A Candlelit Affair

To me, on the occasions I choose to light said candles, it feels a little bit luxurious and a whole lot of magical. 

So with this in mind, I wanted to share with you some glittering inspiration on how to create a beautifully warm and romantic ambiance to your wedding…

I asked Amber from Amber Persia | Flowers & Events to share some fabulous styling ideas and to give you some helpful, practical tips when it comes to considering the use of candles in your wedding venue…

So lovelies, it’s over to Amber…

As a florist and stylist I’m often asked what my favourite flower is, but whilst I’m fickle with flowers – my preferences changing with the season, the venue, the colour palette etc, there is one constant that I will always be drawn to…

The candle.

Image by Carla Ten Eyck.

As far as I’m concerned there is no wedding decor which doesn’t benefit from the simple inclusion of candlelight.

Not only do they always add to the sense of occasion, but they can also add romance, atmosphere, scent, glamour, fun, warmth… the list is endless!

So, no matter how large or small your decorating budget ensure some of the styling funds are ring fenced for candles, and yes, that could be wonderfully elaborate Victorian candelabras, rows of stylish hurricane lamps, designer scented candles or, equally beautiful in my opinion, old glasses filled with tea lights!

Emma and I wanted to show you how to incorporate candlelight for each of the six Coco Style Categories, so whichever style best suits your wedding or choice of venue, you will find beautiful inspiration.

So… Sit back, relax, ideally light a wonderfully scented candle, and take inspiration from some gorgeous candlelit weddings.

Coastal Cool

Top Row Left: Image by Gucio Photography. Top Row Middle: Image by Delbarr Moradi Photography. Top Row Right: Image by Jose Villa. Second Row left: Image via Pinterest. Second Row Middle: Image by Me and My Shed Blogspot. Second Row Right: Image by Emily Steffen Photography. Bottom Row Left: Image by Millie Holloman. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Kate Webber Photography. Bottom Row Right: Image by Jose Villa.

Simplicity is the key when decorating Coastal Cool weddings, no fancy candelabras or floral candles are needed here… Just go with a relaxed weather worn look – think faded linen tablecloths and treasured beach finds of driftwood, pebbles and shells.

Here lighting needs to be utilitarian so consider hurricane lamps, oil lamps or candles in jam jars and, as always with candles, use as many as you can – imagine meandering sand dune paths lined with hundreds of tea lights or rows of storm lanterns highlighting the graphic lines of a pier.

Nowhere is candlelight more appreciated than by the sea where the light reflects in the water and twinkles in the moon light…

What could be more romantic..?

Classic Elegance

Top Row Left: Image via Amber Persia. Top Row Middle: Image by Jose Villa. Top Row Right: Image by Nick Evans Photography. Second Row Left: Image via Joy Thigpen. Second Row Middle: Image via Amber Persia. Second Row Left: Image by Landon Jacob Photography. Bottom Row Right: Image via Laurie Arons. Bottom Row Middle: Image via Brides Magazine. Bottom Row Right: Image via Pretty Stuff. 

If Coastal Cool lighting is storm lanterns and jam jars then Classic Elegance is its complete antithesis – imagine rose swags cascading down elaborate candelabras, crystal chandeliers and aisles lined with runners of petals and church candles.

This is a look of pure glamour and candlelight is essential to create the sparkling backdrop to the day.

The styling of a Classic Elegance wedding may be timeless but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun – antique chandeliers look gorgeous hanging in trees and the beauty of grand staircases can be emphasised by the addition of twinkling tea lights.

Bohemian Beats

Top Row Left: Image by Jessica Zais Photography. Top Row Middle: Image by Ella Blue Studio. Top Row Right: Image by Jen Fariello. Second Row Left: Image by Tec Petaja. Second Row Middle: Image via Jams Joseph. Second Row Right: Image via Christina Marie Interiors. Bottom Row Left: Image via Toast. Bottom Row Middle: Image by Frederikke Heiberg. Bottom Row Right: Image by Sonya Yruel Photography. 

A Bohemian Beats wedding simply has to have candles, masses and masses of candles.

Mix and match jewelled chandeliers with jam jars, crystal candelabra with lanterns, outdoor torches with silvered tea lights.

This style of wedding is one of decadence, passion and romance under the stars so the perfect excuse to indulge a love for twinkling candlelight – hang them in the trees, line wooded foot paths, cover every available inch of the dining table with candles of every height, every style, every colour!

There are no rules or regulations with a bohemian wedding, no traditions or formalities – just have fun and sheer irreverence.

