When To Light Candles At Wedding Reception?

Candles can be a popular and symbolic choice for wedding ceremonies or receptions, but they come with risks and questions. In a candle lighting ceremony, two smaller candles are lit to represent the families of both the bride and groom, symbolizing the unity of one. Pillar candles are versatile and classic, while taper candles add style and personality to reception tables.

Tall centerpieces can add an elegant feel to any tablescape, but make sure they don’t obstruct guests’ views. For a chic and modern look, choose an all-white tablescape and mix and match taper candles in varying shades of blue. Lighting the unity candle during the ceremony is a popular, symbolic choice, and it is traditional for the mothers of the bride and groom to approach the altar area and light one small candle.

When planning a candlelit wedding ceremony, ensure that the candlelight is in covered vessels and placed in clusters so that platters can fill in what the candlelight doesn’t reach. Tea lights are an ideal choice for daytime receptions, but always think of safety first with flame candles.

Temperature can impact the way candles burn, and if the reception is outdoors, light them and blow them out ahead of time. It is customary to do this together once the ceremony is completed and all guests have exited the venue.

In conclusion, choosing different types of candles for your wedding is essential for creating a beautiful and memorable event. It is important to consider factors such as safety, temperature, and temperature when using candles at a candlelight wedding.

Can you have candles at a daytime wedding?

Theres absolutely no reason not to use candles during the day.

And if you dont want to use candles, there are plenty of other non-floral options as well. Google and Pinterest are your friends!

The pics are kind of dark, but you can see we had hundreds of candles for our brunch reception. I too was worried that the candles were going to be overkill in the day light, but they really gave off a romantic feel!

The pics are kind of dark, but you can see we had hundreds of candles for our brunch reception. I too was worried that the candles were going to be overkill in the day light, but they really gave off a romantic feel!

What is the purpose of the candles at a wedding?

Symbolism. Use of a unity candle generally symbolizes the joining of two individuals into the marriage bond, but additional allusions may be invoked. The flame may be said to represent the passion in each individuals soul for their spouse.

A unity candle is a candle used in a wedding ceremony to symbolize two people joining in marriage.

Historyedit. The lighting of a unity candle is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies. There is no record of it in the bible or any apostolic writings. The custom first became popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Christian weddings.1 The origins are unclear, however the use of a unity candle in a 1981 episode of General Hospital may have helped to popularize the practice.2 Dr Michael Portelli is credited with the idea of a Marriage Candle, and used it in his own wedding in the 1980s (Melb, Aus). This consisted of the Mother from each side of the couple each lighting a family candle. The bride and groom both light their own taper from their family candles and come together to light their Wedding candle as one flame. This symbolises the two individuals coming from separate families and becoming one in Marriage.

Symbolismedit. Use of a unity candle generally symbolizes the joining of two individuals into the marriage bond, but additional allusions may be invoked. The flame may be said to represent the passion in each individuals soul for their spouse. For Christians, it may be compared to the Holy Spirit and Jesus, who is the light of the world, within the souls of those who are baptized.

What is the best time of day to light candles?

When thinking of using candles, remember they are a light source, so they should be used when light is needed. It is appropriate to light candles after dusk. An exception would be if it is a rainy or overcast day, and then they may be lit a little earlier in the afternoon. Candles should not be lit for brunches or luncheons. Some say they may be present just not lit; however I prefer to relegate them to the sideboard or elsewhere to blend into the decor for daytime festivities, and use flowers or other items for the centerpiece.

I realize it may sound counterproductive for a candle company to be “limiting” your use of candles, but be assured we want your tables and your candle etiquette to be perfect in every way!

Candles should be lit just before guests sit down to dinner. Give yourself plenty of time to find the lighter, trim and straighten the wicks, gauge safe flame distances from flowers and other table decoration, and let flames settle to create a relaxing ambiance. Candles should be left burning until after dessert and coffee, and everyone has left the table.

When should you light a candle before guests?

When Should You Light Candles for Dinner Parties?. Candles should be lit just before guests sit down to dinner, so plan to light them about ten minutes before youre ready to serve the meal. That way, the wicks have time to burn a little and the ambiance is set before guests enter the dining room. Candles should be left burning through dessert and after-dinner coffee and drinks and may be blown out only after everyone has left the table.

What Kind of Candles Should Be Used for Dinner Parties?. Save the scented candles for the powder room, as strong fragrances can interfere with the enjoyment of the meal. Ivory and white tapers are considered most appropriate for the most formal of dinner parties; but if youre having a more casual affair, feel free to mix up the color palette and choose candles in hues that reflect the theme. If you plan on the meal going into the wee hours, beeswax tapers are a smart move, as they burn more slowly, though they are more expensive than standard tapers. Whichever color or material you choose, be sure the tapers are a height that wont interrupt your guests lines of sight. If tapers arent your taste, tall tea lights are an attractive, though less dramatic, choice for tablescapes, as they can be grouped into small, decorative clusters all down the table.

