What is the unity candle order?

Question

I know the Unity Candle is about the symbol of 2 families becoming one - but who does what and when?

1- mothers from each side light the candle (the little ones)

2- the mothers give the candles to the kids (bride and groom)

3- bride and groom light the larger candle

4- bride and groom blow out (optional) the little candles

is that it?

Answer 1

That's correct.

I seen it mostly where the groom's mother enters the ceremony first and lights the taper candle on the right and then the bride's mother enters and lights the taper on the left.  I also seen it where after both mother's enter the ceremony, they proceed to the unity candle at the same time and light their candles.

Answer 2

You are right except our mothers put the candle sticks back and we used them to light the large one later on in the ceremony and no we never blew them out.

~MLF~

Answer 3

In my ceremony, my mother walked down the isle and stood of to the side.  Then my husband's mom entered, and together they went to the alter and lit the smaller candles, and sat down.  Later in the ceremony, while a song was being sung, my husband and I each picked up the candles our respective mothers lit, and together lit the unity candle.  We blew out our individual candles, and stood in front of the unity candle, facing each other and joined hand-in-hand until the song was finished.  It was really beautiful and emontional.  If you are thinking of having a unity candle, I really recommend it!