Wedding Lighting The Way When Two Become One

Whether you want to add a little extra romance to an evening reception or a little glow to your house of worship, candles are a natural, effortless addition to your wedding theme. You’ll have no trouble finding a role for candles at the wedding ceremony, at the reception, and even as part of the floral displays.

Unity Candles

Join the growing number of couples who include a unity candle as part of the wedding ceremony. Perhaps you think that unity candles are steeped in a rich history of religious tradition, or perhaps you think that unity candles are the invention of the candle makers to sell an extra candle or 10,000. Neither is the case. The exact evolution of the unity candle is uncertain, but since it began 30-40 years ago, it seems that we have that ever-lively 60s generation to thank for yet another custom that has wormed its way into modern life.

I’d like to propose my own idea of the unity candle’s origin–an unlikely science experiment. You can perform this experiment yourself. Light two tapered candles, or use whatever candles you have handy. Note the height and brilliance of each flame. Now, join the two flames together and look at the single flame. The united flame is taller, stronger and brighter than the sum of the two individual flames. Isn’t that what marriage is supposed to be–a single unit stronger than the sum of its parts?

The most traditional of the variations on the theme is the tall, thick white candle in the center of a candleholder surrounded on each side by a white taper. During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom light the center unity candle with the two tapers, creating the stronger flame as a symbol of the stronger unity gained through marriage.

Beyond the traditional unity ceremony, today’s weddings provide the opportunity for many variations, particularly second weddings that include children. If each partner has children, the children may light the unity candles. Sometimes, parents from each family light the unity candle. You’ll want to preserve the moment in a picture, because it’s unlikely you’ll find this level of cooperation again.

If you carry a hand-tied bouquet, incorporate a white taper into the bouquet, and carry the taper up the aisle. The groom can hold his taper until you reach the altar, when you each place your taper into the unity candleholder to accentuate the unity theme.

If your house of worship doesn’t allow unity ceremonies, conduct the ceremony at the reception right before the toast.

Candles for Your Wedding Decor

Consider candles an integral part of your floral displays to add warmth to a sterile reception hall environment. Select your candles first, and then select flowers to complement the candles. If you maintain the candle as the focal point, you’ll spend a lot less money on bridal flowers.

Place a single sculptured candle by the guest book, for example. Incorporate candles into your table displays at the reception. You can actually use candle displays in place of floral displays. Consider the idea of floating candle displays at the center of each table. They’re low enough to allow conversation without talking through flowers.

You’re not limited to white candles. Work the candles into your color scheme: silver and gold for holiday weddings. Nor do you have to limit yourself to unadorned candles. Ribbons add a nice accent to simple candles. Select elegant candles for a formal wedding and less formal sculpted, marbled, or otherwise embellished candles for less formal weddings.

Candles as Wedding Favors

Candles always make nice gifts, and you can capitalize on this by selecting a candle for your wedding favor. A small, beautifully wrapped candle makes a wedding favor that your guests will appreciate and display at home–something to remember your special day.

However you choose to add candles to your wedding, their warm flame will add to the ambiance of an already glowing moment.

Centerpiece Ideas for a Romantic Wedding

For wedding decorating ideas for romantic weddings, get inspired with candles and flowers to make creative wedding centerpieces.

Wedding guests will enjoy centerpieces made up of beautiful, scented flowers and softly glowing candles. For other centerpiece ideas, consider arranging items that inspire romance, such as poetry books, incense or chocolate.

Romantic Wedding Reception Decor: Centerpieces

To determine what type of romantic centerpiece will work best, first establish what types of tables will be used at the reception and how many will be required. For example, long tables will allow for two different types of centerpieces, or one simple, recurring centerpiece down the length of the table. For round tables, one larger, dramatic centerpiece will work best.

Other things to consider include, wedding budget, personal tastes, wedding colors and which season of the year the wedding will take place.

Romantic Flower Centerpiece Ideas

For a simple centerpiece, bundle a bunch of flowers in romantic fabric or tie a bow around a vase. Rich fabrics in shades of gold, champagne suit an autumn or winter wedding. Soft pink, peach and cream shades fit with spring and summer romantic themes.

