Looking for traditional, yet unique ideas for your wedding? Read more about the unity candle and rose ceremonies.

A unity candle is, on the outset, just a candle.  However, a unity candle, when used as the centerpiece of a wedding ceremony symbolizes the power and light that two unique individuals create via mutual commitments and goals.  The unity candle ceremony was thought to have become popular in the early 1990s1 but is not--as some couples would assume--a strict, liturgical process.  In fact, the unity candle ceremony could be described as one with ‘compromise potential,’ which is attractive to young couples who want to communicate traditional values and at the same time create a ceremony that is unique to their own reciprocal feelings and commitments.

The Unity Candle Ceremony: What, Who, When and How?

A unity candle is a large candle which can be shaded in various colors and molded into a variety of shapes.  However, the unity candle is usually molded in a traditional cylindrical shape and is often colored in any of many shades of white.  The unity candle is accompanied by two thin taper candles, which when lit, symbolize the life, light and power of the bride and the groom.  The symbolism of the taper candles can also be extended to represent the bride, the groom and their respective ancestors---especially the bride and groom’s parents.  For instance, many couples find the unity candle ceremony particularly touching when the bride’s parents light one of the taper candles, followed by the groom’s parents who do the same for their son.  An additional rose ceremony can also be included at this point.  The rose ceremony occurs when the bride and groom present their respective mothers with a rose, after their mothers have lit their individual taper candles.  If children from past marriages are also in attendance at the wedding ceremony, it may be considered appropriate for them to participate in the lighting of the taper candles.  

Once the taper candles are lit, which may occur before or after the actual marriage

ceremony, the minister or wedding spokesperson will generally explain the significance of the taper candles, the unity candle and may perhaps speak in regards to the specific

commitments or vows which the bride and groom have chosen to make.  The bride and groom will then use the taper candles to simultaneously light the unity candle.  This part of the ceremony may be accompanied by music, poetry, vow recordings or silence depending on the personal preferences of the bride and groom.  As mentioned before, the unity candle ceremony is not a strict one and can always be molded to meet the desires of the bride and groom.



Where do couples generally celebrate their wedding with a unity candle?

A unity candle ceremony can take place almost anywhere, although some Jewish and Catholic rabbis and priests often prefer that the couple in question make non-liturgical practices such as the unity candle ceremony a part of more informal receptions or dinners, and keep traditional marriage ceremonies, which have been established by religious forbears, unchanged.

A couple may choose for instance a more formal, traditional ceremony and at a later

reception may also choose to place their unity candle next to their wedding guest book--near the entrance where the wedding guests arrive--surrounded by attractive wedding balloons, flowers, etc.  At the end of the reception the unity candle ceremony can take place and as guests leave the reception they will have a visual reminder of the commitments and vows which the bride and groom made to each other.

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