Sample Sand Ceremony Vows

Additional Ceremony Options

SAMPLE SAND CEREMONY VOWS

Courtesy of http://www.SandCeremonySet.com

NOTE: The Sand Ceremony can be configured to include the pouring of sand by children and other family members when two existing families are combined in marriage.

CEREMONY - 1

"Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand, one representing you BRIDE and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, GROOM, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. 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."

CEREMONY – 2

"GROOM and BRIDE, you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand. One, representing you GROOM, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The other representing you, BRIDE, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. 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.”

CEREMONY – 3

"BRIDE and GROOM, 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."

CEREMONY – 4

"Today, BRIDE and GROOM, have chosen to commemorate their marriage through the celebration of the Sand Ceremony. This ceremony symbolizes the inseparable union of BRIDE and GROOM into a new and eternal marital relationship. The Bride and Groom will simultaneously pour separate containers of sand into a common vessel. Each grain of sand in their separate containers represents a unique and separate moment, decision, feeling or event that helped shaped BRIDE and GROOM into the separate and unique individuals that they are today. As they pour their separate containers of sand into a common vessel, those separate and independent individuals will cease to exist. Instead they will merge into a loving and supportive marital community. Just as the grains of sand can never be separated into their individual containers again, so will your marriage be inseperable."

CEREMONY – 5

"Please note this empty glass. Glass, itself, is made from sand and the sands of time have come together, melting into one piece to make this vessel. The sands of time should remind us all of our eternal love and our mortality. Today BRIDE and GROOM have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special sand ceremony. Please BRIDE and GROOM, take your separate glass of sand and alternate the pouring of sand into this joining vessel and united, repeat after me: You are my love for eternity // I blend with you // My heart is like these grains of sands // merging with yours // I am yours and you are mine // We are together forever like the sand // like the wind, we are one."

SAMPLE UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY

(Minister) Will the mothers of the Bride and Groom come forward to light the individual candles that surround the large Unity candle placed on the table (behind me, in the gazebo, etc.)

With their flames, these candles represent the lives of the Bride and Groom before they are united in today’s wedding ceremony.

When the candles are lit, mothers, please return to you seats.

BRIDE and GROOM, please take your individual candles and, together, light the large candle in the middle of the table that signifies the unity of your two lives in marriage. This act symbolizes and celebrates your mystical, spiritual and physical union.

The flame will light the path to guide you through future joys and challenges, through your lifetime together. This Unity also celebrates the coming together of both families with you as the focus. When the Unity candle is lit, please return to face me (balance of ceremony takes place).

NOTE: This ceremony can be customized to include many of the Sand Ceremony facets like the "Repeat After Me" verbiage in Option 5, above.

SAMPLE COIN, CORD & VEIL CEREMONY

Minister) Maid of Honor, please give the ceremonial coins to me.

(Minister) These coins signify prosperity and wealth. Together may you aspire to better your life and those you love. May yours be the fulfillment of dreams and aspirations. You are wealthy indeed, as attested by the loved ones who are here with you today, bearing witness to your love to each other, with their best wishes on this your special day. Today marks the first day of the rest of your life together.

Lord, bless these coins, a symbol of the material abundance and prosperity that you give your people, through Christ our Lord. GROOM, give these coins to your bride, then repeat after me.

(Minister, then GROOM) BRIDE, accept these coins as my pledge // to support you and our children // to stand by you and be at your service.

(Minister) BRIDE, repeat after me: GROOM, I accept these coins with a grateful heart // With a trusting spirit, I place myself in your care // I, in turn want to stand by you // and provide my care for all your concerns.

BRIDE and GROOM, please face the audience.

Veil sponsor, please install the ceremonial veil.

This veil signifies union and oneness. We have two individuals before us now, who after this day, will become as one, sharing one home, one name and one family. Let no distance, nor barrier separate your hearts and minds. Together you will build a future for yourselves and your children, through love and perseverance.

Cord sponsor, please install the ceremonial cord. This cord signifies strength. May this cord make you pillars of strength and righteousness. You are what your children will be. It is from you that your children will draw strength. You will be their role model for what is right and what is wrong.

(Minister) Best Man, call the sponsors. (Best Man) I call on the principal sponsors to come forward. Please assemble just in front of the bride and groom.

