Romantic candlelight and whimsical centerpieces are the perfect way to create a dreamy wedding reception atmosphere! White, cream, and ivory candles are all classic choices, but we also love these gorgeous colorful taper candle arrangements to add elegance and incorporate a pop of color to your reception tablescapes.

Colorful tapered candles are perfect additions to sophisticated and romantic wedding aesthetic, and there are so many ways to use them to decorate! Whether you’re looking to only have them on reception tables, or incorporate them in your ceremony altar or aisle set up, there’s a beautiful way to incorporate tapered candles into your wedding decor. Read on to see our favorite ways to incorporate tapered candles and fabulous color ideas for any venue or bridal style.

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What Are Tapered Candle?

Tapered candles are long, thin candle typically with a cylindrical base that narrows as it approaches the top. Most are plain, but some can be twisted for a whimsical take on a classic look.

How to Make Tapered Candle Centerpieces

Let your tapered candles enhance the focal points of your centerpieces, or make them the star of the show! We have 39 ideas below for all kinds of centerpieces, all you have to do is see which design speaks to you and replicate it.

Tapered Candles + Tapered Candle Holders

We love this unique and elegant take on a tapered candle, combining them with beautiful, tall glass candle holders! It also helps prevent the flames from blowing out accidentally.

Gold Candlestick Holders

These classic gold candlestick holders are so old-world elegant and an easy way to incorporate a vintage feel into your decor.

Soft Pink & Gold

This fairytale combination is perfect for spring and summer weddings. It’s so soft and romantic!

Multi-Leveled Tapered Candles

Upgrade your tapered candles and hurricane holders with this dramatic clustered look.

Keep It Simple

Simple and sophisticated, these monotone candle color scheme with soft cream flowers, spread out on a long reception table is perfectly understated.

Sherbert Orange & Gauzy Table Runner

This is one combination we wouldn’t have expected to be so gorgeous. The warm orange paired with a delicate table runner is perfect for a romantic reception look.

All White

While white isn’t technically a colorful tapered candle idea, this arrangement was so pretty we just had to include it! We love this classic all-white look with an exposed table, greenery, and crystal stemware.

Bright Blue

Make your spring or summer wedding pop with beautiful blue candles! We love the color combination of this bright blue paired with greenery, gold, and soft pink florals.

Overflowing Florals

Talk about a fairytale wedding look. These overflowing florals paired with small votive candles and blush pink tapered candles is just magical!

Extra-Tall Candles

Edgy and unique, these extra tall tapered candles are a whimsical idea for a garden-style or other outdoor reception.

Shades of Pink

This beautiful table centerpiece idea features shades of pink and really pops with the addition of gold cutlery.

Bronze Candlesticks + Pampas

This fabulous boho table centerpiece idea is simple and tasteful. Combine bronze candle sticks with a tulle table runner, and beautiful pampas stealing the show in the middle of the table.

Tiered Candle Centerpiece

Another multi-level candle centerpiece idea, but this one takes it to new heights!

Black Tapered Candles

Dark, moody and dramatic, this is a unique and gorgeous centerpiece idea for fall or winter weddings for brides that are looking to be a little edgy with their color palette!

Blush & Rose Gold

Warm and rosy, perfect for a wedding reception! This combination is stunning for spring or summer weddings.

Multi-Color Candles

Can’t decide which color in your color palette to choose for your candles? Include them all! This mismatched look is so pretty for spring.

Turquoise Candles

Gorgeous jewel tones combine for a luxe tablescape that’s full of elegance and sophistication.

Black & Grey Candles

This fun combination pairs beautiful with gold and soft pinks for a glamorous look.

Red Wedding Candles

Winter and fall weddings are the perfect place to add a beautiful red pop of color in your wedding centerpieces!

Soft Orange Hues

These beautiful orange hue candles with differing heights create a whimsical, boho and chic table decor set up.

Royal Blue Candles

Bold brides will love this eye-catching color for candles at the reception.

Sage Green Candles

Natural and rustic, these sage green candles feel so fresh for a spring or summer wedding.

Hot Pink & Orange

Combine two bright colors for a beautiful tropic-feeling combination!

Mint Green & Dried Greenery

This take on candles is minty fresh! We love the color combination with the dried flowers.

All Pink

You can never go wrong with all pink! This pretty candle & floral set up is so romantic and elegant.

Soft Orange Plain & Twisted

Add some subtle visual intrigue with a combination of plain and twisted tapered candles.

Hot Pink Candles

Hot pink – another selection for bold brides! We love this accent color for any warm-weather wedding.

Olive Green Candles

Rustic and earthy, this natural candle color and simple centerpiece set up is perfect for outdoor weddings.

Tiffany Blue Candles

Two words: classic elegance. Tiffany blue candles and white flowers with a matching blue table runner is so gorgeous for a spring wedding!

Black & White Glamour

We know we already included black candles on our list, but this centerpiece set up is too pretty not to share! We love this over-the-top glam look for a luxe reception aesthetic.

Robbins Egg Blue Candles

Robins egg blue is a dreamy color for spring weddings!

Purple Pantone

All purple everything makes for an unexpected yet gorgeous wedding reception table!

Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding

For Bridgerton fans, this whimsical reception table complete with periwinkle tapered candles is a dream reception centerpiece.

Shades of Red

We love shades of red for a fall or winter wedding, it’s so rich and romantic! This color scheme is stunning for a reception table set up.

All Green Everything

This all green wedding table decor is absolutely stunning with an exposed wood table, minimal decorations and pops of white florals.

Purple Candles

These beautiful purple tapered candles add a touch of whimsy and elegance to this fresh spring reception table set up!

Peach Candles

Pretty peach and gold make for an effortless and fresh reception table set up!

Taupe Candles

This sophisticated color lets the flower arrangements steal the show while adding a touch of elegance to the centerpiece.

Dusty Blue Candles

Dusty blue makes for a beautiful yet subtle pop of color on a wedding reception table.