Unity Wedding Candle Ceremonies
& Unity Sand Ceremony Ideas

Unity wedding candle ceremonies are usually a common element often used in most wedding ceremonies. Traditionally, there are three candles set up at the altar - two smaller taper candles which are lit and one larger un-lit pillar candle placed in the middle.

During the nuptials, the bride and groom will each take one of the lit tapers and light the middle candle together signifying that although they are two individuals (the two single tapers), they are now united together as one in marriage (the larger unity candle).

Similarly, with a unity sand ceremony, the bride and groom each pick up a glass vase filled with colored sand (each one holds a different color). Together, you pour the sand into a larger vase, mixing the grains of sand (and the two colors) into one beautiful design, uniting the two of you together.

These are both lovely traditions, but there are other variations that you may want to consider that can also make your ceremony even more unique and personal.

Variations on the Unity Candle Ceremony

If you are having a fairly small wedding ceremony, give each guest an unlit candle. Light the first guest's candle. They in turn light the candle being held by the person next to them, and so on until all the candles are lit. Finally, the bride and groom light their unity candle together. This variation is a wonderful way to include your friends and family in supporting the union.

Include both sets of parent in the ceremony by purchasing a three wick candle instead of a single wick unity candle. Have one set of parent's light one wick, the other parent's light the second wick, and as the bridal couple, you light the third wick.

A beautiful ceremonial touch is to have the bride and groom exchange roses rather than lighting candles

Wilton Graceful Wedding Day Collection Unity Candle and Taper Candles Set

Unity Candle Set, This Day I Will Marry My Friend, 9-Inch Pillar and 2 10-Inch Tapers

Wilton Silver Hearts Unity Candle Set

Instead of "Pouring Sand"

Wine is also a fairly common element found in weddings. Some couples commit their marriage by each taking a glass a wine and pouring the contents together into a single glass. Then they each take a sip of wine from the common glass. In France, the custom is to drink together from a "coupe de marriage" (wedding cup) made of silver. What's makes this extra special is that this particular cup has often been passed from generation to generation in many French families. You could start your own tradition on this.

An Indian custom that is quite interesting is called the "salt ceremony" where the bride passes a handful of salt to her groom without spilling any. He needs to pass the salt back to her, also without spilling. The ritual is repeated 3 times. Once this is done, the bride then performs this same salt exchange with the members of the groom's family who are present. The passing of salt symbolizes the bride's blending into her new family.

You can do the same as above with each of you using different colored water. When pouring the colored water into a single glass, you'll be creating a third color, signifying your joining together.