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Overview
There are many unity candle ceremonies. They involve the bride, groom, and sometimes other family members using candles to light one, often large, candle. The rose ceremony and sand ceremony are similar to the unity candle ceremony and be either be performed alone or with the unity candle ceremony.
History
Wikipedia guesses that unity candles were made popular by Luke & Laura's wedding on General Hospital. Perhaps this is true since it was a highly watched show. One thing is certain: unity candles are not found in the liturgical traditions of any Christian church, including Catholic.
It's actually a popularized form of a few ancient candleburning rituals. Candle burning happens EVERWHERE- in all major religions and cultures. Candles are used symbolically and to aid in meditation. Even after reading the history behind it, I want to stress that this is a wonderful ritual and shouldn't be looked down upon just because some of the modern day rituals contain non-Christian-originated elements.
In ancient Greece, bridal torches were carried by the bride's family and the groom's family. They were then combined inside the temple where the bride and the groom were to be married. In traditional handfastings, there are 2 candles already burning- one to represent the Goddess (or the female persona of God) and one of God (male persona). The bride and groom then take these candles and light a larger candle, which symbolizes the joining of the two forces. In early Norse Christianity, candles were held by the bride and by the groom and used to light the altar candle. In central Africa (Congo, Rwanda, etc.), some tribes would use similar rituals where a bride was led to the center of the village with torches. The bride's father would hand his torch to the groom and with it he would light a bonfire.
 2 candles to light a unity candle. Decorating the unity candle is symbolic as well. In candleburning, a candle is decorated in such a way as to help focus one's energy and provide reverance to God/Goddess. In ancient times, the mothers of the bride and the groom would make the candles they would hold and the bride and/or the groom would make the unity candle. Many times the candle was inscripted with runes or prayers, or other religious symbolism depending on the faith of the ceremony.
The modern unity candle ceremony was adopted over time, most likely due to immigrants bringing cultural traditions, the increasing communication amongst society, and the growing acceptance of non-mainstream religions & traditions. The modern ceremony used within Christian churches, however, has only been popular within the last 20-30 years.
Modern Ceremonies
A modern-day unity candle ceremony is comprised of the following: the declaration of symbolism, the bringing of the two candles, and the lighting of the one candle.
Many couples choose to involve other members of the family into a candle-lighting ceremony. Typically, this involves two people lighting candles on matching stepped candelabras on either side of the altar where the Unity Candle sits, at the beginning of the ceremony. During their vows - or another appropriate moment of the cermony - the couple uses either the top or bottom candle on the stepped candelabras to light the Unity Candle at the same time.
 The bride and groom each take a candle to light the unity candle in the middle. Some ceremonies written by Mary Jane N. Shroyer: MJS Unity Ceremonies
Obtaining a Unity Candle
There are three main ways of obtaining a unity candle: buy it from a store, commission a candlemaker, or make one yourself.
Buying a Unity Candle
Nearly every bridal or wedding store sells various types of wedding candles. In addition, many candlemakers sell them as well. Some specialty shops can engrave unity candles and/or place the couple's name on the candle.
Some unity candles come in sets- one large candle to be lighted by two smaller candles. However, some couples opt for an ornate unity candle but plain candles for the rest of the ceremony. These candles can be bought at nearly any general store.
 This set has a center candleholder where a large unity candle would be placed. Commission a Candlemaker
Some couples, especially those who have specific themes or larger budgets, opt to commission a candlemaker. A candlemaker can custom make the unity candle itself or that and all of the associated candles. Generally the price of the candle depends on the amount of ornamentation, the time allotted for the candlemaker to make the candle, the size of the candle, and the type of candle. Candles can be commissioned by local candlemakers or via the internet.
Make a Unity Candle Yourself
Making a unity candle yourself is fairly easy. First, obtain a candle you want to use as a base. Some couples opt for plain pillar candles while others opt for glass-enclosed pillars. Some other candles opt for specially sized candles such as globes, squares, hearts, etc. It's always best to get TWO bases just in case you break one or it doesn't turn out the way you'd like.
Once you've obtained the base, you need to make sketches of how you want to decorate your candle. Pearl strings, crystal appliques, and ribbon are popular decorations. Some couples also choose to have verses, quotations, or short poems printed on heavy cardstock and also put on the candle. After you've obtained those items, use a very thin (and light!) pencil mark to remind you where everything should be places. Practice with the item placement at least once before you mark it.
Once things are marked, it's time to put it all together! Permanent, strong-bond glue (such as Krazy Glue) works very well.
External Links & Sources
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