Helpful Tips: Sand Ceremony Frame Instructions

Here's a fun do-it-yourself project I received from a newlywed, and a good friend, Jennifer. The "sand ceremony" is becoming a popular addition to the marriage ceremony. In fact, my husband and I did a sand ceremony instead of the candle lighting since our ceremony was outside and we didn't want to risk having it be a windy day and not be able to light the candles. But, almost a year to the day that we got married we attended a friends wedding at Above & Beyond (Muskegon/Norton Shores) and they did a sand ceremony in a different way with a multi-pane picture frame. I love this concept since it's something you can keep in your home for decoration. Here's the how-to instructions to prep the frame for your big day, as well as the words that were read at that portion of our wedding ceremony:

Supplies:
Multiple Pane picture frame (Jen's had 4 panes and was from Kohl's)
Clear drying glue (I used Zip-dry from Hobby Lobby)
4 Scrapbook Photo Squares (double-sided)
1 photo (engagement photo works great to hold the spot)
Painter's Tape or Similar Tape
Sand (different colors, 3 or 4 depending on the words that are read during the ceremony)
2 Small Funnel

Instructions:
1. Take the top off of the frame and remove all the panes of glass. Take your clear glue and fill the last (back) groove of the frame (where glass sits), then place glass pane back into the frame. This seals the glass to the frame and prevents sand from leaking out.
2. Repeat the above steps with the second pane from the back. This creates the area where the sand will go into the frame. Allow to fully dry before using or moving the frame.
3. Take scrapbook photo corners and use to attach your photo to the third pane of glass. Do this by making sure to place the corners on the back side of the photo so they do not show. This also allows you to replace the picture with one from the wedding. Place glass into frame.
4. Finally, place the last piece of glass back into the frame. This should be the front most piece of glass. Now take your painters tape and cut a piece to the exact length of the top of the frame and use to cover the front two panes of glass. This seals of the front panes (where the picture is) from the sand compartment. And replace top of frame to make sure tape does not interfere with the fit.
5. Now you are ready for your sand ceremony. Using a small funnel helps to put sand in the frame.

Jennifer, the bride, said, "We purchased our sand from Moon Glow Candles (moonglowcandles.com). They have many different colors available, however their sand has a "shimmer" added to it by something that looks like a silver glitter. Not a bad thing, just be aware of this before you order."

Our officiant, Rev. Don, explained the symbolism behind the different color sands coming together, "(brides name) & (grooms name), today you join your separate lives together. The two separate bottles of sand symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends. They represent all that you are and all that you'll ever be as an individual. They also represent your lives before today. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the individual sand can never be separated and poured again into the separate containers, so will your marriage be."

We used our wedding colors of chocolate brown and pink, with the white sand as the third color. But, as you can see from the photos, you can adjust the wording that is said and use four colors as well. If anyone uses this idea, we'd love to see some photos from you wedding ceremony. Thanks for the instructions and photos Jen!