this room wish the spouses to treat each other favorably and respectfully. Each of you should surround your other half with care.

Be able to understand each other's weaknesses, and find a way to overcome difficulties together. With the help of such a beautiful and touching ceremony, you will unite your souls into one. Let your thoughts and desires become common. Remember, family is a place where you are expected and loved.

To cement your union, I suggest the bride and groom hold a sand ceremony.”

I place a transparent glass vessel in front of the newlyweds. They must take the glasses in their hands. There are also three types of sand on the table:

white characterizes the beginning of a new relationship;
pink is a symbol of femininity and tenderness;
blue sand acts as a symbol of support. He is masculine.

Toastmaster continues.

“Your family life begins with the sprinkling of white sand, which is a symbol of purity and innocence. I ask the bride and groom to take glasses with white sand and pour some into a transparent container.

Pink sand is poured by the bride, and blue sand is poured by the groom. This ritual is characterized by the reunion of two souls. May the sand ceremony give you love and happiness for many years to come. To conclude the ceremony, I recommend pouring a final layer of white sand.”

After the newlyweds have completed all the manipulations, the host lifts the vessel and shows it to the guests.

The sand ceremony must be completed with the following words: “We see that colored sand can move calmly. This indicates that the bride and groom will not lose their individuality as a couple. But at the same time, grains of sand cannot separate from each other, which indicates a strong and inseparable union.

Newlyweds are an indivisible whole. Finally we want to say. Let your love be distinguished by strength and eternity. Your destinies are now bound together and can never be separated.”

After this, the presenter hands over a container of sand with the words: “This is your first common vessel. Let it become a talisman for your hearth. I propose to close it with a cork forever, which will become a symbol of strong love.” And finally, the ritual must be sealed with a tender and reverent kiss.

What is done with the vessel after the ceremony?

After filling the vessel, close the container with a tight lid. All manipulations are recommended to be done with caution so that the patterns made by the young cannot change. The cup of love will become a symbol of family. She will cherish all the pleasant moments.

If there are any remaining sand left, they can be used to complete the composition. A container of sand will become an unusual interior attribute for your home. There is a main condition: you cannot shake it, otherwise the contents will mix with each other.

Not only the bride and groom, but also children and their parents can take part in the ceremony. This will strengthen family relationships. It is believed that if such a ritual is performed, the relationship between the daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law will be friendly and trusting. This condition is important in the lives of young people.

A photo shoot will help capture the whole process. It is better to invite an experienced photographer to the ceremony who has previously dealt with photographing such a ceremony.

The sand ceremony at a wedding is one of the unusual rituals that decorates weddings, regardless of the style and form of the celebration. Nowadays it has gained popularity among young couples. It is worth noting that the ritual can be performed not only at a wedding, but also on the occasion of the birth of the first child, wedding anniversary or date.

From distant islands

This incredibly beautiful ritual owes its origins to the Hawaiian Islands. It was there, among the beach scatterings, that the wedding tradition of sand mixing arose. The bride and groom took turns pouring sand of their own color into the vessel. Due to the specific volcanic nature of the island, the sand did not need painting at all - in Hawaii it is already colorful. Without much effort, on the coastal beaches you can find white, red and even sky blue sand.

The ritual of alternately pouring sand into a vessel was not only an aesthetically beautiful action, but also had a special deep meaning. Sand of a certain color, chosen by each of the spouses, symbolized his personality and individuality. The mixing of sands showed that from now on the destinies of the bride and groom are inextricably linked with each other. Just as the poured sand could no longer return to its container, so the life of each of the newlyweds could no longer become the same, separate from the life of the other half.

In the 90s of the 20th century, Americans fell in love with celebrating weddings on the islands. It was then that the unusual tradition of Hawaii was noticed and appreciated. Soon the ritual spread throughout the entire west coast of America. From there, the sand ceremony spread to Europe, and later to Russia.

But in fairness, it is worth noting that in our country the exotic ritual is not yet very widespread. Unfortunately, not all couples thinking about holding a wedding are aware of it. Nevertheless, those who did find out about the sand ceremony showed great interest in it and did not regret at all about including the ritual in their wedding script. It’s not that difficult to organize such a ritual if you wish – and the emotions you receive will stay with you for the rest of your life.

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.

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.