Another simple but romantic idea is to gather a bunch of baby’s breath into a bouquet and tie with romantic printed fabric. Baby’s breath centerpieces are easy DIY wedding projects that can be completed quickly and a days before the wedding.

For more elaborate centerpieces, big bunches of flowers work well. Roses, garden roses and peonies are excellent choices for flower centerpieces. A florist will be able to help choose flowers and help make other decisions, such as choosing complimentary flowers and fillers. Check online for ideas for romantic flower centerpieces, to give local florists and idea of the vision, or try making them as a DIY project.

Candle Centerpieces for Wedding Receptions

Lighting is very important at a wedding reception. The bright overhead lighting found in many reception halls are great for certain occasions, but for a romantic wedding, dimming the lights will help to set the right mood. To create a nice soft glow, try using romantic candle centerpieces.

• Candelabras: They can be rented from many wedding supply stores and come in a variety of sizes and materials. Perfect for making a statement with a romantic centerpiece.
• Place candles in a vase of water, with colorful gems at the bottom. Candles shaped like flowers, in the wedding colors, will also look very romantic on a glass or metallic plate for a simple, elegant and romantic wedding centerpiece.

With many halls and hotels employing strict fire codes, real candles may not be allowed. But not to worry, there are many types of battery-operated candles that are long lasting and glow like the real thing. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so finding a suitable “fake candle” should not be a problem. In most cases, no one will be able to tell the difference.

Unique Centerpieces with a Romance Theme

Although they are popular and traditional, flowers and candles are not the only option for a romance-themed wedding.

• Place on the tables pictures of different couples in the family, like grandparents, parents and aunt and uncles, on their wedding days.
• Another idea is to stack books of love poetry on the tables. For a cheekier take on a romantic wedding, stack romance novels.
• For an edible centerpiece, stack the wedding favors in an attractive way. Try boxes filled with chocolate truffles or chocolate roses on plastic stems.
• Incense, arranged in a variety of colors and scents might also suit a romantic wedding. For scent allergies, or fire code reasons, they can remain unlit and still look quite attractive.

Romantic wedding centerpieces can be as simple or elaborate as the bride and groom prefer. Either way, centerpieces should make a statement and unite the wedding theme and reception decorations.

Wedding Marquees: Perfect For a Themed Celebration

When it comes to planning a wedding, the venue, for both the event itself and the reception that follows, is an important consideration for the couple getting married. A marquee can be the perfect choice, as the design and style options for such a wedding are virtually unlimited, and the tent space can be tailored to suit the precise needs of the wedding party.

Advantages of a Marquee Wedding

The main advantage of hiring a marquee is the flexibiility that the venue gives. The tent can be tailored to fit areas of any shape or size, and there are no restraints on decor, as may be the case in a fixed location, such as a hall. A marquee is perfect for a themed wedding, and, in the case of a large wedding party, more than one tent can be set up to accommodate all of the guests. A marquee can be partitioned off to create specific areas, such as a formal sit-down reception area, or a dance-floor area, as well as a special area for the ceremony itself.

In a country such as the UK, which is prone to a lot of rainfall, a marquee can create an all-weather venue that will prevent the unreliable weather conditions from spoiling the big day. All wedding activities can be kept undercover, and safe from the rain.

Another advantage to a marquee wedding is that it gives the couple the option to hold the event at home, if they have sufficient space. This would mean that they have much more control over the reception, and there are no limits on how long the party lasts. Several days, perhaps?

Design Ideas for a Marquee Wedding

Holding an event in a marquee means that there are absolutely no limitations when decorating the space, and this makes a marquee a perfect location for a themed wedding. Here are some ways that a wedding tent can be customized to the needs of the couple:

Formal Wedding Design

Formal wedding design incorporates a mainly ivory or white colour scheme, with pastel accent colours. The marquee may be set with long tables, overlaid with pastel-coloured runners, and traditional floral table decorations. The interior of the tent can be decorated with flowers, pale bunting, or tasteful lighting, to create a beautiful and very traditional effect. Peach and pale pink tones work very well incorporated into this sort of design.

