Candlelight changes a room with remarkably little material. It also brings rules and responsibilities that should be settled before any holders are chosen.
Ask permission before designing
Ask the venue whether open flame is allowed, whether flames must be fully enclosed, and whether any rooms prohibit candles entirely. A venue may have different rules for tables, windowsills and outdoor areas. Your caterer or coordinator may also have placement requirements.
Confirm whether real candles, LED candles or both are permitted. An LED option can be lovely when grouped with care; its color temperature and flicker style matter more than quantity. Do not describe LED as an automatic substitute without checking how it looks in the room.
Consider the whole table
Keep flame and heat away from hanging fabric, greenery, paper goods and guests’ sleeves. Use holders sized to the candle, stable on the actual surface and protected from drafts. Never place taper candles where a guest must reach across them for food.
If using votives or hurricanes, confirm whether the glass encloses the flame to the height the venue requires. Ask who lights candles, at what time, who monitors them and who extinguishes them. Responsibility should be assigned, not implied.
Plan the end of the night
Wax, soot and broken glass can trigger cleaning or replacement charges. Ask the supplier how pieces must be returned, whether wax removal is included, and what happens to spent candles. Add those instructions to the rental checklist.
Outdoor flames are more complicated: wind, uneven ground and local restrictions can make LED the more reliable choice. Build your tablescape around the approved lighting method, not the other way around.