Little tricks

Before the wedding, newlyweds often wonder where to buy colored sand. You can find it in art or florist stores, or order it online. Here you can also purchase special dishes for the ceremony, and colored sand will be given as a gift.
If you can’t find ready-made colored powder, then you should think about what you can replace sand with. Some people use regular salt, which is pre-ground and colored themselves.
Individual vessels can be interestingly labeled with a makeshift wedding veil on one and a butterfly on the other.
The main vase should also have a distinctive sign. This could be an engraving of the capital letters of the young or the family coat of arms, if there is one. You can decorate accessories with rhinestones, ribbons and bows.
Photos from a wedding against the backdrop of a vessel with multi-colored sand turn out to be incredibly beautiful. Therefore, it is important not to forget about the services of a photographer and videographer, and to capture the mesmerizing action on film.

An unusually sweet and beautiful ritual - a sand ceremony at a wedding. You now know what it is. Whether to carry it out or not is an individual matter. But among wedding rituals there is hardly a more bewitching and mysterious action. And this year, 2021, such a tradition will be relevant and in demand.

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.

Only double:

First meeting of the bride and groom

This wonderful tradition was given to us by foreign weddings. The groom waits for his beautiful bride at the agreed place: turning away, with his eyes closed or even blindfolded. When the bride approaches, she gives him a signal: she calls him by name, touches him on the shoulder... and that’s the moment when his beloved appears before the groom in all her glory! This is a truly unforgettable moment when the anticipation and emotions of both are off the charts. Many grooms can't hold back their tears!

If you want to hold your first meeting, choose a spacious and beautiful place for this in advance - it can be either indoors (hotel lobby, staircase) or outdoors (street, terrace, park, wild nature). It would be great if the place of the first meeting also corresponds to the concept of the wedding. For example, if you are having a celebration in the Art Nouveau style, a street with modern buildings is ideal as a background, and if it is Rustic, hold the meeting in the lap of nature.

morning together

If you are not one of those who are superstitious and have been living together for a long time, then why not spend the morning of your happiest day together? Incredibly romantic: waking up in an embrace in a hotel room, eating a delicious breakfast, and then helping each other get ready. This option is especially relevant for low-emotional couples who know that the first meeting will not bring them much delight. In addition, the presence of a loved one has a calming effect and relieves the “pre-wedding jitters” when everything literally falls out of hand.

Dream

You won’t believe it, but the bride price can be replaced with... nothing! A wedding day is always very eventful and exciting. And holding a ransom places additional responsibilities on you and your guests. Instead of relaxing before the wedding, the bride is engaged in amateur activities in the “crazy hands” style, and then early in the morning she explains what to stick where and what competitions to hold. Why not just go to bed early and wake up later instead? Believe me, getting enough sleep on your wedding day will be an excellent solution - both for your mood and well-being.

Wedding Ceremonies

3 messages

What should a wedding be like? - Of course, beautiful and memorable. And the ending is touching and impressive! Here's one of the tips

Evening ceremony or final ceremony of the holiday The ceremony can be both a surprise for the newlyweds and for the guests. If you have a fairly spacious landscaped area (and even in winter the ceremony option can be easily redone) - this is an ideal option! And if your place is in a park hotel or in a large entertainment complex with several halls, it is important to ask the administration if there are any other parallel events so that the time when guests go outside does not coincide with another banquet and the launch or show of pyrotechnic products, a fire show or music show)

So: Summer time. Guests going outside can be associated with the launch of sky lanterns, LED balls, a pyrotechnic show, a fire show, or a music and dance show. And some of the shows simply must be accompanied not only by shouts: “To the young, hip, hip-? - Hurray”)), but by the beautiful words of the presenter.

How to save time and pay more attention to the show? 1. Invite all guests to go outside with their chairs (unless you have wooden benches, of course)). The presenter's assistants help everyone arrange their chairs.

2. Take care of mosquito repellents and sprays

3. Take care of blankets, awnings, and umbrellas in advance. The ceremony can take more than one minute and in different weather, and perhaps the venue will be a pond or river. Your guests will be grateful.

4. Light. In the evening, you can create a light picture yourself and a large number of candles in flasks, lanterns, on wine glasses or in them filled with water only adds mystery and beauty to your ceremony. Or you might need some artistic lighting to highlight it.

5. Sound. It is better to prepare in advance, if possible, a platform for sound, perhaps a podium or stage for the performance of musicians or dancers, and of course microphones, so that all guests can hear the words of the presenter and words of gratitude.

