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