(Minister) We have been privileged to witness a special event in the lives of BRIDE and GROOM. They have made their covenant in our presence and have indicated their intention to move through life together. We are now given the opportunity to indicate our support by answering the following four questions:

Do you commit yourself to providing all of the encouragement and support possible to help BRIDE and GROOM in their marriage? If so, please answer, I DO, now.

And do you agree to do all in your power to assist BRIDE and GROOM in the struggles, which they are bound to encounter? If so, please answer, I DO.

And do you give yourself to the ideal of living out a life of commitment, that BRIDE and GROOM may see in you the characteristics, toward which, they too should strive? If so, answer, I DO.

And do you offer them the best of your care and counsel in their times of struggle and your celebration with them in their times of joy? If so, answer, I DO.

(Minister) Maid of Honor, seat the sponsors. (Maid of Honor) Principal sponsors, please be seated.

(Minister) Coins, Veil and Cord sponsors, please remove these items and keep them safe until you return them to the bride and groom as keepsakes.

BRIDE and GROOM, turn to face me (balance of ceremony takes place).

THE LASSO CEREMONY - TWO SOULS UNITED IN THE "LASSO" OF EVERLASTING LOVE!

This tradition is usually associated with Hispanic and Filipino families.

Lasso (sometimes called, "lazo") or rope, is placed around the bride and groom's shoulders (groom's shoulder's first) in the form of an "8" (the infinity symbol) - after they have exchanged their vows - to symbolize their everlasting union. This is usually done by the Officiant, however, family members can also take part in this ritual. The couple wears the lasso throughout the remainder of the service. It is sometimes made of rosary beads, white ribbon, orange flowers, fabric, silver, crystal or elaborately painted wood. It can also be placed around the couple's necks, or wrists. If they have children; they may also be included as they will definitely be a part of the new family.

After the prayer and before either attempts to rise, at the end of the ceremony, the lasso is removed by the same people who put it on and given to the bride as a memento of her becoming the mistress of the groom's heart and home.

THE CEREMONY

The Bride and Groom kneel before the minister.

Minister: BRIDE and GROOM have chosen to incorporate the Lasso ritual into their wedding ceremony today. The Lasso is a wedding ritual in which the couple are bound together with a ceremonial rosary. Lassoing is a declaration of intent, where the bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will. BRIDE and GROOM since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed eternal and sacred bonds. As you enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real the ideals that to you, give meaning to this ceremony and to the institution of marriage.

With full awareness, know that within this Lasso you are not only declaring your intent to be bound together before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to God.

The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union and will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth.

BRIDE and GROOM, I ask you to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes. Answer the following four questions:

Will you honor and respect one another, and seek to never break that honor?

Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?

Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?

Will you share each other's laughter, and look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? What say you both?

Bride & Groom: We will.

Minister drapes the Lasso in the form of an "8" around the shoulders of the Bride and Groom.

Minister: BRIDE and GROOM, as you are bound together now, so too your lives and spirits are joined in a union of everlasting love and trust. Above you are the stars and below you is the earth. Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light, and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow.

Minister offers a prayer, removes the Lasso before the Bride and Groom rise, then presents the Lasso to the Groom who will later give it to the Bride. (The Bride will carry her bouquet as they walk together down the aisle).

THE LASSO PRAYER

Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and You gave us love. We present to You BRIDE and GROOM, who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment.

We thank you for giving them the strength and courage to keep the covenant they have made. Thank you for helping them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness and grant them love to the end of their days. Amen

MAHR - OPTION FOR MUSLIM WEDDINGS

The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of Mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the Muslim contract of marriage.

"And give the women (on marriage) their Mahr as a (nikah) free gift" (Quran 4:4))

(Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of Mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The Mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred Mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.)

WINE BOX CEREMONY

Like good wine, a great love will deepen and mature with age. As a part of today's ceremony, (Groom and Bride) have captured their thoughts leading up to this special day in personal notes to each other. These notes, along with their vows, will be sealed in this box to be opened and shared together with a bottle of wine on their 5th anniversary celebration.

On that joyous day in (year – 5 years hence) they will get to reflect on the events and emotions they shared on this wonderful day. They can also reminisce about all of the wonderful memories they will have experienced over the last 5 years and dream of all of those yet to come.

I will now ask that (Groom and Bride) place their notes, vows, and wine in the box and nail the box shut then return to their places before me.