Candle Table Decorations for Weddings

Candle wedding table decoration has always been a favorite of mine because they are so versatile. They can be relaxing or elegant, casual or formal- whatever the occasion calls for. Plus they come in various shapes and sizes and many of the new ones are multicolored and scented, which can provide a wonderful fragranced candle wedding table decoration.

Whether you like the smell of lavender or pumpkin pie, candles provide that. Candles also give off a light that is uniquely their own. There’s nothing else quite like them. And everyone looks becoming by candlelight, which makes them a perfect choice for wedding celebrations!

Candelabras are especially beautiful especially placed on or near the altar at the ceremony. Or place a few throughout the church. Their elegance speaks for itself. White or ivory taper candles are traditional and always lovely but perhaps you want to go with your wedding colors.

For a winter wedding a colleague chose burgundy and navy; while a summer wedding I attended light pink and mauve was used. My friend Brittany is crazy about vanilla. Every candle at her wedding- tapers, pillars and votives had to smell like vanilla! Which of course also meant they were all the same color.

The assortment of candleholders sold by stores is practically limitless. I bought glass holders for my wedding reception that held two taper candles each and were shaped like swans. I sprinkled confetti and gold and silver glitter in the neck of the swans and around the candles. It was a winning look if I must say so myself!

Before I go any further, a few things to bear in mind when using candles at a wedding. Remember candles drip as they burn so don’t place anything on or near the candles that could catch fire. Better yet shop around because there are numerous non-drip candles on the market. You might pay a little more money but there would be much less hassle involved.

Always be aware of the burning time for your candles, whether they be pillar, taper, floating etc. You don’t want your candles to burn out just as the reception is getting underway.

And one final word of caution: if you chose to have floating candles at your wedding reception, make sure you buy heat resistant bowls. This is very important! Otherwise you are liable to have glass flying everywhere, and accidents galore.

Pillars are one of my favorites. They look especially lovely in an arrangement of three, of varying heights. Use all of the same colors or vary them. For a decorative little extra, spread a few flower petals around your pillar holder (glass ones are very charming). Spherical candles look very nice in the center of tables as do mega-pillars (the extra large ones with more than one wick). The light and heat they give off should give guests a warm, romantic feeling all night long!

Floating candles are a very popular candle wedding table decoration because there is so much that can be done with them. Buy fluted bowls and float two or three candles in each. Pay attention to how much water you put in each bowl though, as too much water could cause the candles to either sink to the bottom or flip over and extinguish.

Keep in mind that floating candles reflect off the water and this can make a very beautiful candle wedding table decoration. Some people like to add a little something to the water to brighten it up even more. Add some food coloring, a dash of glitter, marbles, or even some pearls from a beaded necklace you are no longer going to wear!

For an autumn wedding, you might want to accent your candles with brightly colored leaves or pumpkins; for a winter wedding, cranberries, small ornaments or candy canes.

And what about springtime? If your wedding is near Easter, add multicolored eggs. My sister-in-law adored birds of all kinds so for her April wedding she found small replicas of robins and blue jays and placed one by every candle in the reception hall.

And for summertime? How about something that symbolizes sunshine and carefree living? Maybe seashells or sprigs of lilac? Or maybe some fruits (real or artificial). Strawberries, grapes, apples and oranges work well and are all vibrant looking.

Candle wedding table decorations bring a life of it’s their to a wedding ceremony or wedding reception. Take the time to learn all you can about candles and how they can add even more joy to an already joyous occasion!

About the Author

Anika Logan is a freelance writer and librarian who writes  on a variety of topics including fashion and beauty, food and dining, entertainment, weddings, writing, home improvements and alternative medicine.