Floating candles are a great mood enhancing centerpiece. When sizing your floating candle bowls take into consideration the size of the table you are placing them on. Are you planning an intimate dinner for two or the next summer party? What else will be on the table? For that romantic dinner a smaller bowl will look great without taking up too much of the table. You wouldn't want your guest to burn themselves as they reach over to hold your hand.
Buffet tables may call for larger bowls or a series of smaller ones. Imagine the placement of any other items on your tables. Imagine the visual lines of your guests. If they will be sitting at the table you will want to keep the centerpiece fairly low so everyone can see everyone else. Don't choose a pedestal type bowl that comes up more than twelve inches and there should be nothing overhanging your floating candle bowls. Large dry flower arrangements in close proximity could cause a fire hazard.
Instead add flower petals to your floating candle bowls. Make sure they are fresh. The other option is to place flowers underneath a clear pedestal style bowl. Many different shapes and sizes are available and the possibilities for using them to enhance your home or event are endless. One of the fascinations with the combination of water and fire are the reflections of the flames off the water. The shape of the bowl will affect the reflections. If you plan to burn the candles for an extended period of time the shape of the bowl is important. If the lip of the bowl curves inward, trapping some of the heat inside the bowl, the glass could eventually crack. The reflections on the other hand may make that bowl the perfect choice for a fairly short activity.
