Every Candle:
After lighting, allow enough time for the wax to melt completely to the edges of the container to prevent "tunneling." This is especially important on the first burn. Wax has a memory and will only melt to the last burn circle the next time it is lit.
Once cooled and before relighting, trim the wick.
Wooden Wicks:
The cracking sound is so lovely and the scent throw is amazing. But they can be finicky! I suggest using a torch type lighter for these. Hold the candle at a 45-degree angle until the entire wick has caught the flame. It's important to trim the char off these wicks before lighting again. 1/8 inch is the optimal height for the next burn. If your flame height is low and the wick is drowning, try blowing the flame out, soaking up some excess wax with a paper towel, and tapping off any excess char from the wick. Once cooled, try relighting. You may need to repeat this process more than once.