Unity or No Unity
The unity candle is the long tried and true method for having a moment of visual unity during a ceremony. With todays changing trends though, there are many more options for displaying the thought of two becoming one during the ceremony, and I want to list a few for you.
1) Unity Candles – This is one of the more common Unity idea’s out there today. The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively recent addition to the traditional wedding ceremony, most popular in the United States. The unity candle ceremony uses two taper candles with a large pillar candle (called the "unity candle") in the center. At the beginning of the wedding ceremony, a representative from each family (usually the mothers of the bride and groom) light the two taper candles. Later in the ceremony (usually after the formal vows), the bride and groom use the two taper candles to light the large pillar (unity) candle together.
2) Butterfly Release – The release of two butterflies, or hundreds, it's up to you. You receive butterflies in a dormant state and you keep them chilled until right before the ceremony when you “wake them up.” They also mail them to you overnight delivery for the day of the wedding.
3) Unity Tree – planting a tree together that you will watch grow and blossom just as your love does for years to come
4) Sand Ceremonies -Two different colored sands (representing each individual) are combined in a container of choice and create an art piece that can be displayed and kept for years to come. Symbolising the union of the couple to never be broken or taken apart.
5) Unity Painting – You bring a blank canvas and you and your spouse paint it jointly during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the art piece becomes something that is hung on the wall in your house to become part of the rest of your life displayed for everyone to see.
Image from: www.kristenweaverblog.com
