Unique Alternatives to a Unity Candle

Unity candle ceremonies signify the bringing of two families together.

Many couples tying the knot conduct a unity candle ceremony as a way to signify the uniting of each family through their marriage. Traditionally the bride and groom each have a taper candle that is pre-lit and together they light a single pillar candle in the center. Though the candle ceremony has been a tradition at weddings, there are more unique alternatives to conducting a unity ceremony with and without candles.

Three Wick

Similar to traditional candle lighting ceremonies during a wedding some couples can opt to change up tradition just a little bit by using a three-wick candle instead of one single pillar. Prior to the wedding, each of the mothers light a single taper representing the individual families. During the unity candle ceremony the bride and groom each light a wick on the three wick candle. This signifies their individuality and their life before getting married. Together they light the remaining wick signifying their new life together.

Wine

Prior to the wedding ceremony have each of the parents step up to the altar and pour wine into separate glasses, one for the bride and the other for the groom. During the unity ceremony, the bride and groom take sips from their respective glasses and then pour a little bit into a new glass. Together they take turns sipping from the new glass of combined wine. This signifies the blending of their lives, just as the wine in a single glass.

Bouquets

At the start of the ceremony each family brings a bouquet of flowers and places it in separate vases on the altar. During the unity ceremony the bride and groom each take a flower from the bouquet. Together they place their own flowers into a smaller vase in the center of the altar. This represents the beginning of a new garden, their life together.

Sand Ceremony

The sand ceremony at weddings was developed from an Apache tradition where the bride and groom make a sand art creation to represent their new life together. Set up the altar with bowls of different colored sand and an empty decorative vase in the center. The couple takes turns filling the vase with colored sand making a design. Sand ceremony vases are available in shapes such as hearts, circles, moons and wine bottles. Seal the top of the bottle with a cork and melted wax to preserve the design and sand.

References

• The Knot: Wedding Ceremony? Alternatives to Unity Candle
• Unity Sand Ceremony: What is it?
• The Preacherman: Wine Ceremony