These days, more and more couples who are getting married are choosing more traditional ceremonies. Something that is becoming extremely popular is the unity candle ceremony, which you will find a lot of couples choosing to include in their wedding ceremonies. This is a rather new tradition, and one that is sure to be used by many couples for a long time to come. If you are planning your wedding, this ceremony is something that you may want to seriously consider having as a part of your vows.

What Is the Origin of the Unity Candle Ceremony?
The unity candle ceremony is actually a newer tradition that seems to have started in the 1990’s. It actually dates back to the 1970’s, but didn’t really start growing in popularity until near the end of the century. The biggest problem with this ceremony is that because it is so new, many couples do not even know about it, and those who do don’t fully understand exactly what it means, or how to incorporate it into their own weddings.

What Is the Significance of this Ceremony?
A unity candle ceremony signifies the joining of two people, and the joining of their families. Often, instead of the bride and groom lighting the unity candles, they have members of their respective families do it. Many couples ask their mothers to light each of the tapered candles, then pass them to the bride and groom so they can light the middle candle. Or, grandparents may be chosen to light the first unity candles. This can often be a difficult decision, choosing which of your family members are going to light these ceremonial candles. You can light the unity candles either at the beginning or the end of the ceremony. Because this is a newer tradition, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t add or remove things from it to suit your own needs.

What Is the Appeal of this Type of Ceremony?
Weddings are not just for young people anymore, and today, more and more people are finding that they are ready to start over and re-marry. Often, when this happens, there are children involved, and one of the best ways to let the children know that they will always be a part of the lives of their parents is to include them in a unity candle ceremony. If you or your spouse-to-be has children, have them be the ones to light the unity candle. If they are small children, you can assign another family member to help them.

What Tools or Accessories Are Needed?
The great thing about a unity candle ceremony is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on tools and accessories. Basically, all you need are three candles, and a source of flame. There will be one larger center candle, and one smaller taper on either side of it. Of course, you can get as creative as you like with your unity candles, using colors that go with the colors in your wedding, and having them set up on a table that has been decorated, again with the colors and designs you are already incorporating into your wedding.

Where is the Ceremony Usually Performed?
You can have this type of ceremony performed pretty much anywhere you like. It is usually performed as a part of modern church weddings, and is incorporated into the traditional church wedding ceremonies. As a rule, you can perform a unity candle ceremony at any type of wedding, even outdoor weddings. If you are worried about wind, there is also an alternative ceremony for outdoor locations, which is known as the unity sand ceremony. It is a wonderful way to signify the union between two people and their families, and enhance the bond you already have.

If you want to add a beautiful element to your wedding ceremony that is going to have a special meaning for you, your significant other, and your families, the unity candle ceremony is something you really should consider having.

Author Bio: Sharon Vaz is the author of Sand, Sound and Soul: The Complete Guide to the Unity Sand Ceremony at http://www.sandsoundandsoul.com. She has helped thousands of happy couples around the world enjoy the meaning and beauty of the unity sand ceremony.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: unity candle ceremony,wedding unity candle ceremony,unity candles,wedding unity candles