Handcrafting Greek Wedding Candles: Traditions Illuminated

Wedding candles are an important part of the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. The candles are lit by the priest and handed to the couple to hold during the service, symbolising the light of Christ, who will light the way for their new life together. The candles are usually tapered, white, and 18-24 inches in height, and can be tied together with a ribbon to symbolise the couple's union.

The candles are called lambades or lambathes in Greek, and are often decorated with flowers, pearls, and crystals. They are a mandatory item for the wedding, and are usually purchased in two pairs: a smaller pair for the couple to hold, and a larger pair to decorate the altar.

Choosing the right candles

Dahlia Weddings and Baptisms offer a range of candles made by local artisans using 100% highly refined and dense, white paraffin wax. The wax is dipped one paper-thin layer at a time to ensure a beautiful matte finish. The candles have a pure cotton wick, which allows for a slow, calm, long-lasting burn at a rate of approximately 1” per hour. The candles are available in 21” or 24” tall sizes.

Portara Gallery also offers a range of wedding candles, including:

• Crystal Beauty Wedding Candles
• Crystal Sparkle Beauty Wedding Candles
• The Charisma Wedding Candles
• A Wedding Candle with Gorgeous Decoration
• Adorable Wedding Candles
• Amazing Candles with Swarovski Crystals #A and #B
• Amazing Orthodox Wedding Ceremony Candles
• Amazing Sparkling Orthodox Wedding Candles
• Amazing Wedding Candle Set with Swarovski Crystals AB #1 and #2
• Astonishing Black Silk Calla Lilies Wedding Candles
• Astonishing Silk Calla Lilies Wedding Candles
• Charming Blossom Wedding Candles
• Classy and Elegant Wedding Candles
• Color Crystal Beauty Orthodox Wedding Candles
• Delightful Wedding Candles
• Elegant Sheer Organza Wedding Candles
• Eternal Elegance Wedding Candles
• Exquisite Beauty Wedding Candles
• Fabulous Candles for the Bride and the Groom
• Fabulous Candles with Lilies and Roses for the Bride and the Groom
• Fascination Wedding Candles with Organdy Flowers
• Flowers with Crystals Wedding Candles
• Orthodox Wedding Candles; Greek Lambathes Wedding candle; Monogramed Wedding Candles - 20 inch candle

Decorating the candles

The wedding candles, or lambades, are a very symbolic element of a Greek Orthodox ceremony. The candles are lit by the priest during the service and handed to the couple to hold for part of the service. The candles remind the couple of the light of Christ, who is with them throughout the sacrament and their coming life together.

The candles can be plain or very ornate, and they can be tied together with a ribbon to symbolise the union of the couple, although this is an older tradition that is no longer used as much. The candles are usually tapered, white, and 18-24 inches in height.

The candles are an essential component of the wedding and are usually left to burn in the church after the service. They can also be burned at home, but any decoration should be removed before they are lit.

Dahlia Weddings and Baptisms use a blend of superior-quality paraffin wax with a pure cotton wick for a calm and even burn. Their candles are smoke and drip-resistant and burn at a rate of approximately 1 inch per hour.

Dahlia's candles are wrapped in delicate fabrics such as tulle, satin, and organza. They are decorated with satin bows, rhinestones, pearls, and flowers. The candles are also available in a range of colours, including soft white, cream, and gold.

The significance of the candles

The candles used in Greek Orthodox wedding ceremonies are a vital part of the ritual. Known as "lambades" or "lambathes" in Greek, the candles are a mandatory item for the wedding. They symbolise the light of Christ, who will light the way for the couple in their new life together. The bride and groom each hold a lit candle during the sacrament, showing their willingness to receive Christ's blessing.

The candles are usually tapered, white, and between 18 and 24 inches in height. They are lit by the priest during the service and handed to the couple to hold for part of the service. The candles can be tied together with a ribbon to symbolise the union of the couple, although this tradition is not used as much anymore.

The candles are often left to burn in the church after the service, or burned down at home. They should never be thrown out in the garbage, but rather burned down.

The size of the candles

The candles are usually tapered, white, and lit by the priest during the service. They are held by the couple for part of the service.

Some couples opt for larger, thicker candles, which are more weighty but beautiful in presentation.

The candles are a very symbolic element of the ceremony. They represent the light of Christ, who will light the way for the couple in their new life together.

Burning the candles

The candles are usually tapered, white, and 18-24 inches in height. They are often tied together with a ribbon to symbolise the union of the couple, although this is an older tradition that is not used as much anymore.

The candles are usually left to burn in the church after the service, or burned down at home. If burned down at the church, they are placed in the same sand as the offering candles in the narthex of the church. It is not appropriate to reuse the wedding candles for a baptism.

Frequently asked questions