Unity Candles And Your Wedding Ceremony

By Author: Rex Hamish
Total Articles: 1
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Two are lit before the ceremony begins, one by the groom’s mother and one by the bride’s mother. Once the bride and groom recite their vows, the final candle is lit from the flames of the two individual candles. Though some associate the unity candle with church weddings, the candle ceremony actually has no religious significance. Both interfaith and civil weddings feature unity candle ceremonies. There are variations of the candle ceremony, such as choosing different family members to light the flames of the first two candles or including additional candles to symbolize children from previous marriages.

Choosing the Candle

Unity candles for weddings come in a variety of sizes and designs. Personalized unity candles are an excellent way to customize something in your wedding ceremony without spending too much. Unity candles are easy to personalize with the names of the couple’s families, the date of the wedding, and the names of the bride and groom. Usually, the two individual candles feature a monogram related to each family and the larger candle features the new initials of the couple.

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... Candles also come in a variety of colors and designs, so they can match the theme of the rest of the wedding. Many brides choose white candles with accent colors matching their bridesmaid dresses. Like most wedding details, candles range from casual designs with fun patterns to formal designs with ribbons, crystals, or pearls. Some candles are very elaborate and feature photos, poems, Bible verses, or embellishments. There are also unity candle stands available. These keep the candles in place during the ceremony and can be used to display all three candles after the wedding.

Lighting the Candle

The unity candle ceremony in a wedding is several minutes long. Following the vows, the couple moves to the area where the candles are displayed. Together, they each take their family’s individual candle and use those flames to light the single larger candle that symbolically joins the families. Some couples are silent during the ceremony, while others recite a prayer or literary passage. If couples choose not to speak, they typically choose a song or hymn to be played during the ceremony.

Saving the Candles as a Keepsake

Unity candles for weddings are usually saved after the ceremony. Some couples continue to relight the candle on their wedding anniversary, letting it burn for a few minutes or hours each year. Others display the three candles or their single unity candle with other keepsake wedding items. Since the candle is one of the most symbolic aspects of the wedding ceremony, it makes an excellent keepsake and reminder of the couple’s special day. Candles can be displayed in curio cabinets or on shelves, and the stands used to support the candles during the wedding can be used for display.

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