Candle Etiquette

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Candles and centerpieces should be about two inches below the eye level of your guest. A candle flame flickering between your gaze and the person across the table is annoying, not romantic.

Light the candles just before the guests are seated, and allow them to burn until everyone stands.

White or ivory tapers are appropriate for any table, and of course they should be free from any fragrance. It is excessive to burn candles during sunny, daylight hours; they should be lit only at dusk, or later, or on overcast days when the table might otherwise be gloomy.

To extinguish a candle frame, use a long-handled candle snuffer. If you are obligated to blow out a candle, hold your cupped hand behind the flame so as to prevent spraying hot wax on your linens.

It is recommended that the tips of new candles be burned an inch or so to remove the "newness" from them before being placed on the table.