The unity candle is a significant part of a wedding ceremony that symbolizes the joining of two individuals, families, and communities. The tradition involves lighting a large candle from two smaller ones held by the bride and groom, representing their past and present lives. This ritual is typically performed after vows and rings have been exchanged and before the newlyweds are pronounced as married couples.
While the lighting of the unity candle does not hold any legal significance in a wedding ceremony, it holds a deep emotional and symbolic meaning for the couple and their families. One of the most common questions that couples ask themselves while preparing for their wedding day is what they should say during the unity candle ceremony.
In this blog post, we will explore the meaning and significance of the unity candle, why couples choose to include it in their wedding ceremony, and what couples typically say during the unity candle ceremony.
The Significance of the Unity Candle
The unity candle is an ancient tradition that holds symbolic meaning for the couple and their families. It signifies the joining of two families and the start of a new family with the lighting of a single candle. The flame represents the warmth, love, and passion that the couple shares, and it also symbolizes the light that will guide them through their future together.
The unity candle is also a way to include family members and friends in the wedding ceremony. Typically, the parents of the couple will light the smaller candles, and their children will then use the flames of these candles to light the larger unity candle. This is a beautiful way to symbolize the support and love that the couple has received from their families as they start their new life together.
Why Couples Include the Unity Candle Ceremony in their Wedding
There are several reasons why couples choose to include the unity candle ceremony in their wedding. For some, the ceremony is a way to honor their religious or cultural traditions. For others, it is a way to involve their families and friends in the ceremony and to signify the start of a new family unit.
The ceremony also provides an opportunity for couples to pause and reflect on the significance of their commitment. It is a moment of unity and a symbol of the journey that they will take together as a couple. The lighting of the unity candle also provides a beautiful moment for photographers to capture, making it a memorable part of the wedding day.
What Couples Typically Say During the Unity Candle Ceremony
When it comes to what couples say during the unity candle ceremony, there are no hard and fast rules. Some couples choose to remain silent, allowing the symbolism of the ceremony to speak for itself. Others decide to include a poem, a prayer, or a passage from a religious text that holds personal significance to them.
Regardless of whether the couple chooses to remain silent or include a reading during the unity candle ceremony, the lighting of the candles is a moment to appreciate the support and love that they have received from their families and friends. It is a moment to reflect on the journey that they have taken together as a couple and to look forward to the road ahead.
Conclusion
The unity candle ceremony is a beautiful and symbolic tradition that holds deep emotional meaning for the couple and their families. It provides an opportunity for couples to honor their religious and cultural traditions, involve their families and friends in the ceremony, and symbolize the start of a new family unit. While there are no hard and fast rules about what couples should say during the unity candle ceremony, it is a moment to reflect on the support and love that they have received and to look forward to the future with hope and excitement.
FAQ
How do you introduce a unity candle ceremony?
A unity candle ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolize the joining together of two individuals in marriage. As a helpful assistant, I can provide you with a detailed answer on how to introduce this meaningful ritual to your guests on your wedding day.
Firstly, it is essential to ensure that you have set up the unity candle ceremony area beforehand. This area should include a table with three candles: two tapered candles that represent the bride and groom and a larger pillar candle that symbolizes their union.
Once the area is ready, the ceremony can begin. The person leading the ceremony (either an officiant or a close friend/relative) will usually say a few words to introduce the ritual. Here’s an example of what they might say:
“Partner A and Partner B, you have exchanged vows and rings as a symbol of your devotion to each other. These tangible symbols of love will remind you of the promises you have made to each other today and the love you share. Now, we celebrate you as individuals and as partners, as you join forces to build a bright and joyful future together.”
The couple then approaches the unity candle area. They will pick up the two tapered candles, or these can be given to them by a friend/relative. The bride takes one tapered candle, and the groom takes the other. Together they light the pillar candle, signifying the beginning of their journey together as one.
After the candles are lit, the couple may choose to extinguish their individual candle flames or leave them lit as a symbol of their individuality within the union. At this point, a moment of silence can be observed, allowing the bride and groom to reflect on the significance of the moment.
After the silence, the officiant or a chosen reader may recite a unity candle ceremony reading or poem that highlights the meaning behind the ritual. This can be a heartfelt passage about love, the joining of two souls, or the bond of marriage.
Introducing the unity candle ceremony is relatively simple but requires intentional planning beforehand. Having a clear set up of the unity candle area and correctly timed words spoken during the introduction will help in creating a beautiful, profound, and meaningful ceremony.
Who blows out the unity candle at a wedding?
The lighting of the unity candle is a symbolic tradition that many couples choose to include in their wedding ceremony. The Unity Candle ceremony typically takes place after the vows have been exchanged and before the couple is pronounced married. During the ceremony, two taper candles, representing the bride and groom, are used to light a larger pillar candle, called the unity candle, symbolizing the joining of their lives.
According to wedding tradition, once the candle is lit, the bride and groom will place their taper candles back to where they had started, signifying their individual lives before the marriage. Then, they will take the unity candle together and use it to light their taper candles again, representing their new, unified life together as a couple.
Finally, the bride and groom will blow out their taper candles and then blow out the unity candle together, indicating that together, they are one light, one life, one love. Some couples choose to have their parents or other family members participate in this ceremony by lighting the taper candles for them, signifying the love and support of their families as they begin their new life together.
The act of blowing out the unity candle is a beautiful moment that captures the essence of the wedding ceremony: the unification of two individuals into one couple, who begin their journey as partners in life.
What is the purpose of the candle lighting ceremony?
The candle lighting ceremony is a symbolic ritual that is often incorporated into wedding ceremonies. The lighting of a candle is often used to represent the coming together of two people, their union and the joining of two families. This ritual has become a beloved tradition that helps to add a spiritual and heartfelt touch to wedding ceremonies.
During the candle lighting ceremony, the bride and groom each hold a lit taper candle. They use their candles to light a larger pillar candle, also known as the unity candle. The lighting of this candle is a ceremonial acknowledgement of the vows exchanged by the two individuals that have united them in marriage. The flame of the pillar candle signifies that marriage is a joining of two people and a symbol of the couple’s love and commitment to each other.
The candle lighting ceremony is an excellent way to include family members in your wedding. Typically, the parents of the wedding couple each hold a taper candle, which they use to light the unity candle alongside the couple. This inclusion of family symbolizes the joining of two families and the support that both families will provide to the couple throughout their married life.
The candle lighting ceremony can be personalized to fit the unique needs of each couple. Some couples choose to incorporate multiple candles, while others choose to use a single candle. Some prefer to have instrumental music play during the ceremony, while others prefer to recite vows or exchange rings during the candle lighting. Whatever the case may be, the ceremony is an excellent way to add meaning and significance to your wedding day.
The candle lighting ceremony is a beautiful tradition that symbolizes the union of two people and the joining of two families. It is an emotional and spiritual ritual that can add a personal, heartfelt touch to your wedding ceremony.
