Tyler Brooks
Unity candles are used in a wedding ceremony to symbolise the joining of two people and their families. The ritual involves the couple lighting a large candle, known as the unity candle, using two smaller taper candles. The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. The ritual is often performed towards the end of the wedding ceremony, after the vows and ring exchange, and can be incorporated into both religious and non-religious weddings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ceremony Name | Unity Candle Ceremony |
| Type of Ceremony | Wedding |
| Purpose | Symbolizing the joining of two people and their families into one |
| Participants | Couple, officiant, guests, and family members |
| Candles Used | Two taper candles and one large pillar candle |
| Timing | Usually after the exchange of vows and rings, but can vary |
| Ritual Steps | Couple lights taper candles, then simultaneously lights the larger pillar candle |
| Variations | Family members may light taper candles, representing their love and support |
| Significance | Represents unity, bright future, and the creation of a new family |
| Souvenir | Couples may keep the unity candle as a memento of their wedding |
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What You'll Learn
Unity candle ceremony
Unity candles are used in a wedding ceremony to symbolise two people joining in marriage. The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively new custom, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. The unity candle ceremony is a short ritual performed during the wedding ceremony to symbolise the joining of two people, or two families, into one.
The unity candle ceremony usually involves three candles: two taper candles and one larger pillar candle. The taper candles are lit first, either by the couple or by their mothers or children. These candles represent the unique light that each person brings to the marriage, symbolising their families, histories, traditions, and experiences. The couple then uses the taper candles to light the larger centre candle, known as the unity candle, at the same time. This symbolises the union of the couple and the creation of a blended family.
After lighting the unity candle, the couple may turn to their guests and light one guest's candle, who will then light the next guest's candle, and so on. This creates a beautiful photograph with the entire ceremony illuminated by candlelight. However, this can be logistically challenging and time-consuming, so it is important to plan accordingly.
The unity candle ceremony is typically performed towards the end of the wedding ceremony, after the vows and ring exchange but before the pronouncement and first kiss. It is a simple yet meaningful ritual that can be personalised with music, readings, or poems. While it is not a traditional part of Catholic or Anglican wedding ceremonies, it has gained popularity in Christian and interfaith weddings and can be included in any type of wedding ceremony.
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Symbolism and meaning
Unity candles are used in wedding ceremonies to symbolise the joining of two people in marriage. The ritual involves the couple lighting a large candle, known as the unity candle, using two smaller taper candles. The lighting of the unity candle represents the union of the couple and their two families, as well as the creation of a new, blended family.
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century, particularly in American Protestant weddings. While it is not mentioned in the Bible or apostolic writings, it is believed that its inclusion in a 1981 episode of the TV show *General Hospital* may have contributed to its popularity.
The ceremony typically takes place towards the end of the wedding ceremony, after the vows and ring exchange. During the ritual, the couple lights their unity candle simultaneously, symbolising their unity and the merging of their two lives. In some variations, the couple's mothers or parents light the taper candles, representing the unique light and love that each individual brings into the marriage.
The unity candle ceremony is a simple yet meaningful ritual that can be incorporated into both religious and non-religious wedding ceremonies. It is a way to symbolise the couple's commitment to each other and their new life together as a married couple. The large unity candle represents the joining of the couple's families and the creation of a new family unit.
In Catholic and other Christian weddings, the candle's flame may also represent the light of God carried within each partner, joined in the holy covenant of marriage. The unity candle can also be seen as a symbol of the couple's bright future together.
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When to light the candle
Unity candles are a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies, symbolizing the joining of two people and their families. The unity candle ceremony typically takes place towards the end of the wedding ceremony, after the vows and ring exchange, but before the pronouncement and first kiss.
The unity candle ceremony begins with the lighting of two taper candles, which are initially lit and used by each member of the marrying couple. These tapers are then used to light a larger pillar candle in the center, which represents the union of the couple and their families. The taper candles may be blown out, to indicate that the two lives have merged, or they may remain lit beside the central candle, symbolizing that the now-married partners retain their individuality.
