Wedding Candle Ideas for a Romantic Ceremony and Reception

Nothing changes the mood of a room like candlelight. Candles are affordable, they work with any style from rustic to black tie, and they make evening photos glow. Here's how to use them well, and the venue rules to check before you buy a single taper.

Ceremony candle ideas

Lining the aisle. Pillars in hurricanes or lanterns on every other row, or clusters on the floor at the aisle ends.
Framing the altar. Tall floor candelabras or a cluster of pillars at different heights on each side of the arch.
A unity candle. Two tapers lighting a single pillar is a simple, meaningful ritual for religious and civil ceremonies.
Window ledges. In a chapel or ballroom with deep sills, a row of votives adds warmth with almost no effort.

Reception candle ideas

Floating candles in tall cylinders over submerged flowers. Elegant and inexpensive.
Mixed-height clusters of pillars and votives down the center of long tables.
Taper candles in brass or colored glass holders for a romantic, vintage look.
A candlelit sweetheart table with a garland of greenery and votives.
Lanterns on the escort card table, bar and cake table.
Candlelit send-off. Sparklers aren't allowed everywhere, but a line of guests holding LED candles makes a beautiful exit photo.

Real flame or LED?

Many venues restrict open flames, especially near drapery, outdoors in wind, or in historic buildings. Some allow real flames only if they're enclosed in glass taller than the flame. Ask for the venue's written policy before buying.

Modern LED candles with flickering wax-like surfaces look convincing in photos, last all night and can't tip over. A common compromise is real candles in enclosed glass on tables and LEDs anywhere near fabric, florals or guests' clothing.

Lighting tips for better photos

Light candles before guests enter the room. It's the reveal moment your photographer will want.
Combine candlelight with dimmed overhead lighting or uplighting. Candles alone may be too dark for the dance floor.
Unscented candles only on dining tables. Scent competes with the food.
Ask who lights and relights candles and who extinguishes them at the end of the night.

Plan with the venue in mind

Ceiling height, windows and existing lighting all change how candles read in a room. A ballroom with chandeliers needs fewer candles than a dark-paneled space. Walk your venue's spaces in a 360° tour to plan placement, for example the ballroom at The Rockleigh or the historic mansion rooms at Crystal Plaza. You can browse every venue's tour from the NJ venue directory.