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Lighting of the Unity Candle
The true meaning of a marriage; the joining of two separate lives into one; can best be show by the lighting of the Unity Candle. The bride and groom each take their own candle and light it from the flame of of one of the candles on the altar (symbolizing the gift of their life from God). They then together walk to the Unity Candle and in unison both raise their individual flames to light the single Unity Candle, symbolizing the joining of their two lives. Each then extinguishes their individual flame, symbolizing the end of their lives and two separate people.
Most often this is done without any introduction by or narration from the minister. A soloist may sing a special song or the organist may play a special hymn selection.
You may choose to have the minister explain the ceremony by saying:
"The two outside candles have been lighted to represent both your lives in this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their separate ways. As you join now in marriage, there is a merging of these two lights into one light. This is what the Lord meant when He said, "On this account a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh." From now on your thoughts shall be for each other rather than your individual selves. Your plans shall be mutual, your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As you each take a candle and together light the center one, you will extinguish your own candles, thus letting the center candle represent the union of your lives into one flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided but a united testimony in a Christian home. May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your unity in the Lord Jesus Christ."
There are also different alternatives to the Unity Candle ceremony such as Handfasting or the Rose ceremony but these are most commonly used in ceremonies held outside the confines of the Church.