Bright Ideas for Candle Centerpieces

Candles are a classic way to bring charm and romance to your wedding or event. You can go the simple route and plop down a candle in the middle of the table, but there are so many ways to be creative when using candles on your big day. Here are some ways to light up your event.

One of my favorite ideas is using long neck vintage glass bottles for candle holders. These can be found at garage sales and thrift stores or in your own kitchen (after you have used all of the wine for "cooking" of course.) Tall tapered candles can then be stuck into the mouth of the bottle. This looks the most authentic when the candle has burned for a little while and the wax has been allowed to drip down the bottle. If you do not like the idea of letting the wax drip, you can purchase wine bottle stoppers that actually have candle holders on them. These are adorably called "wine bottle-abras." Don't be too concerned with finding a ton of matching bottles for your candle holders. Variation in the height and glass color will only create a more interesting and eye-pleasing arrangement.

If you like the idea of using wine bottles for your candle holders, you may also enjoy using wine glasses. Here you can, once again, go for simple and elegant by placing a single small votive candle in the glass. For more customized looks add flower petals, sand and sea shells, shiny stones, or virtually anything that fits your wedding theme to the bottom of the glass and set the candle on top.  You can also cover the glass with an adorable wine-glass lamp shade. These can be purchased, but can also be homemade. For the do-it-yourselfers out there, Casasugar.com has great instructions on how to make these fun shades.

Lastly, if you are having an outdoor or evening event, paper bag luminaries can create a pleasant glow to light pathways or accent any area you would like to draw attention to. For example; the perimeter of an outdoor dance floor or on the floor along the front of the bridal party's table. Flame resistant bags can be purchased for this purpose, but any white or light colored paper bag can be used.  Personalized paper bags would look great backlit with a flameless LED candle. Just add a little sand or rice to keep the bags weighted.

~ Jenna

Photocredit clockwise from top left:  1. Vintage bottle candle holders from Design Shrine 2. Colored glass bottles from Shamrock Affiliations 3. Paper bag luminaries from Bridal Buds 4. DIY Wine Glass Lamp Shades from Casa Sugar.