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 unity candle ceremony represents the union of the two families. The bride and groom light the individual tapers and bring the two flames together to light the larger column.

Handfasting originated among the Celtic people of what is today the United Kingdom. It was widely practiced throughout the Roman Empire for most of its existence, and as Christianity grew in popularity throughout Europe the ceremony was sometimes supplanted by the ceremony we are more familiar with today.