Chloe Adams
Unity candle ceremonies are a popular ritual for weddings. They symbolise the joining of two people and their families, as well as the bright future ahead. The couple each light a taper candle, which they then use to light a larger 'unity candle' together. This ritual is usually performed after the couple's vows and ring exchange, but there are no rules. It can be adapted to include friends and family, or even all the guests. If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, you'll need to take the weather into account. Using hurricane shades or lanterns can help protect the candles from the wind. It's also a good idea to check with your venue, as some don't allow open flames.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 3 (2 taper candles and 1 unity candle) |
| Candle holders | Mothers of the bride and groom, or fathers, children, siblings, friends, etc. |
| Candle lighting | Candles can be lit before the ceremony or during the ceremony by the couple or officiant |
| Candle protection | Use hurricane shades, lamps, or vases to protect candles from wind |
| Timing | Unity candle ceremony can be done at any time during the wedding but is usually done after vows and ring exchange |
| Location | A table or platform is needed to place the candles |
| Participation | The wedding party or all guests can participate by lighting their own candles |
| Veil safety | Keep veils away from candles to prevent them from catching fire |
| Poem or reading | Include a poem or reading during the ceremony to capture the romance and feelings of the couple |
| Permission | Get permission from the venue to hold a candle ceremony, as some venues have rules against open flames |
| Blowing out the candle | The couple traditionally blows out the unity candle together after the ceremony and once all guests have exited |
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What You'll Learn
Use hurricane shades or lamps to protect candles from wind
If you're planning a unity candle ceremony outdoors, it's important to protect the candles from being blown out by the wind. One effective way to do this is to use hurricane shades or lamps. Hurricane shades are hollow glass tubes that come in various sizes to fit over the candles. They act as wind protectors, creating a barrier around the candles to shield them from the breeze.
To set up hurricane shades, simply slide them down over the taper candles, ensuring that the top of the flame is level with the top of the shade. You can also push the shades slightly into the ground for added stability. This way, even if it's a breezy day, the wind won't easily blow out the candles.
Hurricane lamps serve a similar purpose. They are glass coverings that enclose the candles, providing shelter from the wind. Make sure that the candle wicks are deep inside the hurricane lamps so that they are well-protected and less likely to be extinguished by the wind.
Both hurricane shades and lamps are readily available for purchase online or at stores that sell household items, such as kitchenware and accessories. They are a simple yet effective solution to ensure that your unity candle ceremony goes smoothly and that the candles remain lit throughout the ceremony, even in windy outdoor conditions.
Additionally, you can also use a large plastic bottle as a DIY option. Cut a two-liter plastic bottle and fill the bottom third to half with sand or gravel. Then, cut a square hole in one side, leaving the cap off for airflow. This option provides weight and stability to withstand the wind.
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Ask venue if they allow open flames
Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to the smaller details. If you're set on having a unity candle ceremony as part of your wedding, it's important to ask your venue whether they allow open flames. Some venues have strict rules against them, so it's crucial to get permission in advance to avoid any last-minute disruptions to your plans.
If your venue doesn't permit open flames, there are still plenty of options to include a unity ceremony. You could, for example, perform the ceremony at your reception venue if they are more lenient, or at another location that holds significance for you and your partner. Alternatively, you could consider a non-candle unity ceremony, such as a sand ceremony, hand-fasting ceremony, or one of the many other creative unity rituals that don't involve flames.
However, if your venue does permit open flames, there are a few extra precautions to consider for an outdoor ceremony. The unpredictable weather could pose a challenge, with blustering winds or rain threatening to blow out your candles. To prevent this, you can use hurricane lamps, glass coverings that shield the candles from the breeze, ensuring they stay lit. These coverings also prevent veils or other flammable materials from accidentally catching fire. Additionally, you could opt for trick candles that don't blow out easily, or use a small votive candle in a holder to light the main unity candle, reducing the time it's exposed to the elements.
In conclusion, while a unity candle ceremony can be a beautiful addition to your wedding, it's essential to first confirm with your venue whether they allow open flames. With their permission, you can then take the necessary steps to ensure the ceremony runs smoothly and safely.
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Include wedding party or guests in the ceremony
Unity candle ceremonies are a beautiful way to symbolise the joining of two individuals and their families. The ceremony is usually led by the wedding officiant, who introduces and explains the symbolism of the ritual to the guests.
