Follow this candle guide to instantly glamorize or romanticize any dinner party table.
Candles cast such a flattering glow on the assembled company. They signal silently to your guests that you have made a special effort for them. Candle guide talk about unscented and scented candles: Make sure you choose an unscented candle or unscented candles for your dinner table. A scented candle will compete with the food, Depending on the scent it may even interfere with your guests' enjoyment of their dinner.
Save that scented candle for the living room, kitchen or bathroom.
Candle guide talk about candle types: You can choose from tall tapers, pillars, votive lights, tea lights or floaters. Used correctly, all of them cast a magic pool of flattering light.
And they are inexpensive. In fact you can often find what you need in the dollar stores, at flea markets or at antique/secondhand stores.
Just think – another excuse to ramble around the markets.
Tapers are tall thin candles suitable for all occasions including formal occasions.
Pillar Candles are the cylindrical candles that come in various heights. They can take on multiple table centrepiece personalities on your dinner table – informal, romantic, elegant, all depending on how you decorate around them.
Here is an example of an elegant and romantic looking set of pillar candles. Just a simple piece of ribbon makes them even more dressed for your table.
And this arrangement makes a lovely stand-alone table centerpiece.
Low Candles include votive lights and tea lights. They flicker beautifully in their holders. Tea lights lined up along the table make a beautiful modern candle centrepiece.
Floating Candles Just put them in a glass bowl filled partway with water.
Electric Candles These are battery powered candles you can find in various shapes. They are especially useful if you have small children or animals and are concerned about safety.
Safety Reminder: Never leave a burning flame unattended, near anything that can catch fire, or in the way of children or pets, with their wagging tales. For a more controlled flame, trim wicks to about ¼ inch before you light your candles.
Any candle guide that talks about taper candles needs to talk about candlesticks too. So here is some information about choosing candlesticks.
Choosing Candlesticks
Often in the past I put out tapers beside my vase of flowers for the table. Something was wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Then I talked to an artist. She explained that I needed to think about shape, material and weight. All of these subtly influence whether things “go” together.
So choose holders that complement your flower vase. Put round with round, square with square. Match glass with glass, porcelain with porcelain.
By weight my artist friend meant visual weight. Match delicate to delicate, ornate to ornate, plain to plain. Just like you wouldn’t put rubber boots with an evening outfit (usually!) don’t put rough garden pot vases with delicately scaled holders.
Everyone should have a classic set of candles and candlesticks that go with your all-purpose dinner table vase. So plan ahead, and supply yourself with these basics.
Shop for candle holders (two sets is even better) that mimic the shape, material and weight of your vase. Then buy a supply of white or cream tapers. If you buy a dozen of the same kind of tapers, you probably won’t have to replenish your supply for months.
Now you have a centerpiece trio that works for any occasion. When you’re stressed and rushed, it’s good to know that you have eliminated a decision – just pull out your all-purpose matching vase, the white tapers, holders they fit in, and you’re set.
What About Candelabras?
This classic holder is another way to elevate the flame well above eye level. They add glamour and luxe to your table for festive occasions, and they are fun too!
The candelabra arrangement on the left is beautiful for a festive season dinner like Christmas. But candelabras can be used more informally too. The one on the right looks so perfect paired with a simple but luscious looking bowl of fruit.Happy Candlelit Dinner Parties!
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