Candlelit Weddings: Creating A Romantic Ambience

how to use candles in wedding

Candles are a popular choice for wedding decorations, adding a romantic and elegant touch to any venue. From simple white tapers to colourful centrepieces, candles can be used in a variety of ways to create a unique and special atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a vintage, modern, rustic or chic style, candles can be combined with different holders, flowers, and greenery to achieve your desired aesthetic. In addition to their decorative appeal, candles can also be used symbolically in unity ceremonies, representing the merging of two individuals and their families. However, when incorporating candles into your wedding, it's important to prioritise safety by keeping them away from flammable items, placing them on sturdy surfaces, and never leaving them unattended.

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Use candles to create a romantic atmosphere

Candles are a perfect way to create a romantic atmosphere at your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Centrepieces

Centrepieces are a great way to incorporate candles into your wedding. You could use tapered candle centrepieces, which can be colourful or classic white, or opt for large votive or pillar candles. For a rustic look, use tree stumps of varied heights as candle holders, adding greenery, flowers, and moss. For a more modern look, place pillar candles in glass vases or cylinders, filling the remaining space with flowers, sand, or pebbles. For a sleek and complementary centrepiece, place a few votive candles in the middle of each reception table.

Aisle and Staircase Decorations

Candles can be used to light the path down the aisle, creating a romantic and magical atmosphere. For outdoor weddings, candlelit lanterns can be used as aisle markers, or you could place candles on either side of the aisle, every other row. If your venue has a staircase, line the sides with pillar candles to guide guests and add a lovely glow.

Fireplaces and Backdrops

If your venue has a fireplace, surround it with candles for a breathtaking effect. Candles can also be used as a backdrop for your vows, or behind the head table or cake table. For a dramatic effect, create a backdrop with floor candelabras, fabric draping, and floral arrangements.

Lanterns

Lanterns add a whimsical and fantastical touch to your wedding. Hang lighter lanterns filled with candles from trees, or line paths with lanterns on the ground. For a vintage theme, wooden lanterns are a great choice, or you could use luminaries, mercury glass vases, or metal hurricane lamps.

Remember to always keep safety in mind when using candles, ensuring they are away from flammable items and out of the reach of children.

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Line staircases and walkways with candles

Candles are a perfect way to enhance the romance and intimacy of your wedding. They can be used to guide guests from point A to point B, especially if your venue has staircases or walkways. Here are some ideas to line staircases and walkways with candles:

Choose the Right Candles

Select candles that complement your wedding's colour scheme and theme. For a beach-themed wedding, surround candles with sand or pebbles. For a rustic wedding, opt for tree stumps and greenery. If you're going for a minimalist look, choose monochromatic colours and taper candles. For a vintage wedding, wooden lanterns or luminaries would be perfect.

Line Staircases and Walkways

Arrange candles along the sides of staircases and walkways to add a lovely glow to the pathway and to direct guests. For safety, ensure that candles are placed away from flammable items, and that surfaces are protected from heat and dripping wax.

Create a Grand Entrance

Make a statement by lining the entrance with lanterns or candle-filled vases. Groupings of different sizes and styles will create an eclectic and romantic atmosphere. For an outdoor wedding, candlelit lanterns or luminaries can be used as aisle markers, leading up to the altar.

Centrepieces

When using candles as centrepieces, play with different heights to add satisfying dimensions. For a magical theme, floating tealight candles in vases filled with water or antique birdcages filled with candles will create a whimsical atmosphere.

Safety First

While candles add a romantic touch, it's important to prioritise safety. Keep candles away from flammable items such as ribbons, cloth, and the wedding dress. Ensure that they are properly placed and supervised, especially around children.

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Decorate the wedding hall with white candles

White candles are a popular choice for wedding decorations, symbolising the purity of thoughts and strength of feelings of the newlyweds. They can be used to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere, and are a versatile option for any wedding style, location, and season.

Centrepieces

White candles can be used as centrepieces on tables. Play with different heights and sizes to add depth and dimension to the display. For a simple yet elegant look, opt for white taper candles on gold candlesticks, paired with a lush garland of greenery and small white votives. For a more rustic feel, combine pillar candles of varying heights with tree stumps, greenery, flowers, and a hint of moss. If you're looking for a minimalist approach, consider a greenery runner with monochromatic flowers and white taper candles.

Staircases and Aisle Markers

If your venue has a staircase, line the steps with white candles in glass vases or lanterns to create a romantic entrance. White candles can also be used to light the way down the aisle, placing them on every other row, or hanging them from tree branches with ribbons or twine.

