Civil ceremony: the sand ritual, and what comes next?
A ritual that's truly yours
When it comes to civil ceremonies, one image almost always comes to mind: two vials of sand merging into a single vessel. The sand ritual has become a staple. Symbolic, visual, easy to set up, it represents the union of two individuals who can never be separated again. It's elegant. It's poetic. But today, couples are looking for more than a familiar symbol. They want a ritual that truly reflects who they are. Because a civil ceremony isn't a template to reproduce. It's a story to tell.
The sand ritual: reassuring, but not mandatory
The sand ritual is popular because it's reassuring. It structures a powerful moment, creates an image, and leaves a tangible memory. Yet there is a wealth of alternatives — sometimes more intimate, sometimes more modern, sometimes more daring.
Alternatives that speak to you
Some couples explore more personal or narrative rituals:
- The ribbon ritual, where each color represents a founding value of the couple — respect, perseverance, kindness, family. The gesture becomes more narrative, almost theatrical, and deeply personal.
- The time capsule: the couple writes letters to each other, sometimes with words from loved ones, sealed to be opened in five or ten years.
- The revisited candle ritual — more minimalist, more contemporary.
- The wine ritual, often chosen for destination weddings, where blending grape varieties becomes a metaphor for balance in partnership.
The participative ritual
Some couples move entirely away from material symbols to create a participative ritual: a collective vow from the guests, a shared gesture, a commitment read in multiple voices. The ceremony becomes a shared moment — almost immersive.
In summary
The current trend is no longer about 'the ritual everyone does'. It's about the ritual that has meaning.
At Maison. S, when we accompany a civil ceremony, we look for what truly tells your story. A ritual can be:
- ✔discreet or spectacular
- ✔symbolic or intimate
- ✔above all, coherent with your relationship
The sand ritual remains a safe choice. But today, it's no longer an obligation.
A successful civil ceremony is not recognized by its most popular ritual. It is recognized by the emotion it creates.
And sometimes, that emotion comes precisely when you dare to step outside the expected.
