Crafting Beach-Themed Candles for a Coastal Wedding

We had the joy of creating custom candles for a couple’s unforgettable wedding. Inspired by their love story, which bloomed on the Emerald Coast, we hand-poured each candle and carefully blending scents to capture the essence of the ocean. Working closely with the couple, we tailored every detail to reflect their vision, ensuring the candles harmonized with the natural beauty of their beachside ceremony.

Our process was filled with heart, from shaping the wax to embedding subtle coastal touches that echoed the charm of our beautiful area. We crafted a range of pale blue and white pieces for their day, from delicate accents on reception tables to a central glow for their vows, each was poured with good wishes for their journey in life. It was an honor to pour our craft into their celebration.

The Whirlwind

Managing a small candle business can feel like herding cats during a fireworks show, structured chaos at its peak. Your shop surges with orders just as your supplier says there is a delay on a fragrance shipment, leaving five frustrated customers waiting for their “Mango & Coconut” fix. The printer jams, spitting out your “Mermaid Mist” labels with what appeared to be an ancient Egyptian language, and a misplaced delivery box—compounded by your attention-seeking dog—results in a broken toe and a string of muttered cuss words. Your inbox is full with questions like, are the candles are “gluten-free,” while your other dog cries under your chair at each thunderclap. At day’s end, a quiet laugh is the only response to the whirlwind. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day”—though she should have added, “and I’m sleeping in.”

Rainy Days and Candlelight: Creativity in the Quiet Moments

There’s something undeniably magical about a rainy day. The steady rhythm of raindrops on the roof, the mist curling through the trees, the world slowing down just enough to let you breathe. These are the days when time seems to stretch a little softer, and the space between the hours invites you inward—to reflect, to create, to simply be.

In our busy world, rainy days offer the rare permission to pause. No guilt in staying home, no rush to keep pace with the sun. The outside hush brings an inner quiet, and for many of us, that’s when creativity tiptoes back in.

For me, these gray-skied days are for candle making.

The process begins with intention. I choose the scents like I’d choose the mood of a story: comforting notes of vanilla and oak when I’m feeling nostalgic, cucumber and mint to clear the mental fog, watermelon candy when I’m more whimsical, or something earthy and resinous—like patchouli or amber—when I want to feel rooted and present. Each blend becomes its own little world in wax, a sensory echo of the emotions that inspired it.

Candle making is an art of patience. You don’t rush the wax as it melts, just as you don’t rush the thoughts that arise when everything else has gone quiet. There’s a satisfaction in the act itself—measuring, stirring, pouring—like putting order to the formless. It’s soothing the chaos of even the strongest thunderstorm.

Creativity often blooms in these stormy days—not because they’re productive, but because they’re undemanding. Sometimes I write. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I just sit and watch the rain. But there’s always a candle nearby, its warm flicker a quiet companion—steadily glowing, easing my thoughts and calming the dogs through the thunder’s rumble.

So the next time the sky turns heavy and the rain begins to fall, take it as an invitation. Brew your favorite tea. Silence the noise of the world. Light a candle and allow the scent to carry you through memories, feelings, and quiet reflections.

Rainy Days and Candlelight

Creativity in the Quiet Moments

The Art of Candle Making

Candle making starts with a vision. You choose your wax—soy, paraffin, or beeswax—each with its own personality. Soy burns clean and slow, perfect for eco-conscious customers. Beeswax carries a natural honeyed glow. Then comes the scent, the soul of the candle. I love experimenting with different fragrance blends, creating scents that evoke Florida’s essence: citrus groves, ocean breezes, or the earthy calm of a mangrove forest. Other times, I long for the fall scents with anything Cinnamon.

The process is hands-on and meditative. Melting the wax, measuring the fragrance, setting the wick just right—it’s a rhythm that pulls you in. Pouring the molten wax into a mold or jar feels like capturing a moment in time. As it cools and hardens, there’s a quiet anticipation, knowing that soon it’ll bring light and comfort to someone’s space. Testing a new scent or design and seeing it glow for the first time? Pure joy. Even the selection of different types of glass or tin is part of the creating process. I sometimes wonder if I spend too much time on that. But in cases of the Opal Beach Candle, it produced artwork that is impressive.

Smile!

Many event goers have said, “I love your business name!” It’s a playful nod to my name, Stacey, with “smiles” added for fun. I’m usually smiling and love bringing smiles to others, even the grumpiest ones—it’s like a little quest. I chose this name long before starting my business. At a vendor event, someone entered my tent who I later learned was a “competitor”. I don’t like seeing anyone as competition, though, we are all creating beautiful things. They were rude, and despite my efforts, I couldn’t get a smile. Another customer whispered they were checking out my items to copy them, ending with, “Bless their hearts.” That made me smile and reminded me of an old friend. If you sell similar things, I wish you luck and smiles. If you want to copy me, I’m flattered—never thought I was worth copying! Stop by my tent anytime; you’ll get a smile, whether you buy or not. Life’s hard, but smiles are free.

My First Blog Post

In October 2024, I took the plunge and filed the paperwork to make Stay Sea Smiles an official business in Florida. For years, fear of the unknown held me back, despite crafting candles and soaps for fun, weddings, parties, and gifts. Florida’s business-friendly environment turned my dream into reality. Starting out, I was overwhelmed by licenses, insurance, websites, and wholesale purchasing. Creating is my passion, but numbers and organization aren’t my strengths. Thankfully, my husband stepped in to handle the business side. Still, as first-time business owners, we faced a steep learning curve.

Our first vendor event, a small one just two miles from home, was a whirlwind. Setting up was a challenge, and the event brought surprises: territorial vendors arguing over inches of space, kind vendors helping elderly neighbors with tents, and eager early birds buying before we could unpack. Despite the chaos, it was exhilarating. We made new friends, gained repeat customers, and were hooked. Family members even joined to help. Since then, Stay Sea Smiles has grown, with an expanded product line and a bright, beautiful future ahead.

Stacey