Tips for
Adding Candlelight to Your Wedding Ceremony or Reception
By Leah Steenstra
Incorporating
candles into your ceremony or reception is a great way to
provide a more intimate and romantic atmosphere. It makes the
room appear smaller and provides a warm glow that cannot be
reproduced through electricity. Here are some tips for using
candles:
A Few
Things to Check:
-
Make sure that your ceremony site allows candles and
check the fire restrictions carefully.
-
Contact your photographer and let him know that you
will have low lighting, so he can adjust to your setting.
-
No matter what style you use, check the burning time.
If the ceremony or reception isn’t long, and you are
planning on using the same candles into the night, they
might burn out before your guests leave.
Candles at
the Reception:
-
You can use floating candles, pillars or tapers,
depending on your personal style. Floating candles reflect
off of the water they are placed in and can have a beautiful
effect.
-
Highly decorative can take away from the beauty of the
flame. If you are looking for simple beauty, keep the
candles plain.
-
Be cautious of strong, scented candles at the dinner
table. They can interfere with the enjoyment and taste of
the food.
-
You can accent candles with petals, small blooms or
seashells.
-
For safety purposes, enclose votive candles in
appropriate containers and anchor tapers in a suitable
holder.
Candles at
the Ceremony:
-
Upon arrival, have ushers give each adult guest a
candle. The candles can be lit before the processional,
during the unity candle ceremony or whenever you would
like.
-
Indicate in the program when candles should be
extinguished, especially if it is before the end of the
ceremony.
Remember
that candles drip! If you choose to give them to guests, include
a holder that will protect their hands and clothing.
 |
