The unity candle ceremony is very popular in today's weddings. The candles typically consist of two tapered candles placed on either side of a single, column candle which is thicker than the two tapers. The two outside tapered candles represent you and your new spouse as individuals. The center column candle represents your new life together.

Your mother, and your new spouse's mother, will each light one of the tapered candles as they enter the wedding ceremony just before they take their seats. During a special point in the wedding ceremony, you and your new spouse simultaneously light the center candle with your individual tapers. In the modern unity candle ceremony, you and your spouse can each return your individual tapers to their candle holders. The tapers remain lit to symbolize that your individuality is not extinguished, even though the two of you are now united in marriage.

This ceremony symbolizes the pledge of unity between you and your new spouse. It also represents the merging of two families. It is nice to have instrumental music playing lightly in the background during the unity candle ceremony. After the center candle is lit, you and your new spouse can take a minute to just look into each other's eyes and reflect on the moment. The two of you could also present each of your mothers with a flower during this time.

Second marriages often prove to be an emotionally difficult time for children regardless of their ages. Many loving parents getting remarried use this candle lighting ceremony to help make their children feel welcome and an important part of the new family.

Below you will find sample wording for a unity candle ceremony. These words can be edited or expanded to best suit you.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 1:

From every human being, there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. When two souls are destined to find each other, their two streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being. They do not loose their individuality; yet, in marriage, they are united in so close a bond that they become one. (Groom) and (Bride) will light the large center candle from the smaller candles to symbolize this new reality. In this way, they are saying that henceforth their light must shine together for each other, for their families and for their community.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 2:

(Groom) and (Bride) will light the unity candle, as a symbol of their marriage. The candles from which they light it represent each of them in the fullness of their personhood. They come into their marriage relationship as individuals and they do not loose their identity, rather they create through their commitment the relationship of marriage. Therefore, three candles remain lighted, one for each of them and one for their marriage as symbols of their commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving marriage.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 3:

(Groom's Mother) and (Bride's Mother) have each lit a separate candle to represent your lives before today. They symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends.

Together you will light the center candle. Lighting the center candle together represents that your two lives are now joined into one light. It represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 4:

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 a candle of unity because both must come together, giving part of themselves to create a spark to give it light. As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives together. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, mind and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 5:

As you begin your journey of a shared life remember that you are separate beings that have come together into one light and one love. May your vows be sacred to you. May the winds whisper joy into your life. May you take delight in each other. You are forever changed from this day forward. May this fire of love kindle your passions throughout all of your years. May you grow old together and share a happy home and may this unity candle you light today represent your eternal love for one another.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 6: (Including children & Remembering loved ones)

This marriage is not just the joining of (Groom) and (Bride), it is also the joining of (Children's Names), of their families and their friends. Their bond is also strengthened by those who are present today only in our memories. Their roles in our lives are no less diminished as we celebrate today's joyful moments. We ask you to join with (Groom) and (Bride) in remembering (Names of loved ones). In this special moment we give thanks for all the rich experiences that have brought (Groom) and (Bride) to this marriage. They are grateful for the values taught to them by those who have loved them and nurtured them throughout their lives. May they share a great love for God and each other. May their new family be blessed.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 7: (Candles For All Children)

(Invite Children to Alter) (Groom) and (Bride) have joined their lives together today and will now light candles to represent each of their children. Will you all please together light the center Unity Candle. The lighting of this candle represents not only the union of the two of you in marriage, but the unity of this newly formed family unit which will shine brightly.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 8:

On this this their wedding day, (Groom) and (Bride) make this loving commitment, to follow the greatest Commandment of all: "Love one another, as I have loved you." This they do in the hope that their union shall become a symbol of God's promise to merge two devoted lives into one. The two distinct flames represent their lives to this moment; individual and unique. To bring bliss and happiness to their home they have merged their lives into one. Together (Groom and Bride) please light the center candle. From now on your thoughts shall be for each other rather than your individual selves. May your plans be mutual, your joys and sorrows shared alike. May you be forever united in the radiant oneness of God's love. And always remember. The way is long...Let us go together. The way is difficult...Let us help each other. The way is joyful...Let us share it...The way is ours alone...Let us go in love. The way grows before us...Let us begin.

Sample Unity Candle Ceremony 9:

I would like to invite the parents of (Groom) and (Bride) please come to the alter and light candles representing the separate families and past from which (Groom) and (Bride) have come today to be joined together as one? Above you, below you and forever surrounding you shall be the pledge you make unto each other today. It is the pledge of the truth and purity of your vows, the constant friendship of your hearts, the passion and fire of your spirits and the deepest love your soul has to give. It is the pledge of all that is within you. The only true pledge that one heart can offer to another. You are now husband and wife offering yourselves, and all that has come to pass unto each other, towards the creation of your future, and to all that is yet to come. (Groom) and (Bride) please light the center candle together. The center light is the light of God's love, the light in which you shall be forever as one.

For more wedding ceremony and unity candle lighting suggestions call Armistead Events today. (434) 665-1792.