How to Make Floating Candle Centerpieces for a Bridal Shower

Floating candles are versatile decorative items.

Floating candle centerpieces are a budget-friendly way to add an elegant look to a bridal shower. There’s no prep or mess; you simply place a floating votive candle in the water and light the wick. The flickering light makes the water in the centerpiece appear to twinkle, which helps ensure the decoration remains a focal point on the table. However, elegant isn’t your only choice, as the floating candles are versatile enough for themes ranging from comical to country.

Things You'll Need

• Floating votive candles
• Filler
• Water
• Container

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom of a large glass bowl with a mix of clear and blue glass decorative stones to create a simple bowl centerpiece. Fill the bowl three-fourths full with water. Add blue and white star-shaped floating votive candles to the water. Place the bowl on the table and light the candles.

2. Select a tall and angular glass vase to create a floating candle centerpiece with a modern look. Fill the bottom of the vase with black stones. Cut a bird of paradise flower to half the vase’s height. Wedge the bottom of the flower’s stem in the stones. Fill the vase three-fourths full with water and add a black floating candle.

3. Wrap an ocean-themed bow around a glass cylinder vase. Fill the bottom of the vase with colorful, heavy, non-floating, plastic toy fish. Fill the vase three-fourths full with water and a few drops of blue food coloring. Add fish- and seashell-shaped floating candles to the water.

4. Fill the bottom of a small cut-glass bowl with clear marbles. Cut the stem from a red silk rose and secure the bottom of the rose in the marbles. Fill the bowl with water and add a red rose-shaped floating candle. Sprinkle red rose petals around the base of each bowl.

5. Gather three champagne flutes or colored tumbler glasses to create a sophisticated candle centerpiece for a bridal shower. Fill two flutes half full with water and one flute two-thirds full. Cluster the flutes together in the middle of the table. Add a pink rose-shaped votive candle to each flute and light the wicks.

6. Fill a small ceramic bowl one-third full with small pebbles. Pour water into the bowl, stopping when the water is a few inches below the bowl rim. Add a single sunflower floating candle to the water and place it on the table. Tuck a small silk sunflower against the base of the bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• Always completely cover items in the container with water before adding your candles. The candle’s flame could cause items sticking up from the water to ignite.