A unity candle ceremony is a special moment during a wedding ceremony that celebrates the union of two individuals into one family. During the ceremony, a single candle is lit from two separate family candles, symbolizing the merging of the bride and groom’s families. The unity candle is then used as a representation of the couple’s newly formed bond, and it can be saved as a memento to look back on for years to come.
One particular question that many couples often ask is, “who provides the unity candle?” In this post, we’ll explore the answer to that question and take a closer look at what the unity candle ceremony represents.
Who Provides the Unity Candle?
In traditional wedding ceremonies, the responsibility of providing the unity candle usually falls to the bride’s family. However, modern couples often choose to provide their own unity candles as a reflection of their personal style and preferences.
It’s also becoming increasingly common for brides and grooms to decorate their unity candle themselves, adding a personal touch to their wedding ceremony. Many couples opt to incorporate their wedding colors or include special embellishments that reflect their personality and taste.
What does the Unity Candle represent?
The unity candle ceremony is a symbolic gesture representing the coming together of two hearts. The bride and groom each light their own candle, which represents their individuality and represents their own family. The two candles are then brought together to light the unity candle, representing the joining of the two families into one.
The bride and groom will then blow out their individual candles, signifying the end of their separate lives and the start of their new life together. The unity candle will continue to burn for the remainder of the ceremony, symbolizing the couple’s commitment to each other and their new family.
Other Unity Candle Ideas
While the traditional unity candle ceremony is a popular choice, many couples are choosing to incorporate their own unique ideas into the unity ceremony. Here are a few alternatives you may want to consider:
Wine or Sand Ceremony
Instead of a unity candle, some couples choose to pour sand or wine into a special container during their ceremony. The different colors of the sand or the mixing of two wines become a representation of the two lives coming together into one.
Planting Ceremony
Another popular option is the planting ceremony, where the couple plants a seed together during the ceremony. The growth of the plant symbolizes the growth of their marriage, and it’s a beautiful way to represent the newfound union between the bride and groom.
Personalized Unity Candle Holder
A personalized unity candle holder is a great way to incorporate your own style and taste into your wedding ceremony. Often engraved with the couple’s names, wedding date, or a special message, the holder can be used year after year as a beautiful reminder of your wedding day.
Conclusion
The unity candle ceremony is a simple yet meaningful way to symbolize the coming together of two hearts. Although traditionally the bride’s family provided the unity candle, it’s becoming increasingly more common for couples to provide their own. No matter how you choose to incorporate the unity candle into your ceremony, it’s a beautiful and memorable way to signify the start of your new life together.
FAQ
Who lights the unity candle at a Catholic wedding?
In a Catholic wedding, the lighting of the unity candle is a significant moment in the ceremony. The unity candle symbolizes the union of the bride and groom and the merging of two families into one. When it comes to who should light the unity candle at a Catholic wedding, it’s not a strict rule that must be followed. Generally, it is the mothers of the bride and groom who light the initial family candles, and the couple then uses those candles to light the unity candle together.
However, this tradition can vary depending on the couple’s preference. Some couples may choose to have other family members light the family candles, such as fathers, siblings, or children. Alternatively, some couples may choose to bypass the candle lighting altogether and opt for something else to symbolize their unity, such as exchanging rings or washing each other’s feet.
Who lights the unity candle is up to the couple and what they feel about the tradition. It’s their special day, and they have the freedom to make it as unique as they desire. Whether they choose to light the candles themselves or involve close family members, the unity candle’s meaning remains the same, symbolizing the unifying of two lives and families in a beautiful and memorable way.
Do you get a unity ceremony before or after rings?
The order of events in a wedding ceremony can be a matter of personal preference and cultural traditions. When it comes to the placement of the unity ceremony, it is common for it to be included after the couple has said their vows and before exchanging wedding rings. This allows for a meaningful and symbolic moment in the ceremony to be included before solidifying the marriage with the exchange of rings.
However, there is no set rule for the placement of the unity ceremony, and it can be incorporated at any point in the ceremony that feels most appropriate. Some couples choose to have a unity ceremony at the beginning of the ceremony as a way to symbolize the coming together of the two families. Others may choose to include the unity ceremony immediately after exchanging rings as a way to immediately symbolize unity and commitment within the marriage.
The timing of the unity ceremony is a personal choice for the couple getting married. It is important to consider the significance of the ceremony and how it will fit into the overall flow of the wedding ceremony. Whether before or after the exchange of rings, the unity ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolize the coming together of two people and the commitment to a lifelong partnership.
Who will put the cord in wedding?
In a traditional Filipino wedding ceremony, one of the cultural practices is the ritual of placing the cord, also known as the wedding lasso, over the heads of the bride and groom. This is typically done by the designated sponsors of the couple, who are usually two couples close to the bride and groom. The sponsors are selected for their wisdom, successful marriage, and ability to provide guidance to the newlyweds.
During the ceremony, one sponsor will place the cord over the bride’s head and rest it on her shoulders, while the other sponsor will do the same for the groom. The cord is usually made of a white ribbon, rosary, or a decorated silk or satin rope, and it symbolizes the couple’s unity.
The cord is looped around the couple, signifying their commitment to each other, as well as their willingness to share the responsibilities and burdens of married life. As the cord is being placed, prayers and blessings are said for the couple, asking for guidance, happiness, and a long-lasting union.
The wedding cord is not just a beautiful decoration, but a significant part of the Filipino wedding ceremony. It represents the bond that the couple shares and reminds them of their commitment to each other and to God. it serves as a reminder to the bride and groom that, just like the cord, they are tied together in love and unity forevermore.