How to Decorate One Rectangular Room for a Candlelight Wedding Reception
Weddings are a time for sacred blessings and honoring the joining of a loving couple. Whether large or small, the reception is also an important part of the celebration, and there's nothing quite as beautiful as decorating the reception space with flowers and candlelight. Candles speak romance as well as calm, and the golden glow they emit makes everything else appear beautiful and mystical. To decorate a rectangular reception room using candles, use your imagination combined with some design and safety basics.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Candles
- Tables and chairs
- Tablecloths
- Flowers and greenery
- Candlesticks and holders or hurricanes
- Wedding trinkets and decor
- Tables for DJ and cake
- Spotlight, optional
- Matches and/or long click-lighters
- Fire extinguisher
Instructions
-
-
1
Look for sales on bulk votive, pillar and dripless taper candles. Use votives in the small tin or aluminum holders. These are easily replaced if they burn out and prevent any mess. Many votives last three to four hours. Beeswax candles also last a long time.
-
2
Clean the space if it's not already done by staff at the reception venue. If you are doing a small reception at home, try to clear out or remove any excess items and clutter.
-
-
3
Set up the tables for the number of guests and create a separate head table area for the bride, groom and key wedding party members. Place the head table at one end of the rectangular room, with the other tables down each side, perpendicular. Leave the center of the room open for speeches and dancing. Avoid round tables. Allow room for guests to get into and out of chairs easily.
-
4
Place tablecloths on each of the tables. Use white, gold or the colors of the wedding party. Place the largest centerpiece of flowers on the head table in the center, or between where the bride and groom will sit. Then place flower arrangements along the rows of other tables.
-
5
Place the candles in the holders, then on the tables. Combine tall tapers with votives or just use one or the other. The head table should ideally have one set of tapers by the bride and groom, or a candelabra arranged near the central flowers. Add several smaller votives. Many candles with be needed to give off a pleasing glow, and you need enough so guests and the wedding party can see what they are eating and drinking. Allow at least one votive per person or place setting, or have six for a table of eight.
-
6
Add other decorative elements to the candles and flowers. Items can include glitter confetti, mints or candies, symbolic wedding trinkets and ornaments, ribbons and glass beads.
-
7
Set up tables for the cake and DJ in the same manner. Add a spotlight if you have a large room with many people expected, especially if there is a stage. Everyone will need to see the host, MC, band leader, soloist and anyone giving a speech.
-
8
Light the candles as soon as the wedding party is expected to arrive. Have helpers assist if there are many guests -- it can take awhile to get all the candles are going. The ambiance will provide a warm and romantic welcome.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The deeper and sturdier the candle holders, the safer. Assign someone to keep an eye on the candles for safety reasons during the reception.
Have at least one charged fire extinguisher on hand
Do not place anything that can catch fire too close to the candles.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
