The Unity Candle Ceremony is a popular choice for any ceremony including non-Religious, Spiritual, mixed faith or other ceremonies because like the sand ceremony, it is non-denominational (the words spoken do not need to belong to any specific Religion unless you want them to).

The great thing about the Unity Candle ceremony is that there are no set rules. You can create your candle ceremony to represent whatever you want it to be.

Typical methods include using three candles, the happy couple lighting one candle each to represent the two individual lives of the couple, and using the two candles to light a third larger candle representing their new life together.

Once the larger candle has been lit, the single candles can be extinguished to represent the ending of their single lives. Or, the single candles can remain lit for the duration of the wedding ceremony, to represent that the couple will always remain as unique individuals respectful of each other.

A blessing of some kind is normally read once the candles have been lit, but you can have someone sing a song instead if you wish, you are completely in control with the order of proceedings for your modern ceremony!

Another method is to call upon your closest family members to light one or more candles on behalf of the couple, for example the mothers of the couple could light candles to signify the creation of the new extended family.

Whatever the candle ceremony means to you, it’s a wonderful thing to include in your modern wedding ceremony.

If you wish, I can also write a customised candle ceremony based on your own beliefs and wishes. Just ask me, anything is possible!

It can be difficult and time-consuming to find Unity candle ceremony examples and ideas so I have collected some of the most popular and provided them here for your convenience.

The following is a selection of popular ceremony ideas and examples for a Unity Candle ceremony, of course if you don’t like any of these you can always choose any parts you like and create your own!

I can help you to create that very special Spiritual, Atheist, non-religious, or mixed faith wedding ceremony of your dreams!

Candle Ceremony 1

From every person there arises a light, an individual spirit, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union.

[Bride] and [Groom], I ask you now to light a candle to symbolize your own lives as two unique individuals.

[Each light a candle.]

With these flames you will light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity. As you light the candle that represents the new life you will share, your own light will not be extinguished.

Indeed, your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals. The flames that are kindled here are precious, for they are symbols of the light that shines in you.

As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.

[Together they light the Candle of Unity.]

Candle Ceremony 2

Now, Bride’s name and Groom’s name will commemorate this day by lighting a Unity Candle.

(Bride and groom walk over to the candles and light the two thinner candles)

Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and aspirations in life.

(When the two candles are lit)

Groom’s name and Bride’s name, the two distinct candle flames represent your lives before this day, individual, unique and special.

Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the larger, center pillar candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives.

(Once the pillar candle is lit, place the tapers back into their holders—join hands and remain near the candles)

As this new flame burns undivided, so shall your lives now be one. From now on your thoughts will always be for each other as well as your individual selves. Your plans will be mutual, your joys and sorrows both will be shared alike.

Although you are now entering into a marriage relationship, you do not, however, lose your personal identity. Rather, you will use your special individuality to create and strengthen the relationship of marriage.

Therefore all three candles remain glowing. The individual candles represent all that makes each of you the wonderful and unique person the other admires and respects.

The larger pillar candle in the center symbolizes the union of your lives, families, and friends, as well as your shining commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving marriage. (Walk back to wedding officiant)

(Optional to be read by Officiant, if you choose, after candles are lit)

May the blessing of light,
Be with you always,
Light without and light within.
And may the sun shine
Upon you and warm your heart
Until it glows
Like a great fire
So that others may feel
The warmth of your love
For one another.

More Examples

Unity Candle Ceremony – Bride, Groom and Children

You will observe that there are _______ candles on the Unity table. Through the love and illumination of God, your paths have come together, and in this symbolic ceremony, you will each take a lighted candle, representing your previous separate pathways, and together you will light the Unity candle, symbolizing your willingness to walk life’s pathways together as one family.
_______ (# of Children) children will share in this marriage.
The gathering of this new family will have a deep influence upon the children. We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children and the adults being married.
BRIDE NAME and GROOM NAME, is your love for each other broad enough to include _______ and _______ and deep enough to honor their presence in this marriage and to pledge yourselves to love and care for them?
BRIDE NAME and GROOM NAME, please light the taper candles for the children. You may all now proceed in the lighting of the Unity candle. May a kind God bless you all as family, and bless this marriage and this home, wherever you may be. And so it is.

