Are you planning a dinner party and wanna make a lasting impression on your guests? Are you wondering: should you light candles during your dinner party?
There’s something magical about eating by candlelight.
Or at least the idea of it.
The soft glow in the room. The relaxed atmosphere. The way the candles enhance your tablescape.
But then you start questioning the idea.
Is it dangerous to light candles on the table?
Will my guests enjoy eating by candlelight?
I wanna help you answer these questions. So, continue reading so you can decide: Do the pros of eating by candlelight outweigh the cons?
And…
Why do people light candles during a dinner party?
Should I Light Candles During a Dinner Party?
1. The Pros of Lighting Candles on the Table
A. Setting the Mood
Lit candles can set the mood for your dinner party. If that’s the mood you’re going for.
Candles have a unique ability to create a warm and cozy atmosphere that can transform an ordinary dining room into an intimate haven.
The soft, ambient lighting they provide can make guests feel instantly relaxed and at ease, setting the stage for a memorable evening.
B. Enhancing aesthetics
Candles are not just about lighting; they are also about aesthetics.
Placing candles on your dining table can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your tablescape.
They can soften the harshness of overhead lighting and highlight the beauty of your table setting, making your dinner party visually appealing.
2. The Cons of Lighting Candles on Your Table
A. Safety concerns
1. Fire hazard
A top concern about having lit candles on your dining table is they could be a fire hazard. The fear of a candle tipping over and something catching fire.
You can picture someone bumping the table, or accidentally knocking the candlestick, and the next thing you know you’re grabbing water to douse the flames.
Be sure to place candles away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
2. Wax spills and accidents
A second concern is wax spilling and dripping from the lit candles.
Is your table protected?
What will the candle wax drip onto?
How do you clean up melted wax?
These are all valid concerns about lighting candles on a dining table, and ones you should learn how to resolve ~ should they happen.
B. Maintenance and cleanup
Wax residue can be challenging to remove from tableware, tablecloths, or other surfaces.
Do you know how to remove it and are you prepared to do so?
That should be a consideration in making your decision to light candles on your table, or not.
3. Unscented vs. Scented Candles on a Dining Table
If you’re considering lighting the candles on your dining table, you also need to decide if you’re gonna use scented or unscented candles.
I personally recommend using unscented candles, so the scents from your food don’t mix with the candle scent.
If you opt for scented candles, be sure that the smell doesn’t overpower or conflict with the delicious smells from your meal.
4. Alternatives to Traditional Candles
If you really want candles as part of your tablescape, but are afraid to light them, consider alternatives to traditional candles.
A. LED Candles
If safety is your primary concern, opt for LED candles. They mimic the appearance of real candles without the fire risk.
Many battery operated candles come with remote controls. Which is wonderful, because you can easily turn them on and off with just the press of a button. It also enables you to adjust the brightness and create an ideal dining ambiance.
B. Fairy Lights
Adding fairy lights to your table decor is another alternative to candles.
They provide a sweet twinkle and visual interest to your table. The biggest challenge with fairy lights is hiding the control box within your centerpiece.
C. Safe Candle Holders
If you’re worried about the open flame from a candle, use candle holders, hurricanes, or lanterns to enclose the flame.
This will reduce the risk of accidents and allow for lighted candles on your table, which means less stress for you.
Conclusion
Bottom line ~ there isn’t a clear answer on whether you should light candles on your table. It’s a personal decision, based on weighing the pros and cons, and if it’s the right atmosphere for your party.
You know what works best for you and the environment you are creating.
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hi, thanks for the article! I cannot but agree that candlelit dinners and just using them even in the house is very atmospheric and cozy. I quite often use candles instead of light from lamps at dinners – firstly, it’s cool that it adds atmosphere to dinner, and secondly, it saves electricity!!! This is very important, actually. But yes, I think it is very important to keep in mind exactly which candles you will choose so that they do not mix with the smell of food, and it is also very important to take care of safety and not lay a tablecloth at a candlelit dinner to avoid an accident.