Unity candles and the lighting of them in a wedding ceremony
By Alia Kube
Unity candles and the lighting of them in a wedding ceremony
Using unity candles as part of a wedding ceremony is an excellent way to symbolize the unification of two lives and the commitment that the bride and groom have made to each other. As well, as with many candle ceremonies, unity candles represent life, light and the eternal loving spirit.
There are many ways to conduct a unity candle ceremony. It can be done at the beginning of the wedding ceremony or after the vows have been said and rings have been exchanged. At the beginning it is symbolic of the couple coming together for the ceremony. Where as at the end it is more of a celebration of the commitment and unification that has just occurred.
The lighting of the unity candles can be performed at the alter, to the side of the alter, at the front of the church, not in the church at all or outside. Choosing to perform the ceremony outside can be a bit risky as wind and other elements of nature can make it difficult to light the candles. If the candles refuse to be lit what do you do? What is your back up plan? If you do want to perform the unity candle ceremony outside, be sure to practice ahead of time on a day with lots of wind so that you know you can complete the unity candle ceremony with out difficulty.
Since the lighting of unity candles is not a particularly religious tradition most couples are encouraged to perform the ceremony in a unique manner. Parents, grandparents and children can be included in the lighting of candles before the unity candle ceremony. Often the mothers of the bride and groom will be invited during the processional to to light the tapers in honor of the bride and groom. The candles then remain lit throughout the ceremony. After the vows have been said the minister will ask the bride and groom to unite their two individual lives by lighting the center candle with the flames of their two individual taper candles. A song or a poem will often accompany the lighting of the unity candles.
Some couples will decide to extinguish the flames of the two taper unity candles after the center candle has been lit. To them this symbolizes their devotion to the commitment they've just made, while others feel that extinguishing the flames is like snuffing out the individual lives for the benefit of the marriage. This decision is left entirely up to the couple.
Although the lighting of unity candles has become widely accepted it is more popular in Protestant or wedding ceremonies not conducted in a church. Some Catholic and Jewish ceremonies ask that the couple not include the unity candle ceremony as it is not part of the traditional wedding liturgy.
Whatever the couple decides unity candles are a beautiful symbol of love and unity and the ceremony can be arranged to meet their desires and include which ever family members they choose.
Find unity candles and holders on-line click here.
About the Author:
Alia is the successful author and publisher of All-About-Candles.net. She has written articles on candle safety, their use in decorating and how to make them yourself at home.
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