Unity candle with whole family

I’m doing the unity candle but only our moms will be involved. They will light the candle for us and we light the single one together.
I saw somewhere where guest had a small candle and they passed the flame and the guest lit a candle as well. Maybe your moms can light it first and then a sibilling can have their own and she can light theirs and then pass it to you. And then your sibling can keep the flame going to the rest of the family.

This just seems...crowded.

I don't love the unity candle/ sand etc ceremonies. They seem redundant to me. One thing I have seen that I though was pretty sweet was when the couple passed their rings around to the all of the family and friends that were seated and witnessing the ceremony. The officiant said something about everyone touching the rings/ putting their energy into the rings for the couple. It really was a lovely sentiment. Maybe something like that so there aren't a dozen people standing at the altar?

I think this is sweet and doesn't have to be crowded - personally I wouldn't have everyone come up to the alter to avoid awkward placement, but up to you.

We are going to have each of our moms light the side candles - maybe you could give them all those small candles with the paper holders like Christmas Eve candlelight services at church usually do - I'm just spitballing here but maybe have everyone sit in one row on either side, then during a special song, your dads could light theirs off of a big candle at the alter, then go sit down and light everyone else's through a chain, then towards the end of the song have the moms come up and light the small side candles, and end it with you both lighting the big one together?

I'd find that odd, tbh. The "unity" piece is really just referring to you and your FS being united in marriage, not your respective families.

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I find it a bit crowded too. I love my sibs but to be joined with their SO's sibs and parents? No thanks.

We did a reverse unity candle lighting where after we lit the unity candle we started the chain of having our guests' candles lit. We bought the candles that are used for Christmas Eve services recommended to us by the church. It was very beautiful. We also had a ring blessing where our rings were passed around and blessed/prayed over by our guests.

We attended a wedding where they did this with a sand ceremony. Multiple members of the family came up, one at a time. I’m sure it was important to the couple but it was very time consuming during an already lengthy ceremony.

View Quoted Comment Wow, beautiful pictures. Thanks for the suggestion!

I have seen family members exchange medallions -- necklaces or rings which match, bringing family members together. It was really nice (see below). I think if you want to do a candle set up - that would be nice as well. I would have several glass or brass candlesticks and one larger candle that would be passed onto each family member, who then lights one of the candlesticks. It can get tricky, so you will need a wide table so as to spread the candlesticks and everyone have easy access to it and be able to pass the larger lit candle to each other - have everyone in a row. Should make for nice photos. If doing an outdoor wedding, keep in mind that they may not remained lit.

Alternatively, you could do a sand ceremony - one vial of sand for each member of the family to be placed in a bigger glass container or vase that you can have as a keep sake. You can also do the candlelight ceremony with just you and your husband as well. Both are touching and have great meaning.

Sand ceremony family

Sand set

Family Medallion

Family Medallion