Contemporary-Style Weddings

For couples who prefer a more modern design, the marquee can be decorated in bold colours, such as hot pink, or bold black and white, with a hint of silver. For an evening reception, the top of the tent can be blacked out and patterned with tiny lights to create a starry night effect, or alternatively, images can be projected onto the walls and roof of the tent as it gets dark, creating an atmospheric dance area. In a modern-style marquee, there are many stylish options when it comes to table decorations, and quirky, homemade ornaments can look really unique. A contemporary styled marquee can really put the stamp of individuality on a wedding event.

Bedouin Style

A marquee decorated in the Bedouin style can look absolutely stunning. In contrast to the pastel shades of traditional weddings, the eastern-themed tent is adorned in warm shades, such as terracotta, earthy reds and sandy yellows. Exotic drapes add atmosphere, and seating is informal, with rows of low couches, scattered with brightly coloured cushions. Even the tent itself does not have to be a traditional white wedding marquee. Many tent-hire shops can provide a Bedouin-style tent. The floor of the tent can look stunning when covered in sumptuous, Persian-style rugs.

Hobbies and Interests as a Theme

If the couple have a particular hobby or interest that brought them together, they may wish to use this as a theme in a marquee. For example, a marquee can be decorated in the colours of a sports team, with table decor reflecting subtle references to the team and the sport. This can still be quite tastefully done, but if the couple wish to make an impact, they can create a really bold theme that stands out from the crowd and creates a wedding or reception that is very personal and meaningful to them.

Wedding Tent Style

This article shows that there are no boundaries or limits when it comes to holding a wedding event in a marquee. This weatherproof venue can become whatever is desired to create the perfect, personalized venue for that special day.

Theming Your Wedding

The excitement and romance of a themed wedding will transport your guests away from the everyday, and they’ll all leave with the glow of those who’ve enjoyed a truly great party!

You don’t ­have to dress in period gowns and stage swordfights and duels (although you can if you want to!). An effective theme is usually as simple as a colour (all white, red and silver, navy and soft pink), a motif (hearts, seashells, roses) or even just an ambience or ‘feeling’ you wish to create (classic elegance, fairytale romance or sleek city nightclub). A theme ties all the strands of your day together to create a well-coordinated and stylish celebration.

Your reception is the main focus of a theme and your reception venue should dictate the best way to decorate. Venues that have relatively simple décor are best if you want to transform a function room into a medieval theatre or the set of the next Star Trek movie. While grand ballrooms or historic houses can present you with a ready-made set for your celebration. Uncomplicated themes that use colours and motifs are most common and can look extremely effective.


Themed decoration

If you’re planning a themed party, make sure it’s a winner by hiring a decorator who specialises in themed events. If you’re doing the decorating yourself, visit specialist prop hire outlets to source amazing items that reinforce your theme. Costume hire outlets, second-hand and Asian import shops, party supply stores and liquidation centres are good places to source themed elements.

Carry your theme through

Once you have decided on your first priorities with decorating for your theme, the smaller decisions such as the bomboniere and table centrepieces will fall easily into place. Before you finalise any aspect of your wedding, ask yourself “Does this promote my theme or detract from it?” If in doubt, leave it out! Another thing to avoid is adding too many uneccessary decorations simply because they fit with your theme. You want things to look simple and uncluttered.

Ideas for wedding themes

Themed weddings have become hugely popular in the last couple of years. A well thought out and executed theme creates a vibrant party atmosphere, helping everyone get into the mood.

Any time of year can be the inspiration for a fantastic wedding theme.
With a few simple touches you can take your cue from nature and create elegant bliss.

