Unique Ceremonies

we're doing:
hands ceremony
i dos and vows
ring exchange
sand ceremony
then presentation and kiss.

i think you should always leave the kiss for last, it kinda seals the deal, lol!

Haha, I know! I was thinking the same thing and for some reason, I just couldn't come up with a right order!! Thanks for sharing this... it definitely helps

no prob!!

I am constantly finding more threads/ideas that I want to incorporate. Thanks for posting.

I'm doing both as well, and this is my order

Opening
Ceremony
Vows
Exchanging of Rings
Hand Ceremony
Sand Ceremony
Blessing
Closing

The hand ceremony leads into the sand ceremony

Hand Ceremony

The vows which have been exchanged are but words that are fleeting and the sound of them is soon gone. The wedding rings are an enduring symbol of the promises which have been made

Alphonso and Lauren, please join hands.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your dreams come true.

Together, with these hands, you will now pour the sand to symbolize your unity.

Sand Ceremony

Alphonso and Lauren,

As you stand beside the ocean, may your love always be as constant as the tide; waves flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as water is the eternal force of life, so is love. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.

You have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. But although you will be sharing one life, never forget that you are two separate people. Cherish and affirm your differences. Love each other. Keep your commitment primary. Together you will laugh and cry, be sick and well, be happy and angry, share and grow. Grow sometimes together, sometimes separately.

To symbolize this union and the importance of the individuals within the marriage, two separate colors of sand will be combined. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create an entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate entity.

Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. Please pour the sand into this common container to symbolize the union of your two lives.

(PAUSE, for the pouring of the sand. Read the following passage as Alphonso and Lauren)

Alphonso and Lauren,

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual container, so will your marriage be a molding of two individual personalities, bonded together forming one heart, one life, and one family.

I used this from another bride who posted it.

Where did everyone get their sand ceremony kits from. I know there are a TON of sites out there with sand ceremonies. But I'm looking for one that is personalized and comes with a cork/sponge/top to make it easier for traveling back...

Who is doing the reading for the hand ceremony and the sand ceremony? Are you having your officiant do it or someone from your bridal party or guest?

 

I'm thinking of having our MOH and best man do one each. What do you think??

 

Our parents are going to be our witnesses since they also have to be in Mexico for 3 business days prior to the wedding and we didn't want to force our MOH and BM to be there as well... so it would be a way to add a little something to the MOH and BM...

I think that's a great idea! They just need to feel comfortable reading the script so it's not too much for them to know!

Since we don't wear jewelry and because her husband is Nigerian, my sister did the hand ceremony at her wedding in lieu of a ring ceremony. It was very beautiful and everyone was moved by it.

The officiant will be doing both for me.