How to Decorate Candlesticks for a Reception

Decorate your candlesticks to look elegant at the reception.

Candles and candlesticks provide an easy way to decorate a wedding reception. Candlelight offers a very romantic feel to the reception space. Decorate the candlesticks to match the rest of the decor in the room or make them stand out with a pop of bright color. You can use metal or wooden candlesticks for this project; holders for tapers look more elegant, but you can also use pillar candles. Purchase at least three for each table at the reception.

Things You'll Need

• Candlesticks
• Dry rag
• Newspaper
• Spray paint
• Craft glue
• Paint brush
• Glitter
• Shallow pan or box
• 20 gauge wire
• Wire cutters
• Beads

Instructions

1. Wipe off the candlesticks thoroughly with a dry rag. These should not have any dust or dirt on them.

2. Spread the newspaper on the ground or an old table. Cover up any area that could get splashed with paint. Place your candlesticks in the middle of the pile of paper.

3. Spray your candlesticks with paint. Use an even back-and-forth motion with a spray can. A soft antique white looks very romantic for a wedding reception, although you could use a bright color to catch the eye. Go with colors that match the wedding colors.

4. Allow the candlesticks to dry thoroughly. Spray paint typically dries within two to four hours, although it may take longer. Read the instructions on the back in regard to drying time.

5. Place your candles into the candlesticks and onto the reception tables. Decorate around the bases with flowers and confetti.

Glitter Candlesticks

1. Brush off the candlesticks so the sticks are clean.

2. Carefully coat the candlesticks with craft glue using a paint brush. Work in sections so it doesn't dry out before you are finished.

3. Hold the candlestick over a shallow pan or box and spoon the glitter over the sticky area. Continue adding glue and glitter until the entire candlestick is covered.

4. Stand the candlestick up and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Handle carefully when propping up, as the glitter may brush off on your hands if you are too rough.

Beads

1. Cut a piece of wire to about 60 inches. If your candlesticks are taller than 12 inches, you will need more wire.

2. Wrap one end of the wire securely around the base of a candlestick.

3. Thread beads onto the wire. Use beads in the color scheme of the wedding reception. You can use small spacer beads for most of the wire, putting larger colorful beads every two or three inches.

4. Loosely wrap the beaded wire around the candlestick several times, going from the bottom to the top. Wrap the wire securely around the top of the candlestick.

References

• Centsational Girl; Goodbye Brass, Hello Class; June 3, 2009
• Apartment Therapy: Transforming Old Candlesticks
• "This Old House"; 10 Ways to Update and Upgrade With Spray Paint; Jessica Dodell-Feder
• Martha Stewart: Glitter Candlesticks
• "Better Homes and Gardens": Beaded Candlesticks