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A wedding is filled with meaningful moments, but few are as simple and symbolic as the unity candle ceremony. With just three candles and one shared flame, couples can create a beautiful visual representation of two lives coming together in marriage.
Whether you're planning a traditional ceremony or simply looking for a meaningful way to personalize your wedding, a unity candle can become both a special part of the ceremony and a keepsake from the day.
A wedding unity candle symbolizes the joining of two individuals into one partnership. Traditionally, the ceremony includes two smaller taper candles and one larger center unity candle.
Each taper candle represents one partner—their individual life, family, experiences, and traditions. During the wedding ceremony, the couple takes their individual taper candles and uses them to light the larger unity candle together.
The newly lit center candle represents the life and future they are beginning as a married couple.
Some couples choose to leave their individual taper candles burning after lighting the unity candle. This can add another layer of meaning: while two people are joining together in marriage, they each retain the individuality that makes their relationship unique.
The unity candle ceremony typically takes place after the couple exchanges vows and rings, although its placement can be adjusted to fit your ceremony.
The two taper candles are placed on either side of the larger unity candle. At the chosen point in the ceremony, each partner takes a taper candle and, together, they light the center candle.
Your officiant can explain the meaning of the ceremony as you light the candle, or you can allow the moment to speak for itself.
It's a simple addition that can create a memorable—and beautiful—moment during the ceremony.
There are several ways to make the tradition your own.
The taper candles may already be lit before the ceremony begins, or the couple's parents or other important family members can light them. Having family members light the individual candles can symbolize the love, traditions, and support each family brings to the new marriage.
Couples may also choose to involve children, especially during a blended family wedding ceremony, turning the lighting into a symbol of an entire family coming together.
There isn't one required way to perform a unity candle ceremony. Choose the version that feels most meaningful to you.
Creating your unity candle display doesn't require many pieces. You'll typically need:
At The Wedding Outlet, we offer the pieces you need to create your own unity candle ceremony, including unity candles, taper candles, and unity candle holders. You can select the pieces that coordinate with your wedding style and bring them together to create a meaningful ceremony display.
Purchasing the coordinating pieces also makes it easy to create a polished arrangement rather than trying to find candles and holders separately from multiple sources.
Your unity candle can be more than a ceremonial item—it can also complement your wedding décor.
Consider the overall style of your ceremony when selecting your candle and accessories. A classic candle arrangement works beautifully for traditional and church weddings, while decorative details can help the display coordinate with romantic, vintage, modern, or elegant wedding themes.
Since the unity candle is often photographed during the ceremony, consider how the unity candle, taper candles, and candle holder will look together on your ceremony table.
The holder may seem like a small detail, but it's an important part of creating the finished display.
A unity candle holder keeps the center candle and taper candles arranged together while giving the ceremony table a more polished appearance. Instead of placing three separate candles on a table, a coordinating holder helps create one cohesive centerpiece.
At The Wedding Outlet, you can shop for a unity candle holder along with your unity and taper candles, making it easier to assemble the complete ceremony setup.
Absolutely. One of the reasons unity candles remain such a popular wedding tradition is that the center candle can become a meaningful keepsake.
After the ceremony, display your unity candle alongside other wedding mementos, such as your guest book, photographs, invitation, or ceremony accessories. Some couples also choose to relight their candle on anniversaries as a reminder of their wedding day and the promises they made to one another.
There are plenty of ways to personalize the tradition. Consider having your parents light the taper candles before the ceremony, incorporating children into a blended-family candle lighting, decorating the candle table with flowers from your wedding, or displaying a meaningful photograph nearby.
You can also ask your officiant to share a short explanation of the symbolism while you light the candle.
However you choose to incorporate it, the most important part is making the ceremony meaningful to the two of you.
A unity candle ceremony turns a simple flame into a powerful representation of marriage. The two taper candles represent the lives and experiences each person brings to the relationship, while the center flame represents the new life they are creating together.
If you'd like to incorporate this tradition into your own ceremony, The Wedding Outlet offers unity candles, taper candles, and unity candle holders to help you create a complete display for your wedding day.
Shop our Unity Candle Collection to find the pieces you need to create a ceremony that's beautiful, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
