What is a unity candle and how is it used during wedding ceremonies?
During the wedding ceremony three candles are positioned at the alter. These three candles usually consist of one pillar candle, (the “Unity Candle”), centered between two taper candles, (the “side candles”). During the ceremony, the bride and groom each light the side candles from burning alter candles. The couple then lights the Unity Candle from their respective side candles and extinguish the side candles. This act symbolizes the bride and groom “becoming one in marriage.” A contemporary variation on this tradition is to have the parents of the bride and groom light the side candles from the alter candles and to have the bride and groom take their respective parent’s side candle to light the Unity Candle.
