Unity Candles question….what do you think…?
All the pictures of unity candles I have seen have the fat pillar in the middle and 2 tall tapers on the sides. But my venue has a fire code, no lit c...
All the pictures of unity candles I have seen have the fat pillar in the middle and 2 tall tapers on the sides. But my venue has a fire code, no lit candles unless in glass containers. I have found a glass cylinder for the pillar, but not the tapers.
I was thinking to use votives on pedestals instead of the tapers.
I thought the mothers could light the votives as they are first escorted to their seats, then during the ceremony the two of us would use those real skinny lighting stick candles, light it from the votives, then light the unity pillar.
Do youse think that would look okay or forget it and go with sand?
Thanx
I don’t know how we could get the lit tapers out of a hurricane glass and stick them back in without getting burned. But that is a pretty setup, thanks! I’ll keep that link.
Yup, I would decorate the votives and pedestals nicely. I was thinking of something like this:
http://wedfrugal.com/projects/glowingrosecenterpieces.html
Thanks everyone, I feel lots bettter.
I think using the votives on pedestals would be fine. Just make sure you have somewhere discreet to extinguish the lighting sticks. You don’t want to blow them out or wave them around, so a small bowl or bucket with sand off to the side would be good.
Although if you look, you can find hurricane holders for tapers:
http://www.franscandles.com/unity%20candle%20images/unityamberreverts.jpg
To get the lit tapers out, make sure the hurricane part lifts off and on easily. You may want to practice ahead of time so you’re comfortable taking the holder off and putting it back on, and so you know where to grab it. I’d suggest using tapers that are shorter than the holder itself so the top of the holder isn’t hot.
I remembered something else. A friend of ours got us this really cool votive holder as a housewarming gift, but two of them would be really lovely for your wedding. It’s called Circle of Friends, but it could also represent your families as well. According to the website, the votive holder is inspired by an ancient Mayan ritual of forming a circle to celebrate peace and togetherness
http://www.redenvelope.com/re/gifts/product_display/product_information.jsp?nc=91585&BV_SessionID=@@@@0179219934.1178306401@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceeaddklfijmmicefecefedfgfdfmf.0&refPg=endeca_srch&N=0&No=12&Nr=searchable%3A0&Ntk=search&Ntt=candle&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&initSrch=search&oid=7121432&nc2=1
Your idea is great, you could get larger pillars, half the size of the middle unity candle, and place them in glass containers so the guests can all see them – the votives might be too small to notice. The pillars would make great gifts to your mom and mother-in-law afterwards, should you have nice ones made or find attractive bridal ones.
The point of the two side candles in to light the large one with them. It is taking the two families and united them to one. I don’t see the point of having two sets of side candles. They make glass holders for tall skinny candles.
GREAT idea!
Containers are used when the candles are used outside, all the time. But you might start a trend for doing it inside.
Yes that should be fine, play around with the set up and have fun with it. It’s your wedding make it yours by doing something different.
Sounds just fine to me. Congrats!
I think that you could also do the sand (unity) part.
I’m planning on doing both in my July wedding. Not many people have heard of the sand option. And I think that’s it such a neat idea.
Also, once the wedding’s over, it something that you can keep and put on the mantle as a daily reminder of your love
I think it’s a beautiful adaptation. The pedestals could be adorned with flowers or ivy. Also someone mentioned about 2 candles lighting the center one. Traditionally that is true but if you really think about it , you aren’t extinguishing your "birth" families. When you get married you are adopting your spouses family as part of your own so taking a lighting stick to light the center one is actually very significant. You could have your minister or officiant say something along the lines of ….."as these two take each other as husband and wife they come together with their own memories, traditons and loved ones to make a special life of their own ….." Best wishes….
ps. I think I will use this idea when I plan other weddings, it really sounds beautiful!
We used a bouquet of flowers instead of candles. We had each member of our immediate families choose a flower to represent themselves and they each placed their flower in a large vase on the altar. My husband and I were the last ones to put our flowers in the vase. Once the bouquet was complete, the pastor spoke about how our families were made of individuals and how we were joining our families to create a new complete family like the bouquet we had just created. It was really beautiful. We followed that with the reading from the book of Ruth where Ruth tells her mother in law that the MIL’s family is her family and she will go where they go…it was a really wonderful way to make our families a par of our ceremony.
It is your wedding, you need to be happy and comfortable. The unity candle is such a wonderful symbol, the candles used to light it are minor details in my opinion. I think the rose votives are a wonderful idea!
yeah go ahead with that idea of using votives and then the skinny lighting candles. as long they are not dangerous and and obey the fire code and of cos, fulfil your objective i don’t see why not.