There are so many stunning rituals you can include in your wedding ceremony, and one of our favourites - and which we've seen gaining traction of late - is the lighting of unity candles. The popular candle-lighting ritual is often included in Christian, Catholic and other religious wedding ceremonies, so it might be a good one include if you're having a secular ceremony, but would also like to add a familiar element for religious family members, which can often make them feel more included.

Image by Nina Val Photography via One Fab Day

What is a Candle Lighting Ceremony?

In a nutshell, a wedding candle lighting ceremony (or unity candle ritual) is a symbolic ritual that takes place after the vow exchange and finds either the couple, or sometimes their parents (often the two mothers) lighting a common candle from two individual candles, representing the merging of two families and two individuals. It typically takes three to five minutes and symbolises two lives and famillies merging into one. Couples 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.

Image by Alexandra Barefoot via One Fab Day

What is the history of the ritual?

While ancient Greek and Roman brides often carried lit torches or walked with a flame brought from the family hearth, and fire and torches have always been used in warding off of evil spirits in many Pagan and Celtic Irish traditions, the idea of the specific three-candle format recognised in weddings today does not have roots that go back that far. In fact, and a little bit randomly, the practice seemingly gained massive mainstream popularity in the States after being featured during the iconic 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura on the soap opera General Hospital. But we certainly wont let that put us off!

How Does it Work?

Most commonly three candles are placed on a small table by the altar. Two smaller taper candles sit on the outside, with and one large pillar candle (the unity candle) in the middle. At the start of the ceremony or during the processional, the couple's mothers or family representatives light the two outer taper candles. After the vows or legal declarations, the couple each takes a lit taper candle and uses them together to light the central pillar candle.

Image by Nina Val Photography via One Fab Day

How can you add to the ritual?

In our Real Weddings section we see lots of personalisation of the idea, from letting guests pass the light down the aisles until the whole room glows, or adding extra taper candles for children or close siblings so everyone takes part. You could also decorate your candles with meaningful items like family lace, custom twine or handwritten notes, or even add a custom scent with a signature fragrance during the lighting so the memory is tied to the specific scent. As a special way to remember a loved one you've lost during your ceremony you could also take a moment to light a remembrance candle to burn throughout the ceremony in their honour.

Looking for more ways to add to your wedding? You'll find our ultimate list of ceremony ritual ideas here with tonnes more inspiration! Also check out our list of Traditional Irish Wedding Blessings, Toasts, Readings and Vows. Be sure to sign up to the One Fab Day newsletter!