Blowing in the Wind.

Outdoor wedding?  Be sure to get hurricane lamps to put over your candles if you're going to do a traditional unity candle lighting ceremony.  Odds are excellent that you will otherwise end up very frustrated and embarrassed trying to light your candles and keep them lit, in even the slightest breeze.  The hurricane lanterns will help protect the candles from the wind, but you still need to be quick and nimble in lighting the candles and getting the lids off and on.

Consider alternatives to the traditional unity candle:

- two colors of sand, combined into one clear glass bowl

- a small sip of wine from a new, family goblet

- an exchange of bouquets of flowers