Need input on which candles to use

Tygirljojo

So, I got a bunch of www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30122986" target="_blank" title="IKEA lanterns">these lanterns to hang around the perimeter of the canopy/tent along with some tissue paper pomanders (not next to each other or even very close - they'll be about 3 ft apart, but both will be hung along the edge) and was hoping to find some citronella tealight soy candles (due to longer burn time) to put in them, but am unable to find any. 

So next option is to use citronella votives in regular parrafin wax like www.quickcandles.com/Outdoor-Votive-Citronella-Scented-Set-of-72-p/pm_1019_72.htm" target="_blank">these, but the ones I found are an orange color and I'm not sure how they'll work with the lantern - I want to avoid having the melted wax go onto the inside of the lantern but am unsure if that will  happen or not. Anyone have input?  I want a candle that will burn at least 5 hours. 

dstolz0417

I think the ones from quickcandles will work just fine. I LOVE the lanterns you got. I'm also doing lanterns in my wedding. Small ones to line the aisle.

StarrryEyez19

I love that idea! I was thinking of something simular possibly. I agree with dstolz that the quick candles will look just fine.

GL

mma3

I purchased some votives from quick candles and they are really good.  However the burn time on the tealights had me wondering a little.  I am using Partylite only because I know they will hold up.  Check on Ebay....

sarack

those candles are big but i think they'll be fine. what is their return policy? if you get one and don't like it.. what will happen?

melissa82

You're going to be the candle inside a votive holder and then inside the lantern, right?

Tygirljojo

Did check ebay, but I might check again.

Sara - don't know, good question, but honestly, I'm not a fan of returning items I ordered online due to cost of shipping to return them.  But I will look at that.

Melissa - no.  The lanterns have that little cup in the middle to hold the candle and when I measured, a candle with 1.5" diameter will fit, but if I have a holder for it, it won't.  I have thought about getting the empty tealight plastic cups (minus the candle part of course) and putting the votive in that.

melissa82

Ah OK now I see it in the photo.

After 5 hours of burning, wax will definitely drip down the sides and onto the bottom of the lantern IMO. I don't think it will affect your usage or anything. I've also heard of soaking candles in a salt water solution to make them "dripless" (more like limiting their amount of drip). You can also stick the lanterns in the freezer afterward to easily remove any wax.

Tygirljojo

Yeah, I was afraid of that.  And I have a feeling the little plastic tealight cups won't be large enough to hold the wax in.

mma3

If you are using a votive you def need a cup.  Have you looked at Michaels?  They are a little spendy but I think that is your best bet.  For a 5 hour burn time you need a votive.  Tealights might make it depending on where you get them.  The cheap ones will not work.  How many lanterns are you hanging?  PL candles are the best but can spendy.  My suggestion is to look for them on ebay or do a catalog show (I am always good for an order) 

Tygirljojo

How long do PL tealights burn for?  The lanterns are enclosed with a hinged door on the side with the cutouts on top for ventilating.

mma3

They burn on average 4-6 hours.  In my experience ( I am a major candle junkie) I generally avg 4 hrs.  I have experimented with many other brands and when it came time to buy them for my CP I went with PL.  I didn't want them burning out. 

Tygirljojo

Hmm...not sure if that's long enough - may still have to stick with the votives.  I'm going to have to check with someone for logistics.

braveangel2

I don't have candle advice except that it's best if they're not scented - gets weird with the food smells.

mma3

My best suggestion is to use a slender cup. 

Tygirljojo

Brave - if you were at my MOH's wedding a few years ago which is 3 days before ours, you'd want citronella around the canopy area.   I'm going to have floating candles in the CPs that will be unscented, but I want to keep the mosquitos at bay.

melissa82

May I ask why you're concerned about wax getting onto the bottom of the lantern?

Tygirljojo

Selling afterwards?  I don't plan to keep 30 lanterns.  

One thing DOC did suggest is the battery operated tealights.  Biggest concern with that is the lack of mosquito repellent smell, however also unsure of how a fake tealight would look in those lanterns since they are pretty transparent, regular glass vs. a frosted that wouldn't show. 

mma3

Most candles will liquify (sp?) when melting.  Especially PL.  Are you on the northend?  FB me.

melissa82

Oh OK, like I said, you can just stick them in the freezer afterward and the wax will come right out very cleanly. Try it on a candle holder you already have. I wasn't sure if there was another reason.

dreamwinds

Have you thought of parchment paper on the bottom of the lanterns? That way even if it does drip, you'll be able to peel the paper right off and it shouldn't be so hard?

Tygirljojo

MM - Southend.  And you'll have to forgive me, but I can't remember your real life name.

Melissa - Good idea!  I just might try it!

Dream - the lanterns have a built-in cup/holder thingie in the center and if parchment was put in it wouldn't be flat.  But it's a good idea if the laterns were a flat bottom!

mma3

I sent you a message through FB.

Tygirljojo

MM - just saw your FB msg - sorry!  :P  I deleted your reply for safety reasons.

KST_

Tygirl - you could put parchment in the bottom, just cut out holes for the little cup!

braveangel2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_washington-seattle_need-input-candles-use?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:104Discussion:f6799133-285f-45d5-b0e8-d0e74eb5e631Post:0c258dc3-f541-43df-b96f-baacb899e50f">Re: Need input on which candles to use</a>:
[QUOTE]Brave - if you were at my MOH's wedding a few years ago which is 3 days before ours, you'd want citronella around the canopy area. :)  I'm going to have floating candles in the CPs that will be unscented, but I want to keep the mosquitos at bay.
Posted by Tygirljojo[/QUOTE]
Oh duh- the mosquitos - I was thinking some citrus smell :P serves me right for speed reading. :)

Tygirljojo

I'm going to look into some other options.

Brave - It's okay - I do it to.

Merryfj

I was at Fred Meyer today and they had citronella tea lights in the summer decor section. Not sure what you are looking for at this point though.

Tygirljojo

Thanks, Merry, good to know!