Unity candles

[Kacie_bride]

Can anyone give me suggestions as to when in the ceremony the unity candles should be lit. And I am trying to remember from previous weddings I've attended exactly how it is done.

[cowboysbride]

Ours are being lit after the exchanging of the vows and the giving of the rings...before the prayer/statement of unity and presentation of husband and wife


Here's our Ceremony...this by no means is THE WAY to do it but a more "traditional version"...just thought it might help you!

Seating of Mothers
Attendants Processional
Brides Processional
Greeting
Prayer
Exchanging of vows and giving of rings
Unity candle lighting
Prayer
Presentation of Husband and Wife
Recessional

[cowboysbride]

P.S.

I'm keeping mine short and sweet because when really nervous I do one of two things...giggle uncontrollably or pass out...

[hummingbird521]

Ours are being lit after the exchanging of the vows and the giving of the rings...before the prayer/statement of unity and presentation of husband and wife


Here's our Ceremony...this by no means is THE WAY to do it but a more "traditional version"...just thought it might help you!

Seating of Mothers
Attendants Processional
Brides Processional
Greeting
Prayer
Exchanging of vows and giving of rings
Unity candle lighting
Prayer
Presentation of Husband and Wife
Recessional

This is how our's was done. the only difference is that our children also lit the two separate candles and done this at the start of the ceremony. then we lit the unity candle as above.

[WebLady]

... Here's our Ceremony...this by no means is THE WAY to do it but a more "traditional version"...just thought it might help you!

Seating of Mothers
Attendants Processional
Brides Processional
Greeting
Prayer
Exchanging of vows and giving of rings
Unity candle lighting
Prayer
Presentation of Husband and Wife
Recessional
This is pretty much the way I am use to seeing it done :)

[CindySue]

We did the sand ceremony instead of the unity candle and we did it after vows and rings (as previously posted).
Audrey helped me with my vows and ceremony, and everyone made the comment on how it was so nice and very touching even though it wasnt traditonal.

[cowboysbride]

We did the sand ceremony instead of the unity candle and we did it after vows and rings (as previously posted).
Audrey helped me with my vows and ceremony, and everyone made the comment on how it was so nice and very touching even though it wasnt traditonal.

Sand Ceremony? Sounds cool, do tell Cindy! I live a sheltered life lol!

If I had the patience I would do my own vows but right now I know that I may be able to handle the "repeat after me" and stumble out "I DO", other than that personalized vows would have me in hysterics...I think it's so cool that people can do that, my nerves wouldn't let me.

[CindySue]

Sand Ceremony? Sounds cool, do tell Cindy! I live a sheltered life lol!

If I had the patience I would do my own vows but right now I know that I may be able to handle the "repeat after me" and stumble out "I DO", other than that personalized vows would have me in hysterics...I think it's so cool that people can do that, my nerves wouldn't let me.

Instead of lighting candles we pour sand from smaller vases into a bigger one. I didnt know about it either until I started planning my wedding.
This will give you a little better info:
http://www.foreverinlove.net/sand_ceremony.html

As far as our vows go, we didnt write our own and memorize them - I wanted to but Brian said no, that hed have a hard enough time remembering the I Do part. :bbconfused:
This is the exactly vows we used:

Cynthia & Brian

Opening Commentary
Officiant: We are gathered today to celebrate one of the happiest moments in the lives of Brian and Cynthia, for on this day they will affirm before witnesses of earth and heaven that they believe God has purposed that they should share life in the holy bonds of marriage.
Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers; it is also an agreement between two friends. Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other's wishes as well as their dreams.

Declaration of Intent
Officiant: Brian, do you take Cynthia as your wife? Will you be faithful to her in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship? Do you promise not to forsake her or these vows you have made, but strive to show her your love everyday for the rest of your lives?

Brian: I do

Officiant: Cynthia, do you take Brian as your husband? Will you be faithful to him in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship? Do you promise not to forsake him or these vows you have made, but strive to show him your love everyday for the rest of your lives?

Cynthia: I do

Exchange of Vows
Officiant:Brian and Cynthia, please turn towards each other and join hands.

Officiant: Brian as you look into Cynthia’s eyes repeat after me

Officiant w/ Brian: I, Brian, take you Cynthia to be my wife to love and to cherish from this day forward.

OfficiantCynthia as you look into Brian’s eyes please repeat after me

Officiant w/ Cynthia: I, Cynthia, take you Brian to be my husband to love and to cherish from this day forward.

Ring Ceremony
Officiant: May I have the rings please?

Ring Blessing
Officiant: The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows Brian and Cynthia have made to one another.
Bless O God these rings, that Brian and Cynthia, who give them, and who wear them, may ever abide in thy peace. Living together in unity, love and happiness for the rest of their lives

Officiant: Brian please repeat after me as you place this ring on Cynthia’s finger
Officiant w/ Brian: Cynthia, With this ring I promise to love you totally, completely and unconditionally for the rest of my life.

Officiant:Cynthia please repeat after me as you place this ring on Brian’s finger

Officiant w/ Cynthia: Brian, With this ring I promise to love you totally, completely and unconditionally for the rest of my life.

Prayer
Officiant: Let us bow our heads and pray. Father, we thank you for this beautiful day and thank you for Brian and Cynthia. We thank you Lord you have brought them safely thus far on their journey. We pray that as you joined their hand and hearts together to become husband and wife that you will bless them. Pray that you will give them strength and courage as they face all the tasks and decisions that lie before them. We also pray Lord that you bless these rings that he and she wear and may they ever bide in your peace living together in unity, love, and happiness with good purpose to do your will. This we pray in your name. Amen.

Sand Ceremony
Officiant: Brian and Cynthia you have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. This covenant is a relationship pledge between two people who agree that they will commit themselves to one another throughout their lives. The most beautiful example of this partnership is the marriage relationship. You have committed here today to share the rest of your lives with each other. Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual containers of sand one, representing you, Cynthia, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, Brian, and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As these two containers of sand are combined, the individual vases of sand will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be a molding of two individual personalities, bonded together forming one heart, one love.

Couple pours sand in to one container

Benediction
Officiant: These lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other, the love for which all men and women long. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home that they establish be such a place of sanctuary that man will find there a friend. And may these two rings symbolize the spirit of undying love in the hearts of both of them.

Pronunciation and Introduction
Officiant: It is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride

Officiant: Friends and family, it is my great honor to introduce you to Brian and Cindy Rains

[WhiskeyGirl]

Cindy,

You ceremony was so beautiful! It made me cry!! I'm such a sap for weddings though...but that is still very beautiful. I love the sand ceremony, I think that is a great idea!! :) But I told you that before! lol....:wink:

[CindySue]

We were going to do a family sand ceremony and include all the kids with their own color of sand, but when Brians daughter couldnt come down for the wedding, we nixed that idea and just did it with the 2 of us.