How to Choose Scented Candles For Your Wedding

When planning a wedding, couples often focus on the visual details: flowers, colors, and lighting. But scent has a quiet power. It shapes the atmosphere in ways your guests may not immediately notice, yet they'll remember how it made them feel. The right candle scent can ground your celebration, reflect your story, and enhance the space in a natural, meaningful way.

Here’s how to pick the perfect scented candles for your wedding - to create the perfect vibe.

Think About Your Wedding Style and Setting

Start by considering your wedding’s location, season, and overall theme. Is your event happening indoors or outdoors? Are you planning a rustic barn wedding or a classic ballroom celebration? These factors help narrow down the types of scents that will feel natural and fitting.

For example, light floral or citrus scents suit spring and summer weddings. Rich, woodsy, or spiced aromas are better for fall or winter celebrations. Also think about whether your venue is enclosed. Strong scents can overwhelm guests in smaller indoor spaces, so subtlety matters.

Match Scents with Visual Decor

Your scent choices should complement the look and feel of your wedding decorations. If you’re using a floral backdrop wall filled with roses and greenery, consider rose, jasmine, or fresh-cut grass-inspired candles. These scents echo your visuals and create a cohesive experience.

If your palette is mostly soft tones like ivory, blush, or white, clean scents, then Serenity Now, Happily Ever After & Aloha Spirit help enhance that elegant vibe. On the other hand, bold colors or moody lighting pair well with deeper scents like sandalwood, amber will work as in our organic candles like Aura Energy, Girl Power & Pele’s Flame.  

Customized candles really make your event special and memorable.  Work with us to create the perfect label, scent, and even gift wrapping. 

Consider Placement and Quantity

Scented candles should never overpower your venue. Place them thoughtfully in key areas like:

• Guest book or welcome table
• Cocktail or lounge areas
• Restrooms
• Sweetheart or cake table

Stick with smaller votives or tea lights on dinner tables to avoid mixing with food aromas. You can also combine unscented pillar candles with lightly scented ones to balance ambiance and fragrance.

Use Scent to Add Meaningful Touches

Scent is one of the most powerful ways to evoke memory and emotion. Select fragrances that hold personal meaning or reflect important moments in your relationship.

For instance, a lavender and sage blend may remind you of peaceful weekend mornings together. A sea salt and driftwood candle might nod to a favorite coastal getaway. These small details add depth and personality without needing to be overly obvious.

Thoughtfully chosen scents help your wedding feel uniquely yours, subtle, memorable, and full of intention.

Coordinate Candles with Your Ceremony and Reception

Some couples like to switch candle scents between the ceremony and reception. You could start with a soft floral during the ceremony and shift to something warmer like vanilla and spice for the reception. This simple change helps transition the mood from formal to festive without needing to change any major decor.

To keep the look polished, make sure your candles also match the physical setting. If you’re using classic white chair covers, pair them with clean white or ivory candles in glass holders. For outdoor weddings or boho settings, choose candles in wooden or ceramic containers to match the organic vibe.

Don’t Forget the Practical Details

Here are a few things to keep in mind when adding scented candles to your wedding:

• Test your scent in advance. Make sure it’s not too strong and that you and your partner love it.
• Be fire-safe. Use flameless candles if your venue restricts open flames.
• Label your candles. If you’re giving them as favors, include a tag with the scent name or a short message. A custom candle gift is a great idea to begin with.

Final Thoughts

Scented candles are more than just decor; they create emotion, enhance atmosphere, and help tell your love story. Whether you’re going for romantic, fresh, earthy, or bold, the right scent makes your wedding feel complete in every sense.

With thoughtful planning, your candle choices will blend perfectly with your theme, visuals, and venue. Just like your flowers or table linens, the right fragrance can turn a beautiful event into a truly memorable one.