The unity candle ceremony is a beautiful tradition that is often included in modern weddings. It is a symbolic ritual that represents the merging of two families into one. The ceremony involves the lighting of three candles – two taper candles that represent the bride and groom and a larger center candle that represents their unity as a couple.
If you are planning to include a unity candle ceremony in your wedding, you may be wondering when you should light the candles. In this blog post, we’ll explore the timeline of a typical wedding ceremony and explain when and how the unity candle ceremony should be performed.
Timeline of a Typical Wedding Ceremony
Before we discuss when to light the unity candle, it is important to understand the usual progression of a wedding ceremony. Here is a basic timeline of events:
1. The prelude: This is the time before the start of the ceremony when guests arrive, and music is playing. This usually lasts for about 20-30 minutes.
2. The processional: The wedding party and the couple enter the ceremony space. The order of the processional may vary depending on cultural or personal preferences.
3. The opening remarks: The officiant welcomes the guests and sets the tone for the ceremony.
4. The readings and vows: The couple or the officiant may read passages or vows to express their love and commitment.
5. The exchange of rings: The couple exchange rings as a symbol of their union.
6. The unity ceremony: This is the part of the ceremony when the unity candle is lit.
7. The pronouncement & kiss: The officiant declares the couple married, and they share their first kiss as newlyweds.
8. The recessional: The wedding party exits the ceremony space, followed by the guests.
As you can see, the unity candle ceremony usually takes place after the exchange of rings and before the pronouncement of the couple as married.
Lighting the Unity Candle
The unity candle ceremony typically involves the couple and their parents or loved ones. Before the ceremony, two taper candles are placed on either side of a larger pillar candle – the unity candle. The taper candles represent the couple’s individual lives before they met and the unity candle represents their future together.
At the appropriate time in the ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom walk to the sides of the altar and light the taper candles. This is often accompanied by a special song or musical selection. Once the taper candles are lit, the parents return to their seats.
Next, the bride and groom each take their taper candle and simultaneously light the unity candle together. This symbolizes the merging of their lives as a married couple. Many couples choose to extinguish their individual candles after lighting the unity candle, but this step is optional.
When Should You Light the Unity Candle?
The unity candle ceremony is typically performed after the exchange of wedding vows and rings. However, it is often incorporated at different points during the ceremony based on the couple’s preference. Here are three popular moments when the unity candle ceremony can be performed:
1. After the exchange of vows: If you prefer to have a short and simple ceremony, you can have the unity candle lighting immediately following the exchange of vows. This is a great option if you are looking for a straightforward ceremony that does not involve a lot of extra steps.
2. During a musical interlude: If you would like to have more of a performance element to your ceremony, you can opt to perform the unity candle ceremony during a musical interlude. This works well if you have a live musical performance or a pre-recorded song that you would like to incorporate.
3. After the pronouncement of marriage: If you prefer to have the unity candle ceremony as the grand finale of your ceremony, you can have it performed after the pronouncement of marriage. This is a great way to end your ceremony on a romantic and uplifting note.
Final Thoughts
The unity candle ceremony is a beautiful tradition that represents the unity and love between two people. While there is no right or wrong time to perform the ceremony, it is important to consider the flow of your wedding ceremony and choose a moment that feels meaningful to you. By thoughtfully planning your unity candle ceremony, you can create a special moment that you will cherish for years to come.
FAQ
What do you say when lighting a unity candle?
When lighting a unity candle, it is a special moment that symbolizes the union of two individuals becoming one. This ritual often takes place during wedding ceremonies, and it is a beautiful way to represent the joining of two lives together.
While lighting the unity candle, there are many different phrases or prayers that can be spoken to add a deeper meaning to the moment. One common saying is, “As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness; warmth and safety in the cold; and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.”
This quote represents the idea that the unity candle will be a source of light throughout the couple’s lives. As they face difficult times, the candle will be a reminder of their commitment to each other and the strength they possess as a team. When they are feeling lost or alone, the candle will give them the courage to move forward together.
