For a long time, people have used the unity candle to symbolize the coming together of two families during a marriage. But the dynamics of families have shifted over time, resulting in situations where there might be more than two sets of parents present at the ceremony. Blended families are something that is real. This has made the traditional practice of lighting the unity candle a bit out of place. There has been a need for something fresh.
The sand ceremony has thus stepped in to replace the former tradition. It has gained quite a huge popularity among many families. This is especially true for the beach themed weddings. The ceremony requires that a table is prepared at the front of the ceremony. There shall be a single vase at the center of the table. This vase shall be the place where the individual gifts or contribution from each special person who shall take part in the ceremony shall be kept. View here....
The couple shall each settle for a color of sand for their respective families. The parents will then walk down the aisle, and pour in a small amount of the colored sand ceremony. They shall keep alternating the colors, as a sign of the unity that is now being formed. The sand to be poured in can be kept in smaller containers around the table, so that the parents simply walk over and pick theirs, then proceed to pour it. In some ceremonies, the grandparents can also be concluded. They too shall have their sand containers, and shall also participate in the pouring. This ensures that each generation is fully represented.
After the parents and grandparents have finished with the pouring of the sand, the ceremony shall then commence. As the ceremony draws near its end, the couple will proceed to the sand table and pour the remainder of the sand into the unity vase and seal it. In case it was a religious ceremony, the couple can then have the vase blessed.
The symbolism of the ceremony draws from the bulk that forms when each grain of sand comes together to form a substantial entity. Just the same way the unity candles used to represent the bonding of two families, so will the unity sand. This will also be a meaningful gift for the newlyweds from those how to love them, and they shall cherish it for a long time to come, well after the ceremony is over.
You can get additional details by checking out this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedding