Unity Candle

One of the traditions most repeated in weddings is that of the Unity Candle. The unity candle ceremony represents the union of the two families. The bride and groom light the individual tapers and bring the two flames together to light the larger column. This is similar to the South African Kung ceremony in which fire from the hearths of the homes of both families is used to start a fire in the newlyweds’ home. If you are crafty you might consider adding to the intimacy of this tradition by creating your own with your own personal touch. This candle is personalized with the addition of the wedding invitation and sheer wired ribbons.

MATERIALS:
1 yd (1m) of 1/2-inch-wide (1.5cm) woven braid in white
1 1/2 yds (1.5m) of 1 1/4- inch-wide (3cm) sheer merrow-edge wire ribbon in white
1 yd (1m) of 1 1/4-inch-wide (3cm) sheer merrow-edge wire ribbon in ivory
1 1/2 yds (1.5m) of 1 1/2-inch-wide (4cm) sheer ribbon in white
3 (1pkg) premade ribbon lilies in white
1 large faceted crystal, 3/4-inch (2cm) diameter, with hanger2 sets of 3 crystals to string together
1 long and 2 short per set1 white 3-by-10 inch (7.5-by-25cm) pillar candle
2 white 12-inch (30.5cm) tapers
Wedding invitation
White ball-head pins
Hot glue
Glue release pad
Double-stick tape
Fine craft wire

DIRECTIONS:
With a pencil, trace an oval shape around the text of the wedding invitation. Do not cut. Working over a glue release pad, place a small amount of glue on the raw end of the woven braid. Let end dry completely, then make a clean cut. Starting with this end, glue the braid to the invitation, placing it over the pencil line. When braid ends meet, repeat same procedure to close braid oval. Let dry. Carefully cut the excess paper away from the braided oval.Affix the invitation to the pillar candle with double-stick tape. Push the white ball-head pins through the braid into the candle, spacing them evenly around the oval.Cut an 18-inch (50cm) length of the 1 1/4-inch (3cm) sheer white ribbon. Following the instructions below, make a four-loop bow from this length. Cut a 12-inch (30.5cm) length of the 1 1/4-inch (3cm) sheer ivory ribbon and make a slightly smaller two-loop bow from this length. Wire the ivory bow to the top of the white bow, attaching the large faceted crystal in place while wiring. Glue one of the ribbon lilies in the center of the bow. Pin the bow in place at the bottom of the invitation. Hide the pins behind the bow loops.Cut the 1 1/2-inch (4cm) sheer white ribbon in half. Following the instructions below, make a two-loop bow with 6-inch (15cm) tails from each length. Set aside. With the remaining 1 1/4-inch (3cm) ivory sheer ribbon, make two additional bows as in step 3. Wire one to the center of each sheer white bow. Wire a set of crystals hanging down at the center of each bow, placing longer crystal in middle. Glue a ribbon lily to the center of each bow. Wire bows to bottom of taper stems or to candlestick bases.
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