Another beautiful quote that can be spoken during the lighting of the unity candle is, “Two flames becoming one, representing the unity of two unique individuals joining together as one couple, with one shared destiny and one shared journey.” This quote emphasizes the idea that the couple is creating a new life together and that their individual paths are now joined as one.
The lighting of the unity candle is a special moment during a wedding ceremony that symbolizes the union of two lives becoming one. There are many different phrases or prayers that can be spoken during this time, but the most important thing is to choose a saying that represents the couple’s unique love story and the journey they are about to embark on together.
What is the unity part of wedding ceremony?
Weddings are a beautiful representation of the love and commitment shared between two individuals, and the unity ceremony is a significant part of it. It’s a symbolic ritual performed during the wedding ceremony, and its purpose is to signify the union of two people as they begin their journey together.
There are many types of unity ceremonies, but among the most common ones are handfasting, circling, and the lighting of a unity candle. In the handfasting ceremony, the couple’s hands are bound with cords or cloth that symbolizes their union’s strength and is tied in a knot to make it permanent.
The circling ceremony is common in Jewish and Indian weddings. It involves the couple holding hands and walking around a holy fire or circling the altar seven times. It is believed that this procedure signifies their commitment to each other and represents the seven steps they will take in life together.
The lighting of a unity candle ceremony is where two separate candles are lit, representing the couple’s individual lives. They then use the two flames to light a single candle together, symbolizing their union and the joining of their lives.
Unity ceremonies are meaningful rituals that couples add to their wedding ceremony to represent their connection. It is an opportunity to show their love for each other, and it also brings an extra personal touch to their special day.
The unity ceremony is a beautiful part of the wedding ceremony that symbolizes the love and commitment shared between two individuals. With many types of unity ceremonies available, it is a great opportunity to showcase your love and creativity on your special day.
Who blows out the unity candle at a wedding?
The unity candle ceremony is a popular addition to many traditional weddings and is often viewed as a symbol of the union of two individuals into one married couple. During the ceremony, the bride and groom each light a taper candle using a larger, central candle that represents their union. Once the candle is lit, the couple will usually hold hands and use their tapers to light the unity candle together, symbolizing the blending of their lives and families.
After the unity candle is lit, it is typically left burning throughout the remainder of the ceremony as a symbol of the couple’s commitment to each other. However, at the end of the ceremony, there is often confusion about who should blow out the unity candle. In most cases, it is the newly married couple who blow out the unity candle together.
To do this, the bride and groom will place their taper candles back to where they had started and blow them out. However, some couples may choose to leave the unity candle burning as they exit the ceremony space, especially if they plan to take photos or perform other ceremonial activities immediately following the wedding. Regardless of whether the unity candle is blown out or left to burn, its symbolic meaning remains the same.
Is the unity candle a Catholic tradition?
The Unity Candle Ceremony has become a popular addition to many modern wedding ceremonies. It involves the lighting of three candles, with two smaller candles being lit by the respective mothers of the bride and groom, and then the couple using those two candles to light a larger, center candle. The ritual is intended to symbolize the merging of two families and the unity of the couple.
However, despite its widespread use in many wedding ceremonies, it is not actually part of the Catholic Wedding Ceremony. Catholic Tradition sees the regular reception of the Holy Eucharist, also known as Communion, as the heart of Christian unity. In the Catholic Rite of Marriage, the couple receives Holy Communion together as they exchange their vows, rather than lighting a Unity Candle.
It is worth noting that while the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of unity and the merging of two families through the sacrament of marriage, the Unity Candle Ceremony is not officially recognized or endorsed by the Catholic Church. In fact, the recently updated Catholic Rite of Marriage doesn’t include any provisions for the Unity Candle Ceremony, further emphasizing its lack of relevance to Catholic tradition.
While the Unity Candle Ceremony may be a popular addition to many modern wedding ceremonies and is often seen in movies and TV shows, it is not a part of the Catholic Wedding Ceremony or Catholic Tradition. Instead, the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of the regular reception of Holy Communion as a symbol of unity and the heart of the Christian faith.