Best ambiance award goes to...
Candles!
Candles have long been cherished for their romantic and enchanting qualities, making them an integral element of wedding table decor. These flickering flames evoke feelings of warmth, intimacy, and elegance, setting the stage for a magical celebration. Whether nestled in delicate holders, floating in glass vases, or arranged in intricate candelabras, candles add a touch of enchantment and sophistication to any wedding setting.
There are some best practices to think about when it comes to candles in your design plan. The following are unique ideas, recommended candle types and guidance to create a successful tablescape utilizing these amazing ambiance setters:
Favorite candle to use at any table setup
Candle types to steer clear from!
Best candle decor design layout tips
Setup & safety tips when considering your candle design
Let’s explore the beauty and versatility of candles and how they can enhance your wedding table decorations. Get ready to be inspired!
Favorite candle to use at any table setup
The soft, gentle glow of candles creates an atmosphere of intimacy and serenity, making them a popular choice for wedding table decorations. They have the unique ability to transform ordinary reception tables into enchanting havens that radiate beauty and romance. As the daylight fades and the evening unfolds, candles take center stage, casting a warm and inviting light that enhances the overall ambiance of the event.
The must have candle for any table setup is…..you guessed it……..…
Votive candles!
Votive candles are renowned for their soft, flickering glow that instantly sets a romantic mood. Placing votive candles on your wedding tables creates an intimate and cozy atmosphere, inviting your guests to relax and enjoy the celebration. Whether your wedding is held indoors or outdoors, votive candles add a touch of magic and elegance to the overall ambiance.
Exclusively utilizing them in your table decor can yield stunning results. With their ability to create lasting illumination, their cost-effectiveness, and the ease of setup and cleanup, votive candles offer an unbeatable combination of aesthetics and practicality.
Image Credit: burghbrides.com
Even if you're looking to just enhance your daily life or create unforgettable wedding tablescapes, incorporating votive candles is a choice you won't regret. Rentals for votives mainly come in standard speckled gold, silver or straight clear glass and they can end up costing you more than if you were to purchase the standard ones yourself. However, why settle for the ordinary when you can venture into the realm of more distinctive and exquisite alternatives?
Check out these stunning votives:
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These are so moody and give a little more height. The deeper color is stunning and yet still blends in beautifully with a natural rustic palette. They would be perfect mixing with a few smaller votives!
The texture on these glass votives help the light dance a little more diversely out of the holder compared to regular glass ones. The beaded texture is very unique!
A little more of a classic and timeless look with this gold votive candle holder. It provides a little height and a quilted texture.
These votives have a different silhouette, with a shorter structure. The light reflected out looks like sun rays around the glass, giving it such a vibrant element!
Must Have Tea Lights:
“If you’re going to do it, do it right” - get these! The clear sides look cleaner through the votive glass. They will insure the illumination lasts throughout the night, whereas the Regular tea lights can start dying out earlier in the evening.
For a flameless option, these give some beautiful height, with a realistic flickering flame. Not every venue allows real flames, so these are a perfect option to still achieve the same look!
Honorable mention:
Pillar Candles w/ Clear glass cylinders
Another favorite candle type! They provide varying height interest to your table decor, are pretty sturdy, last a long time, and are usually enclosed in a glass cylinder for safety.
The simple classic clear glass look is timeless to pop into any decor setup.
Setup Tip: add a thin layer of water to the bottom of the glass cylinder before placing the candle inside. Much easier to remove at the end of the night after the wax has melted!
Take a look at a few unique ways to switch up the traditional classic ivory pillar look:
Candles to think twice about!
Now on to a few trickier candles to maybe steer clear from. An open flame is quite a dangerous element to have in a room full of busy intoxicated individuals. I’ve seen singed sleeves, burn holes in tablecloths, and feathery pampas grass light up like a sparkler! This next one is a notorious fire hazard:
Taper Candles
These can have such a stunning appearance in dreamy Pinterest tablescapes, but are some of the most troublesome & dangerous candles. They melt quickly, as in you may have 2-3 hours worth of lit time. Even the listed burn time can be sped up by any amount of breeze/wind/AC that is blowing in their vicinity.
