The Unity Candle lighting ceremony is symbolically a ritual that signifies the union of two people and their families in a Christian wedding ceremony in Toronto. Some couples opt to light the unity candle while a song is being sung while others prefer it when the minister is giving a candle lighting narrative. When performing the Unity Candle ceremony in Toronto, there are no standard criteria or a specific place to perform the ceremony. The performance normally occurs after the rings have been exchanged and before the couple is pronounced as man and wife. This ceremony can be customized and the personal details are at the couple's discretion.As a couple plans for the ceremony, they start by setting up the unity candle area. It is advisable to light the wicks then extinguish them since pre-burned wicks light easily in comparison to new ones. It is however optional who gets to light the tapers. For example, both the groom and brides' mothers can each light one candle. Before the ceremony, the groom lights a taper and the bride lights hers when she is escorted in. In a case where the couple brings children into the new marriage, it is optional for the children to light the tapers. The couple lights the large center candle. Couples may choose to leave their tapers on or blow them out. Some couples feel that extinguishing the candles displays their commitment to one another. Others feel that when they leave the candles lit, they retain and realize their individuality that exists in their marriage.