A unity candle lighting ceremony makes even a simple and inexpensive wedding feel special.
Even better, it’s easy for a wedding officiant to guide a couple through this straightforward ritual, even if it’s their first time officiating a wedding. Still at that stage of the process. Learn how to become a wedding officiant by getting ordained online by American Marriage Ministries.
During the ritual, the two people getting married use two small candles to light a single large candle. This large candle is called a ‘unity candle’ and can be kept by the couple after the ceremony as a loving reminder of their wedding day.
This sweet act, of blending two flames into one, symbolizes the couple’s decision to join their two lives into one in marriage.
The only ingredients you will need to add a unity candle ceremony a wedding are:
Two small candles
One large ‘unity candle’
Matches or a lighter
A table to place the candles on during the ceremony
This ritual usually comes after the couple exchanges their wedding vows, and before the officiant pronounces them married.
The wedding officiant can explain the meaning of the ritual before it begins. Just a few words will do, there’s no need to make it complicated.
We suggest wording like:
“The couple have exchanged their vows and rings as symbols of their commitment. They will now light the unity candle as a sign of their joy as they join two lives into one.
Let the flame of unity be a reminder that life is brightest when you share your lives. Together, your love brings light and hope in times of challenge. Let your love and trust in each other light your path for many happy years.”
After the couple lights the unity candle, they will place the smaller candles back on the table and the officiant will guide them through the rest of the ceremony and declare them married.
This simple and heartfelt ritual can be added to any wedding or elopement because it doesn’t have any specific religious or spiritual affiliation. It’s non-denominational, and open to the couple’s interpretation.
Unity candle lighting ceremonies can symbolize a couple’s love, their faith in each other or a deity, or just their decision to marry and live together as one family.