Candles Enhance Wedding Table Decorations and the Bridal Ceremony

Plain or fancy candles artfully arranged in collections also provide the best bang for the decorating buck. Tapers, votives, tea lights, pillars and custom shapes all have a place in wedding day décor.

Candles Make Effective Wedding Accessories

While it may seem natural to include candles at evening or nighttime nuptials, it is no less effective to utilize them for morning or afternoon weddings. The sense of warmth and peace fostered by a flickering candle is welcome any time of the day.

Some common uses of wedding candles include:

• lining the aisle with candles secured in hurricane glass
• adding taper or votive candelabras at the altar
• lighting a unity candle during the ceremony
• creating, or accenting, reception centerpieces
• dressing up the cake or guest book table
• giving unique candles as wedding favors

Floating Candles, Pillar Candles and Specialty Candles
Candles come in a variety of styles that can be mixed and matched to create dramatic visual effects.

• Pillars – free-standing, thick, round, square or hexagonal columns, plain or decorated
• Votives – short, round candles displayed in a cup or votive holder that holds the liquefied wax residue
• Tapers – tall and thin, also known as dinner candles, requires a secure candle holder
• Tea lights – very small, short candles, customarily contained in a metal or plastic base
• Gels – soft, transparent candles poured into containers that may hold decorative wax items inside
• Jar or container-filled – candles poured into receptacles designed to withstand a candle’s heat
• Floaters – candles crafted with a bottom surface conducive to floating on water
• Specialties – candles of unique shapes and colors, or those adorned with personalization

Combining candles into a creative display is easy. Candle groupings placed in water, on mirror trays or sprinkled among river rocks make appealing centerpieces, with or without flowers, greenery or other accents.

Contrasting colors and rich scents add vibrancy while muted colors and unscented candles add a demure sophistication.

The Wedding Unity Candle and Ceremony Candles
The unity candle ceremony symbolizes the joining of two lives. During the wedding ceremony, the mothers of the wedding couple each light a taper candle, one for the bride and one for the groom, who then jointly light a pillar unity candle. This meaningful event is often accompanied by special vows and music.

The unity candle can be plain or decoratively adorned, and most unity candles are sold in a set that includes the tapers.

Candelabras that light the altar area may hold a single pillar candle, multiple tapers, or a sweeping arc of votives.

Candles that line the aisle require hurricane lamps or lanterns for safety. An alternative is to have each guest seated at the end of a row hold a lit taper during the processional. Ushers can light and extinguish the candles, and asking guests to participate fosters a sense of inclusion for everyone in attendance.

Wedding Reception Candles
From majestic floor candelabras to the tiniest of tea lights, candles can be integrated into any reception décor. All tables benefit from lit candles, and candles in working areas, such as the bar, the band stand, or the buffet line can help to transform those utilitarian areas into eye-pleasing, welcoming sites.

The venue is a first consideration. Drafty areas, like some tents, may be inappropriate for candles not encased in protective containers. At outdoor receptions it may be difficult to keep the candles lit. And planning for candle décor should happen only after the reception venue has approved the use of candles.

Choosing long-burning candles is beneficial for receptions, and many companies sell event candles in wholesale bulk quantities that can shave significant dollars from the decorating budget.

From whimsical to elegant, candles make ideal wedding favors. Whether for décor or for illumination during a power outage, most homes keep candles handy, and clever wedding day candles are always appreciated.

Wedding Candles are Emotional Decorations
As long as safety precautions are observed, the addition of candles to the ceremony and the reception create more than a beautiful sight. They create an emotional response. There are many thousands of candle colors and scents to choose from. There are even custom-made candles of virtually any shape or size to guarantee a one-of-a-kind candle display.

When it comes to décor, beautifully arranged and strategically placed candles are as perfect to the ambiance of the wedding as the cake topper is to the wedding cake.

Candles of all sizes, shapes and styles make a perfect finishing touch. suite101