• Reflect the beauty of the beach in your centerpieces.View of the beach of Caesarea. Old buildings on the beach image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  While the soft sands of a beach would make an ideal party setting, for most party planners a place that is this luxurious is not an option. Just because you cannot host your event on a relaxing beach does not mean that your party can't have an exotic and relaxing seashore feel. To establish a coastline atmosphere for your off-the-beach party, prepare centerpieces reminiscent of this relaxing setting.
  
  

Shell and Floating Candle Bowls

• Water is a ubiquitous element on any shoreline. Bring this soothing feature into your centerpiece design by creating shell and floating candle bowls. Select wide, shallow bowls made of clear or colored glass. Line the bottom of each bowl with seashells, then fill the receptacle with water. Place floating candles atop the surface. Immediately before your event, light these candles to finish off your centerpieces and add some mood lighting to your event. The dim illumination given off by your candles will be similar to the glow cast by the moon on a beach, and the flickering characteristic of a beach-favorite bonfire.
  
  

Sandscape

• Many beachgoers enjoy sinking their toes into the soft sand at their favorite beach. Bring the sand into your centerpiece design as a way to reflect this pastime. To create your sandscape, gather platters with lips to ensure that the sand doesn't slide off your scape setting. Fill each platter with standard playground or beach sand or, to make your sandscapes even more original, use colored sand in a hue reflective of your party theme. Place seashells, a beach shovel and other small trinkets around your platter to finish your design. Exercise great care when placing your platters on your tables to ensure that none of the sand slips off and that your carefully placed beach elements do not move in transit.
  
  

Luminaria Buckets

• For many children, a sand pail proves to be a faithful beach companion. Borrow this beach element and use it to create a lighted centerpiece at your event. To craft your centerpieces, purchase tin or plastic buckets with cutouts around the side. Seek buckets with cutouts specifically reflective of the beach, such as seashells, sailboats or surfboards. Place sand in the bottom of each bucket to weigh it down, then nestle a candle in the center. Light your candles immediately before guests arrive to bring your centerpiece to life.