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 Special Ceremonies  

 The Unity Candle
Symbolizes two lives becoming one.  However, there are a number of variances that can be customized to your unique relationship.  Two small candles burn throughout the ceremony, they symbolize the bride and groom.  A third larger candle remains unlit during the ceremony, symbolizing their life as one.  Once the Bride & Groom have exchanged vows & rings, they move to the burning candles.  Each takes a burning candle and together they light the third candle, symbolizing their desire to put their relationship center and foremost, two becoming one.
The two smaller candles:
The mothers of the bride & groom can light these candles.  Signifying that they are the persons that gave them light and love.  The best man & maid of honor can light the small candles.  These two people represent the friends and family of the bride & groom.  The people who have in one way or another prepared the bride & groom for each other. It can also mean the uniting of the bride & groom, friends and family (this might be used when the parents of the bride & groom are no longer living or are not attending)
Blowing out of smaller candles:
The bride & groom can choose to blow out the smaller candles, or leave them burning.  To blow them out signifies two individuals united as one and promising to place the needs of the 'one' over individual needs.  On the other hand, to not blow out these candles symbolizes two people remaining individuals, but committed to their union as one.
Note:  It is very difficult to make a unity candle ceremony work outside.  It often becomes more of a fiasco undermining the initial intent of the ceremony.  Read on for some other alternatives when planning an outdoor ceremony. (Also See the unity candle into the reception)
See Sand Ceremony for a ceremony similar to unity, but easier to accomplish outside
See Special Ceremonies To Include Children for a Family Unity Candle

 Full Group Unity
(inside ceremony only)
Each guest receives a small candle as they enter the ceremony.  During this unity ceremony, starting at the back of the room candles are lit right up to the bride and groom.  Signifying how these people in this room touched the lives of the bride and groom, preparing them for each other and for this day.   Bride and Groom then use the candles lit by their friends and loved ones to light the large center candle, same as above.
Note: It is a good idea to use a bobeche (wax catcher) for each candle (very inexpensive, found at Christian book stores).  Plan for someone to collect all candles at the end of the ceremony.  A nice galvanized bucket ensures that no candles are left unattended.  Obtain special permission from your ceremony site before performing this ceremony.  It is very safe as long as precautions are taken.

 The Wine Ceremony
This ceremony symbolizes that the couple, from this day forward, 'drink from the same cup'  What happens to one happens to the other, for better or worse.  How it works,  A cup of wine sits at the alter for the entire ceremony in a beautiful wine glass.  The officiate explains the meaning of this ceremony and then gives the groom the glass of wine.  He drinks, passes it to the bride, she drinks and passes it back to the groom, he drinks again and passes the wine glass back to the minister.  
Note: Anything can be in the wine glass, white or red wine, grape juice etc.  A darker color drink is more visual for guests and pictures.

 The Hand Ceremony
The hand ceremony has recently become one of our favorites as well as a favorite of brides and grooms.  It is basically a poem that is read right after the exchange of rings or in the place of the exchange of rings.  The poem is read as the group hold hands with their lifetime partners.  (See ceremony readings for a sample of the hands poem).  It is changed frequently to fit the specific circumstances of the bride and groom.  Can be used in conjunction with Wrapping of Hands.

 Wrapping of Hands
 In some traditions, it is common for a couples hands to be bound during the ceremony.  It is a symbol that they are forever tightly bound as husband and wife (thus, tying the knot).  A beautiful scarf is used to bind their hands together it can later be hung in their home, a constant reminder of their lives bound together.  It is up to the couple and the officiate to decide exactly what this ceremony will symbolize allowing the couple to be true to their selves.   

We have used this ceremony during a wedding where the parents of the groom followed their traditions strictly, yet the groom did not. The actual words used to describe the ceremony were not those of the family's traditions, they were created especially for this occasion and therefore did not compromise the couples personal beliefs, however, the parents were thrilled to have a part of their heritage included in the ceremony.  

 Sand Ceremony
This ceremony is the closest to the unity candle, but can be accomplished outside easily.  The blending of sand into one vial represents the blending of two special personalities into one beautiful life.  The sand already in the center vile represents the foundation of love, respect and friendship that will forever rest at the base of their relationship.  The two smaller vials  filled with two different colored sands represent the individual life and love that each bring to their relationship as individuals.   Using their individual vials, they will each add, first, their own sand representing how although they travel the same path hand in hand as one, their individual identities, that drew them to each other initially,  will remain strong and unique.    They will then, together pour the remaining sand into the vial representing the unique blend that only the two of them together will make as one.  

 The Unity Candle at the Reception
When a unity candle can not be used at the ceremony there are some options at the reception.  At the head table, A unity candle set up at  the head table can be lit by the bride and groom as soon as they are introduced into the room.  After moving to the head table and before the best man toast, the bride and groom would light the center candle using the two outside candles (these candles could be lit prior to any introductions or parents could light them as they are introduced into the room).  No explanation would need to be given.  But at this time all eyes would be on the bride and groom and it would be a ceremony without any words.  At the cake table,  This is another moment when all eyes are on the bride and groom and a perfect time to include a unity candle with or without explanation.  (See Wedding traditions for the symbolism behind the cutting and sharing of cake)