Unity Candles & The Great Outdoors
June 16, 2009
Unity Candles are so popular with couples and with the parents. People get them as gifts, and then start to think of how this will work with an outdoor ceremony.
In general the answer is not well. However wind, weather, and other conditions are all subject to change! And sometimes it is as flawless as if we were inside.
There is no one right answer on what to do. We can offer the Sand Ceremony or the Wine Ceremony, or the Hand Ceremony as an alternative. But for those who love the idea of a Unity Candle this seems lackluster.
Hurricane Glass to protect the flame? In my experience it works, but is a little awkward, just make sure the glass is taller than the candle.
I once had a 'Tim the Toolman Taylor' type groom who drilled out the center of the candle and replaced it with a relighting birthday candle.
Including the mothers outdoors makes it more difficult because the flame now has to be lit by one person, passed to the couple and then joined.
So what's my favorite solution?
For outdoor ceremonies I always place the candle after the vows and just before the pronouncement. I also have fabulous long silver zippo lighters that produce a healthy flame.
The decision to light or not to light is made based on if the wind is blowing after the vows. If the couple knows they will be standing there with a candle that just won't light or stay lit we go to plan 'B'
What is plan 'B'?
Plan 'B' is placing the Unity Candle on the couples table at the reception. It is lit before they spin off into their first dance and it is enjoyed through out the rest of the event.
As usual I have no definitive answers, just some things to think about!
Happy Planning!
In general the answer is not well. However wind, weather, and other conditions are all subject to change! And sometimes it is as flawless as if we were inside.
There is no one right answer on what to do. We can offer the Sand Ceremony or the Wine Ceremony, or the Hand Ceremony as an alternative. But for those who love the idea of a Unity Candle this seems lackluster.
Hurricane Glass to protect the flame? In my experience it works, but is a little awkward, just make sure the glass is taller than the candle.
I once had a 'Tim the Toolman Taylor' type groom who drilled out the center of the candle and replaced it with a relighting birthday candle.
Including the mothers outdoors makes it more difficult because the flame now has to be lit by one person, passed to the couple and then joined.
So what's my favorite solution?
For outdoor ceremonies I always place the candle after the vows and just before the pronouncement. I also have fabulous long silver zippo lighters that produce a healthy flame.
The decision to light or not to light is made based on if the wind is blowing after the vows. If the couple knows they will be standing there with a candle that just won't light or stay lit we go to plan 'B'
What is plan 'B'?
Plan 'B' is placing the Unity Candle on the couples table at the reception. It is lit before they spin off into their first dance and it is enjoyed through out the rest of the event.
As usual I have no definitive answers, just some things to think about!
Happy Planning!
