Nice centerpieces can get expensive when there are a lot of tables to fill, especially when the tables are large. Here is an idea that costs next to nothing. The bowls of floating flowers stretch across the long table to fill up the space. The flowers were free because they were picked from the garden. Even if they had been purchased, it would cost less than big bouquets because each bowl has one flower, so fewer flowers are needed. The bowls are actually the bottoms of Coke bottles that have been cut off (see instructions below) so they were free, too. The candles are tea lights, so they are the cheapest candles you can buy. The floating flowers and candles are placed on a row of placemats that were purchased at a dollar store which help fill up the space so it doesn’t look bare. This was a farewell dinner with about 50 guests.

Folding the napkins helps to make the tables look elegant without adding to the price tag.

view how to fold napkins

Don’t be tempted to float candles instead of flowers because if the candles float too close to the edge, they will melt the plastic. you CAN use floating candles if real glass bowls are used instead of Coke bottles “bowls.”

view how to fold napkins

The same floating flowers and candles were used for a graduation dinner for about 100 guests.