How to Make Unity Candles for a Wedding

Unity candles are a popular and beautiful tradition at wedding ceremonies. Lighting the unity candle is a symbol of two lives becoming one. You could buy a pre-made wedding unity candle or you could make the unity candles yourself. If you choose to do it yourself there are countless ways to personalize unity candles, plus you can save some money along the way. Read on for tips on how to easily make unity candles.

Things You'll Need

• Large candle
• 2 skinny candles
• 3 Candle Holders
• Ribbon (optional)
• Silk Flowers (optional)
• Stickers (optional)

Instructions

1. Decide what color you want your unity candles to be. You can match all three candles to the bridesmaids' dresses or you can go with the traditional cream or white unity candle. You could even do a combination of both. For example the unity candle could be pink and the other two could be cream color.

2. 

   Go to any craft store and select three candles. Traditionally the actual unity candle is taller and larger in diameter than the other two. But all three candles could be the same size and one could be featured on a taller or more prominent unity candle holder, if that's what you'd prefer. The other two candles will be placed one on each side of the unity candle and they are what will be used to light the main candle.

3. 

   Once you have your three candles you'll need to get unity candle holders. You can either use a tri-stand that can hold all three candles or you can use three individual candle sticks. If you use a stand to hold all three try to find one that will feature the unity candle in the center. If you use a separate candle holder for each there are countless options. You may want to raise the unity candle higher than the others by getting a taller candle holder. Or perhaps you want to symbolize that each of your separate lives is just as important as the life you're creating together. To get this effect use candles and candle holders that are all the same height.

4. 

   You can decorate your unity candle as simply or elaborately as you'd like. For a beautiful elegant look tie a simple cream or coordinating colored bow around the center of the unity candle.

5. 

   Embellish the wedding unity candle by attaching a silk flower or religious symbol, such as a cross, about 1/3 of the way from the top. Browse wedding websites and you'll find lots of inspiration for how to decorate your unity candle.

6. 

   Use stickers with the first letter of your new last name or a stencil to create a monogram on your unity candle. You could put the bride's initials on one candle, the grooms on the other and your monogram on the center candle.

7. 

   If you'd prefer to put a saying, phrase, poem, scripture passage or song lyrics on your unity candle there are two easy ways to do it. Create a paper sleeve to wrap around your unity candles. Do this by typing the saying on a computer. Adjust the margins so that when you wrap the paper around the candle it can be read mostly from the front. Print your saying on a piece of sturdy paper and then trim the top and bottom so when you wrap it around the candle you can see still the wax. Attach it to the unity candle with a piece of tape so it doesn't slide down the candle. The other option is to attach the saying only to the front. Type the phrase up so it can be cut out into a small square or oval. Then attach the small piece of paper to the front of the large unity candle. Use glitter or ribbon to cover the edges of the paper.

8. Consider putting your unity candles in a single candle globe to keep the flames from burning out.

Tips & Warnings

• Still stumped on how to make your unity candle? You can get a lot of great ideas by looking at websites and catalogs that sell unity candles. Many can be easily duplicated for a fraction of the price.