Basics

The basis for all of the gel candles includes the following items:

• Candle gel
• Wicks – preferably coated as they are easier to work with
• Scissors for trimming the wick
• Accessories as listed in the recipes

Beach Themed Candles

Beach lovers will enjoy the thought put into this candle as well as the beauty of having the seashore brought inside. 

Items Needed:

• Glass containers: Size and shape are totally up to you; small fishbowls are wonderful for larger candles
• Sand, either regular beach sand or glitter sand
• Seashells and Sand Dollars – you can purchase these at your local craft store or find them on the  beach
• Fragrant oil for scenting the candle, if desired.

Instructions

• Using hot glue secure the wick to the inside of your glass container.
• If using coloring or scented oil place in gel as it melts.
• Pour sand in the bottom of the container.
• Pour in a layer of melted gel– if you want a pale ocean color, tint with light blue dye while melting. Similarly, if you want the candle to have a fragrance, add a light-bodied fragrant oil while melting the gel.
• Add seashells and sand dollars around the outer edges of the container.
• Add another layer of gel, covering the shells completely.
• Depending on the depth of your container, you may be able to add another layer of shells before topping off with gel.
• Allow to set and trim the wick to ¼” from top of container.

Variations

• After adding the sand cover put a layer of small shells on top of it before beginning gel layers; or
• Add a large conch shell on top of the sand then use smaller ones as you layer the gel.

These beach themed candles make great centerpieces for outdoor or indoor weddings or summer parties.

Bride and Groom Candles

Give the bride and groom a set of matching candles made using champagne flutes.  Add a light scent and color that corresponds to the wedding color to make them even more special. If you prefer to have the candle colored more like champagne, use a pale yellow color.

Items Needed:

• Champagne flutes – plain or inscribed with “Bride” and “Groom”
• If desired, small bride and groom figurine, small ceramic wedding bells, or other wedding celebration accessories you would like to add. Make sure any items you choose are ceramic.
• Fragrant oil for scenting the candle, if desired.
• Lace or ribbon for decoration

Instructions

• Secure the wick to the bottom of the champagne flute using hot glue.
• If using coloring or scented oil place in gel as it melts.
• Fill the flute partially with gel.
• Place the bride figurine in one flute, the groom in the other flute – if using inscribed flutes, make sure the bride is in the bride flute and the groom is in the groom flute.
• Continue filling with gel until approximately ¼ inch from rim.
• When gel sets, trim wick to approximately ¼”.
• Tie a pretty ribbon or lace bow around the base of the flute.

Variations

• Instead of using a bride and groom, add plastic wedding bells as you fill the flute. Alternate layers of wedding bells and gel until you reach the top; or,
• Use artificial flower petals that represent the bouquet carried by the bride.

 These flutes make great keepsakes to remind your favorite couple of their special day.

By far the most popular design for gel wedding candles are those made in champagne flutes. Very traditional for a wedding, as long as your guests realize they are candles and not drinks. You can either leave them plain, to resemble a real glass of champagne, or jazz them up with some themed embeds.

A pair of gold or silver rings in each candle would be a nice touch, or wax version of the flowers used in the ceremony. Never use real flowers, because they will become a fire hazard when the candles are burning.

Planning a themed wedding? Use your gel candles to show that off. With some searching, you should be able to find safe knick knacks to suit your theme that would work in a gel candle.

When using gel candles in a wedding, you should never place them near any flowers or possibly flammable decorations. They will burn hotter than traditional candles, so plan their placement ahead of time.

Many gel candle suppliers or makers can accommodate your specific design needs, if you want to order a batch of custom made candles for your wedding. Of a bunch of crafty bridesmaids could get together and have a candle-making party.