Wick-ed Good: DIY Wedding Candles

You want to make your mark on your wedding celebration, and what better way than to customize the sources of warmth and light that will illuminate the scene? Whether you decide to dress up existing candles, or create entirely new candles from blocks of wax, the following tips will help you get started.

Making Your Own Candles

First, decide what type of wax you'd like to use. Paraffin waxes are the most common, but lately soy waxes have been growing in popularity as an alternative to petroleum products. Beeswax and palm wax are also popular options.

You can find blocks of wax in most craft supply stores, or you can order them online. It's better to start with more wax than you think you'll need, so you don’t have to worry about running out in the middle of the process. The amount you'll need varies by wax density and the size of your mold, but a general rule is that you'll need: 38 grams for every inch of length for a mold of two inches in diameter, 100 grams for every inch of length for a mold of three inches in diameter, and 165 grams for every inch of length for a mold of four inches in diameter.

To melt a block of wax, you'll need a double-boiler over medium heat. This will distribute the heat evenly; never expose your wax directly to an open flame or stovetop heat. If you don’t have a special double-boiling apparatus, you can easily create one by resting a smaller pot of wax inside a larger pot filled with boiling water. The extra layer of water will cushion your wax from the heat and make sure it melts evenly without burning.

Pick your preferred type of candle wick. Flat braided and square wicks tend to curl into the flame, giving a cleaner burn. Cored wicks, on the other hand, burn straight upward and are the better choice for candles that will be set into high-walled containers.

When your wax is evenly melted, you may add coloring to your candle. While some DIYers like to add crayon wax for color, the wax does not always mix smoothly, and tends to put off more smoke and soot when burned. An easier (and often less expensive) way to color your candle is by purchasing a bottle of commercial candle dye in the exact color you want. Be sure to add a liberal amount of dye for deep colors like navy and burgundy; otherwise you risk candles in pastel shades like teal and salmon.

It's also time to add fragrance. Not all candles need added fragrance, and it's worth it to err on the safe side if you don’t want to aggravate guests' allergies. However, fragrances can go a long way towards setting the tone of the room, so give some thought as to whether floral, herbal, musky, or dessert-like smells evoke your desired atmosphere. Instead of essential oils, which don't always behave well when heated, either purchase candle fragrance from the craft store, or use lamp ring oils, which are meant to be heated and give off a strong fragrance.

Pour your melted wax into your mold. There are many beautiful store-bought molds, or you can make your own from any cylindrical form (round, square, or any other shape). You can cut the tops off of empty bottles and fill the bottle with wax– just make sure to hold the wick in the mold exactly where you want it before you start pouring.

The wax will harden around the wick after six or so hours; leave it overnight to be sure. Depending on the shape and material of your mold, you can either ease the finished candle out, or cut the mold to release your candle.

Decorating Store-Bought Candles

Not up to the task of making your own candles from scratch? You can still enjoy customized tabletop decorations. It's simple to design votive candles to match your wedding colors and theme. All you need to begin with are candles and glass holders to fit them.

Find colored paper with a printed pattern you like, making sure that the lighter areas will let light through. Translucent paper of tissue-paper thinness is perfect for this, and can be layered for an even prettier effect. If you're using more opaque paper, try cutting or stamping shapes into it to cast light patterns on the tables. You may also want to try making your own paper for a truly customized decoration.

Cut the paper to the right size so it can be wrapped fully around each glass candle holder without the edges overlapping. The paper should be the same height as the glass, or you may choose to leave a decorative rim of plain glass along the top and bottom of the candle holders. Smooth, straight glass holders work best for this project and are the most simple to decorate, but if you're feeling ambitious, you can achieve the same effect with textured glass holders. The more complex your candle holder's shape, the thinner your choice of paper should be.  

To wrap the paper around the glass holders, you'll need a clear fixative like Modge Podge. Paint it directly onto the glass (don’t worry if it looks cloudy, as long as the package states it will dry clear), and wrap the paper around the glass, firmly smoothing it into place with your fingertips. There should be just enough overlap at the edges so that no plain glass peeks through, but not so much that you get a dark strip where the paper is double-layered. Brush some extra fixative lightly over the seam to seal it in place.

As with any DIY project, try making a sample candle to make sure you've perfected your technique before embarking on the project of producing all of your wedding candles at once. You may find you discover ways to tweak and streamline the process as you go for a more personalized effect.