Unity candle ceremony

The lighting of the unity candle is a relatively recent addition to the traditional Protestant wedding ceremony. It symbolizes the union of two families and the formation of a new one in the marriage of their children.

At a certain point in the ceremony (typically between the exchange of vows and the formal declaration of marriage), the bride and groom light a candle together.

The unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles and a large pillar candle (the unity candle). The bride or her family hold one of the tapers as the groom or his family hold the other; the two parties light the large central candle together. They may blow out their individual candles or leave them lit beside the central candle, symbolizing that the participants in the marriage have not lost their individuality. Often the unity candle is decorated with the invitation, an inscription, a picture of the couple, or some other ornamentation. Unity candles are often white. The lighting ceremony may be accompanied by a special musical number.

For Christian ceremonies, the candle can incorporate a meaningful reference to Christ as the center of the marriage. Even as the two become one, they are also one in Christ, which serves as a powerful symbol of hope.

Unity Candle Ceremony Sample
“_________ and _________ the two lighted candies symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the center candle. The individual candies represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.”

Origin of ‘Unity candle ceremony’

Though commonly performed in Christian weddings, the unity candle ceremony is not Christian in origin and is in fact prohibited in many churches. In all likelihood, it is less than 20-30 years old.

Some sources trace it back to the wedding of Luke and Laura on the soap opera “General Hospital.”

Where to Buy Unity Candles

There are many of places to get wedding candles. Consider the following places:

Sources: Wikipedia, weddings.lovetoknow.com