Wedding Wednesdays Q&A: Are Candles Necessary?

It’s your favorite time of the week, Wedding Wednesdays Q&A where we answer all your wedding planning questions. Today we’re chatting about wedding decor:  I’m a DIY bride partially because I like creating things on my own, but also because I’m on a tight budget and I just can’t spend a lot of money on my wedding.  I’m making a lot of the decor myself (centerpieces, boutonnieres, favors, etc…), but one thing I’m struggling with are candles.  It’s not really something I can make and it’s not that cheap to buy them.  I’ve been thinking that perhaps I don’t need them since I have other things going on at the table.  What do you think?  Are candles necessary at a wedding?

This is a very common question that a lot of DIY brides have especially when the wedding budget is concerned.  So, the short answer to your question is no.  Are candles going to make or break your wedding?  No.  No one is going to die without candles, it’s not like food or drinks or bathrooms.  Candles are not a must have if we are talking about the basics of wedding needs.

However, the long answer is a little more complicated.  While candles are not absolutely necessary, they really add ambiance.  They make the table warm, romantic, inviting and everyone looks good in candle light.  It also visually kicks everything up a notch whether you are doing a full on glamorous event or a super simple rustic one.  Candles really add to both the decor, but also the feeling of the wedding.  Needless to say, I’m a big fan.

Now if your wedding budget is super tight, candles may not make the cut.  But, if you have a little bit of money left to allocate, I do think it makes everything nicer.  To help with the budget, you can go and collect glass jars and containers from friends and family do a bit of an eclectic look using simple tealights.  This should help save you some money.  Or you can purchase some simple clear ones online or at Ikea.  They are pretty cheap and can work with most budgets.

(Photo credit: Suzy Clement Photographs)