marriage candles en

Candles used during a marriage ritual and/or in commemoration of a marriage, in the later case often with the date and names of the couple inscribed. The ritualistic use of candles during a marriage has roots in the ancient "taeda," essential in ancient Greek and Roman marriage ceremonies. In more modern western usage, several traditions exist: Included are carrying the candle in the bridal procession to the church; the solemn presentation of the candle to the bride by the bridegroom; the lighting of the candle in the home of the newly married couple; or in the liturgy, the couple may each have separate candles, which they extinguish to allow the single marriage candle to remain; or the couple may each contribute to lighting the marriage candle.