Unity Candle Ceremony – Bride, Groom and Mothers

MOTHER 1 and MOTHER 2 mothers of the Bride and Groom, will now come forward to light the taper candles for the Unity Candle Ceremony. The two individual flames, one representing each family, will demonstrate to us – in a very beautiful way – the symbol of two who become one as well as the faith, wisdom, and love that _______ and _______ have received from their parents.
Through the love and illumination of God, your paths have come together, and in this symbolic ceremony, you will each take a lighted candle, representing your previous separate pathways, and together you will light the Unity candle, symbolizing your willingness to walk life’s pathways together as one. You may now proceed in the lighting of the candle.
Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and aspirations in life.
Groom and Bride, the two distinct candle flames represent your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives.

Sample Short Ceremony where tapers are lit by moms or couple

The taper candles represent not only _______and __________, but also their families; for it is their families who, through love and support, helped shaped who they are. The center candle represents their marriage- the joining of two friends with the added roles of husband/wife/partner. It is the light of love and the light of new beginnings. From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, May its light shine bright and steady upon your path together and may its heat keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.

Tapers are lit by the Bride and Groom

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the unity candle.______and ________ please light the two taper candles. These candles represent your individual spirits, your individual connections with God, all that you are and, all that you have been, and all that you will become. The center candle represents your relationship. It is the symbol of your marriage, the symbol of the joining of 2 spirits, 2 lives, 2 souls. Now you will take the tapers and light the center candle. As you do so, keep in mind the pledge you made to each other today. It is the pledge of the truth and purity of your every breath. The constant friendship of your hearts. The passion and fire of your spirits and the deepest love your souls have to give. It is the pledge of all that is within you. The only true pledge that one heart can offer to another.
You are now as husband/wife/spouse and husband/wife/spouse offering yourselves, and all that has come to pass unto each other, towards the creation of your future, and to all that is yet to come. The candle of your marriage shall burn brightly, but the 2 tapers of yourselves are not diminished. You do not disappear in marriage. You remain you. But in joining, both lights are brighter, each supports the other and miracles can happen. True Love shines brightly and today is but a beautiful beginning of the miracles to come.

Sample Ceremony Script where tapers are lit by Moms

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the unity candle.
_____and ___ come from two different families, two different heritages. We are especially grateful for the values which have flowed into them from those who have loved and nurtured them along life’s way. The heritage each brings to this marriage will continue to be an important element in their lives, but now will be shared between them. Out of these two families, a new family will be created.
At this time I’d like the mothers to come forward to assist us in starting the Unity Candle ceremony, a ceremony of spiritual symbolism. The candles the moms are lighting represent not only _______and __________, but also their families, for it is their families who, through love and support, helped shape who they are (mothers light the tapered candles and then take their seats)
The center candle represents their marriage-the joining of two friends with the added roles of husband and wife. It is the light of love and the light of new beginnings. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of unity because both must come together, giving spark of themselves to create the new light.

Please take the two taper candles, representing your individual selves and light the center candle representing your marriage.(together bride and groom take their tapered candles and light the center unity/marriage candle) As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.

Couple only-Short and Sweet

The Unity Candle ceremony is a beautiful symbolic representation of your joining in marriage. Please take the two taper candles, representing your individual selves and light the center candle representing your marriage. Notice that the flames burns brightest when both candles are participating, cooperating and present. A marriage is like that. Be forever present for one another, shining light and beauty.

Short and Sweet #2

Bride’s name and Groom’s name, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.
The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.

Longer Candle Ceremony Example

Now we shall celebrate this union as it is symbolized through the lighting of the unity candle.

From every human being there rises a light.
When two souls destined for each other, find one another,
their streams of light flow together
and a single brighter light goes forth from the united being.

These two candles are symbolic of separate people in their own right. They symbolize your individual spirits, your individual connections with God, all that you are and, all that you have been, and all that you will become.
Please take the two taper candles, and light the center candle representing your marriage.

As the candle of your marriage burns brightly, remember that the two tapers of yourselves are not diminished. You do not disappear in marriage. You remain you. But in joining, both lights are brighter, each supports the other and miracles can happen.

Non Religious

From this day onward, may you bask in the beauty of the light of your love, may its light shine bright and steady upon your path together and may its heat keep you warm through all the days of your lives and beyond.
This candle you are about to light is a candle of Marriage. Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love. This candle before you is a candle of Commitment because it takes two people working together to keep it aflame. This candle is also a candle of Unity because both must come together, giving a spark of themselves, to create the new light. As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.

Candle Ceremony With Children

Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and aspirations in life.

The lighting of the center candle represents not only the union of Bride____ and Groom_____ in marriage, but the unity formed in this new family in which your lives will now shine as one family. Bride____, Groom_____, Child_____, Child_____.

Each candles flame represents your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. Each flame will help to make the family even brighter and stronger.

As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.