Common wedding rituals and their meanings
A perfect day; weddings should be nothing less than that. This public display of a union between two people is deeply personal. For some, a standard wedding ceremony just doesn’t cut it. Want to add some spice to your special day? Here are some common wedding rituals, and the meaning behind them. Some of them I’m sure you’ve seen and others may be unfamiliar to you. While some are more spiritual and based on religious practices, others were born out of creativity. Check them out, maybe one resonates with you!
Candle Lighting
This is one that you have probably seen before. Candle lighting has become increasing popular among couples in recent years. Here’s how it works: two small candles are placed on the side of one larger candle. The bride and groom each take a small candle that is pre-lit and together, they light the large candle in the middle. The two flames becoming one, symbolizes their two lives becoming one.
As with many rituals, many variations to the above tradition have developed over the years. To symbolize two families becoming one, often times the Mother of the bride will approach the ceremony space and light the bride’s candle and the Mother of the groom will do the same for his candle. The couple then performs the ceremony.
The candle lighting ritual offers a great opportunity to include children, as you blend two families. Simply add more candles, and combine them to demonstrate the unification of the entire new family. Although it is uncommon where the unity candle originated, it is still a great way to show your loved ones the unity of your marriage.