They also drip EVERYWHERE! Even if you utilize drip plates/dripless candles, they can still spread wax all over the table or tablecloth underneath. The tall height of the slender candle look wont last long and it’ll turn into a dripping gothic mess instead.
Floating candles allow for some added height in your decor, along with a different element of water being part of the look. However, they do pose some challenges.
The burn time is inconsistent and typically burn out quicker than noted. The setup and teardown is more work, with needing to add water to each of the cylinders. Lastly, if the wick of these candles get wet (which happens quite often), they will not light. Get extended burn and have backups, if you do choose to add these to your decor.
Best candle decor design layout tips
Consider these few design tips when planning your design and it will help you figure out how many candles you’ll need! Typically the usual table types are either round or long tables. When in doubt, stick to the rule of odd # groupings and think about your designs in pyramid shapes.
Round Tables: Begin by selecting a central focal point, perhaps a larger centerpiece candle or an intricately designed candelabra. Surround this centerpiece with smaller votive candles or tea lights evenly spaced around the table's circumference. Ensure the candle heights vary slightly to create visual interest, with the tallest candles towards the center and gradually shorter ones towards the table's edge.
Consider incorporating natural elements like flowers or greenery for an added touch of elegance. Around 3-5 taller candles (varying sizes if applicable) will work for the center. For votives, 5-7 will provide a nice ambient lighting display.
Image Credit: Tim Tab Studios
Long Tables: Opt for a symmetrical layout by placing a series of centerpiece candles or candelabras evenly along the table's length. These central elements can be interspersed with smaller votive candles or tea lights to maintain a balanced aesthetic. Vary the heights of the candles to create dimension and depth, with the tallest in the middle and gradually decreasing in height towards the table's ends.
Similarly, consider weaving garlands of greenery or floral arrangements between the candles to add a touch of natural beauty. Apply the rule of odd #’s here as well, using 5-7 for your taller candles and at least 7 votives.
Image Credit: Southall Meadows
Don’t forget any candles you may need for other tables in your space. Consider any memorial tables, guest book/gift table, entry tables, snacks/bar, etc. Votives are great to have extra of to fill in where you may have forgot!
Setup & Safety tips when considering your candle design
Prep your wicks when setting up your decor! Bend them facing upright and trim as needed, this will help when lighting and prevent high flames.
Always prioritize safety by using secure, non-flammable candle holders. If you can, contain any live flames within glass. It will help elongate the candle burn times and will better prevent accidental fires.
If you’re planning a design without it being contained, try to have some sort of barrier underneath the candles to contain any dripping wax. Glass plates, trays, wood rings, etc. are all ideas. Table runners are not enough of a barrier alone to protect the table/linens.
Make sure any live candles are a safe distance from flammable decor/florals. Consider any potential wind blowing nearby decor into a candle flame as well.
Consider using flameless battery candles instead of live flames. These are great options for venues that don’t allow you to light real candles. They can be a little more of an investment.
Prioritizing candle safety in your decor setup from the beginning will ensure not only an enchanting ambiance, but also a secure and stress-free celebration. You should be able to enjoy the romantic atmosphere that candles create while focusing on the joyous moments of your special day, free from the worry of potential hazards.
Candlelight ambiance is a versatile and indispensable element of wedding table decor, offering a myriad of options to suit any couple's unique style and vision. Whether it's a rustic outdoor gathering, a glamorous ballroom soirée, or an intimate garden affair, candles can be tailored to perfectly complement the chosen setting. With such a wide range of possibilities, couples have the opportunity to craft a truly magical and personalized wedding experience, where the flickering glow of candles sets the stage for unforgettable moments.
