2007-02-11 09:09:01 · 18 answers · asked by NAKA 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Sure look at many differnt cultures.
We had a unity candle and the choir kept singing and we (all) totally forgot to light it. OH Well.
2007-02-11 09:13:16 · answer #1 · answered by Denise W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you do not have to do a unity candle, yes there are alternatives. There is a sand ceremony, where you both have different colored sands and mix them when prompted. There is also a wine ceremony, where the officiant says something, the groom takes a drink, the bride takes a drink then the groom breaks the cup.
I'm sure you could find others or more information about these on Google.
But to clarify, you don't have to do anything of the sort. You can just skip over the "rituals".
2007-02-11 10:22:51 · answer #2 · answered by Happy Wife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, no. Your wedding ceremony should consist of what you want. Though the unity candle is a symbol of two single lives joining into one~ this should set the tone for any lasting marriage but not required at the ceremony. Some churches may have their own guidelines for services performed at the ceremony and you should respect that if you want to marry in their church.
2007-02-11 09:14:26 · answer #3 · answered by Bbgirl0775 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The unity candle is a choice, just like the type of vows you exchange or the type of officiant you hire. The best officiant will help you design a wedding that is uniquely yours, rather than a cut and paste job. For instance, you may want to exchange a gift with the parents or any children who are participating in the service, rather than lighting a candle. You may want to share a poem or a personal story. It should be what "you" want to do if "you" are getting married.
2007-02-11 09:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by madamewitch1106 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every wedding does not have to have the unity candle ceremony. For my wedding, i decided to omit that tradition. I just had traditional vows. There are alternatives like the sand ceremony, planting a tree and the rose ceremony. You could even have hand fastening done.Its totaly up to you.
2007-02-12 01:03:24 · answer #5 · answered by martini_40727 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The unity candle was a "new" idea when I got married and I didn't want it. We gave moms and grandmoms (and God parent moms) roses during the sign of peace. I think you need to check with your officiant...if its a church, they probably have certain customs that are encouraged and others that are not. The officiant has also been to a lot of weddings and should have some good ideas of what does doesn't work
2007-02-12 03:47:54 · answer #6 · answered by Sweetserenity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you do not HAVE to have a unity candle. I didn't, and have been happily married for over 19 years. However, there are many alternatives, I've seen sand and water used, and I'm sure you can find many others.
2007-02-11 09:54:41 · answer #7 · answered by basketcase88 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, out of the dozens I've been to, I've only seen the unity candle thing done twice - once at the ceremony, and once at the reception at the head table.
Definitely don't have to have it.
2007-02-11 09:14:54 · answer #8 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, no it's not required, and yes, there are alternatives.
I have seen ceremony's that have a sand ceremony with colored sand. The groom will have, say, black, and the bride will have white. The groom pours an inch or so of sand into the bottom, and then the bride pours a little bit of hers, and then they poor it in at the same time, to represent the mixing.
I have seen the same thing with the little colored stones.
2007-02-11 09:28:54 · answer #9 · answered by Missing 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in Australia. Generally, the unity candle is only included in Catholic weddings, I have found. However, it isn't essential even then. If you don't want it, you don't have to.
2007-02-11 20:33:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