Spring

• Pastel colours (soft pink, lilac, mauve, lemon, mint green, baby blue)
• Silver
• Fresh flowers eg lilies, tulips, jasmine
• A garden in bloom
• Blossoms
• Cupid
• Light, floating fabrics
• Twinkling fairy lights
• Fresh, light scents in oil burners

Summer

• Bright, bold colours (fuchsia pink, orange, emerald green, sea blue)
• At the beach
• Barefoot elegance
• White and candlelight
• Soft Peonies, sunflowers, hydrangea, frangipani
• Stripes or flower prints
• Outdoor or marquee weddings
• Fruit
• The tropics
• Island life
• Tribal celebrations
• Bonfires
• Muslin or organza overlays and softly draped fabrics

Autumn

• Warm colours (burnt orange, chocolate brown, plum, burgundy, gold, copper, bronze)
• Leaves
• Rustic linens or heavy weave napery
• Seed pods, nuts, dried branches and leaves for decoration
• Fairy lights
• Log fire
• Woody fragrances

Winter

• Pure white, plum, navy, red, gold
• Winter wonderland
• Gingerbread
• Yule fest
• Winter sports
• Australian native flowers
• An evening by candlelight
• Crystal and glass beads as decoration
• Fur trimmings

Wedding Flower Misconceptions Debunked

A lot of brides choose flowers for their wedding based on mistaken assumptions. Do you still think you need to carry roses, or that carnations shouldn’t be part of your options? Think again.

Picking the flowers for your wedding is one of the more enjoyable tasks of wedding preparation. And it can be very satisfying too when your choices work out and you get wonderful results. However, certain myths of wedding flower arrangement have caused many brides to make wrong decisions, which only lead to dismaying effects. Here’s setting the word straight on the rules on selecting and using flowers on your wedding.

Misconception 1: Real flowers are always better than silk flowers

It’s understandable why many women have this assumption. Real flowers, by their nature, just feel more genuine and appropriate for such a special occasion as a wedding. However, there are circumstances where silk flowers are more suited for the occasion, such as when you’re having the wedding outdoors (especially on the beach) where whole bouquets can wither within hours. Silk flowers can also be advantageous as you can order any kind at any time of the year.

Misconception 2: High reception hall ceilings require tall centerpieces

This is probably the most unfortunate flower myth as it makes couples spend so much on something that, more often than not, doesn’t really get appreciated. In some cases, tall centerpieces may even cause disdain from guests whose conversations are made difficult by the obstructing arrangement. If you want prominent centerpieces, make them spread across the table instead of towering your guests. (Just make sure they don’t get in the way of your guests’ eating.)

Misconception 3: All flowers are available throughout the year nowadays

It’s sad to say but there are no flower that blooms all year, though there are long-blooming flowers that can be good decors for your wedding, such as African daisies and day lilies. Some flower stores have greenhouses and import exotic blends, and can provide their clients with a lot more options, but not all flowers can be easily prepared. Thankfully, Singapore, being a tropical country, has a wide variety of flowers that bloom for long periods. When planning what flowers to use, it’s advisable to have a second or even third option.

Misconception 4: Carnations and weddings don’t go together

While some types of carnations are hard to incorporate into a wedding, it’s really a myth that carnations can’t make for good wedding décor. When expertly arranged, carnations can make stunning wedding bouquets and decorations. Carnations come in a variety of colors, which gives them wider versatility than even some traditional wedding flowers. Additionally, carnations are cheaper and can easily be paired with other types of flowers.

Misconception 5: A spring wedding means no dark reds or deep purples

Though many people do feel that bright flowers are only appropriate for weddings in spring and summer, brides shouldn’t feel compelled to follow the tradition. A darker color scheme and unique color combinations can make a wedding peculiarly attractive and memorable. All it needs is a little imagination and a talented florist.

Misconception 6: “I’m a trendy person, my flower décor should show that”

There’s nothing wrong with styling your wedding to reflect your personality, but it’s not always a good idea to make drastic changes, such as using avant-garde fashion. The thing with fashion is it eventually goes out of style, and that goes against the spirit of weddings, which should have a permanent, timeless feel. It’s good to include a few unusual flower arrangement, just don’t make it stand out in the event.

Misconception 7: Roses are the only appropriate flowers for the bride’s bouquet

This is another common wedding myth, and many tempers have been tried just to make sure it happens. But the truth is there is no particular flower that you have to carry as you walk down the aisle. In fact, you can break some other traditions regarding the bride’s bouquet, such as that it has to be bigger than the bridesmaids’ or match exactly. Singapore has a wide selection of flowers that can be made into beautiful a bouquet – don’t limit your options right away.