STANDARD UNITY SAND WEDDING CEREMONY

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite _____________ and ___________ in marriage.

(If the bride is escorted forward)

Who brings this woman to this man? Etc.

(More words from the minister)

VOWS & RING EXCHANGE

(I,____________, take you___________ , etc.)

_______________ and ___________ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

(Optional Scripture Reading)

(Optional Prayer)

UNITY SAND CEREMONY - Vows 1

(after the minister reads the statement below, pour the two containers of sand into the third container simultaneously.

_______________ and ______________, today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you’ll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.

If children are a part of the new family, the sand ceremony can involve them also. Some families choose a different color for each member.

MUSIC

(This can be a good place for a song since the sand ceremony can feel awkward if done in silence.)

ROSE CEREMONY : You may add the Rose Ceremony at this point if you wish

________________ and ______________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.

Whom God hath joined together, let no one separate. You may kiss your wife. (Some couples add the benediction: "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace.")

Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.

It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. __________________