Ideas & Trends

After flowers, candles are likely to top your list of wedding day must-haves. Candles are a great way to add warmth and ambience to both your ceremony and reception. Aside from setting the mood, candles perform an important function in most traditional American wedding ceremonies - the unity candle ritual. This ritual symbolizes two individuals coming together to build one life together. Typically this ritual is performed with a traditional white candle made from paraffin wax. Read more to find out how you can "green" your candles and come into union with nature.

1. Choose the right kind of candle. Most candles on the market are made from paraffin wax, which are make from a petroleum base. These candles, aside from being derived from an unsustainable resource, pollute the environment when burned. Have you ever noticed black soot while your candles flicker? Those candles are made from paraffin. There are good alternatives to petrol-derived candles. The three best options are:
• Beeswax candles - The highest quality candle available are beeswax candles. These candles produce a sweet, honey scent and have the longest burning time of any candle on the market. These candles also burn the cleanest over other candles. In fact, beeswax candles actually clean the air around them, helping to remove other impurities and pollutants in the room. These candles can be expensive, but are well worth the cost.
• Soy candles - These candles burn clean, contain no pollutants and have a relatively long burn time. You can find many soy candles enhanced with natural essential oils, producing a wonderful scent. Soybeans are a renewable resource, and most soybeans are grown right here in the US-so you'll be supporting our farmers by purchasing this product.
• Other vegetable oil-based candles
2. Know the dangers of paraffin wax. As stated above, paraffin wax is made of toxic substances that are bad for the environment and your health. Since paraffin is made from petroleum, it's exhaust contains up to 11 carcinogenic toxins. This is made evident by the black soot that is produced when a paraffin candle is burned. Petroleum, as well all know, is not a renewable resource. Buying candles made from sustainable sources is a small way to contribute to erasing our dependency on oil. Paraffin candles are also often made with synthetic fragrances that have been shown to have further health risks and add more chemicals to the air. Overall, paraffin candles are unhealthy for us all.
3. Read the fine print. Candle companies are not mandated to list their ingredients, but reputable companies that are dedicated to producing eco-friendly, healthy candles will disclose all ingredients. Make sure to buy candles scented only with pure, plant-derived essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. Also look for candles containing an unbleached all-cotton wick.

The Anatomy of a Candle

The Tea Light: The smallest standard sized candle available. These candles are usually housed in 1 ½ high round metal molds. Some molds are also made of plastic. Despite their size, these little candles burn between 4 to 6 hours (more for beeswax tea lights). Tea lights are the perfect choice for reception table centerpieces.

The Votive: These round or square-shaped candles stand approximately 2 ½ inches tall and burn between 10 and 15 hours. They are not sold in a mold thus requiring a separate candle holder or dish to contain the dripping wax.

The Taper: Tapers are the candles seen burning in candelabras and at a candle-lit dinner in candlesticks. They are usually 7/8 inches wide and come in a variety of lengths. These candles add drama and romance to any wedding ceremony or reception tablescape.

The Pillar: Pillars are usually the widest and largest of the candle sizes. They are at least 3 inches wide, but come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some pillars even come with more than one wick to burn. You will need a candle holder or plate to catch any dripping wax.

Novelty Candles: All other candles fit into this category. You'll find candles of all shapes and sizes-from hearts to shells, novelty candles will spice up your wedding décor or deepen your unique design theme.