Unity Candles: A Wedding Diy Guide For Couples

Unity candles are a great way to symbolise the joining of two people in marriage and the merging of their families. The unity candle ceremony is a simple but meaningful ritual that usually takes place after the exchanging of vows. The couple each light a taper candle, representing themselves and their families, and then simultaneously light a larger candle from the two smaller candles. This larger candle represents their union. The unity candle ceremony is a great way to make your wedding more personal and unique, and can be easily customised to fit your wedding's aesthetic.

Choosing the right candle

Coordinate with Your Aesthetic:

Match your unity candle to your overall wedding aesthetic to create a cohesive look and feel for your ceremony. For example, if you're hosting a beach wedding, consider a coral-coloured candle surrounded by seashells and pebbles. For a vintage-themed wedding, you might use a family heirloom candle passed down from older generations.

Choose a Durable Option:

While aesthetics are important, it's also crucial to prioritise durability. Opt for a strong base or candle holder that fits your unity candle securely to prevent any accidental tumbles during the ceremony.

Consider the Climate:

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, be mindful of the weather. Windy or rainy conditions can easily extinguish your flame, so consider investing in hurricane glasses to protect your unity candle and keep the flame burning.

Shop at the Right Stores:

When it comes to purchasing your unity candle, online retailers like Etsy, Zazzle, and Amazon offer a wide range of designs, customisation options, and budget-friendly prices. For last-minute options, you can also try local stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, though the selection may be more limited.

Customisation:

You can personalise your unity candle set by engraving your names, wedding date, or a meaningful quote. You can also choose a pattern or design that complements your wedding aesthetic, whether it's glamorous, romantic, or something else entirely.

Accessories:

Complete the look by choosing candle holders, ribbons, and other accessories that enhance the tone and style of your wedding celebration.

Remember, the unity candle ceremony symbolises the merging of two individuals and two families, so take the time to select a candle that feels right for you and your partner.

Selecting candle accessories

Candle accessories are an important part of the unity candle ceremony, as they can enhance the overall aesthetic and ensure the candle remains lit. Here are some tips for selecting the right candle accessories for your wedding:

• Candle holders: Choose candle holders that are sturdy and fit your candles well. This is especially important for outdoor weddings, as you want to prevent the candles from blowing out. Look for holders with a strong base to avoid any accidents. You can find simple and inexpensive candle holders online or at local craft stores.
• Hurricane glasses: If you're planning an outdoor wedding, consider investing in hurricane glasses to shield your candles from the wind. These glass coverings will protect the candle flames and ensure they don't blow out.
• Lighter or matches: Keep a small lighter or a box of matches nearby to relight the candles if necessary. Opt for a white or discreet lighter so it blends in with the table setting.
• Table: Place the unity candle on a separate table to avoid any fire hazards and to keep it from getting in the way of your vows. Cover the table with a cloth that matches your wedding aesthetic.
• Engravings and decorations: Personalise your unity candle by engraving your names, wedding date, or a meaningful quote. You can also choose a pattern or design that matches your wedding theme, whether it's glamorous, romantic, or beach-themed.
• Ribbons: Use ribbons to decorate your candles and match the tone of your celebration.
• Accessories: Select candle accessories that complement your wedding style and colour palette. This could include candle holders, ribbons, or other decorative elements.

Preparing the ceremony

Firstly, decide who will participate in the unity candle ceremony. Traditionally, the mothers of the couple light the taper candles before the ceremony begins, but you can also invite other family members or friends to be involved. For example, you could ask your fathers, siblings, or children to light the taper candles. Alternatively, you and your partner can choose to keep the ceremony more intimate with just the two of you and your officiant.

Next, you will need to purchase the candles. The unity candle set typically consists of three parts: two taper candles and one central pillar candle. You can buy these from online retailers or local stores. When choosing your candles, consider personalising them with engravings, quotes, or designs that match your wedding aesthetic and colour palette. Don't forget to also purchase candle holders, preferably with a sturdy base, and accessories that complement your wedding theme.

Now it's time to set up the unity candle display. This should be done ahead of time, especially if you're having an outdoor wedding. Place the unity candle in the middle, with one taper candle on each side, on a separate small table covered with a tablecloth. This ensures safety and prevents the candles from igniting anything else. If your ceremony is outdoors, shield the candles with hurricane lamps to protect them from the breeze. Keep a lighter or matchbook nearby in case any candles need to be relit.

Before the unity candle ceremony portion of your wedding begins, the taper candles should be lit by the designated family members or friends. This is usually done before the officiant reads their script and after the couple has exchanged their vows.

During the unity candle ceremony, the officiant will introduce the ritual and explain its symbolism. The couple will then take the lit taper candles and simultaneously light the larger unity candle, representing their union and the blending of their two families. After lighting the unity candle, the couple should blow out the taper candles while leaving the unity candle lit for the remainder of the ceremony.

Lighting the candles

The unity candle ceremony is a beautiful ritual that symbolises the union of two individuals and their families. The lighting of the candles is a simple yet meaningful part of the wedding ceremony. Here is a step-by-step guide to lighting the candles:

Choose who will participate

The couple can opt to keep the ceremony intimate with just themselves and the officiant, or they may choose to include their friends and family, such as their mothers, fathers, siblings, or children, by having them light the taper candles.

Set up the candles

The unity candle ceremony requires three candles: the unity candle, which is usually a pillar candle, and two taper candles, one for each member of the couple. The taper candles are lit from the unity candle. It is recommended to use sturdy candle holders and place the candles on a table, ensuring they are away from anything flammable, such as flowers or paper.

Light the taper candles

Before the ceremony, the taper candles are lit by the chosen family members or the couple themselves. This is done before the officiant reads the script and the couple exchanges their vows and rings.

Officiant's script

The officiant will then read a script to explain the symbolism of the unity candle ceremony. The script may vary, but it typically highlights the merging of two individuals and their families into one. The ceremony is usually accompanied by music but remains quiet aside from that.

Lighting the unity candle

After the script, the couple will carefully remove the taper candles from their holders and simultaneously light the unity candle. They will then blow out the taper candles while the unity candle remains lit for the rest of the ceremony.

Blow out the unity candle

Once the wedding ceremony is complete, the couple traditionally blows out the unity candle together. This symbolises their unity and the beginning of their journey as a married couple.

Blowing out the unity candle

The unity candle is lit by the couple, using two taper candles, one to represent each individual. The taper candles are first lit by a family member, usually the mothers of the couple, and then used to light the unity candle.

After the unity candle has been lit, the couple traditionally blow it out together. This act symbolises their unity and the start of their journey as a married couple. It is usually done once the ceremony is completed and the guests have exited the venue.

The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new tradition, first becoming popular in the 1970s. It began as a Christian tradition, given the significance of flames in the Bible, but has since spread to other types of weddings.

Frequently asked questions