There are many ways of adding personalised elements to your wedding ceremony. Sand ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular. They can be a lovely way of including children that the couple have, either together, or with previous partners. Used in this way, it is a symbolic act acknowledging the importance of the family bond formed by the marriage that is being celebrated.
You can choose shades to match or complement your colour scheme, or you can choose colours that have a special significance for you. It makes for great photographs and you get to take home (or gift) the bespoke piece of sand art that you create.
You can buy the separate items needed yourself. You can choose bottles, jars, vases or even picture frames. You can spend anything from a few pounds to a small fortune! It really is up to you. If it suits your theme, items like vintage jars and bottles can be picked up from charity shops and auction sites. Mason jars are currently widely available in many shops.
All of the Sand Blending sets in this blog were supplied by me. Sand Ceremony sets and other made-to-order items, are available in my Liverpool Celebrant Etsy shop
The following is an example of a Sand Ceremony, written for a couple and their two children. Of course, your Celebrant will be delighted to write something especially for you and your family circumstances.
"Daniel and Chris, you came here today as individuals from two different families.
Today, you have committed to share the rest of your lives together in a loving and supportive life-long relationship.
But there is not only you two.
Your children Jordan and Alexis are also part of your relationship.
This new family relationship is symbolised through the pouring of these individual bottles of sand.
Each grain of sand, in your individual bottles, represents a single and separate moment, decision, feeling or event that has already happened, in your lives, and all of those that are yet to happen.
These coloured grains represent all that you were, all that you are and all that you will be.
The yellow sand represents you, Daniel, and the love, qualities and uniqueness that you bring to this family.
The purple sand represents you, Felicity, and the love, qualities and uniqueness that you bring to this family.
The green sand represents you, Jordan, and the love, qualities and uniqueness that you bring to this family.
The red sand represents you, Alexis, and the love, qualities and uniqueness that you bring to this family.
I now invite you to each pour about half of your sand, one at a time.
As these four sands are poured into this larger bottle they will be joined together, as one.
(Each pours half of their sand, one by one, into the larger bottle)
These layers symbolise that in life, and within your family, you each retain your own distinct character and individuality: you are special, you are unique, there is nobody else who is the same as you.
And now, please pour the remainder of your sand in together. It will form a pattern of colours that could never be recreated.
(Each pours the remainder of their sand into the larger bottle - at the same time)
Look at the sand and the pattern that you have created.
Where the layers meet and the colours have blended together, that symbolises how you will continue to enjoy each other's company, share adventures, work together and support each other, whatever life may bring.
Daniel and Chris, just as these grains can never be separated and poured back into their individual bottles, your family has been united and strengthened by the commitment that you have made here today.
May you all always remember the happiness that you feel today and never become separated..."
If you would like to include a sand ceremony, or any other enhancement, your Celebrant will be more than happy to discuss your ideas and will work with you to ensure that you have a ceremony that is perfect for you.
Hi, I am Lorraine Hull, an award-winning Celebrant, based in Liverpool.
I am most usually asked to conduct ceremonies in North-West England and North Wales but I am happy to travel anywhere within the U.K. or abroad.
At the risk of shouting (and sounding extremely cheesy) "I LOVE MY JOB!".
I really love getting to know the couples and families that ask me to be part of their special celebration, whether that is for a Wedding/Civil Partnership, Renewal/Reaffirmation of Vows, Naming/Welcoming, or Celebration of Life/Funeral
I love hearing, writing and telling love and life stories (and also finding out about hopes and dreams - which are the stories of the future!)
I love to create and conduct unique, meaningful ceremonies that are perfect for each couple, individual, and/or family.
I love helping to create and celebrate happy and poignant moments, which form memories that will last a lifetime (that also includes the memories that I get to keep too - what's not to love?)
I believe that ALL people (and animals) should all be treated kindly, fairly and with respect.
I think for myself and act for others. I advocate anti-racism, the appreciation and celebration of diversity, dignity, justice, equity and equality for ALL through everything that I say and do: Love is Love, Family is Family, Life is Life.
You may like to know that I was trained to the highest level as a Celebrant and have continued my professional development. I hold Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance. I adhere to a strict code of conduct and I am committed to identifying, developing and sharing best practice with my Celebrant colleagues, so that we can all be the best Celebrants that we can possibly be.
To contact me please email: lorraine@liverpoolcelebrant.co.uk or call: 0744 932 3988