Wedding centrepieces with candles and flowers, safely

In short

• The venue sets the rules on open flames: ask for them in writing.
• Real candles almost always go inside glass, with flowers and ribbons away from the flame.
• Dried flowers, pampas and fabrics are flammable: near them, LED candles are the better choice.
• Candle height and position must leave a clear view and room for service.

Wedding centrepieces with candles and flowers are the classic pairing for an evening table. Candles warm the colours of the flowers, create atmosphere and make lovely photos. But a flame next to leaves, ribbons and tablecloths is also a risk. This guide explains how to design a table with flowers and candles that is beautiful, comfortable for guests and safe, wherever in Italy you are marrying.

Who decides: the venue comes first

The first question is not for your florist but for the venue. Each venue has its own rules, linked to fire prevention, insurance and the protection of the building. The most common situations are:

• real candles allowed everywhere, as long as they are in stable holders;
• real candles only in glass, closed holders or tall cylinders;
• LED candles only in some spaces (frescoed rooms, barns, marquees, spaces with fabric draping);
• no open flames anywhere on the property.

The rules may differ between the indoor room and the garden. Get everything in writing and share it with your florist and caterer. If you are still looking for a professional, our list of wedding florists in Italy lets you compare those who already work at your venue.

Types of candles and holders

Taper candles are the most elegant but also the most delicate: in the wind the flame bends, wax drips onto the tablecloth and sometimes onto the flowers. Outdoors it is better to protect them with glass.

Distances and positions on the table

There is no standard distance valid for every design. A few practical rules apply:

• no flower, leaf, branch or ribbon should hang over the flame;
• trailing foliage (ivy, amaranthus, smilax) must be kept away from candles;
• dried flowers, pampas, grasses and paper should not go near open flames;
• candles should not sit where guests reach across to pass plates and bottles;
• paper menus and place cards should be placed away from the flame.

For the boho style and dried flowers, read our guide to dried and preserved flowers.

Heights: sightlines, service and photos

Flower and candle centrepieces should let guests see and talk to each other.

• Low arrangements with low candles: everything below eye level.
• Very tall candles on slim candlesticks: the flame sits above eye level.
• Avoid the middle height: it is the one that hides the face of the person opposite.

Ask the caterer, too, how much space they need for service. Read our guide to table settings and flowers.

Outdoors: wind, insects and heat

Outdoor dinners are common at Italian summer weddings. With candles:

• wind blows out uncovered flames and bends them towards the flowers;
• taper candles soften and bend in the heat if left in the afternoon sun;
• lanterns and tall cylinders are safer;
• some guests ask for citronella candles against insects: they have a strong smell, so keep them away from the tables.

For outdoor flowers in summer, read our guide to summer wedding flowers and the heat.

LED candles: when to choose them

LED candles are the answer when the venue bans flames or when the design is flammable. The best ones have:

• real wax on the outside;
• a flickering flame that imitates a real one;
• warm light, not white or bluish;
• a remote control or timer to switch them all on together.

A good compromise: LEDs near arrangements with dried flowers, fabrics or installations, and real candles in glass on the tables if the venue allows it. For lighting in general, read our guide to lighting and flowers.

Candle colours and flower colours

Candles are part of the palette. A few practical tips:

• white and ivory go with almost everything and do not compete with the flowers;
• coloured candles (sage, terracotta, burgundy) work if they pick up a colour already in the flowers;
• the warm light of a flame warms pink, peach and cream, but darkens blue and purple;
• scented candles on the table compete with the food and wine: better to avoid them.

To build your colours, read our guide to wedding flower colour palettes.

Candles in church and at a civil ceremony

In an Italian church, the altar candles and liturgical candles are not part of the decoration: they must not be moved or decorated without the parish priest's permission. Votives or lanterns along the aisle are possible only if the parish accepts them, usually in closed holders placed out of the way. In the town hall rooms used for civil ceremonies (the Comune), open flames are often forbidden: ask the office that manages the room. For other details, read our guide to flowers for a civil wedding at the town hall.

Who lights, who checks, who puts out

A detail that often nobody decides:

• who lights the candles, and when (before the guests come in);
• who checks them during dinner (candles gone out, dripping wax, hot glass);
• who puts them out at the end of the evening and who clears the holders.

Usually the venue or catering staff handle it. Put it in writing. For the rest of the logistics, read our guide on coordinating flowers, catering and venue.

Costs: the items to consider

We do not give figures, but the items that add to the cost are:

• hire of candlesticks, cylinders and lanterns;
• buying the candles, which burn down and usually cannot be reused;
• LED candles, hired or bought;
• time to place and light them;
• cleaning wax and glass after the event.

Ask for them to appear as separate lines in the quote.

Questions for your florist and your venue

• Does the venue allow real candles? Where, and in what holders?
• Are the candles included in the quote or hired separately?
• How much distance do you leave between flowers and flames in your arrangements?
• Do you have good-quality LED candles? Can I see one lit?
• Who lights and checks the candles during dinner?
• Who deals with the wax and the clean-up at the end of the event?

To sum up

Flowers and candles look wonderful together, as long as you know the venue's rules and design the table with safety in mind. Start from what is allowed, then choose style, heights and holders with your florist. For table ideas, read our guide to wedding centrepieces.

Once you know the venue's rules, request a quote and ask for candles, holders and hire items to be listed as separate items.