Unity candles- what are they and should I be buying on?

gymchick05

Im confused about the whole unity candle thing. When do you use it? I am having a Catholic mass, I think they use them at Catholic weddings, but its been a while since I have been to one. Should I be buying/making one? Thanks!

Laurms15

We bought ours and used it in our catholic mass. Our mom's lit the tall taper candles from the christ candle at the beginning of the service then toward the middle DH and I took the tapers (lit by the mom's) and lit a larger pilar candle together. It has symbolic meaning some people do a sand ceremony but we went with the candle.  We also wanted a spot to fit in another song since we were having friends and family sing the whole mass so we were able to do that there. If you buy it it usually comes with a center holder for the pilar candle and a small holder on either side for the tapers.

gymchick05

Thanks! did you ask your church first if this is something they do or is this typically part of the ceremony?

HobokensFury

I may be wrong about this but I do believe some churches do not allow unity candles.  Check with yours before spending any money.

Peacefield

I've seen a bunch of variations, but it's usually much as Gymchick described.  But it's not just Catholic; I've seen it at outdoor nondenomination weddings, too.

Laurms15

I think some of the more "strict" churches won't allow it, however a good majority do. Mine was fine with it. I think I mentioned it to our priest when we were planning the mass, I do know it was one of the last things I bought for the wedding though but not for any reason other then I hadn't found one I loved yet.

akmackay

Pretty much it signifies the two families/bodies becoming one. Usually your moms will light the two outer candles and then the two of you will light the center candle from the two others.

Check with your church, as others said. My church didn't want it done, as it is not part of a Catholic ceremony, however my priest said if it meant a lot to me than he was willing to do it. It did, so we did.

I'm probably going to be selling mine- let me know if you're interested.