The perfect wedding is more than just a stunning gown and a stellar guest list. For brides and grooms who have a strong Christian faith, the Lord is the center of the ceremony. Couples who want to show their unity in the Lord and their bond with each other can do so through the 21st century wedding sensation known as unity sand ceremony vows. Mixing tradition with innovation, the unity sand ceremony allows couples to demonstrate both their love for each other and their love for God.
You may have attended weddings where the bride and groom light a Unity candle. The unity sand ceremony follows a similar principle, but instead of sparking a flame, the couple creates an artistic masterpiece by pouring different colored sand into a unity vase. The wedding keepsake that results in a treasure that can grace the dining table in the couple's first home.
As Words
But this special ceremony involves more than just fashioning lovely artwork. During the ceremony, the couple and, in some cases, the relatives of the bride and groom, exchange unique vows. These are vows that go beyond the traditional, allowing the couple to articulate their vision for a unified future. As a result, they hold a special meaning that can enhance a traditional wedding ceremony and offer a fabulous memory for the couple involved.
For the Christian couple, the vows of the unity sand ceremony can be based upon the time-honored words of Scripture. There is good reason for this. As the Bible says, there is tremendous power in the tongue. As Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Our words have the strength to create or destroy...to enhance or to detract.
Speaking words of love, commitment, and hope breathe life into a relationship and form a strong foundation for a marriage. Studies have shown that couples who often compliment each other are far more likely to stay together than those who constantly complain. Words paint a portrait of a marriage; by exchanging life-affirming and relationship-affirming vows on the wedding day, couples create a habit that can last a lifetime.
Fortunately, many verses of Scripture can serve as the basis for unity sand ceremony vows. Consider Ephesians 4:2-3, which states, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Couples can easily adapt this verse to profess their personal desire to be patient with one another in love, and to maintain their unity in God through a peaceful marital union.
Another possibility - the Song of Solomon 2:16, which declares, "My beloved is mine, and I am his." Or Ephesians 5:31-33, which states, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." In fact, virtually any verse that promotes unity can be used as a basis for these special vows.
For today's couples, marriage is more than just the union of two people. It is also a celebration of the merging of two families, the blending of two clans. This is especially important when there are children from previous marriages involved. There is perhaps no better way to help smooth the transition for these children than to have them serve as active participants in a unity sand ceremony. They can recite their own unique vows as they pour bright-colored sand into the unity vase.
Blended families need special care; the exchange of unity sand ceremony vows enables them to proclaim the beauty of the new family that has been created. In some cases, couples might also want to include the mothers of the bride and groom or the maid of honor and the best man in the ceremony. What a wonderful way for families to pledge their support for a couple!
In the end, the unity sand ceremony is more than just a Technicolor treat. It is an event which honors faith, commitment, and love. The power of the ceremony lies not only in the visuals, but in the words, which speak to the heart of Christian marriage.
The Power's in the Word - Unity Sand Ceremony Vows Affirm Love
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