Candle Lighting

Candles carry deep symbolic weight in Judaism, representing the divine light, the warmth of the home, and the human soul. At a Jewish wedding, candles are used in various ways — from the processional to the Chuppah ceremony — to invoke God's presence and bless the union with light and holiness.

In many communities, the mothers of the bride and groom light candles as the processional begins. These candles symbolize the light and love that each mother has nurtured in her child's life. The flames represent the warmth of the homes in which the bride and groom were raised and the hope that this warmth will carry into their new home together.

Some traditions include candles carried by those escorting the couple down the aisle. The light illuminates the path to the Chuppah, both literally and metaphorically. In Ashkenazi tradition, the parents may carry lit candles as they walk alongside the bride and groom, creating a luminous and solemn atmosphere.

If the wedding takes place on a Saturday night (Motzei Shabbat), the Havdalah ceremony — which includes a braided candle — may be incorporated into the wedding festivities, beautifully merging the conclusion of Shabbat with the beginning of the couple's married life. Similarly, weddings during the Chanukah season may include menorah lighting as a meaningful addition.

Many couples choose to light a memorial candle (ner neshama) in honor of deceased family members who cannot be present at the wedding. This quiet, poignant act acknowledges the absent loved ones and includes their memory in the celebration. The memorial candle is often placed near the Chuppah or at a dedicated remembrance table.