The Blending of the Sands is a beautiful and meaningful unifying ceremony from Hawaii that symbolizes the joining together of the Bride and Groom or the blending together of their families. There are two versions offered---one for the couple and one for the family. 

Glass containers are needed for the Bride, Groom, and each child represented (when children are included.) Each container is filled with a different colored sand, representing each individual's uniqueness. (Optional: the Officiant also may hold a vase filled with sand. He may begin the sand ceremony by pouring a layer of neutral colored sand in to the Unity Sand Vase, which symbolizes the foundation of the marriage.)  After the Officiant reads the sand ceremony text, the Bride and Groom (and each child) pour their individual containers of sand into the Unity Sand Vase. They may wish to leave a small amount of sand in each container to symbolize that, although they now are joined as one, they still retain their own individuality. 

     Version 1---The Couple

(The Officiant says): (Groom) ____________ and (Bride) _______________, today you are making a commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your relationship is symbolized through the pouring together of these two individual containers of sand. (Groom) ____________, through the sands of time you have grown into the person you are today. This container of sand represents all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. (Groom) ____________, through the sands of time you have grown into the person you are today. This container of sand represents all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As you each hold your separate container of sand, it symbolizes your lives prior to this moment; individual and unique. Now as you blend the sands together, it symbolizes the blending together of your two hands, two hearts, and two lives into one. (The Bride and Groom combine their sands into the Unity Sand Vase.) Just as these grains of sand can never be separated again, so may your lives be blended together for all eternity. 

          Version 2---The Family

(The Officiant says): (Groom) ____________, (Bride) ____________, and (Children) ____________, today you are making a commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. Your new family relationship is symbolized through the pouring together of these individual containers of sand. One represents you, (Groom) ____________, and all that you are as a husband and father. One represents you, (Bride) ____________, and all that you are as a wife and mother. The other container(s) represent(s) (Children) ____________ who make(s) this family complete. As you each hold your separate container of sand, it symbolizes your lives before today. Now as you blend the sands together, it symbolizes the blending together of your hands, your hearts, and your lives into one family. (The Groom, Bride, and Children combine their sands into the Unity Sand Vase.) Just as these grains of sand can never be separated again, so may your lives be blended together for all eternity. 

Creative Ideas

• The Unity Sand container, as well as the individual containers, may be a vase, vial, bottle, jar, heart-shaped, or any other shape glass container. 
• Choose a color of sand that reflects your unique personality.
• Melt some wax to seal the Unity Sand Vase, which also will hold the sand in place, and then seal it with a cork or a lid. 
• Have your names, initials or wedding date etched into the glass of the Unity Sand Vase for a special wedding keepsake and a reminder of your union.