Other ideas instead of unity candles

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"I know they have both put a tremendous amount of effort in to the planning of this wedding, and can only hope that, apart from this speech, everything has ..."

Lighting a unity candle during a wedding or commitment ceremony is a beautiful and visual way to symbolize two people beginning their life together. However, a candle is not always a practical option. The venue may not permit open flames, or a breezy outdoor wedding can make lighting a candle difficult or impossible. Some couples may deem a lighted candle too hazardous. Fortunately, there are several other ways to symbolize this unity that are just as visually appealing and easy to incorporate into a ceremony.

1. Flowers

   • Red roses symbolize love and unity.

     The mothers of the couple carry a bouquet of flowers and place them near the alter or on a table. The couple then takes one flower from each bouquet and places them into a bud vase. Some may choose to combine both bouquets into one larger bouquet. Any kind of flower is appropriate. Some couples use the same kind of flowers from the wedding arrangements, a flower that has special meaning to the couple or red roses which are widely recognized as a symbol of love.

   Wine

   • A wine unity ceremony can use either red or white wine.

     A wine ceremony involves members of the couple's family filling two separate wine glasses. The couple then pours the wine from these glasses into a third. The couple and family members all drink from this new combined wine. Using a red and white wine is a lovely visual combination, but the couple can choose only red or only white if that is their preference.

   Water

   • Combining water (either plain or tinted) is a variation of the wine ceremony.

     A variation of the wine ceremony is using a drop of food coloring to create two different colors of water to combine into a third. (Uncolored water can also be used.) This can be a good option if children are involved in the unity ceremony.

   Braided Cords

   • Also known as a God's knot or the cord of three strands ceremony, this practice involves three cords of different colors. The cords represent the marrying couple and God. The idea is that keeping your faith at the core of the marriage will make it stronger. During the ceremony, one person holds the end of the cords while the other braids, securing the ends with a small rubber band.

   Sand

   • Combine two colors of sand into a new container, which can be sealed or corked as a keepsake.

     The sand ceremony is similar to water and wine and is done by combining two colors of sand into a new container. However, colored sand has some advantages over a liquid -- there's no need to worry about accidental spills ruining clothing or floors. The container it's poured into can be corked or sealed and kept as a wedding keepsake. Some couples may also like the idea that while grains of sand combine and can't be separated, the colors are still distinct, signifying both their status as a couple and their individual identities.

     One variation on the colored sand is meaningful if the couple hails from different areas. Combining sand or soil from their respective hometowns is another way to symbolize their new life together, particularly if they plan to live in a different area from either hometown.

Source: www.ehow.com

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