Thinkalot Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 I've been reading about Unity Candle Ceremonies at weddings. Lovely concept. Three candles...the two outside ones to be lit by the bride and groom's mothers, to represent the two families, and the individuals. After the vows, the bride and groom, each take one of the candles to light the candle in the middle, representing their union, and the joining of their two spirits, and two families, into the single flame. The two outside candles also stay burning, representing the individual flames which still exist. Nice words can go with it...or music etc. We think it's something we'd like to include in our wedding. I just wondered if anyone had any info, or personal experiences to relate... Link to post Share on other sites
kirkyswife Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 My husband of 11 years and I (who are reconciling this year) are planning to renew our vows on the beach of my hometown next year on our 12th Anniv. Linen and Lace. We've had a hard 10 years and feel that reconfirming our vows is our commitment to God and ourselves of our dedication to our family. We have decided to light the unity candle just before we are reconfirmed husband and wife. My husband and I married in 1993 and didn't have a wedding - we just eloped so we decided to retry our commitment ceremony and we thought that the unity candle was the perfect "grand finale" and somehow sealed the promise on all of the vows we stated before God in front of our family/friends reconfirming our commitment to one another. We were planning to have my Godfather play our song which is Mint Condition's - forever in your eyes on his saxophone, but I'm going to surprise him and have a member of the band (who is a good friend of mine) serenade us with the saxophone solo. He has no idea and I knew if we included that any earlier in the ceremony that I probably break down crying and wouldn't make it through the rest of the ceremony. As it stands I know I'm going to be crying and he'll be shocked and hopefully we'll hear the minister reconfirm us husband & wife and we kiss on cue Good luck and Congratulations! I hope you are as excited as I am! Link to post Share on other sites
kirkyswife Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 http://www.gettingremarried.com/second_marriage_ceremony.html Sorry I got caught up in the moment - this site might give you a little inspiration. Link to post Share on other sites
Debster Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 It is a lovely tradition. As long as neither of you are superstitious, I say go for it. Please keep in mind that I have been to weddings where the unity candle goes out when the bride and groom join the two candles and that has really unsettled the bride. If you can deal with that as a possibility, then all is good. Link to post Share on other sites
CurlyIam Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Curiosity: why did you say "as long as none of you is superstitious"? Link to post Share on other sites
Debster Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 If someone is superstitious, they might believe that if the candle goes out, that it predicts that the marriage will end in divorce. Link to post Share on other sites
CurlyIam Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 I know a better one: the bride should not wear pearls, for they are symbols of grief - they suggest tears (as in tears during the marriage) . Anyway, this is the first time I've ever heard of this beautiful ceremony, I hope you'll fully enjoy it, should you decide to have this... And make sure you are not forgeting any door open, to evoid draught . Link to post Share on other sites
tiki Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 It's a very common practice here in the U.S. My ex-husband and I did it in our marriage and almost all of the weddings (if not ALL) that I have been to have done it too. I think it's very traditional here. It's very symbolic of two people coming together as a unity/family each as a product of their own family. I do agree that it can be super embarassing if one of the candles go out! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Thinkalot Posted June 22, 2004 Author Share Posted June 22, 2004 Well thanks all for the tips and advice. We do plan on doing it...so I shall beware of an breezes! It's not that common here...neither my fiance or I have ever heard of it, or seen one. I stumbled upon it on the net. I've found a candle maker who'll design what we want too. Link to post Share on other sites
Mariela Posted July 2, 2004 Share Posted July 2, 2004 Try http://www.candlesbyclaire.com They are very creative. I have had special orders made up that are not on the website. The best thing is that all of there candles are made of soy! Not black soot and they burn for a long time. Good Luck Link to post Share on other sites
Author Thinkalot Posted July 5, 2004 Author Share Posted July 5, 2004 Thanks for that! Will check it out. Link to post Share on other sites
Mariela Posted July 12, 2004 Share Posted July 12, 2004 What scent did you get? I love the floral ones like Gardenia, and Lilac. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Thinkalot Posted July 12, 2004 Author Share Posted July 12, 2004 I've found a candlemaker in Australia who will create just what we want...scented with essential oils, such as lavender Link to post Share on other sites
myownme Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 I had the unity candle ceremony. Very neat concept. The only problem we had was when my husband and I went to light the "unity candle" it was to high for me to see LOL. I am pretty sure my husband lit it by himslef. HMMMM, could be the reason we are divorced today :-( Link to post Share on other sites
jmargel Posted July 15, 2004 Share Posted July 15, 2004 We are having one.. Just getting a plain old white one, and decorating it ourselves. Figure it'll be more personalized and not cost much. We also got memorial candles for my grandfather and her grandparents that we will have on our table. Our wedding is 5 weeks away Link to post Share on other sites
Author Thinkalot Posted July 15, 2004 Author Share Posted July 15, 2004 How exciting jmargel...howz evereything been going for you two? Link to post Share on other sites
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