There are many ways that you can incorporate candles into your wedding, both at the ceremony and the reception: they can be used in your ceremony, on the tables as centrepieces at your reception, in free-standing candelabras around the venue… the possibilities are endless. They are a great way to add an air of romance to any venue.
The choices for candles are endless. If you can think of a colour, you can probably find a candle in that shade. You choose a scent, and you can probably find a candle with that fragrance. Different heights, shapes and sizes are all available, so it should be no problem incorporating them into any wedding theme (OK, so choosing from so many varieties is hard, but a girl loves choices, right?).
To ensure that the candle gives the desired effect and lasts for as long as you want, you need to think about is the material the candle is made from and the burn time of the candles. No one wants a puddle of wax in front of them at the dinner table! As burn times will vary due the quality of the candle, the size, the shape and the wick, it is best to buy a couple of candles and test them out before buying the whole lot.
Types of candle
There are a number of different materials that candles may be made of. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages and may be more suitable for various uses.
Parafin:
The most widely available type of candle is made from paraffin. You will most likely find a greater range of candles available in this material. Quality does vary however so make sure you try them at home first. Softer candles (which have a higher oil content) burn faster than harder candles. Candles that are in jars are often softer than, for example, pillar candles.
Soy wax:
Soy wax candles are fairly new to the market. Developed as an alternative to petroleum or paraffin based waxes, soy candles are plant based and produce a clean flame, with relatively no soot given off. They burn for longer and give a brighter flame, reducing the number of candles needed to give the same light. They also burn at a lower temperature than paraffin, which means that candlesticks or containers won’t heat up as fast and be in danger of splitting or cracking. And then there are the arguments for and against the environmental and health advantages of soy candles – something we won’t go into here as the jury is still out!
Soy candles are more expensive than parafin candles, but this cost can be negated by the fact that they normally burn for longer than the parafin candles, which results in you needing less candles.
Don’t block my view!
Another issue with placement of candles is thinking about whether they could potentially block anyone’s view. This applies to both candles on tables as well as free-standing arrangements.
Try to keep table candles at a height that guests can see over, rather than them having to peer around them to talk to others. Place candelabras around the edges of the room or behind tables so that guests can see the bridal table and the speakers.
Bees Wax:
An alternative to soy wax is beeswax. Another natural product, beeswax is clarified from honeycomb cells, often soften with vegetable oil to make it easier to work with. Again, there is some argument that beeswax candles burn more cleanly that paraffin-based waxes, but this is something that can be affected by the quality of the paraffin used. It is said that beeswax candles have a warmer, yellower flame than paraffin. They also have a rich natural aroma.
The sweet smell…
As well as providing a beautiful light, candles can emit wonderful fragrances, helping to create a mood in itself. Aromatherapists believe that true aromatherapy candles can help to alter the mood of your crowd. Try lavender to relax, bergamot to uplift or for outside candles, or try citronella to keep those pesky insects at bay!
Safety First!
It goes without saying that candles can be a fire hazard. Accordingly, placement is extremely important.
Candelabras should not be placed in walkways or where there could be children running. Table candles should be placed in the middle of tables, well away from people’s sleeves! Likewise, be wary of placing candles too close to curtains or floral arrangements or near open doorways where gusts of wind could cause flames to jump. Finally, beware of dripping wax and the potential for it to fall on someone or something, causing harm or damage.
Make sure that you talk with your venue before you purchase any candles to see where you will be able to place them and whether they have any restrictions on the type of candles that you use.
Safety talk over!
engaged, july 2009
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