How to Decorate a Unity Candle

Personalize your unity candle, making it a keepsake after the wedding. Selecting a pre-made unity candle can be expensive. However, with a few simple ideas and supplies, brides can easily decorate their own unity candles. Making your own unity candle saves a few dollars in the wedding budget and doesn't take hours to put together. Put yourself to work with this do-it-yourself wedding project.

Things You'll Need

• Pillar candle
• Inscription
• Photograph
• Sticky photo paper
• Scissors
• Wedding invitation
• Ball-topped straight pins
• Ribbon
• Bows
• Flowers
• Lace
• Beads
• Baby's breath
• Glitter
• Paper towel
• Acrylic paint and brush
• Stencils

Instructions

1. Write an inscription. Choose an inscription representing the love between you and your significant other; consider your vows, a poem, quote or bible verse. Use special words said to each other. Think about adding your names and wedding date for a simple, yet elegant design.

2. Place a photograph on the unity candle. Select an engagement photograph or other picture of you and your significant other. Print the photograph on sticky backed photo paper and cut the photograph out. Center the photograph on your unity candle and decorate the edges to hide the paper. Consider placing a small photograph of both families on the unity candle to represent two families coming together.

3. Put your wedding invitation on the unity candle. Use ball topped straight pins to hold the invitation in place. Incorporate these into the design on the unity candle or decorate the candle with ribbons, bows and flowers to hide the straight pins.

4. Add simple adornments. Purchase a white pillar candle and add your own decorations. Try accessories such as lace, flowers, beads, bows, ribbons and baby's breath. Select items matching your wedding colors. Consider using touches of glitter to add extra sparkle to your unity candle. Make sure unity candle embellishments are not near the flame.

5. Consider a monogram for the unity candle. Wipe the candle with a paper towel to remove all oils. Use acrylic based paints from your local craft store to place a monogram design on the unity candle. Try using stencils if you are unsure of your freehand abilities. Seal the monogram with clear acrylic paint.