The unity candle ceremony can be personalized to include friends and family. For example, the taper candles may be lit by the mothers of the couple, or by their children. The couple may then turn to their guests and light one guest's candle with the unity candle, who will then light the next guest's candle, and so on.
The unity candle ceremony is not a religious tradition and can be included in any type of wedding ceremony. However, it is prohibited in some churches as it is not explicitly part of the churches' apostolic tradition. Couples should always check with the pastor before including the ceremony in their order of service.
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Who lights the unity candle
Unity candle ceremonies are often performed at weddings to symbolise the union of two people and their families. The ceremony involves lighting three candles: two smaller taper candles, and one larger pillar candle.
The unity candle is typically lit by the couple during the ceremony. Each partner holds one of the taper candles, representing their respective families, and simultaneously lights the larger centre candle, which symbolises their union.
While the couple lights the unity candle, they may choose to have guests sing a song, recite a poem, play instrumental music, or include a meaningful reading in the background. The wedding officiant or celebrant usually leads the ceremony by introducing and explaining the symbolism of the ritual to the guests. They may say something like:
> "As you commit to each other today, you're creating a family circle of love. So may you always carry that light within each other, may you nurture and tend to the flame in each other's hearts as you recognise your continuing importance in each other's lives."
The taper candles may be lit by the couple themselves or by their parents, grandparents, or other family members such as siblings or children. This is done before the officiant reads their script and introduces the unity candle ceremony. The couple then uses the flames from the taper candles to light the larger centre candle together.
The unity candle ceremony is a symbolic ritual that holds a lot of meaning for the couple and their families. It is often performed after the exchange of wedding vows and rings, although some couples may choose to light the candle before the vows.
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How to include parents
Unity candles are used in wedding ceremonies to symbolise the joining of two people in marriage. The ritual involves the couple lighting a single candle, known as the unity candle, from two separate taper candles. This act symbolises the union of two individuals and the creation of a new family unit.
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom, first gaining popularity in the second half of the 20th century, particularly in American Protestant weddings. While it holds no religious affiliation and can be included in any wedding ceremony, some churches do not permit it as it is not a traditional part of the wedding ceremony.
Including Parents in the Unity Candle Ceremony
Including parents in the unity candle ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolise the joining of two families. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Lighting of Taper Candles
Traditionally, the couple lights their taper candles from the two family candles lit by their mothers. However, you can include both parents by having each set of parents light a taper candle for their child. This variation symbolises the unique light and love that each individual brings into the marriage from their respective families.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
After lighting their taper candles, the couple then lights the unity candle together. You can modify this step by having the couple light their taper candles from their parents' candles and then jointly light the unity candle. This variation emphasises the union of not just the couple but also their families.
Extinguishing Family Candles
Some couples choose to blow out their taper candles after lighting the unity candle. However, this step may offend some families as it symbolises the permanent merging of two lives. Instead, the taper candles can remain lit beside the unity candle, representing the couple's individuality within their marriage.
Involving Extended Family
If you have a larger family, you can include other family members, such as siblings or grandparents, in the ceremony. For example, each family member can light their candle from the unity candle, symbolising the light and warmth that the couple brings to their extended family.
Alternative Rituals
If you're concerned about the logistics or fire hazards of including many guests, consider alternative rituals like a sand ceremony. Each family can have a different colour of sand, which they pour into a bigger vase to signify the blending of the families. This option provides a similar symbolic effect without the challenges of including multiple candles.
Including parents in the unity candle ceremony is a meaningful way to acknowledge and honour the role of families in the union of two individuals. By incorporating these variations, you can create a personalised and inclusive ritual that celebrates the joining of not just the couple but also their loved ones.
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Frequently asked questions
Unity candles are used in a wedding ceremony to symbolise two people joining in marriage.
The long unity candle is often referred to as a pillar candle.
The unity candle is usually lit after the exchange of vows and rings. However, some couples prefer to light the candle before the vows.
The unity candle symbolises the union of the couple and the creation of a blended family. It represents the couple's bright future ahead.
