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| UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY |
The Unity Candle ceremony usually occurs after the exchange of the wedding rings. The Unity Candle set consists of two slender (taper) candles, a large center (pillar) candle and a votive candle. The candles are usually white candles although the Bride may want to coordinate the colors of the candles with those of her dress or bridal party. Unity candles are not indicative of any religion and are used by all faiths. Like the Sand ceremony, Breaking of the Glass , Wine ceremony and Rose ceremony, the Unity Candle ceremony symbolizes the blending of two lives. In a more contemporary twist, you could include additional taper candles to represent children or other family members and perform a family unity ceremony. Before the ceremony begins, a votive candle is lit which hides behind the three primary candles. The votive candle will serve as a pilot light for those who will be lighting the slender (taper) candles. That way there is no awkward fumbling with matches or a lighter during the ceremony. Typically, at the very beginning of the ceremony, before the bridal party makes its approach, the mothers are asked to light the two outside taper candles on behalf of their son and daughter. The lighting of the taper candles represent the couple’s two separate lives. Their flames represent the faith, wisdom and love received from their parents and friends. Lighting the center candle symbolizes the union of their lives. After having lit the taper candles the mothers may embrace each other. This is a wonderful gesture and demonstrates that the mothers—and by extension their families—are delighted in the union of the Bride and Groom. Usually, the two taper candles remain lit to show how although they are now one, they are still each unique individuals. However, sometimes the Bride will blow out the Groom's taper candle and the Groom will blow out the Bride's taper candle. This represents the closing of the chapters of the couple's individual lives and their new life as wife and husband! One quick note on this ceremony... the unity candle doesn't work well outdoors. |
TRADITIONAL GROOM and BRIDE, 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 into one beautiful union filled with love. |
LOVE & REMEMBRANCE Marriage brings two people into a unique relationship. While each is separate, we arrive here with a past full of love and remembrance. In this union you will share many experiences as if you were one, yet each of you retain your identity. BRIDE and GROOM, I invite you now to light your unity candle as a symbol of your lives. The candles from which you light it represent each of you in the fullness of your personhood. You come into your marriage as individuals and, rather than lose your identity, you create one through your commitment to the relationship of marriage. These three candles remain lighted, one for each of you and one for your marriage and burn brightly as symbols of your commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving marriage. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. |
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FAMILY UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY Today you have decided to share the rest of your lives with each other. This marriage is not just the joining of GROOM and BRIDE, it is also the joining of [NAMES OF FAMILY MEMBERS] who are here with us today, and those who are present today only in our memories. This candle before us symbolizes the joining of GROOM and BRIDE's past and of the new family they have formed here today. May it serve as a reminder to them of their faith in each other and their willingness to enrich their marriage and their family in every way. Just as your love for one another, the flames that light the individual candles will burn brighter when joined together. The lighting of the center candle represents not only the union of GROOM and BRIDE in marriage, but the unity formed in this new family in which your lives will always shine as one. Light the center candle, exinguish your individual candles and be forever united in love. (NOTE: The additional candles for the family members should be smaller in size. The Groom and Bride light |
Let Me Help I would be happy to ...and the candles are |
TWO GOLDEN FLAMES The following poem by Harold Douglas is frequently recited by the officiant while the BRIDE and GROOM light the Unity Candle: Soft mists embrace two golden flames, CHRISTIAN CEREMONY And now, let us participate in another symbolic act. Life is full of many such actions that speak to us of a deeper meaning that we cannot always put into words. You have used ancient symbols in this wedding service—the exchange of rings, the clasping of hands, the bearing of flowers. By such things you act instead of speak in regard to your promises. Now each of you will take a candle. Together you will light one larger candle. This is a vivid reminder that in true Christian marriage our lives are merged, even as we remain individuals. This is a symbolic prayer that God will enhance your own personhood and bless your uniqueness as individuals: but that God will also make of your hands ONE hand... of your hearts ONE heart... and of your lives ONE life. LIGHT OF LOVE & UNDERSTANDING Your Mothers, BRIDE and GROOM started our ceremony today with the lighting of two candles, symbolizing their blessing of this marriage. This honor is most fitting as they are who brought you life and taught you your first lessons about love. Your family and friends gathered here have also been a part of your individual lives, and have shared with you your dreams and your sufferings. But at some point the two of you met and began a journey that was no longer just BRIDE and not just GROOM. Just as the flame you are about to light is not created solely by either candle, so too is your love. As a symbol of that spirit of love that is between you, I ask you to light the Unity Candle. May the light of love and understanding, and the light of respect and tolerance shine eternally for you both. |
NEW LIGHT This candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of Unity because both must come together, giving a spark of themselves, to create the new light. Would you both now light the candle? 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. CANDLE OF MARRIAGE Today you have decided to share the rest of your lives with each other. This beautiful union is now symbolized by the lighting of the Unity Candle. The candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. The individual candles represent all that you are and all that you have been until this moment. It is a candle of Unity because both candles must come together to create the new light. Its fire is miraculous because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle is also a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it ablaze. Love is like a flame; it has the heat of passion, it is constantly changing, its radiance is there for all to see and together you must protect it from being extinguished. BRIDE and GROOM please light the center candle to symbolize the union of your lives. Today, as you have lit this candle, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives together. May the twinkle of this one light be a testimony of your union. May this candle burn brightly as a symbol of your love and commitment to each other. The life that each of you experienced individually before this moment, will hereafter be united, for the two shall become one. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. FIRELIGHT In just a moment GROOM and BRIDE will light one central candle from the two Individual candles. This ceremony will symbolize the day they merged their two lives into one. One of mankind's first and greatest gifts was the power of fire. Fire whose heat could provide warmth, healing, and nourishment. Fire whose brilliance could light the way. Fire whose wrath could destroy enemies. Yet other fires exist for man that share these same benefits. These fires are inner fires. passionate fires which drive us toward our destiny. Let the lighting of these candles symbolize that inner flame; the unending faith, love, and devotion that has brought these two here today. And like this flame, may their love burn brightly throughout a lifetime of joy and happiness. |
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