This is a short ritual, which can be incorporated into a longer ceremony. The Bride and Groom each light a candle at the beginning of the ceremony and at a later point they bring both flames together to light another larger candle and to symbolise two families becoming one. Sometimes the Mothers of the Bride and groom bring the candle forward or, in second marriages, children can be incorporated from both families to unify a new family.
Sample Unity candle ceremony, not written by Michele Plews.
BRIDE and GROOM have chosen to affirm their love by the lighting of a unity candle.
They have also asked their families to participate in the lighting ceremony. In so doing, they signal their desire to not only join as one in their union but to also unite two families together as one.
From every human being there rises a light and when two souls that are destined for each other find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single, brighter light goes forth from their united being.