| The symbolic meaning in the Unity Candle ceremony | | | | include their mothers in the candle ceremony. I have |
| centers around individuals becoming one. The | | | | seen this done in two ways. One way occurs before |
| ceremony can involve only the bride and groom; it | | | | the processional. After everyone is seated the |
| can be expanded to include the mothers of both; or | | | | mothers are escorted down the aisle and to the |
| it can also be used to include children in a blended | | | | stand where the unlit candles are. There should be |
| family ritual. Here are some interesting suggestions | | | | one pillar candle and 4 tapers. The mothers light their |
| for Unity Candle Ceremonies from weddings I have | | | | individual tapers and then together light the central |
| participated in. | | | | pillar symbolizing their blessing and approval of this |
| 1, The Bride and Groom: If a couple that I am | | | | marriage and willingness to be joined together as one |
| marrying has requested a Unity Candle Ceremony, I | | | | family. They then return to their seats and the |
| always ask them how they envision the meaning of | | | | processional begins. The bride and groom ritual takes |
| this ceremony for them. The answers mostly fall into | | | | place later in the wedding. The second way I have |
| three categories. In one category are couples where | | | | seen this done is the mothers are called up to the |
| the central pillar candle represents God's light and the | | | | the stand by the Officiant during the wedding to |
| tapers represent the individuals. These couples | | | | begin the Unity Candle Ceremony. They resume their |
| wanted to light the individual candles first and then | | | | seats before the bride and groom begin their |
| together, light the large candle symbolizing that they | | | | participation. |
| are joining together in God's love. They then blow | | | | 3. Including Children in the Unity Candle Ceremony: If |
| out the individual candles symbolizing that their | | | | a couple is blending families, including the children is a |
| individual lives are now finished and their married life | | | | lovely way to symbolize individual families becoming |
| has begun. In another category are couples who | | | | one. This does not negate the original family each |
| wanted the pillar candle lit first symbolizing God's light | | | | child was born into but rather adds to it. Each child |
| and they then light their individual tapers from the | | | | should have their own taper and everyone should |
| central pillar. They leave all three candles lit | | | | light the individual tapers first. After that is a |
| symbolizing both the unity and individuality within | | | | wonderful time for the bride and groom to speak |
| marriage. In another category are couples who relate | | | | directly to the children about what they want to |
| to the central pillar not as God but as something that | | | | acknowledge about becoming one family and the |
| has personal meaning for them. For example, one | | | | children can also respond about what it means for |
| couple represented the large pillar as universal truth | | | | them. Then everyone together lights the central pillar |
| and the individual tapers as their own individual truths | | | | symbolizing the creation of this new family. |
| that are being expanded through marriage. | | | | However you choose to create this ritual, a Unity |
| 2. The Bride and Groom and Mothers of Both: As not | | | | Candle ceremony is a rich and deeply moving |
| only the bride and groom are being joined, but two | | | | experience for both the participants and the |
| families are also being joined, some couples decide to | | | | witnesses. |