Getting married this coming weekend and I'm trying to suffle out how to take care of one of our table decorations.

We've got cylinder vases (tallest ones are like 9x3.5") for the reception tables that we plan on putting a bit of water in to float some tea candles.

I just tried a little experiment, and the tea candles we got barely float just above the waterline of the cup I was using...but I still ended up getting a bit of water on the candle surface, which I'm sure would be enough to put it out.

So that was in a glass I had filled to the top. How in the world am I supposed to delicately float these things when the waterline is like 6 or 7 inches down in the cylinder???

The lighter is long enough to reach down there, but does anyone have any brilliant suggestions for how to get them in there with minimum water getting on the candle?

Just find someone with tiny hands or what? Put the candle in a dry vase and very slowly fill it up?? Thoughts?

PS: yes, this is the kind of stuff that's preoccupying my mind right now....

Do they make tea candles with a plastic candle holder vs aluminum?

A funnel into a length of tubing from a hardware store long enough to reach the bottom of the vase. Put your candles in first, put tube to bottom, fill.

At least, that's what I'd try. If the tubing wants to curl, I'd imagine you could duct-tape a dowel rod to it to keep it straight. Would probably look ridiculous, but if it works....

Put a few drops of olive oil on top of the water. IIRC, this works.

Just googled this.

https://www.theartofdoingstuff...ting-candlespart-ii/

Saltwater to make it denser?

quote:

Originally posted by bobtheelf:
Saltwater to make it denser?

I like how you think!

Flare the candle base open to increase the displacement volume.
Won’t the co2 build up at the bottom of a cylinder and snuff the candle out?

I knew I could count on the Forum!

Great ideas. I'll experiment and see what works best.

Thanks!

Simple syrup has a higher specific gravity than water. Sugar is pretty cheap so I would probably try that.

Something like the Un-Candle from the 70's?

...or perhaps just buy "floating" tea candles.

Yes there seems to be a difference, They are shaped different and don't have the metal cup. Also cheap enough to order and try...

Amazon example

EVOO should work.

Put the candles inside and get them upright. Pour the oil into the vase using a funnel and tubing so as to not get the oil on the candles.

Best wishes to you and yours.