The 'Unity Candle' is actually a group of four or more candles used in a set. This set includes: A pillar candle, which is the Unity Candle itself and is typically 3 inches or more in width. Flanking this candle are two taper candles (they're the tall slender candles you see on a dining room table). Hiding behind these three candles is a votive candle which is a small candle (like a tea light), is lit before the ceremony, hides behind the unity candle, and acts like a pilot light.

At the very beginning of the ceremony I will ask the mothers of the bride and groom or other such VIPs to come up and light the taper candles. They light the taper candles from the hiding votive.

In mid-ceremony, after the exchanges of vows and rings, I will take the bridal party off-stage and invite the bride and groom to light their Unity Candle. Beautiful music and/or a vocalist may accompany this. Following this lighting, the couple will typically present a long stem rose to their mothers or other VIPs/family members. At the conclusion of this, the bride and groom return to center position, and the bridal party returns to their places.

Please consider the following: The primary purpose of a candle is to provide light, therefore using it outdoors against the billion candle power of the sun doesn't make great sense. Jeffrey and Tiffany above are in a setting which is almost medieval. This is a superb example of a Unity Candle being used in an ideal setting.

The Unity Candle has been on the western wedding scene for four decades now. It's use is extremely well known. If you have your heart set on using a Unity Candle by all means do so. Buy a beautiful and unique arrangement of candles for this; try to avoid the commercial stuff. I will extensively rehearse you on how to give a glorious performance for when you show us that- Love is Light.