Building a ceremony can be a lot of work and it’s overwhelming to know exactly what to include. With ceremonies held outside of a religious establishment, you have even more freedom with the order of events and exactly what should be said and done, and by whom. Yes you’ll walk down the aisle, and yes you’ll exchange vows, but beyond that, you have some time to fill with other ceremonial elements. Readings and personal statements of intent are a great option as is the lighting of a unity candle or the pouring of sand.
Unity candles can be incorporated into the ceremony in a number of ways. You may wish to have a parent from each side light a taper candle that you then use to light the center candle. You can also choose to have them already lit, and keep the ceremony between the two of you. Keep in mind that unity candles aren’t the best idea for outdoor ceremonies, with the potential for the wind to ruin the ceremony. If you’re getting married on the beach or another outdoor venue, sand is the safer choice. Each individual can contribute a small amount of sand to a central vase or frame, symbolizing their union as one.
Both candle sets and sand sets are often displayed in the home for years to come, serving as a reminder of your union and commitment. Also keep in mind that your ceremony set will be a prominent portion of your ceremony and will likely be in many (if not all) of your ceremony photos so it should be aesthetically pleasing.
We’ve found five great unity candle sets and five beautiful sand ceremony sets that would make a stunning addition to any wedding ceremony. You can shop our picks below but if none of these are quite your style, you can find alternative options here.
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Unity Candle Sets
1. Ivory Pearl Pillar & Taper Candle Set
(Lillian Rose)
This beautiful and classic unity candle set is the perfect option for any ceremony. The soft ivory candles have a pearlescent finish to them and are only enhanced by the gorgeous gold script that reads “And The Two Shall Become One”. While the white resin candle holders are not included, you can purchase them here for under $40. If this set isn’t your style, you can shop alternative pillar candles holders here.
Price: $39.90 (9 percent off MSRP)
Buy this unity candle set here.
2. Glittering Beads Unity Candle Stands
(Hortense B. Hewitt)
Both neutral and elegant, this unity candle set has just the right amount of sparkle for any wedding. They’re also such a stunning piece of decor that you can display prominently in your home for years to come, serving as a reminder of your big day. They also look quite a bit more expensive than the reasonable price tag of only $40, which is another plus. While the candles are not included, you can purchase a simple and attractive set here. If you want to personalize your ceremony, consider these custom unity candles instead.
Price: $39.99 (22 percent off MSRP)
Buy this unity candle set here.
3. Personalized Rustic Wedding Unity Candle Set
(CLS Wedding)
Custom pillar candles are a great way to add some personalization to your wedding ceremony and often small details like this are the ones that get noticed most. This is another set that you’ll be able to display somewhere in your home as a piece of decor. Great for a rustic wedding, both the pillar candle and taper candles are wrapped with natural burlap twine and accented with personalized wood tags. The two taper candles are marked with your initial while the pillar candle has your united last name, symbolizing your union. If you’re a fan of this rustic look, you can browse a ton of beautiful rustic and chic unity candle designs here.
Price: $16.99
Buy this unity candle set here.
4. Floating Unity Candle
(Designs by Etch Art)
If you’re looking for a more unique spin on the traditional unity candle, consider a floating candle for your ceremony. This central unity candle includes a gorgeous glass cylinder style vase that measures nine inches tall, plus a white floating candle with a burn time of 4 hours. The etching is complimentary and includes an initial, names, and the date of your wedding. You can browse additional font options and choose your favorite. If you’re looking for a set and a holder that also includes the two side candles, this personalized option is one of our favorites.
Price: $22.95
Buy this unity candle set here.
5. Vintage Swarovski Crystal Wedding Unity Candles
(Chandler’s Personalized Candles)
This unity candle set is so very special. Made with Swarovski crystals, this set includes one 3×9 unity candle and two 12 inch tapers all finished with a creamy white beeswax for a polished look. Each set can be personalized with the last name initial, the bride and groom’s first names, the last name, and the wedding date. Matching tapers include the bride and groom’s first name initials. Delivery turnaround time is quick and can be at your doorstep within a week. This online shop features a ton of beautiful and personalized unity candles as well as memorial candles. You can shop the entire collection here.
Price: $66
Buy this unity candle set here.
Sand Ceremony Sets
1. Always Design Sand Ceremony Shadow Box
(Cathy’s Concepts)
Functioning as both a symbolic union during the ceremony and later as a piece of home decor, this frame is a beautiful piece. The set contains the frame, which reads “I loved you yesterday, I love you still, I always have, And always will”, as well as the two smaller vases for the sand. The shadow box measures 8″ x 6″ x 3″ and can hold up to 80 oz of sand, while the vases are about 7″ tall each and hold 6 oz of sand. You can purchase sand in pretty much any color under the sun, or if you’re willing to get a bit creative, you can collect some from your favorite beaches and use that instead.
Price: $65.57
Buy this sand ceremony set here.
2. Together Forever Unity Sand With Tag
(Lillian Rose)
This set has everything you need for a beautiful sand ceremony at your wedding. It’s designed with heavy, thick glass and beautifu sand. If you’re someone who likes simple and basic decor, this set delivers. It includes one 10″ tall glass vase with a hanging charm, and two 6.75″ glass vases as well as a container of tan and white sand. The wide mouths on this set make it easy to pour without having to worry about spilling sand during your ceremony.
Price: $57.90
Buy this sand ceremony set here.
3. Live & Love Sand Wedding Ceremony Set
(Hortense B. Hewitt)
With three individual cylinders instead of merely two, this set includes a vase meant to be filled with a third color sand that represents the couples union. This unique twist on the traditional sand ceremony is even more symbolic. The other two cylinders can each be filled with a different colored sand to represent the individuals. During the ceremony, each color is poured into the tall cylinder one by one to represent your marriage. The large cylinder is 10 inches tall while the three small cylinders are each 7.5 inches tall. If you like modern decor, check out this similar set with decanter shaped glassware instead of traditional vases.
Price: $39.99 (12 percent off MSRP)
Buy this sand ceremony set here.
4. Mason Jar Sand Ceremony Set
(David’s Bridal)
Mason jar decor can sometimes take away from the elegance of a look but that’s certainly not the case with this mason jar sand ceremony set. Two of the mason jars are personalized with the first name of the couple while the last mason jar has their united last name and wedding date. The beveled lids with the daisy cutouts are a fun and unique touch. The large jar measures 6.3″ H x with a 3.38″ diameter, while the two side jars measure 6″ H with a 3″ diameter. They hold quite a bit of sand so make sure to purchase your volumes accordingly. You can shop alternative mason jar unity sets here.
Price: $35
Buy this sand ceremony set here.
5. Heart Shaped Unity Sand Ceremony Set
(Weddingstar Inc.)
While a simple vase is nice, if you’re looking for something a bit more sentimental and with a unique design, this heart shaped unity sand set is a great option. It’s arguably the most recognizeable symbol of love. The larger vase that sits on the stand is shaped like a heart and measures just about 10 inches and has a metal stand that gives it an additional 4 inches of height. The smaller vases have heart shaped mouths for a coordinating design, each measuring 8.5 inches. If you’re a fan of the heart design but prefer a candle over sand, you can shop several gorgeous heart inspired unity candle sets here.
If you still haven’t found the perfect set for your ceremony you can shop alternative unity candles and sand ceremony sets with tons of options to choose from.
Price: $59.68 (15 percent off MSRP)
Buy this sand ceremony set here.