How Many Candles Do You Need Per Table Wedding?

Before going into the details on the number of candles you need and how to arrange them, you have to decide if you want to use candles in the first place. So do you need candles on wedding tables? The short answer to that question is no.

Candles are not compulsory to have at a wedding. It’s not like food, drinks, music, and other essentials. But while having candles is not compulsory, they really help create a beautiful ambience for your event.

Candlelight can make your tables feel warmer and more romantic. The soft light from the candles can also complement the rest of your decor, kicking the mood up a notch. Needless to say, it makes sense to have them on your wedding tables if you can afford it. Of course, if your budget is too tight, candles might not make the cut. But if you have some money left to allocate, consider getting some candles because they make everything look and feel nicer.

For the ultimate personalised touch and if your budget permits, you can go for bespoke or custom-made candles. These candles are made in custom shapes, colours, designs, and even fragrances that align with the overall theme of your event. Bespoke candles can also be personalised with the name of you and your partner, the wedding date, your favourite quote, and other details. They add a touch of elegance to your events, creating special memories that your guests can cherish long after the celebration.

If you have decided to include candles in your wedding decor, who is in charge of providing them? Does the florist provide candles for weddings or do you have to get them yourself? It depends!

While some florists do supply candles, candleholders, and other related accessories as part of their overall services, others do not. For those who do, you may have to pay a little extra for these additional embellishments. You may also choose to get them yourself or make specific requests. 

The number of candles to include on a wedding table depends on several factors. As such, it’s hard to recommend a specific number. For most weddings, between 3 and 20 candles per table is sufficient.

If the room is dimly lit and you intend to use candles to create a dazzling effect, a large table can have up to 20 candles. However, if the tables are small or you have other decorations on each table, you can reduce the count to about 8 to 10 candles. You’ll still get a beautiful starry effect with a warm glow.

For smaller tables or cases where the candle is only there to complement your floral arrangements, between 3 to 6 candles per table should be enough. Below are some of the most important factors to consider in determining the number of candles needed for a wedding: 

The number of candles per table for your wedding depends largely on the purpose the candles are meant to serve. For instance, if the candle is going to be the primary source of lighting, you’ll need more candles compared to instances where the candle is merely decorative.

You may also need more candles if you intend to use them to light up the aisle. Even when the candle is just for decoration, is it the main focus of the table centrepiece, or it’s just there to complement a much bigger decor? The answer to all of these questions will influence the number of candles you can include on your table. 

When you use candles as part of your wedding decoration, they have to be properly spaced out for safety and practicality. How much space you can get between individual candles depends on the size and shape of the tables. Too many candles on a small table will make it feel overcrowded. Similarly, a large table will appear scanty if there aren’t enough candles or other accessories on it.

The shape of the table is equally important. With round tables, you need a single candelabrum or a cluster of candles arranged around a larger centrepiece. Long rectangular tables can take a larger arrangement of candles since they’ll be arranged linearly with the candles evenly spaced along the centre.

The individual sizes of the candles matter too. The ideal candle size for a wedding depends on the size of individual tables and the total number of candles you want to use. Tea lights, with an average diameter of 1.5 inches and height of about ¾ to 1 inch are often used as aisle lights or as cluster lights around a large candelabrum. Votive candles are the taller version of your regular tea lights and they’ll take up more space on your tables.

Taper candles are beautiful and romantic too so they often make the cut for memorable events like wedding receptions. They are much taller, with an average height of 6 to 18 inches and less than 3 inches in diameter. The slimmer profile of taper candles means you can have several of them on the table.

The overall style of your wedding decor will determine if a candle will fit in at all and the number of candles you’ll need if it does. For an opulent traditional wedding where you want to create a romantic or dreamy atmosphere, you’ll need lots of candles scattered across the tables. However, if you’re going for a simple minimalist aesthetic, then one to three candles per table is often enough.

The faith or religion of the couples may also influence the number of candles at their wedding. Greek Orthodox wedding ceremonies are usually decorated with about 4 candles. This consists of 2 large candles on the altar table and 2 small ones for the bride and the groom. The candles are given to them by the priest towards the end of the ceremony. Similarly, Christians believe in the Unity candle where two candles represent the bride and the groom while the third represents the covenant of marriage. 

Your budget is another important factor that can influence the number of candles to get. Since candles are not absolutely compulsory, it’s common for couples on a tight budget to hack it out of their plans.

However, you may also work around a small budget by adjusting things like the candle types and number of candles. In summary, if you’re on a budget, consider using fewer candles or choose small candle sizes and simpler designs to save costs

Beyond the number of candles, the arrangement of the candles is an important decision. Sometimes, the arrangement is straightforward. You simply have to place the individual candles side by side in a series with a bit of space between them. This is usually the style if you want to cover the whole length of a long table.

However, the arrangement may also vary based on the shape of the table. Candle arrangements become more complex too when you need to combine different sizes, heights and candle colours to create eye-catching arrangements. Here are some candle arrangement tips to keep in mind: 

The votive candle is one of the most common candle types used at weddings. This is mainly due to the size and also because it blends in beautifully with a variety of wedding themes. Consider placing votive candles at the centre of each reception table. They come in glass holders and have a classic look that can add a touch of sophistication to your event. 

Instead of the traditional arrangement of placing candles on tables, you can dazzle guests at your event with hanging candles. Portable tea lights can be placed in small votives which can be hung with ribbon or twine.

Similarly, you can place taper candlesticks in hanging chandeliers to create jaw-dropping decorative effects. Of course, you have to check with your wedding venue before you go for this idea since some venues have restrictions that prohibit hanging displays. 

Wedding aisle decorations may include florals, ribbons, scattered rose petals and of course candles. Arrange candles on either side of the aisle to light up your way and direct the attention of guests to the centre of the room. For this, you can use tea lights or larger pillar candles. Aside from the aisle, you can also use candles to decorate other empty spaces in your wedding venue like the stage or altar, staircases, around signage and other similar spaces. 

Taper candles are perfect for long rectangular tables, especially at regular weddings with vintage themes. You can arrange these candles on holders positioned at the centre of each table. The slender profile of these candles adds visual interest to your tables without obstructing the view of your guests. 

For wedding events with a minimalist theme, a single candle on a large candelabrum positioned at the centre of the table is just perfect. This creates an attractive vocal point without overwhelming the table. Candelabra centrepieces can also work for lavish events with additional decor items or extra candles around them. While it might be expensive to buy outright, you can buy one from thrift stores or rent it from decor rental companies. 

Another unique arrangement that can help create a romantic ambience is to group several candles. You can go for a circular arrangement or linear formation depending on the shape and size of your table. Combine cluster candle arrangements with floral centrepieces to create a balanced and eye-catching decor piece for your tables.

Although one uniform candle size can help create a cohesive arrangement, you also don’t have to limit yourself to one type, size or colour of candle. You can certainly mix and match candles in a clustered arrangement. For instance, consider choosing candle holders with different styles and colours. The most important thing is to ensure they match your wedding colour palette. 

Adding candles to your wedding table decor can add a touch of warmth and elegance to your event. They come in different shapes, colours or sizes and you can even get custom candles that align fully with the theme of your event. There are no hard and fast rules for how many candles per table wedding.

Just pay attention to factors like table size, shape and the purpose of the candle to pick the ideal amount of candles. Most of all, ensure you find the perfect arrangement, and you can make any number of candles work for your event.