4 Kinds of Candles to Make Your Wedding Ceremony Sparkle

Are you getting married this year?

Then you understand the many different choices that the bride and groom must make for the celebration. This article explores 4 different types of wedding candles, each having a slightly different meaning to make your wedding special to family and friends.

What is a Unity Candle in relation to a wedding?

Wedding Unity candles are a set of three candles lit during the ceremony. Wedding unity candle sets come in many shapes and sizes, and are usually white in color. The two shorter candles are lit by both the bride and groom at beginning of the ceremony. The taller center candle is lit by both at the end of the ceremony symbolizing becoming one spirit. Sometimes their families (parents or children) light a separate candle in the same fashion. Then, after the vows are read, a joint candle is lit by both families to represent becoming one. There are many variations of candles that you can use with the involvement of other family members. This is a beautiful touch but definitely not required.

What is a votive candle?

Votive candles are often displayed on the way into the church. Generally, votive candles appear as a small candle inside a small glass container and are only two inches tall, but I have seen taller ones. The purpose of votive candles is to say a prayer of intension for the wedding couple and then light a candle for them. In some churches, the guests are asked make a monetary with the candle lighting ceremony but not all. Many couples choose to make their own personalized votive candles displaying their names and wedding date. The guests can then take them home bas a keepsake. Bulk votive candles and holderscan be purchased as cheap as $1.50.

What is a sand candle? There are many different types of sand candles but a wedding sand candle is glass containers with sand inside topped with a tealight candle holder. Even though it is rather old tradition, it seems to becoming more popular in weddings today. If you are planning an outdoor wedding this may be a perfect alternative especially a beach wedding. With a sand ceremony set both the bride and groom carry a glass container filled with colored sand. The color of the sand in the clear glass jars may symbolize something significant such as children, the years they have been together or just match the wedding colors. They then pour the sand together in a larger container to symbolize becoming one family. A small tea light is placed in the top making this beautiful new sand creation, a candle. The jar can then be displayed anywhere to show the joining of the two for years to come. In some cases mothers and fathers also contribute their own sand to show an extended bond between the families similar to the unity candle concept.

What is a memorial candle? If you have lost a close member of your family, some couples choose to honor their memory with a memorial candle. The candle is either lit during the wedding ceremony or as the guests gathering. The Memorial Candle welcomes the spirits of the loved ones who have passed and demonstrates your love for them.

It does not matter what style of wedding candle that you choose for your special day. Just make sure your guests fully understand the symbolism behind it and enjoy it.