Make candles
BRIDES MAGAZINE JANUARY 2020
AN ILLUMINATING PART
OF THE CEREMONY
T
he warm, undulating light cast off by a
candle adds an unmatched ambiance
to a space. Multiply that candle by many
and it can create a truly awe-inspiring
atmosphere.
Candlelight is a must at any evening
wedding and can be a key to a successful
party as guests tend to loosen their
inhibitions in a dimly lit room. While
candlelight can add a warming glow to
post-wedding festivities, it can play a
significant role during the ceremony
itself.
Flickering flames within a dimly
lit chapel or alternative ceremony site
can establish an intimate setting in
which a couple exchanges vows. Candles
can even become a focal point of the
20
ceremony. For example, some couples
may opt to light a unity candle during
their ceremonies. The unity candle
symbolizes the joining of the families
and merging of two individuals into one
blended family. Representatives from
both families, typically the parents of the
couple, come up and light a candle for
each side of the family. Then the bride
and groom will light a center candle from
these two candles. The center candle
then represents the unity of the new
family and their commitment to each
other.
Apart from the unity candle, there
may be other ways candles play a role in
the ceremony. They can be religious and
secular. Candles can symbolize different
things, including:
• casting away darkness and showing
how love can brighten life,
• candles can provide direction and
draw couples together,
• a candle can represent the love that
lights up the couple’s world, and
• the warmth of a relationship
mirrored in the warmth of the candle.
Apart from symbolism and
ambiance, there is an added benefit to
including candles in a wedding cer-
emony. Brides magazine says that the
amber light given off can make for
beautiful photos as well. Speak with a
photographer about the best ways to
arrange candles to fully take advantage
of their photographic potential.