A wedding sand ceremony is a contemporary display of unity and combines the best of the traditional and the modern. It's a fresh idea, which is one of the most up-and-coming trends in modern weddings. How did it start? Find beautiful dresses at UWDress.com.
Some may want to know the history behind it.

Sand ceremonies do seem to have first gained popularity among both native Hawaiians as well continental Native American communities, but it is unclear if these groups developed the practice independently from each other or which group did so first.

It is thought that the custom of pouring sand from one container to another commenced with the Hawaiian wedding ceremonies. As their weddings occurred on the beach, it is only natural that they contained the surrounding natural elements. In Hawaiian ceremonies, sand was scooped up from around their feet with seashells and poured into a shared container. This was done to depict the joining of two lives into one, through marriage, to forever remind them of the vows spoken that day under the Hawaiian sun. The sand ceremony combines elements of nature’s glory with a holy moment. This part of the practice, although not known by many, is still done today. According to this, the history of the sand ceremony is largely attributed to the Hawaiians.

Why some people relate it to the continental native American as well? That's because traditionally, Native American groups dyed sand with various natural elements. Ochre made yellow-colored sand, gypsum made blue, various flower pollens and powdered roots and bark produced other colors. This colored sand was used to create sand paintings that were part of a highly spiritual ceremony intended for healing.

Regardless of whether the tradition comes from the dreamy islands of the Pacific or the rich soils of North America, the reality is still the same: the wedding sand ceremony enjoys a meaning that Is universal across cultures and time. That's why it has become a popular highlight of the wedding ceremony, and it is far from a passing trend. How does it become popular for today's couples? It all accredited to a TV show.

In 2003, contemporary lovers, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter from the TV show, The Bachelorette, exchanged wedding vows with a televised unity sand ceremony moving the unity sand ceremony into the modern spotlight.

Over time, this tradition has taken on a life of its own. Couples now incorporate colors, like the sacred colors the Native Americans use for healing, and preserve an artistic masterpiece that can be displayed as a forever reminder of their love.

Today couples around the world are adding the sand ceremony to their wedding day and love the resulting custom keepsake that can be displayed in the newlywed's home as a beautiful reminder of their wedding day.

 
Does it have to be sand? Colored sand is commonly used as it forms an incredibly beautiful pattern, when poured from containers. Likewise a pattern is formed, if guests place in handfuls of sand. However, pebbles, stones, shells, crystals, beads can also be used in placement of the sand, or in combination with the sand. Likewise, glitter in the sand and different textures of sand can be used. The sky is the limit!