| The marriage ceremony is a joining ceremony. It joins | | | | richness to the experience. |
| two people, two families, and two communities. Most | | | | Marriages with children: When you are blending |
| of marriage ceremonies I have officiated at have | | | | families together and are wanting to include the |
| symbolized this joining using either a Unity Candle set | | | | children, a unity candle ceremony can be a very |
| or a Sand Ceremony set at some point in the | | | | powerful bonding experience for all involved. Having |
| wedding. | | | | each member of the newly created family lighting the |
| The Unity Candle ceremony usually consists of one | | | | central candle from their own individual candle honors |
| large central candle and two or more taper candles. | | | | both the individuality and the blending in a beautiful |
| The individual taper candles are lit and then in unison, | | | | way. |
| the taper candles light the central candle symbolizing | | | | Multi-cultural weddings or weddings where the bride |
| two becoming one. And in a ceremony involving | | | | and groom are from very different parts of the |
| children this also symbolizes individuals becoming | | | | country: When the families are very different, a sand |
| family. | | | | ceremony can celebrate this unique joining. In one |
| In a Sand Ceremony, there is a central larger, empty | | | | ceremony I officiated at, the bride was from the |
| container and two or more, smaller containers filled | | | | United States and the groom was from Mexico. They |
| with sand. The smaller containers of sand are poured | | | | choose to use sand from each of their two countries |
| by the bride and groom in unison into the larger | | | | in the ritual and in pouring them together into the |
| container. The blending of the grains of sand means | | | | same container, visually demonstrated the blending of |
| they can never be poured again into the individual | | | | their two cultures. In another wedding, the bride and |
| containers, symbolizing how the two individuals can | | | | groom chose one color of sand to represent their |
| never be separated and returned to their original | | | | unity and two other colors of sand to represent their |
| form. | | | | individual families and communities. The blending of all |
| When deciding which ceremony to choose, here are | | | | three was a colorful and powerful ritual for all. |
| some points to consider: | | | | Outdoor Venues: If you are doing an outdoor |
| Traditional Weddings: Although both Unity and Sand | | | | wedding, I strongly suggest using the sand ceremony |
| ceremonies work equally well, the majority of couples | | | | kit. Nothing is more nerve wracking for the bride and |
| chose the Unity candle ceremony to perform in a | | | | groom than trying to light (or watching their officiant |
| religious setting. Churches, synagogues and mosques | | | | trying to light), a candle in the wind. |
| have used candles for centuries to symbolize the light | | | | Whichever ceremony set you decide to use, these |
| within and without. Using the Unity Candle ceremony | | | | powerful rituals will add depth and meaning to your |
| draws on these centuries of spiritual ritual and adds | | | | wedding day. |