There are many ways to include your wedding party or guests in the ceremony. The unity candle can be lit by a friend or family member who played a role in bringing the couple together. This can be a meaningful way to symbolise their role in your relationship. Alternatively, the couple may choose to have their parents or grandparents light the taper candles, which are then used to light the unity candle. This option carries the symbolic blessing of the elders, bringing their love and wisdom into the marriage.
If you want to involve all of your guests in the ceremony, each guest can be given an unlit candle when they arrive. Once the couple is ready to light the unity candle, they can begin by lighting the candle of someone in the front row, who will pass the flame to the next person, and so on. When the final candle is lit, the flame is used to light the unity candle. This idea symbolises the uniting of not just the couple's families, but all their loved ones.
To ensure the ceremony runs smoothly, it is important to consider the placement of the table holding the candles. The table should be at an appropriate height and positioned in a place that is easily accessible for the couple, without being too noticeable until the ceremony begins. It is also important to practice good fire safety, ensuring that any drapery or decorations are cleared away to prevent them from catching fire.
For outdoor ceremonies, it is recommended to use hurricane lamps or shades to shield the candles from being blown out by the wind.
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Include a poem or reading
If you're planning to include a unity candle ceremony as part of your outdoor wedding, you may want to include a poem or reading. This can be a beautiful way to add a personal touch and a meaningful moment to your wedding day.
The unity candle ceremony is a symbolic ritual that represents the joining of two people and their families. It usually takes place after the couple has exchanged their wedding vows and rings, symbolising their love and commitment to each other. During the ceremony, the couple lights a large 'unity candle' using two smaller taper candles, representing the merging of their two lives into one.
> "Soft mists embrace two golden flames,
> Alone they search the night.
> Two souls adrift in dreams of love,
> They seek to claim the light.
> The path is long from which they came,
> But sure they are it’s right.
> Two flames embrace in dreams of love,
> Two Souls – Two Hearts Unite."
You can ask your officiant or a special guest to read this poem while you and your partner light the unity candle.
In addition to the poem, you may also want to include a script or reading that specifically mentions the symbolism of the unity candle ceremony. Here is an example:
> "In this unity candle ceremony, we symbolise the joining of [Couple's Names] two lives with the participation of their mothers. The lighting of these individual candles represents the unique light that each of them brings into this marriage. They each come from their own families, with their own histories, traditions, and experiences."
Remember to prepare your unity candle ceremony in advance, especially if you're having an outdoor wedding. This includes securing the necessary candles, a table or platform for them to rest on, and considering the use of hurricane lamps or vases to shield the candles from any breeze.
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Light the unity candle at the end of the ceremony
Unity candle ceremonies are a popular ritual for weddings, symbolising the joining of two people and their families. The unity candle is usually lit towards the end of the wedding ceremony, after the couple has exchanged vows and rings.
The unity candle ceremony involves three candles; two taper candles, one held by each partner, and a larger centre candle, which symbolises the union of the couple and their families. The tapers can be lit before the ceremony by anyone, or by a mother, father, or close friend, who passes them to the couple. The couple then lights the unity candle together.
If you are having an outdoor ceremony, it is important to shield the candles from the wind. You can use hurricane lamps, which are glass coverings that go around the candles, or a hurricane vase. Alternatively, you could use a small votive candle in a holder to light the unity candle, instead of a lighter.
You can also include a poem or a reading during the ceremony, and involve your wedding party or guests by giving them unlit candles, which are then used to light the couple's candles.
After the unity candle is lit, the couple traditionally blows it out together, symbolising their unity and the start of their journey as a married couple.
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Frequently asked questions
A unity candle ceremony is a ritual performed during a wedding ceremony to symbolize the joining of two people or two families into one. The couple will light a unity candle using two smaller taper candles, symbolizing the merging of their two lives into one.
To perform a unity candle ceremony outdoors, you must take into account potential weather conditions like wind or rain that might interfere with the candles. It is recommended to use hurricane lamps, shades, or vases to shield the candles from the breeze. You can also use a small votive candle in a holder instead of a lighter to light the candles. Planning the candle lighting towards the end of the ceremony can help ensure the candles don't have to stay lit for too long.
The couple can decide who lights the taper candles. Options include having the tapers lit before the ceremony, with anyone lighting them, or having a mother, father, or close friend light each taper and pass them to the couple. The wedding officiant may also light the tapers and pass them to the couple.
During the unity candle ceremony, the wedding officiant will typically explain the significance of the unity tradition and wedding candles to the guests. Couples may also choose to include a poem or reading that captures the romance and feelings they hold for each other.
