What you'll make
Each centerpiece is three clear glass cylinders in three heights, filled with water and topped with a white floating candle, with an optional sprig of greenery sunk underneath. The vases and candles come from Dollar Tree and Walmart, so one table costs about $12 against roughly $59 for a ready-made set. Nothing to glue or paint, and the glass is reusable after the wedding.
Materials (per item)
| Clear cylindrical glass vase, 10.5 inches tall 1 ($3.00 at Dollar Tree; sold online in cases of 12) · Dollar Tree | $3.00 |
| Clear glass cylinder vase, 8.5 x 3.4 inches 1 ($1.75 at Dollar Tree; sold online in cases of 12) · Dollar Tree | $1.75 |
| Mainstays clear glass pillar vase, 6 x 3.67 inches 1 ($4.96 at Walmart) · Walmart or any home decor aisle | $4.96 |
| Luminessence unscented white floating candles, 2.87 inches wide 3 (1.5 packs of 2 at $1.25 a pack at Dollar Tree) · Dollar Tree or the candle aisle at Walmart | $1.88 |
| DIY cost each | $11.59 |
Tools
Pitcher or watering can, Tape measure, Long lighter, Floral snips or kitchen scissors, Lint-free cloth
Sources
- Patch: Tips and tricks for submerged centerpieces · 2026-10-26
- Florist20 forum: Candle centerpiece question (floating candles in cylinders) · 2026-10-26
- Homemade Lovely: DIY floating candle centerpieces · 2026-10-26
- Dollar Tree: Clear cylindrical glass vase, 10.5 in ($3.00) · 2026-10-26
- Dollar Tree: Clear glass cylinder vase, 8.5 in ($1.75) · 2026-10-26
- Walmart: Mainstays clear glass pillar vase, 3.67 x 6 in ($4.96) · 2026-10-26
- Dollar Tree: Luminessence unscented floating candles, 2-ct ($1.25) · 2026-10-26
- Etsy (PaleHome): Floating candle table centerpiece set, 4 vases with candles and pearls ($58.99, ready-made) · 2026-10-26
Each guide is built from at least three published how-to sources and real store prices, checked on the date shown. We write the steps in our own words and list every source at the bottom.