To buy candles online vs. to buy instore? Both have their pros and cons. While buying candles from a shop lets you immediately assess their look, scent and feel, you have a limited (and likely more expensive) selection to choose from. When you buy online you have an almost unlimited range of candles at your fingertips but no opportunity to inspect them in person. When all you have to go on is a whimsical name and some professional-quality photography, how do you know if the candle you choose really will fit your home or event?
But while it may not be easy to buy candles online, there are some tips you can take on board to reduce guesswork and shop smarter for candles.
Hall of Flame provides candles Australia-wide to event stylists, wedding planners, exceptional retail sites and savvy shoppers of all kinds. We offer everything from single candles to bulk candles, small and tasteful candles through to the tallest tapers in Australia. And we’re clear about what we offer, to make online candle shopping a lot easier for you.
Here are 10 expert tips from Hall of Flame to choosing candles you’ll be happy with when you shop online.
1. Improve the art of scent selection
Smell is an important aspect of your experience with any candle. Yet you can’t sniff a candle through a screen, and the fragrances of many of the candles you find online are described poetically (and ambiguously). Pay attention to common scent descriptions like floral, woody, citrus, spicy etc. If they sound similar to the scents you love in soaps or perfumes, it makes it easier to choose the right candles.
2. Look at the candle size and burn time
Unless you want to constantly be replacing candles, you need ones that won’t burn out before your event does. Check the weight and the burn time of candles to make sure they can light up your whole event space for as long as you require.
3. Examine the wax blend
The type of wax used has an impact on the burn quality, with blended waxes often producing a lower-quality burn. The wax influences both the quality of the candle burn and the way the fragrance disperses around the space. Options like SANDWAX™ are both sustainable and provide good clean burns.
4. Examine the wick
It may be a small part of the candle but it makes a big difference. Wicks that are too thick can get sooty while those that are too thin can get lost in the wax. Cotton wicks provide steady flames, while the type of wax used determines the best wick as well. Paraffin wax typically needs smaller wicks to control its flames while soy wax and beeswax require longer and thicker wicks.
5. Pick the right candle for the space
When it comes to candles, different colours and scents work better in different environments. While a lot comes down to personal taste, there are definitely some colours, styles and scents that are bang on target for certain themes: white for weddings and other formal events, bright and energetic notes like citrus for parties.
6. Check the customer reviews
Reading feedback and testimonials from customers gives you an unbiased insight into whether the candles you’re inspecting are all they’ve cracked up to be. Pay attention to what customers have to say about the scent, burn time and appearance of the candles.
7. Consider the type
The most common types of candles you’ll find online (and in stores!) are votives, pillars, tapers and tealights. Different candle types suit different sorts of events. For example, taper candles are a common fixture at formal events while some sparkling tealights are an easy addition to parties.
8. Check the return policy
While you’re inspecting the style, colours and vibe of the candles on offer, it also helps to pay attention to the boring but necessary factors like the brand’s return and exchange policy.
9. Shop locally, shop sustainably
Choose an Australian candle supplier who’s passionate both about what they do and about doing it the eco-friendly way.
10. Don’t forget about accessories
Candle holders and accessories can be just as important for making your event a success as the candles themselves. They’re not only practical but aesthetically pleasing, available in styles from the classic candelabra to the modern candle holder.
Find the perfect candles online at Hall of Flame
Hall of Flame makes it a breeze to buy candles online. Our selection of candles in Australia includes while taper candles, white cathedral candles, pillars, votives, tapers, tealights, SANDWAX™ refillable candles and bulk candles sold wholesale by the box for large events.
Our candles are available in a range of different styles and colours to suit your event. With evocative names from Sky Blue to Forest Green to Watermelon Pink that let you know exactly what you’re going to get, our candles make a strong impression at any event.
Established in 2020 to provide premium candles beyond anything the events industry had ever seen before, Hall of Flame continues to provide innovative products that push boundaries and redefine the table styling game. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, we help you stage show-stopping events your guests won’t forget.
To find out more about how to buy candles online, call 1800 573 888 or e-mail hello@hallofflame.store.