
This is where the expression “tying the knot” came from.Īnother Irish tradition is the truce bell.

Just don’t knock it over!Ĭhristians often choose to incorporate Communion into their wedding ceremony, making it their first act as a married couple.Īfter the wedding vows and ring exchange, the couple’s hands are bound together with a cord that is then tied in a “love knot,” signifying the joining of their lives in a sacred union. This has an interesting layering effect, with each color being poured one on top of the other, as well as some layers being mixed of both colors. Similar to the water ceremony, the bride and groom both pour different colored sand into a glass while reciting their vows, for the ever-popular sand ceremony. If you get a container with a lid, this makes for a great keepsake. The couple each pour different colored water into a single glass, creating a third color. The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into a single glass, which they both drink from. Read on for some different unity ceremony ideas.įor this unity ceremony, the bride and groom exchange roses then present their mothers with the roses. Or maybe you are looking for something you haven’t seen at a lot of weddings, so you can have a fresh idea. You may also have a tradition from your culture or religion that symbolizes unity. There are many variations that do not break the “no open flames” rule. If your wedding venue does not allow open flames, do not let that derail your unity ceremony hopes. You may also have your unity candle personalized with your names and the date, allowing it to be a keepsake from your wedding. Stores sell elaborate unity candle setups, including a candelabra that holds the central unity candle higher than the two others. This represents the two families coming together and also the unifying of two individuals into “one.” The bride and groom each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a third larger pillar “unity candle” in the center. Two taper candles are initially lit by the mothers or family representative of the two families.

Here are some ideas for unity signifying ceremonies that you could adopt for your wedding ceremony. The desire to do a ceremonial act to symbolize the unifying of two families or two individuals is a beautiful sentiment.

Others may decide to use it more broadly as a part of special celebrations, incorporating it into an annual family celebration.Looking to include a unity candle ceremony or something similar in your wedding? While some are cultural traditions that go back hundreds of years, some are recent ideas. Most couples keep their Unity Candle to light on special occasions, such as their wedding anniversary. Those who wish to place a greater emphasis on their individuality may opt to have all three candles lit and in their holders as a celebration of the bride and groom as individuals and of their new union.Ĭouples who are bringing children into the marriage may choose to have additional tapers representing the children, who can come forward and join in the lighting of the Unity Candle. The extinguishing of the individual tapers symbolizes their intent to sublimate their individual needs to the greater good of their union. The light of the single center candle in unison by the bride and groom represents that they, as individuals, are joining as one. Traditionally, a member of each family lights the outside candles before the ceremony. Celtic designs such as the Claddagh, Celtic knots, shamrock, thistles or Luckenbooths are popular for Celtic weddings. Unity Candles may be adorned with ribbons, flowers and Celtic designs. The outside taper candles represent the families of the bride and groom and the larger center pillar candle represents the new family formed by the marriage.

The Unity Candle ceremony is the lighting of candles to symbolize the joining of two families or clans.
