Candle Ceremony

Ever seen a couple light candles as part of their ceremony and wondered what it was all about?

The candle ceremony is a symbolic metaphor for two merging families, or the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment. The candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle (called the “unity candle”) in the center. At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a representative from each family (usually the mothers of the bride and groom) light the two taper candles. Later in the ceremony (usually after the formal vows), the bride and groom use the two taper candles to light the large pillar (unity) candle together.

In some circles, it is customary for the couple to save the unity candle and relight it on anniversaries.

When the ceremony is performed to symbolize the joining together of the bride and groom, the tapers may be blown out, to indicate that the two lives have been permanently merged, or they may leave them lit beside the central candle, symbolizing that the now-married partners have not lost their individuality.