sand ceremony, hand ceremony

I'm clueless... I've never heard of these before (or maybe I just never paid attention at the weddings I've been to??)

but what is the sand ceremony and what is the hand ceremony??

do you do this at a catholic ceremony?

TIA

I'm not too sure. From what I heard the hand ceremony is supposed to be very nice. Whatever that is...my cousin thought about doing that.....not sure about the sand ceremony....

I took this from a webpage:

Sand ceremony is a ceremony that can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to the wedding ceremony. All that is needed to perform this simple and yet beautiful ceremony are a set of three containers.


One of these containers is used by the bride and the groom to pour the sand into. The other two containers are meant to be used by each of them to pour the sand from. Most times the colored or plain sand can be found at most craft stores.
Once the priest of the officiant of the wedding ceremony reads the wedding ceremony text chosen, the sand contained in the two containers held by the bride and the groom is poured into the third container simultaneously by each of them.


Most of the time both the bride and the groom wish to leave a small amount of sand in each of their containers to symbolize that although they are now joined as one, they each remain individuals.

Unification ceremonies such as the Sand Ceremony are not only a symbol of togetherness, theyre also flexible elements of a wedding. These ceremonies can also be opened up to include some of the important family members. Sometimes children from previous marriages also play a part in the sand ceremony.

The timing of the Sand Ceremony varies in each wedding. Most often they take place directly before or after the exchange of the vows. Sand ceremonies are especially important in non religious weddings.

This is the Hand Ceremony (which we did in our Catholic Wedding Ceremony in church):

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 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 racks your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
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.

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Posted by MrsT08
do you do this at a catholic ceremony?
TIA

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Neither are part of a nuptial mass/ceremony. Most priests will not allow them.

This is the hand ceremony I am using... I'm doing it right after we exchange rings and before we light the unity candle:

BIRDE, please face GROOM, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the
hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief is in your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

GROOM, please hold BRIDE’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through
illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you
tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

I love it! It makes me tear up everytime I read it!

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Posted by Dalito322

We are doing the sand ceremony.....I didn't want to do candles because it's outside by the water and they'll blow out. And I just thought this was so different, and beautiful

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same here

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by MrsT08
do you do this at a catholic ceremony?
TIA

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Neither are part of a nuptial mass/ceremony. Most priests will not allow them.

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This is news to me. Why wouldn't priests allow them? I've seen both at catholic ceremonies and the hand ceremony was done at my pre cana.

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Posted by Kara and Todd

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by MrsT08
do you do this at a catholic ceremony?
TIA

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Neither are part of a nuptial mass/ceremony. Most priests will not allow them.

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This is news to me. Why wouldn't priests allow them? I've seen both at catholic ceremonies and the hand ceremony was done at my pre cana.

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Why wouldn't priests allow them? Because they are not a part of the nuptial mass/ceremony.

I've seen both at catholic ceremonies - Most priests do not allow couples to add 'extras' to the Sacrament (unity candle, etc.) .

the hand ceremony was done at my pre cana - It was done at my Pre-Cana too.

ETA: Taken from the Diocese of RVC's Wedding Liturgy Guidelines:

f) Other Customs
In an effort to 'personalize' the liturgy, some couples request additions to the marriage rite such as the 'unity candle;' giving gifts/flowers to their parents, placing flowers at the statue of the Blessed Mother, using multiple rings, etc. The popularity of these customs raises the question of how well the couples understand the primacy of the exchange of vows. Although these customs are not a part of the marriage rite, a parish may permit them, provided that they are identified as secondary in nature. If used, they should be carried out simply and without the necessity of lengthy explanations. These gestures should never eclipse the primary place of the exchange of vows, or the celebration of Word or Eucharist.

We are planning on doing the sand ceremony and including our kids and then bringing it to the NRC for the guests to add to and then I will cap the sand off with wax when we get home to turn it into a candle that I can keep in my living room. This way it cant be spilled out by my kids and I will always have it because I am not preserving my bo-k.

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by Kara and Todd

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by MrsT08
do you do this at a catholic ceremony?
TIA

---

Neither are part of a nuptial mass/ceremony. Most priests will not allow them.

---

This is news to me. Why wouldn't priests allow them? I've seen both at catholic ceremonies and the hand ceremony was done at my pre cana.

---

Why wouldn't priests allow them? Because they are not a part of the nuptial mass/ceremony.

I've seen both at catholic ceremonies - Most priests do not allow couples to add 'extras' to the Sacrament (unity candle, etc.) .

the hand ceremony was done at my pre cana - It was done at my Pre-Cana too.

ETA: Taken from the Diocese of RVC's Wedding Liturgy Guidelines:

f) Other Customs
In an effort to 'personalize' the liturgy, some couples request additions to the marriage rite such as the 'unity candle;' giving gifts/flowers to their parents, placing flowers at the statue of the Blessed Mother, using multiple rings, etc. The popularity of these customs raises the question of how well the couples understand the primacy of the exchange of vows. Although these customs are not a part of the marriage rite, a parish may permit them, provided that they are identified as secondary in nature. If used, they should be carried out simply and without the necessity of lengthy explanations. These gestures should never eclipse the primary place of the exchange of vows, or the celebration of Word or Eucharist.

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Interesting. It makes sense, but I think most parishes allow this now. The materials my parish gave me have instructions for dropping off the unity candle and I've seen both the sand ceremony and the hand ceremony at catholic weddings all over. It's worth at least asking.

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Posted by carlsbride

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Posted by MrsT08
do you do this at a catholic ceremony?
TIA

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Neither are part of a nuptial mass/ceremony. Most priests will not allow them.

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I had a Catholic cermony (not mass) with a priest & we did both the sand ceremony & the hands prayer. After we exchnagesd rings, the priest recited the Hands Prayer. It was really nice.