How Many Candles Are Needed For A Wedding?
The tradition of candles at weddings dates back centuries to medieval times, when candles held special meanings related to celebration and prayer. Today, wedding candles continue to enhance the ceremony’s ambiance and symbolize the joining of families and lives into one. From unity candles to altar candles, the warm glow adds beauty and significance to this meaningful event. Candles have also become an essential part of wedding receptions, helping create a romantic atmosphere. Proper placement and safety precautions ensure candles provide the desired effect. With so many options, couples can incorporate candles in a way that aligns with their style and values. But at its core, the inclusion of candles makes a wedding feel complete.
Ceremony Candles
Candles play an important symbolic role in many wedding ceremonies. Three of the most common types of candles used are:
Unity Candle
The unity candle represents the joining of two lives into one. Typically, the couple each take a taper candle lit by their mothers to light the center unity candle together. This signifies the union of their two families. According to The Knot, 65% of couples incorporate a unity candle ceremony into their wedding.
Aisle Candles
Lining the aisle with candles creates a warm, romantic glow as the bride makes her entrance. Small votives or hurricanes spaced 1-2 feet apart make for great aisle lighting. For a 100 foot aisle, plan on having 50-100 candles total (Gloam).
Altar Candles
Candles on the altar provide ambiance and significance. The number varies by religion and personal preference, but 2-4 larger candles often flank the altar. Lighting the candles represents God’s presence and can be done by parents, siblings, or wedding party members (Wedding Wire).
Reception Candles
When it comes to candles for your wedding reception, the three main areas to consider are centerpieces, tables, and cake. For reception centerpieces, most experts recommend using 3-5 candles of varying heights to create visual interest. Opt for pillar or taper candles ranging from 4″-12″ tall. Cluster the tallest candles in the middle and surround them with shorter candles.
For reception tables, the standard is to have 1-3 candles per table. Two classic options are a pair of tall taper candles, or a mix of taper and votive candles. According to popular wedding sites like The Knot and Brides, most couples use 2-4 taper candles or 1-3 tapers with 3-5 votives per table [1]. Just be sure the overall candle height doesn’t obstruct guests’ views. For a more dramatic look, you can opt for candelabras with 3-5 candles each.
Finally, place 1-3 decorative candles on your wedding cake. This is primarily for aesthetics rather than light. Opt for smaller candles that complement your cake design, like petite tapers or votives. Be sure to have cake cutting utensils on hand so you can gently remove the candles before cutting the cake.
Outdoor Candles
Outdoor weddings are lovely, but lighting can be a challenge after the sun goes down. There are some great options for illuminating an outdoor wedding space in a warm and romantic way with candles.
Tiki torches are a popular choice for lighting the perimeter of an outdoor venue. They provide a festive glow and can help keep bugs at bay. Position them along pathways or around seating areas. Just be sure they are far enough from flammable decor like linens 1.
Hanging lanterns from trees, fences, or other structures is another great outdoor lighting idea. Lanterns cast a diffused, ambient light that sets the mood. Cluster them together for impact. LED lanterns are a smart option since they won’t get blown out by wind 2.
LED candles are ideal for outdoor weddings because they provide the flicker and ambiance of real candles without any fire hazard. They can be used in luminaries, hurricane vases, or other candle holders to line walkways and accent reception tables.
Candle Holders
Candle holders are an important decorative element at weddings. They help create a warm, romantic ambiance and provide elegant practical housing for candles used in ceremonies and receptions. There are many styles of candle holders to choose from to match your wedding venue and aesthetic vision.
Some of the most popular candle holders for weddings are glass hurricane vases, candlestick holders, lanterns, and votives. Glass hurricane vases in cylinder or faceted shapes can beautifully showcase pillar candles. These look gorgeous lined up on long tables at receptions. Candlestick holders come in traditional and modern styles, from sleek tapers to ornate crystal bases. They are ideal for giving ceremonies and centerpieces an elegant, sophisticated touch. Lanterns made of glass, metal, or wood make wonderful holders to place around outdoor venues and gardens. Groupings of votive candles in containers of varying heights create a stunning display.
It’s important to choose holders that fit the style of your venue. For rustic weddings, try terracotta pots, mason jars, or distressed wood blocks. Sleek acrylic or metal options go well with modern venues. Ornate crystal and silver candlesticks pair perfectly with traditional ballrooms and historic sites. Take inspiration from your color scheme and flowers too. Mercury glass votives complement blush tones, while jewel-toned lanterns pop against greenery centerpieces. With so many options, you can find beautiful candle holders to light up your wedding in style.
