This ceremony involves the main parties , using individual candles which they will in turn use to light one unity candle. Family and friends will then be invited forward to light their own candles from the unity candle flame in a symbolic act of togetherness and the merging of both families. This ceremony is suitable for all civil ceremonies. The Unity Candle Ceremony is often used in naming ceremonies too as a gesture of unity, symbolizing that those present will always surround the child(ren) in a circle of love.
What you will need:
1 large candle (this is the unity candle).
2 smaller candles (1 each for Party 1 and Party 2) and tapers to light them.
Enough tea-light candles for everyone you wish to light a candle from the flame of the unity candle.
A suitable heat resisting container for the unity candle.
Example Wording
Example 1
[Party 1] and [Party 2] have chosen to affirm their love by the lighting of a unity candle. They have also asked their families to participate in the lighting ceremony. In so doing, they signal their desire to not only join as one in their union, but to unite two families together as one.
I want to take a moment to explain what the lighting of these candles represents to them:
From every human being there rises a light. And when two souls that are destined for each other, find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.
[Party 1] and [Party 2] the brightness of the candles that your families have lit – and the brightness of the unity candle that you will together light – will shine throughout your lives, giving you courage and reassurance in the darkness. May the candle’s warmth give you shelter from the cold. May its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy.
As you light the Unity Candle, I want to ask you – and all your friends and family that are present today – to see the brightness of the flame as a symbol of the brightness that your own life brings to this new family. As you lift your candles to light your family unity candle together, so may your love for each other light up your life as a family.
Your mother’s have each lit a candle for each of your families. [Party 1] and [Party 2], please use those candles to light the Unity Candle together.
Example 2
This candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. It’s fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love.
This candle before you is a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame.
This candle is also a candle of Unity because both must come together, giving a spark of themselves, to create the new light.
As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness. Warmth and safety in the cold. And strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits.
Example 3
To symbolise the union of the two family three candles will be lit, first by [Party 2]’s mother, second [Party 1]’s mother and lastly [Party 1] and [Party 2] .
Example 4
[Party 1] and [Party 2] the two lighted candles symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate sets of friends.
I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the centre candle.
The individual candles represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the centre candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.”
Example 5
It is a day for happiness but sadly there is always someone who cannot be with us to celebrate. Party 1 and Party 2 would like to light this candle to remember Granny and Granpa who would have loved to have joined them on this their special day.
Example 6
Party 1 and Party 2 are so thankful to be surrounded by family and friends who are here to witness their wedding. Life is full of the unexpected and there is one person close to Party 1 and Party 2 who is not able to share this day. We invite Party 1’s parent to join the couple to light a candle in remembrance of Party 1’s parent. This candle reminds us that his spirit is here with us, sharing in our joy and happiness.
Example 7
Before we begin our celebration today, Party 1 and Party 2 would like us all to take a moment to remember those family members who are with them today only in spirit, especially mother of the Party. Party appreciates all of the love and support given them throughout the years and would like to take a moment to remember them now.
Example 8
At this time, we remember ?, a caring and exceptional soul, ?’s parent & closest friend, taken away from the family far too young. I now invite Party 1 and Party 2 to light a candle in her honour so that we can feel her presence as we celebrate this momentous occasion.
We now light this candle in acknowledgment that ?’s spirit is here with us, sharing in our joy. She is missed. She will always remain in the hearts of those who love her
Example 9
We would now like to take a moment to remember Party 1’s parent who is no longer with us. Though he cannot be with us physically, we acknowledge that he is here in spirit sharing in our joy. The light of his memory can never be extinguished in the hearts of those who loved him.
Example 10
Our community is shared, if in a different way, by those who have passed beyond this life. Their roles in the lives of Party 1 and Party 2 are no less remembered and honoured as we savour today’s joyous moments. Join with us, then, in remembering and honouring all these people, and in particular Party 1’s parent.
In his memory, we now light this candle.
Example 11
Because life is full of the unexpected, there are those close to Party 1 and Party 2 who are not able to share this day with us. Please, join me in a quiet remembrance of these important loved ones and recognize the love and support they bestowed on Party 1 and Party 2.