Choosing Floating Candle Bowls

Deciding which floating candle bowl is best for your floating candles without first establishing a theme can be likened to picking out a vase without knowing the type of flower you plan to put in it. With such a large number of options available you have to tactfully decide which features are most important, and then begin narrowing down your choices within specific styles of floating candle bowls. Below are the most common types of floating candle bowls outlined with the specific benefits and features of each.

Types Of Floating Candle Bowls

• Flat Garden Bowl – The most common type of floating candle bowls are very low lying with crystal clear glass. This style is beneficial because it does not distract you from the floating candles. Taller floating candle dishes have a tendency to block your view of the candles themselves which takes away from the overall beauty of the dish. This bowl also works well if you plan on dying the water with food coloring to add more of an effect. The shallow basin does not require too much water.
• Trifle Bowl – Trifle floating candle bowls are a great way to show off not only the floating candles but also the accents you add to the water to enhance the piece. If you plan on using marbles, fruit, or floating water beads in the centerpiece a clear trifle bowl can bring all of those “extras” into view without distracting you from the floating candles.
• Hurricane Vase - Hurricane vases are best used in areas where people are normally standing to view your creation. Entryways, buffet tables, and console tables are best suited for this type of floating candle bowl. Their tall stature makes them distracting to use as centerpieces because they block your guest’s view of one another.
• Shapes – Using a low lying shaped dish like a heart, triangle, star, or square can give that extra special touch to your centerpiece. It can be a beautiful change from the usual round serving dishes that surround the floating candle bowl.
• Crystal – For the ultimate touch of glass, try visiting your local antique shop to find a low profile crystal bowl to hold your floating candles. This type of dish works better without any filler in the bottom of the pieces as the light can reflect and refract in all directions bringing new life to an old bowl.
• Single Bowls – Setting up multiple smaller floating candle bowls that only have room for one candle in each can be just as beautiful as a single dish with multiple pieces. Place all of the smaller bowls on a mirror facing up with flower petals spread around the edges to create a dynamic decoration with depth and character.

How To Arrange Your Floating Candle Bowls

Once you choose your floating candle bowls, where you put them will depend on what type and style you purchased. Low profile floating candle bowls are best filled about halfway up with water and placed in the center of the dinner table, coffee table, or wedding reception tables. Taller vases and trifle bowls are better suited to placed around the sides of the room on the buffet table, on patio tables, or on console tables. Fill these types of bowls to about 1 inch from the top to bring as much attention as possible to the floating candles themselves, and take emphasis of the floating candle bowls.