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/efavormartofficial/wedding-candle-holders/
Candle Safety
When using candles at a wedding, it’s crucial to follow proper fire safety protocols. According to Safety Tips for Wedding Candles, venues and planners must adhere to fire code regulations. For instance, exits should be kept clear, fire extinguishers must be accessible, and the number of candles should not exceed what is permitted. Having experienced staff or vendors handle the candle setup is also advised. They will know how to properly place candles on sturdy, non-flammable surfaces at a safe distance from table linens and decorative materials. Never leave burning candles unattended. Assign staff members to monitor candles and snuff them out if they get too low or tip over. With some common-sense precautions, candles can be used safely to create ambiance at weddings.
Candle Alternatives
While traditional candles are commonly used at weddings, there are many creative alternatives you can consider for a unique ceremony and reception. Some popular options are string lights, paper lanterns, and LED candles.
String lights create a beautiful glow and ambiance when hung in your ceremony and reception spaces. You can create stunning backdrops with string lights on gazebos, fences, wall frames, trees, and more. Certain styles of lights come in vintage Edison bulbs for a rustic feel or clear bulbs for a classic fairy light effect. String lights also allow you to customize colors and patterns to perfectly match your wedding palette and vision. Consider string lights along your aisle, reception tent, and dance floor for a magical effect. See inspiring ideas at https://www.pinterest.com/fromthisday0758/unity-candle-alternatives/.
Paper lanterns are widely used for wedding ceremonies and receptions as they add pops of color and beautiful glowing light. Lanterns come in all different sizes, shapes, styles, and patterns like solids, stripes, lace overlays, and more. They can be hung from ceilings, around the room perimeter, over the aisle, or even placed on tables as centerpieces. Paper lanterns fit especially nicely with backyard tent weddings. For creative paper lantern inspiration, see https://amplifymyevent.com/fun-unity-candle-alternatives/.
LED candles are a practical alternative that give you the candlelight ambiance without the hassle of dealing with open flames. LED candles look incredibly realistic and come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Use LED candles in votives, candelabras, pillars, and any other candle holder you desire. LED candles work especially well for centerpieces and decor. They can also replace unity candles in ceremonies. Battery-operated LED candles make placement easy since there are no wires or outlets required. See https://www.pinterest.com/pamelahogan/wedding-unity-candle-alternatives/ for LED candle ideas.
Cost Savings
There are a few clever ways to cut costs when incorporating candles into your wedding decor. One smart strategy is to buy candles in bulk. Purchasing candles in larger quantities from wholesalers or retailers that offer bulk discounts can significantly reduce the per unit price. Buying candles this way allows you to decorate your ceremony and reception abundantly while staying within your budget.
Another cost-saving tip is to mix real and fake candles. You can use beautiful fake candles for design elements that guests won’t be interacting with up close, like a candle-lined aisle or high candle centerpieces. Then use real candles on dining tables and in more intimate spaces. This allows you to get the ambiance of real candlelight where it matters most, while enjoying the cost benefits of fake candles in peripheral areas. Strategically blending real and artificial candles lets you maximize both aesthetic impact and savings.
Aesthetic Ideas
Candles can provide a beautiful aesthetic for any wedding when chosen thoughtfully. Popular color palettes for weddings include blush pink, greenery, navy blue, and marsala shades. Creative candle designs can elevate the ambiance.
For a romantic and soft aesthetic, consider a pastel color palette using candles in shades of blush pink, ivory, or light blue. These colors pair nicely with white floral arrangements. Pink candles also complement greenery accents. Arrange different heights and shapes for visual interest. For inspiration, see this Pinterest board of wedding candle ideas.
Navy blue and marsala red provide a bold, dramatic feel for wedding decor. Gold accents can make these colors feel elegant and sophisticated. Metallic candles holders in gold, rose gold, or copper pair nicely with deep jewel tone candles. Opt for pillar candles or floating candles to let the colors make a statement.
Creative designs like geometric candle holders, dripping candles, or clustered votive arrangements make for an eye-catching display. See this gallery for inspiration on decorating weddings aesthetically with candles.
Conclusion
Candles play an important role in creating ambiance and setting the mood at weddings. As we’ve discussed, candles are used in traditional ceremonies like the unity candle lighting to represent the joining of two families. They’re also heavily used in wedding receptions and outdoor weddings to create a romantic, warm setting. While candles come with some safety considerations, there are many creative ways to incorporate them into your wedding décor. From large ceremony candelabras to intimate table arrangements, candles can enhance the aesthetic and emotional impact of your special day.
In closing, candles are a timeless and versatile decorative element for weddings. With careful planning and preparation, they can take your ceremony and reception from ordinary to extraordinary. However you choose to use candles, they will set the stage for a beautiful and memorable event.
