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Party Planning -
Lighting The Way When
Two Become One
Lighting
the Way When Two Become One
By MJ
Plaster
Unity Candle Ceremony Wording
Unity Candle Alternative
Whether you want to add a little extra
romance to an evening reception or a little glow to your house of
worship, candles are a natural, effortless addition to your wedding
theme. You'll have no trouble finding a role for candles at the wedding
ceremony, at the reception, and even as part of the floral displays.
Unity Candles
Join the growing number of couples who
include a unity candle as part of the wedding ceremony. Perhaps you
think that unity candles are steeped in a rich history of religious
tradition, or perhaps you think that unity candles are the invention of
the candle makers to sell an extra candle or 10,000. Neither is the
case. The exact evolution of the unity candle is uncertain, but since
it began 30-40 years ago, it seems that we have that ever-lively 60s
generation to thank for yet another custom that has wormed its way into
modern life.
I'd like to propose my own idea of the
unity candle's origin-an unlikely science experiment. You can perform
this experiment yourself. Light two tapered candles, or use whatever
candles you have handy. Note the height and brilliance of each flame.
Now, join the two flames together and look at the single flame. The
united flame is taller, stronger and brighter than the sum of the two
individual flames. Isn't that what marriage is supposed to be-a single
unit stronger than the sum of its parts?
The most traditional of the variations
on the theme is the tall, thick white candle in the center of a
candleholder surrounded on each side by a white taper. During the
wedding ceremony, the bride and groom light the center unity candle
with the two tapers, creating the stronger flame as a symbol of the
stronger unity gained through marriage.
Beyond the traditional unity ceremony,
today's weddings provide the opportunity for many variations,
particularly second weddings that include children. If each partner has
children, the children may light the unity candles. Sometimes, parents
from each family light the unity candle. You'll want to preserve the
moment in a picture, because it's unlikely you'll find this level of
cooperation again.
If you carry a hand-tied bouquet,
incorporate a white taper into the bouquet, and carry the taper up the
aisle. The groom can hold his taper until you reach the altar, when you
each place your taper into the unity candleholder to accentuate the
unity theme.
If your house of worship doesn't allow
unity ceremonies, conduct the ceremony at the reception right before
the toast.
Candles for Your Wedding Decor
Consider candles an integral part of
your floral displays to add warmth to a sterile reception hall
environment. Select your candles first, and then select flowers to
complement the candles. If you maintain the candle as the focal point,
you'll spend a lot less money on bridal flowers.
Place a single sculptured candle by the
guest book, for example. Incorporate candles into your table displays
at the reception. You can actually use candle displays in place of
floral displays. Consider the idea of floating candle displays at the
center of each table. They're low enough to allow conversation without
talking through flowers.
You're not limited to white candles.
Work the candles into your color scheme: silver and gold for holiday
weddings. Nor do you have to limit yourself to unadorned candles.
Ribbons add a nice accent to simple candles. Select elegant candles for
a formal wedding and less formal sculpted, marbled, or otherwise
embellished candles for less formal weddings.
Candles as Wedding Favors
Candles always make nice gifts, and you
can capitalize on this by selecting a candle for your wedding favor. A
small, beautifully wrapped candle makes a wedding favor that your
guests will appreciate and display at home-something to remember your
special day.
However you choose to add candles to
your wedding, their warm flame will add to the ambiance of an already
glowing moment.
MJ Plaster is a successful author who provides information on
shopping online for
unity
and wedding candles and
candles
in general. MJ Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for
almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the
low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.
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Unity Candle Alternative
An alternative to the unity
candle! This
Decanter Set can be personalized with your marriage
monogram. Simply fill the two, 7 3/4" tall decanters with craft sand
in single colors that represent the bride and groom. During the
ceremony, the bride and groom pour sand from their decanters into
the larger, 10 3/4" tall decanter. Following the wedding, the two
outside vases can be used to display fresh flowers while the central
vase will remain a cherished keepsake of your wedding day. Great for
a beach or nautical wedding ceremony.
Wording for Sand Ceremony
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Non-Denominational
Unity Candle Ceremony
Wording
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.
May your union be forever blessed.
The following prayer/poem by Harold
Douglas is frequently recited by the officiate while the bride and
groom light the Unity Candle:
"Soft mists embrace two golden flames,
Alone they search the night.
Two souls adrift in dreams of love,
They seek to claim the light.
The path is long from which they came,
But sure they are it's right.
Two flames embrace in dreams of love,
Two Souls - Two Hearts Unite."
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Commonly Used
Wording for Sand Ceremony
BRIDE and GROOM, you have just sealed your relationship by the
giving and receiving of rings and the exchange of a kiss, and this
covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that
they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives.
The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage
relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of
your lives with each other. Today, this relationship is symbolized
through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one,
representing you, BRIDE and all that you were, all that you are, and
all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, GROOM,
and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will
ever be. As these two containers of sand are poured into the third
container, the individual containers of sand will be joined together
as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and
poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage
be, united as one for all of your days.
Alternative Wording
As these two containers of sand are poured into the third container,
the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be
joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be
separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will
your marriage be.
Wording for Beach Wedding Sand Ceremony
As you stand beside the ocean tide, may your love always be as
constant as these never-ending waves that pour near your feet,
flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea; Your love came softly
upon each others heart, just as the foam comes softly upon the sand,
and just as there will never be a morning without the ocean's flow,
so there will never be a day without love for each other. You have
pledged yourselves on this day your love will be as dependable as
the tide; as these waters nourish the earth and sustain life, may
your constant devotion nourish and sustain you until the end of
time. GROOM and BRIDE, you have just sealed your relationship by the
giving and receiving of rings, and this covenant is a relationship
agreement between two people who agree that they will commit
themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful
example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have
committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each
other. This relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these
two individual containers of sand one representing you, BRIDE and
all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be,
and the other representing you, GROOM, and all that you were and all
that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers
of sand are poured into the third container, the individual
containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together
as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and
poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage
be. Far more important than your individuality is now the reality
that you are no longer two but one, never to be separated one from
the other. (The bride and groom then pour their sands into one
container)
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