Join Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays, authors of Being Dead Is No Excuse, Somebody Is Going To Die If Lilly Beth Doesnt Catch That Bouquet, and Some Day Youll Thank Me For This for the answers to all of your etiquette questions. When should you prepare a toast? Which events warrant a formal invitation?

Do you light unity candle before after vows?

Whether its a special reading or a significant music choice, there are endless ways to make your wedding ceremony feel more personal and representative of your relationship. One option, in particular, that is guaranteed to create a more meaningful experience for you and your guests is a unity ceremony. To simply break it down, a unity candle lighting ceremony is a symbolic ritual that takes place after the vow exchange, when the to-be-weds light one main candle with two separate candles, representing the merging of two families and two individuals.

• Melissa Williams is the owner and lead planner and designer of B Astonished Events in Washington D.C. She has nearly a decade of experience in the wedding industry.
• Robyn Walker is a New York City-based wedding officiant who has officiated hundreds of weddings. Shes also the founder of Robyn Ashley Weddings, which offers officiant services in Manhattan.
• Jessica and Dustin Rolph are the co-owners of 3 Little Birds Event Planning in Los Angeles. Theyve been in the business for 25 years.

If youre thinking about incorporating unity candles into your wedding ceremony, weve created a comprehensive guide for you to follow. Read on to learn more about making this meaningful ritual part of your big day.

What are the 3 candles used during a traditional wedding ceremony?

In the Christian faith, the Unity Candle is a tradition that many couples begin at their wedding ceremony. Traditionally, three candles are displayed: one that represents the bride, one that represents the groom, and one that represents their covenant marriage.

In the Christian faith, the Unity Candle isa tradition that many couples begin at their wedding ceremony. Traditionally, three candles are displayed: onethat represents the bride, one that represents the groom, and one thatrepresents their covenant marriage.

Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man leaves hisfather and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Theway that the candles are lit reflects the leaving and cleaving of the bride andgroom.

After the mother of the bride and groom areescorted down the aisle at the start of the ceremony, they will light the twooutside candles to symbolize each individual family.

When should you not light a candle?

• While Burning:. Never leave a candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire. Keep burning candles away from furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, flammable decorations, etc.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
• Never touch or move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquefied.
• Dont burn a candle all the way down. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when 1/2 inch remains in the container or 2 inches if using a pillar candle.
• Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another. This is to make sure they dont melt one another, or create their own drafts that will cause the candles to burn improperly.
• Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Let the candle cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before re-lighting.
• Never use a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
• Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are safer sources of light during a power failure. Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet, or when fueling equipment – such as a lantern or kerosene heater.

• When Extinguishing a Candle:. Use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle. Its the safest way to prevent hot wax from splattering.
• Never use water to extinguish a candle. Water can cause the hot wax to splatter and might break a glass container.
• Make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
• Dont touch or move the candle until it has completely cooled.
• Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder. It might scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break upon subsequent use.

Who lights candles at a wedding?

Unity Candle Ceremony. Just before the wedding vows, the parents of the couple come forward (or other family members, children etc.) and light a candle for each. Then the couple light the center candle from these two outside candles. The Unity candle symbolizes the joining of their families, the merging of two individuals, the creation of a blended family, etc.

Officiant speaks: At this time we will have the lighting of the Unity candle. I want to ask representatives of both families to light one of the candles. Please come forward.

Before (Spouse 1) and (Spouse 2) come forward to light their wedding candle, allow me to explain the symbolism behind these candles.

What is the etiquette for candles?

Do not burn candles for longer than 4 hours or less than 1 hour and never leave a burning candle unattended. To obtain an optimum burn always allow the entire surface of the candle to become molten as this will ensure an even burn and prevent tunnelling. Keep candles out of reach from children and animals. Keep wicks trimmed to 6mm at all times. Keep wax pool free from debris such as match ends and wick trimmings. Avoid placing a candle in a draughty area as this lends to an uneven burn. Allow your candle to solidify before re-lighting and always protect the surface on which the candle rests. To protect your candle vessel, do not burn right down to the bottom.

To remove excess wax, leave your vessel in a freezer overnight to allow the wax to shrink. Remove the wax, rinse the vessel with hot (not boiling) water and polish with a soft cloth. Allow the glass to return to room temperature before washing with warm soapy water. Leaving a pillow of wax (approx.10mm TCB) at the bottom of the candle will make removing and cleaning the wax easier and prevent your votive from overheating).

A candle which is well made, no matter the type of wax used, should not create any smoke when burning. However, if the wick becomes too long or an air current disturbs the flame, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot)will escape as a visible wisp of smoke. This soot is not harmful. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.

When to light candles for a wedding?

Typically, the mothers of the bride and groom will light individual candles right before a wedding ceremony begins. Many couples even have their grandparents or fathers included in the lighting of the individual candles as well.

What is the tradition of candles at weddings?

The Unity Candle This classic tradition began about 35-40 years ago, representing the joining of two people. Before taking their seat, the mother (traditionally) of both sides light a taper candle that is seated at either side of a larger pillar candle.