What are Sand Ceremonies & Why are Sand Ceremonies popular at Weddings and Namings in Teesside and The North East?

Symbolic Sand Ceremony - North East

A Symbol of Forever: The Wedding or Naming Sand Ceremony

Symbolic gestures are a gorgeous way to personalise your ceremony! A sand ceremony, also known as a unity sand ceremony, is a symbolic gesture you can include to add a really extra special touch! This is a really meaningful ritual that's simple yet visually stunning. It's a respresentation of your commitment and unity and provides a beautiful, memorable moment, along with a keepsake to treasure forever! 

Here you will find out all about them, so you can have a think about whether it this is something you might like to include in your ceremony.r

What Happens?

You each choose your own colour of sand to represent your individuality. During your ceremony you will each pour your sand into your chosen vessel. The most beautiful part is that this will then form a completely unique design, that belongs to you, it can never be repeated and it symbolises your lives being intertwined forever - very romantic for Weddings and so touching for Namings!

What's The Symbolism? 

Just as the grains of sand can never be separated again, your hearts are forever intertwined!

The layers also represent your indivuality and maintaining this uniqueness, whilst becoming part of an ever-lasting bond. For Namings, the sand also represents the love and support surrounding the child and the commitment that those involved are making to the child's future.

Including Your Family

For some couples, especially those with children or blended families, the sand ceremony is a wonderful way to involve loved ones and represnt the joining of lives! Children, step-children, or even parents and grandparents can each add their own colour of sand, symbolising the joining of families and the love that binds everyone together. 

How It Works: 

Before your Ceremony:

1. Decide on who you would like to take part and choose your sand, colours and vases.

2. Prepare the different sands in the smaller vases and carefully seal them (you can do this on the day if you choose not to use seals)

3. Bring them along to your ceremony with your main, larger vase. 

During your Ceremony: 

I will explain the significance of including a sand ceremony.

Each person involved will pour their sand into the main vase — either creating layers; one person pouring at a time or blending them together - all pouring them in at the same time!

In the Moment:

Vows, promises, or a meaningful reading can be shared as the sand is poured. 

Sealed with Love:

Once the vessel is full, it’s sealed to preserve your unique design and new bond, forever. 

So, what would you need? 

A small vase per person, with their chosen coloured sand safe inside.

Then a main, larger vase that will be used for the chosen sand to be poured into during your ceremony. 

Where can you get the vases and sand from? 

There's loads of gorgeous sets ready to use to help keep things simple. Amazon and Etsy have lots to choose from or you can source your own materials from places like Hobby Craft. You can always have it engraved with your names and Wedding or Naming date too if you like! There's also the option of making your own vase by upcycling glass jars or wine bottles! Just remember, you'll want clear (showing the layers formed), sturdy and sealable options, so the sand remains secure. If your having a beach ceremony, why not encorporate sand from the beach itself and add another layer of symbolism!

Personalising Your Sand Ceremony

Couples often select colours that hold special meaning — it can match your wedding theme or symbolise your values or personalities.

Colour Inspiration

❤️ Red / Pink – love, passion, happiness

🤍 White – peace, purity, devotion

💙 Blue – loyalty, trust, patience

💚 Green – health, growth, prosperity

💛 Yellow – joy, harmony, balance

💜 Purple – dignity, strength, power

🤎 Brown – stability, maturity

🩶 Silver / Grey – creativity, inspiration

Decorate with Personal Touches

🎨 Adding an engraved vase makes your keepsake even more special. For names, dates, images, or meaningful words, there's engraving options online and there's places locally in Teesside and across the North East that can sort it for you. If your arty you could even use a glass paint pen. You might want to wrap your vase with ribbon, lace, or twine in your ceremony colours. Perhaps there's even a family heirloom that would work perfectly. 

A Lasting Memory

For weddings across Teesside and the North East, the sand ceremony creates more than just a beautiful moment — it leaves you with a one-of-a-kind, super sentimental keepsake of your marriage, unity and ever lasting love.

Get in touch to find out more and how I can help create your perfect ceremony!

Contact Me