what point during the wedding is the unity candles to be lit ..and by whom?
the wedding party is small , and i am not sure who should light the candles the bride and groom or someone else and when last but not least when ...
the wedding party is small , and i am not sure who should light the candles the bride and groom or someone else and when
last but not least when should the poem be read before the minister begins or after they are annouced husband and wife
A typical unity candle set has three candles total. Two smaller taper type candles and a larger pillar type candle, usually decorated. The two individual candles are lit before the ceremony by the mothers of the bride and groom to signify the two families.
After the vows are spoken, the bride and groom take their individual candles and together light the larger one. They blow out the individual tapers (be sure to do this away from the main one or you’ll blow it out too!) to signify their union of two becoming one.
The poem can be read during the candle lighting or after the minister has finished.
The unity candle is usually done after the vows…and is lit by the bride and groom.
Usually the candles are lit by the mothers of the bride and groom. These are the 2 smaller candles that the bride and groom will use to light the larger unity candle together. (You can choose to have the fathers as well.) Most of the time that I have noticed, they are lit when they are walked down the aisle prior to the wedding party. The bride and groom then light the unity candle usually after the vows. (This is how it was in the last wedding I was in.)
You can choose to have the poem read whenever. I would suggest to do it before the bride and groom are pronounced married though. I would do it before the vows are read.
Usually the mothers of the bride and groom walk up and light the candles after everyone is seated, but before the groom takes his place and the bride walks down the aisle…then the candles burn and the preacher or whomever is marrying you will say something about starting new together and joining families and the couple takes the two tapers and lights the one in the middle together – before the vows.
The poem needs to be done before the vows, candles, etc… never after the couple is announced husband and wife, it would take away from the couple walking back down the aisle together.
I have a program that you can see.
MUSICAL PRELUDE
(SELECTION OF LOVE SONGS)
SEATING OF THE PARENTS
“song”, artist
LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE BY PARENTS
(as each one is seated they go up and light the two side candles) You parents will light the left side and his parents will light the right side.)
PROCESSIONAL
“Song for bridesmaids and everyone else”, artist
Bridal March
Introduction to the Guests
Charge to the Couple
Exchange of Vows
Blessing of the Rings & Exchange of the Rings
Unity Candle
“song for the unity candle”, artist
You will take the flame off the left side and he will take the flame off the other side and light the middle candle together at the same time. Then you sit there looking at each other until the song is over and put out the side candles. Then you go back to the alter.
Scripture Reading(or poem reading.
1st Corinthinas 13
Blessing of the Marriage
Pronouncement of the Marriage
Recessional
“Wedding March” “Song” artist
Usually when the mothers are seated they go up together and each light a candle. Then after the vows are exchanged the bride takes the candle that her mother lite and the groom takes the candle that his mother lite and together they light the unity candle.
You and your fiance will light the candles after the vows are said. As for the poem, this is usually done before the vows, but it’s really up to you.
The unity candle is done after the vows and rings, before the couple is pronounced man and wife. The parents light the candles before the ceremony starts, or at the beginning of the unity candle ceremony, then the couple lights the big candle with the taper candles during the unity candle ceremony. I don’t know what kind of poem is being read, but it can be read whenever you want it to during the ceremony. that is up to you. Best wishes!
You decide the order of service with your minister. The unity candles are a secular part, not religious at all, so you may be able to decide yourselves when to do them.
I’ve seen it mostly done at the beginning of the ceremony, because it signifies the joining of the two families. The mothers go to the altar, each light a candle, and join their candles together to light the unity candle.