What is the Unity Candle?

The lighting of a single candle to represent the new union of a husband and wife has become a popular part of modern wedding ceremonies. There are many different ways to incorporate this tradition into your wedding, but the most popular way seems to be the following:

Prior to the ceremony, a large single Unity candle and two smaller tapers are placed where the bride and groom will be exchanging vow.

At the seating of the parents, it is often a time when the mothers or another family member can light the outside taper candles to represent their children's life up to that moment.( An alternative is to have the outside candles lit at the same time all of the candles are lit in the chapel.)

During the ceremony, after the exchange of vows and rings the bride and groom will use their own taper candle and together light the Unity candle and then extinguish their own candle. This symbolizes the joining of their two lives into one.

Some popular variations on this tradition are to leave the outside candles lit after lighting the center candle. This places an emphasis on each person's individuality within the marriage.

When there are children involved, some couples will choose to add additional taper candles for the children and have them involved in the lighting of the unity candle to symbolize the family coming together.

You can choose to have music played during the lighting of the unity candle. This is often a time during the ceremony when a couple will choose to have a song played or sang that is special to them.

Often, the couple will keep their unity candle and relight it on their wedding anniversary.

However you choose to incorporate the unity candle it is a time to celebrate your love and commitment to your spouse through a visible symbol.