Fairytale Wedding

Whether you have chosen a specific theme for your wedding or not, if you have chosen to have a unity candle ceremony then you have  the opportunity to include a unique, customized and memorable part of your overall wedding event.

A plain pillar unity candle, personalized, customized with your program or invitation, a round or square shaped candle, there are many options.  However today, I am focusing on the candle holders.  Two of my very favorite unique candle holders (can be used for the unity candleceremony or as decorations) are the fairy tale carriage stand by Lillian Rose and the fairy tale expressions horse and carriage candle holders by Hortense B. Hewitt.  Both holders are not only uniquely crafted and elegant, but also of good quality for the price.

If you’ve read the decorating tips on my blogs then you already know what a big fan of gossamer I am!  Or perhaps you’ve used it yourself  to decorate a special event.  There’s a reason gossamer is so popular at proms and weddings – A little gossamer can go a long way in hiding imperfections.  It can turn a drab town hall meeting room into a grand ball party room. If it can turn a high school gymnasium into an elegant night to never forget – imagine what it could do for your big day!  From the church to the banquet hall as pew bows, in floral arrangements, cover tables and chairs, create swags and curtains, not to mention brilliant cake table decor!  Braid gossamer to create walkways and beautiful blockades.

No matter the style of your wedding or unity candle, use gossamer to decorate the unity ceremony alter.  Let it flow to the floor to soften the atmosphere.  You can also arrange the gossamer on the floor around the alter.  A word of caution however, do not use gossamer on or too close to your unity candle and be sure to lay the gossamer that it won’t affect the walkway.  I really love the many colors, patterns, themes and widths available with gossamer.  Turn old, brown church furniture into the look of elegant wedding bliss using white, ivory or shimmery gossamer with accents in your wedding colors.  For a simple look, use thin width gossamer as a table runner, then add floral arrangements, flower petals or place a mirror under the pillar candle for a more dramatic effect.  Make a bold statement by simply using patterned gossamer on top of a solid color.    Drape gossamer from the ceiling and allow it to flow to the ground. Wrap it around columns for a very dramatic ceremony background or church entrance.

Without certain timeless traditions, a wedding just wouldn’t be a wedding. Could you imagine a ceremony that didn’t feature the bride throwing a bouquet for the bridesmaids to catch? What about a rice-free post-nuptial walk? These cultural conventions help to identify a single marriage with the wealth of other ceremonies that have come before in our society.

The lighting of unity candles is a relatively new tradition, but it’s become just as special. These candles are typically lit by parents of the bride and groom, with the spark symbolizing their bringing new life into the world. Most ceremonies employ three candles – one each for the bride and groom and a third representing their new entity as married couple.

Like the many other aspects of planning your wedding, there are numerous options available and choices must be made.  First you decide whether or not to have a unity ceremony.  Then you must decide what type to have.  If you choose to include a unity candle ceremony then you will need to find, purchase or make your pillar and taper candles according to your ceremony needs and/or likes.  Choosing the perfect one to include in your ceremony from the many types of unity candles available may be the most difficult part.

The choices can be narrowed down rather quickly, however by answering the following questions.  Do you want a white or ivory unity candle set? (Tip: Your wedding will look more unified if you choose the color that matches your other wedding accessories.)  Are you okay with burning a wax unity candle or would you prefer an oil burning pillar candle that will last much longer?  Will just the couple be participating in the ceremony or will mothers, fathers, grandparents and/or children?  Would you like to personalize your unity candle and keep it to burn on anniversaries to come?  Do you want it to match the colors or theme of your wedding?  How about having the candle customized with your wedding invitation, program or favorite quote or scripture?  Once these questions are answered, begin browsing for visual ideas.  Decide if you would like to include candle holders as well as purchasing a display dome for safe-keeping after your wedding day.