Pillar, dinner & tealight
Pillar candles, dinner candles, votives and tealights for everyday lighting and special occasions. Choose scented Agnes + Cat votives, herb garden candles and aromatherapy candles to suit your table, altar or windowsill, or to give as a gift.
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What is the difference between pillar, votive and tealight candles?
A pillar candle is a thick, free-standing candle that sits on a plate or stand. A votive is a smaller candle, usually burnt in a glass or holder, while a tealight is a tiny candle in its own metal cup. Dinner candles are tall and slim, designed to sit in a holder and light a table.
How to choose the right candle
Votives are the easiest to give or to try. Our Agnes + Cat Votive Candles come in scents such as Clementine, Moonstone, Parma Violet, Velvet Moon, Vintage Gardenia, White Fig and Provence, so you can mix and match a small collection.
If you enjoy cooking with herbs, the Agnes + Cat Herb Garden Candles, such as Clove, are a nod to the kitchen garden. The Aromatherapy Candles, including Aphrodisiac, are blended with fragrance in mind.
Using small candles at home and in ritual
Small candles are good for everyday ambience and for gatherings, as well as seasonal celebrations. Many people place a ring of tealights around a bowl of stones, or use a single votive for a quiet evening ritual.
Match your candle to a suitable candle holder, and choose from our larger scented candles when you want a long, steady burn. For intention-led burning, see our ritual and spell candles.
Questions and answers
How long do votive candles burn for?
Burn time depends on the size and the wax, so check the product description. As a guide, votives burn for several hours at a time, and they last longer if you trim the wick and burn them in sessions rather than all at once.
What is the difference between a votive and a tealight?
A tealight is a very small candle in a thin metal or plastic cup, while a votive is usually a slightly larger candle burnt in a glass or holder. Votives often burn for longer and may be more strongly scented.
Do pillar candles need a holder?
Yes, pillar candles should always sit on a heatproof plate, stand or holder, because the wax can soften and drip. Make sure the surface is flat and stable, and keep the candle away from draughts and anything flammable.
Are these candles scented?
Many of them are. The Agnes + Cat votives and herb garden candles carry named fragrances, and the product page tells you the scent. If you prefer unscented candles for the table, check the description before ordering.