A Guide To Candle Holders: Bright Ideas For Every Wedding Style

The earliest candle holder dates to 400 B.C. and is made of clay. We’ve come a long way since then and while they still serve a functional purpose, candle holders are now an essential detail used in wedding decor and come in an array of sizes, shapes, styles, finishes, and colors. When it comes time to select a type of candle holder, we tell our clients to start the process by considering their flowers and desired aesthetic in relationship to the venue space. Whether you want to illuminate your reception with grand candelabras or dress up a long tablescape with lyrical dancing flames, we’ve put together a guide to candle holders with beautiful ideas for shining light on your wedding day.

Taper Candle Holders
As the name suggests, these candle holders are paired with taper candles, which are admired for their long, thin shape. What’s so great about taper candle holders is their versatility – they work well in both formal and casual dining settings, on round and long tables, come in a variety of heights and styles, and require only a small amount of surface area. Underscore the graceful beauty of a low centerpiece of white, cream, and plum hued blooms with fancy gold holders. Statuesque brass holders are the perfect match to a gardenesque arrangement. Clean glass cubes put a modern twist on a warm and intimate tablescape.

Glass Hurricane Covers
While not technically a holder, glass hurricane covers are an accessory that you’ll want to consider using in the presentation of your wedding candles. Originally used to shield the flame from sudden drafts, glass hurricanes reflect a candle’s flicker, amplifying its glow while creating a sense of drama in a space. Place hurricanes over pink taper candles surrounding an enchanting arrangement to accentuate the flowers’ sunset-inspired allure. Encapsulating contemporary sophistication, hurricanes are the perfect match to towering glass holders. Hurricanes can also be used with pillar candles to illuminate the base of a blooming chuppah or line a ceremony walkway.

Pillar Candle Holders
Classic yet robust, pillar candles are very popular in wedding decor – their holders act like a pedestal and come in a range of styles and finishes. Keep in mind, because of the candle’s larger circumference, they take up a larger space on the table top. Wooden holders strewn across a candlelit farm table adorned with bold florals and greenery personifies Old-World romance. Sophisticated glamour radiates from a grouped centerpiece pairing sleek glass holders with polished mirror vases holding white, blush, and mauve florals. Cast iron holders accentuate the rustic charm of a card table featuring succulent escort cards.

Candelabras
If we had to choose the candleholder that has the most impact on the room, it would have to be the candelabra. Displaying graceful, balanced proportions, the candelabra is the tallest option, typically holds two to five candles (flowers in many cases as well), and works nicely on both round and long tables. A luminous candelabra centerpiece holding a gorgeous arrangement of hydrangeas, various types of roses, and dahlias in shades of peach, burgundy, cream, and white delights the eye to no end. For an artistic take on this classic decorative element, consider a faceted glass candelabra alongside mirror vases holding crisp white and lavender blooms. Long tables bedecked with crystal candelabras topped with white florals and greenery evokes a majestic beauty that stands the test of time.

Stem Glass Candle Holders
Established as a popular decorative feature in recent years, floating candles are widely displayed in stem glass holders filled with water. Noticed for their distinctive shape and versatility, these vessels are a great choice whether you like a clean and simple look or gravitate toward a lush, romantic aesthetic. A trio of glass stem candle holders highlights the petal soft beauty of a low centerpiece composed of white, lavender, and ivory blossoms. Add warmth to a high centerpiece of exuberant greenery with a glowing ring of stem glasses. Create a sense of luminous movement across a long table by lining a series of stem glasses of varying height over a lush greenery garland.

Lanterns
Made of glass and metal (often with a brass or gold finish), lanterns make a big first impression when it comes to wedding decor. They typically encase pillar candles and come in an assortment of designs that work in just about any environment from a cozy barn to an upscale loft. A centerpiece featuring a wreath of autumnal florals and greenery circling a lantern with a black pillar candle captures the season’s romantic side. Elevate the ambience of an outdoor ceremony by lining lanterns on each side of the walk way. For a modern spin on the lantern look, place geometric candle holders of varying heights and shapes inside a flourishing wreath of roses, dahlias, ranunculuses, and stock with fresh greenery.

Votive Candle Holders
The smallest and most budget-friendly of the bunch is the votive holder. They are offered in a range of designs and finishes from gold and silver to glass. Because of their small size, they look fantastic alongside larger candles or alone in small areas such as the sweetheart or cake table. Draw attention to the mix of beautiful textures adorning a long tablescape featuring petite, lush arrangements and airy linens with gold and silver mercury votive holders. Pair mercury glass votives with delicate florals placed in gold bud vases to set a mood of intimate romance. A few glowing glass votives is all you need to shine the spotlight on a personalized cake topper.

There’s no escaping the allure that candles bring to all aspects of a wedding beginning with the top of the ceremony aisle way to the dining tables to the cake stand. Each type of candle holder is different from the next, and the style that you choose will influence the look and feel of your big day. We hope this guide to candle holders helps you find the options that best fit your vision so you can celebrate your wedding with luminous beauty from start to finish.

For our guide to types of wedding candles, visit here.