Definitely one of the most popular wedding rituals, the Unity Candles are a beautiful way to represent the coming together of your families to celebrate your coming together as a couple in the union of marriage. The passing of light from family to you embark on the next part of your life together as a married couple.
How does it work?
The ritual starts with two candles lit, by you or by members of your family. This is traditionally a job that is given to the mothers. These candles represent your families and the light passed from them to you, as they come together to celebrate your marriage. I like to do this early in the ceremony, to have these lighting throughout the ceremony. As I welcome you and your friends and family, I open the ceremony through the symbol of light.
“From every human being there rises a light. When we come together in support of a common goal, our streams of light flow together and a single, brighter light goes forth bringing the light of love, the light of understanding, the light of respect, and the light of tolerance to all.”
The symbol of two who become one, and the faith, wisdom and love that you have received from parents and families. They represent your families coming together to support you and share their love with you on your wedding day.
The unity candle is lit after the marriage, after you have exchanged your vows and rings, bring the light from your families together in a unity of love and friendship. Taking the light from the individual candles and lighting the unity candles closing the circle of marriage. The most sacred part of the ceremony is opened with the marriage declarations and closed with the unity candle, with your vows and ring exchange in the middle.
“Each candle flame represents your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. The lighting of the centre candle represents your union in marriage. As you light this candle of unity, you symbolize the flame of your own individual selves joining to ignite the partnership of marriage. May the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.”
What do you need.
Your unity candle set consists of three candles. The most common arrange is two taper candles and one larger pillar candle. You can personalise your candles, having your names, venue and date engraved on the candles or you can use plain white. There are many suppliers of unity candle sets (see below for some suggestions) or chat to your florist who would be happy to supply white candles. The candles can be in individual candles holders or placed into a floral arrangement.
During the Ritual
During the ritual, when the candles are being lit, there can be an awkward moment of silence, which can make people nervous. A lovely way to calm the nerves and enrich the ritual is to play music as the candles are being lit. Instrumental music played in the background creates a lovely atmosphere, as the flames of the candles are being brought to life.
Unity Candles in an outdoor ceremony.
I have done many an outdoor ceremony where the unity candles were included. This took a bit more planning to cater for the unpredictable weather that we get in Ireland, bit it wind or rain. Buy a lantern for the three candles is probable the best approach, protecting them from the elements and ensuring that they stay lighting throughout your ceremony.
Check our my blog ‘Planning your outdoor ceremony’ for more hints and tips and the tricks of the trade to cope with the ‘four seasons in one day’.
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