Fireplaces and Backdrops

Surround a fireplace or mantel with white candles for a breathtaking effect. They can also be used as a backdrop for your vows, or placed behind the head table or cake table. For a dramatic backdrop, combine floor candelabras, fabric draping, and floral arrangements.

Floating Centrepieces

For a magical touch, consider floating centrepieces with white candles in vases filled with water. This works especially well for garden weddings or weddings with a magical theme.

Remember to choose candle decorations that complement the overall design and colour scheme of the wedding hall. Ensure that candles are placed safely, away from flammable items, and protect surfaces from hot, dripping wax.

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Use candles as centrepieces

Candles are a beautiful and romantic way to light up your wedding venue, and they can be used in a variety of ways to create a unique and special atmosphere. Here are some ideas for using candles as centrepieces at your wedding:

Firstly, consider the size and height of your candles. Using candles of varying heights will add dimension and interest to your centrepieces. You could try using small, medium, and large candles, or even oversized candles, to create a sense of depth. Pillar candles of different heights can be placed in glass vases or cylinders, with half of the candle submerged in sand, pebbles, flower petals, or other decorative elements that fit your wedding theme.

For a sleek and elegant look, opt for classic white or ivory taper candles. These can be displayed on their own or paired with antique brass candlesticks and other brass elements for a touch of refined simplicity. White candles are a popular choice as they complement any wedding theme, but coloured candles can also be used to create a unique mood and complement your chosen colour scheme.

If you're looking for a more rustic or whimsical style, combine pillar candles with tree stumps or wooden lanterns. Add greenery, flowers, and moss to bring the outdoors in and create a natural, imperfect look. For a modern twist, incorporate metal accents such as a metal screen backdrop or mercury glass vases.

For a magical touch, floating candles in vases filled with water or antique birdcages filled with candles can be used as centrepieces. Lanterns are also a versatile option, adding an air of whimsy and fantasy to your wedding. They can be hung from trees, lined along pathways, or used as candle-filled centrepieces, especially if you're going for a vintage theme.

Finally, don't forget to consider safety when using candles. Keep them away from flammable items, fabrics, and ribbons, and make sure they are on sturdy, flat surfaces. LED or electric candles can be a good alternative if you're concerned about the risks of open flames.

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Create a magical garden party with floating candles

Candles are a perfect way to add a romantic and timeless touch to your wedding. Floating candles, in particular, can bring a magical, enchanting ambiance to your garden party. Here are some ideas to create a whimsical and romantic atmosphere with floating candles:

Centrepieces

Floating candles make for captivating centrepieces. For a low, garden-inspired centrepiece, place floating candles in stem glass holders of varying heights. For a high centrepiece, place floating candles in tall stem glass holders under a towering floral stand. This will highlight the beauty of the flowers while creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. You can also combine floating candles with submerged blooms for a mesmerising effect. Ask your florist about flowers that can be placed in water. Alternatively, opt for floating candles in cylinder glass vases with a single white rose or bud vases for a chic cocktail-inspired reception.

Candle Combinations

Votive candles, with their long burning time and petite size, are a great option to add a warm glow without taking focus away from other decorative elements. Combine votive candles with floating candles, pillar candles, and taper candles for a magical effect.

Candle Holders

For a modern twist on floating candles, try tea lights in glass orbs suspended from greenery. For a vintage theme, opt for wooden candle lanterns, or for a more eclectic look, mix and match candle holders in different sizes and styles.

Other Ideas

Floating candles can also be used in combination with floral garlands for a vibrant and robust tablescape. For an elegant yet rustic look, use pillar candles and tree stumps of varied heights, adorned with greenery, flowers, and moss.

With floating candles, you can create a whimsical and enchanting atmosphere for your garden party wedding, adding a unique and magical touch to your special day.

Frequently asked questions

If your wedding venue has a staircase, line the sides with pillar candles to light the way and direct your guests. You can also use candles to light the path down the aisle, placing them on either side at every other row.

Unity candles are used in a symbolic ritual that takes place after the vow exchange. The couple lights one main candle, the unity candle, with two separate taper candles, representing the merging of two families and two individuals.

There are some tricks to help make candles last longer. For example, you can temporarily place them in saltwater or put them in the freezer.

Never leave burning candles unattended and keep them away from children, flammable surfaces, and ventilation. If your wedding is outside, avoid using candles in high winds.

You can use candles to create dazzling centerpieces with votives, pillars, candle holders, and taper candles. Floating centerpieces with candles are also a magical option. For a garden wedding, hang lanterns filled with candles from trees or line the paths with them.

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