Stock Up on These Taper Candles for All Your Summer Dinner Parties

Ahead of an evening of entertaining, you do all you can to craft the prettiest possible tablescape. You've pulled out your favorite china and serving plates and arranged a colorful centerpiece (or two!) as a focal point. The only thing missing? Candlelight. While we'll never tire of votives in glass holders—they're great for delivering soft light that radiates from the base of the table, up—we're partial to taper candles. Thanks to their height (most options clock in around 12 inches), they bring a touch of elegant drama to just about any setup—even a family dinner.

Though there's nothing wrong with the standard options, we'd encourage you to look beyond bulk sets of white tapers and to get creative with your color palette instead. After all, taper candles can do more than simply cast a warm glow on the meal below: They can reinforce the unique colorways and textiles you've so carefully set your table with. That's why we went ahead and rounded up some of favorite options on the market, all of which bring a little something different to the table (literally!). From ombré and color-blocked iterations to gemstone- and earth tone-inspired hues, there's something for just about any design aesthetic, whether you gravitate more towards classic, rustic, contemporary, or minimalist décor.

And while we're fans of sticking with a single shade throughout, using several only creates a more dynamic tableau (which is why we've included several assorted sets). Ahead, the most colorful, surprising taper candle options to buy right now. Stock up on these, and don't be surprised if your lovely candles are the first tabletop detail your guests notice.