Modern Vintage

Top Row Left: Image by Eric Kelley. Top Row Middle: Image by Aaron Delesie. Top Row Right: Image via My Sweet and Saucy. Second Row Left: Image via Once Wed. Second Row Middle: Image by Andy Griffen Photography. Second Row Right: Image via Doltone House. Bottom Row Left: Image via Brides. Bottom Row Middle: Image via Sauvages. Bottom Row Right: Image by Arielle Doneson.

The Modern Vintage wedding has many, many styling options – it really depends on the era you choose as to the candlelight you need.

If it’s afternoon tea on miss matched plates then by all means carry that through with votives in fine porcelain teacups and flowers in teapots.

Or… If you’ve fallen in love with the glitz and glamour of the twenties Great Gatsby then raid your grandparent’s cupboards for wonderful champagne saucers to float candles in!

Accompany with statement candelabras in gold, silver or cut glass (consider the Art Deco colours of the time – cream, gold, silver, charcoal, coral and mint green).

Incorporate mirrors, feathers, pearls – it’s not a look for the fainthearted!

So, whichever era you choose for your vintage inspired wedding it really is all about the details…

City Chic

Top Row Left: Image by Melissa Schollaert. Top Row Middle: Image by Nathan Abplanalp. Top Row Right: Image via Elora Blue. Second Row Left: Image by Amaranth Wedding Photography. Second Row Middle: Image via Cinderella Project. Second Row Right: Image by Brklyn View Photography. Bottom Row Left: Image by Maggie Marguerite Studios. Bottom Row Middle: Christian Oth. Bottom Row Right: Image by Christina Szczupak.

To me the City Chic wedding is all about crisp lines – Candles work well when used repetitively, in geometric groupings, in glass or metal containers.

That’s not to say that there isn’t room for an element of surprise – offset the industrial look of an old warehouse with a fabulously ornate Venetian chandelier, soften concrete steps with hurricane lamps and petals and highlight the stunning London skyline with an aisle lined with pillar candles.

Rustic Romance

Top Row Left: Image via Everything Sparkly White. Top Row Middle: Image by Rylee Hitchner. Top Row Right: Image by Vicki Grafton Photography. Second Row Left: Image by Rachel Hudson. Second Row Middle: Image by Anna Jaye Photography. Second Row Left: Image by The Nichols. Bottom Row Left: Image by Anastasiya Belik. Bottom Row Middle: Image via Amber Ceramics. Bottom Row Right: Image by Jillian Mitchell.

Lighting, like every other aspect of a Rustic Romance wedding, should be relaxed.

To me that means simple containers filled with plain candles and masses of English country flowers.

Keep interest and height on the table by using lots of different types of candles; tea lights, votives, pillar candles and dinner candles in haphazard arrangements that look laid-back and nonchalant.

To add fragrance to the table setting, I would suggest that either softly floral or herbal scents would suit this utterly romantic and relaxed vibe.

Some Candle Considerations…

Before you immerse yourself in candlelight plans I feel duty bound to remind you to consider the practicalities…

Not all venues will allow you to use candles…

Some of the Coco venues are beautiful listed buildings and so we are duty bound to care for these wonderful pieces of history! It just wouldn’t be cricket to burn the place down!

Image by Laurent Nivalle.

So… If candles are important to you I suggest you ask before booking the venue | supplier – this little tip has even made it’s way onto the Coco Search Tips.

When planning where to position candles and lanterns, do think about the flow of people through the space – It sounds obvious but you want to create the most impact without restricting movement or risking hem lines!

Be realistic about timings – a four hour tea light is unlikely to be long enough and candlelight fading over the pudding is not the lasting impression you want to create! Ensure you have backups or long-lasting tea lights.

For dining tables, heady scents may not be appropriate whilst eating. Instead keep these for the evening bash and instead use unscented or subtle herbal tones to complement the meal.
When it comes to candles more is most definitely best – for impact always try to use en masse.

Our sense of smell is the most underrated of our senses and yet a scent can conjure up memories for years to come… Use the opportunity that scented candles offer to capture the mood and the seasons. For instance, for a garden reception outside you might like the scent of lavender, roses and jasmine to capture the essence of summer, as opposed to an intimate winter wedding where a warmer, spicy scent would definitely add to the atmosphere. Guaranteed when you light that candle at home you will immediately be transported back to your special day…

Image via Pinterest.

So there you have it folks…

Our styling ideas and tips on candlelit weddings…

Which Coco Style are you…?

Have you been swayed by a burning desire for a particular look and vibe…?

Or maybe the practicalities of candles has given you some food for thought…?

Big thanks to Amber for her gorgeous styling ideas! Make sure you check out her Floral Highlights too!

Lots of glittering love…