6. Prepare in advance a lot of sparklers, food fountains, pyrotechnic fountains to decorate the path along which the newlyweds will walk. If possible, order timely delivery of LED (glowing) balls or wishing lanterns. This will be a beautiful ending note to your evening ceremony.

7. Prepare a place for the newlyweds: an arch, a podium, a rug, a table, a decorated tree or just a set of logs or a bush decorated with ribbons))

Tips: If you order LED balloons - but your launch is not accompanied by any ceremony, do not rush to hand out the balloons to guests! - First, take the young people outside and have a photo shoot. Let the newlyweds take photos with beautiful bouquets of glowing balloons, and then distribute one balloon to each guest. Trust me, the simultaneous launch will be enchanting. If you order a fire show, ask the contractor if they have the opportunity to light up the newlyweds’ hearts, then you are guaranteed a beautiful photo and video.

Everything related to wedding ceremonies is always touching and reverent! Moreover, there are a lot of possibilities at a fairly affordable price).- And if you give free rein to your imagination, then any bride can become an excellent organizer. The venue itself and the style can suggest the ceremony and accessories, props and props. In turn, I can also tell you that I write personal texts at the ceremony - please contact me. If possible, I’ll give you a hint and write! Evening

“Sand Ceremony” or “Covenant of Salt”, which carry the same message of creating a family amulet, but are more colorful and restrainedly lyrical.

I offer one of the original scenarios for holding a “Sand Ceremony” at a wedding, with a beautiful poetic text for the host. In addition to the text, to carry out this version of the ceremony you will need: a vessel with a stopper, sand of 9 different colors, glasses for sand, a table. As a vessel, you can use a bottle of expensive wine, prepare a cork for it, which can be used to close the vessel at the end of the ritual; for sand, you can use glasses (trays, vases) according to the number of flowers. You also need to take care of a beautiful funnel (for example, buy a regular plastic funnel and spray paint it gold or silver). You can do without a funnel if the vessel has a wide neck or if you use transparent trays with a spout instead of glasses. You can buy sand of different colors at art stores or paint it yourself.

The “Sand Ceremony” cannot be carried out carelessly, everything must be decorated beautifully, even in the smallest detail: a beautiful vessel, glasses, a table covered with an elegant napkin, impeccably presented text and musical accompaniment, only then the ceremony will sound like magic music for everyone and will become a decoration for the wedding celebration.

"Sand Ceremony at a Wedding"

The host invites the newlyweds to the center of the hall, where an elegant table with all the necessary props has been prepared in advance. Background music is playing.

Presenter: Dear...(Name of the bride and groom), you have united your hearts, Today is the birthday of your new family. Now everything is common - you build a house together, It depends on you alone: will there be light in it, Will there be love, warmth and laughter of children in the house? Or maybe there are grievances and disputes: who is more important? So happiness can be lost bit by bit (takes sand into the palm of your hand and blows, it scatters) Or you can hide it and save it together (pours a little into a vessel and covers it with your palm) Fill your vessel with everything most precious, Let your happiness be bright and colorful! Today you are like two particles of One universe called “Love” We want you today, bit by bit, Without unnecessary actions and without words, Take the vessels of life in your hands, Connecting hearts forever, Make wishes and slowly, not fleetingly Create a family amulet, because you will live with it for a whole century. Take your time, think at this moment about your innermost dreams and it will all come true! Pour GREEN sand and bring harmony, (points to trays with colored sand) RED sand will fill you to the brim with love. The color PURPLE will add romance, the color BLUE will relieve you of uncertainty! The color YELLOW is the color of a cozy home and warmth! ORANGE – joy, life is bright with it! BLUE sand is needed to dream happily, and EMERALD sand will help you become rich! The color WHITE symbolizes purity and beginning. The light stood and now stands on love and fidelity.

Rose ceremony

It’s not for nothing that in the popular show about love, the bachelor gives the girls a red rose as a sign of his sympathy. A scarlet rose has long been considered a symbol of love, and by giving such a rose to a girl, a man confesses his feelings to her in the language of flowers.

Having chosen a rose ceremony for their wedding, the couple exchange flowers as the first gift to their beloved husband/wife. Afterwards, if you wish, you can give the rose to your significant other’s mother as a sign of gratitude for the birth of your loved one. You can plant these roses in your garden or even embalm them using a special technology and leave them at home for many years.

You can continue this tradition by giving each other red roses every anniversary (you can according to the number of years you have lived in marriage). And a red rose is a wonderful way to apologize after a quarrel and remind your loved one of your feelings and the day when you became a family.

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.