My question is what is the history of unity candles at weddings?

Question

Where did it start and what is the signifience of unity candles?

Answer 1

The unity candle can trace its roots back to many ancient cultures. I found the following website that explains it a lot better than I can.
We did one at my daughters wedding. Right before the vows, both mothers, his and myself, brought a lit taper to the bridal couple. He took the one I carried, she took the one his mom carried. They used them, together, to light the "Unity Candle", then blew them out. It was so beautiful! The man who married them explained it like this...each mother gave her child to the other, passing the flame of love, binding the two families and accepting, by the passage, each child as thier own. The children, lighting their own candle, promised to be part of one another, and part of both. Both, inextractable tied to the lives of each other.

Answer 2

I was at a wedding this week end and the priest gave an explaination...
from what I can remember it signifies the two people breaking away from their families (mothers) .... then lighting the one together to form one union
the mothers light one candle each...
the bride and groom take the light from the candles respectively and then light the one candle....
they then blow out the other two at the same time...
they then use the candle at every aniversary.
I'm not sure where it began but I do believe that it is mainly an American and Christian symbol.

Answer 3

I'm 56 and I think they became popular about the time I was married in 1974. I think it was just one more way of showing that the two people were to become one, an outward sign