Affordable Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception
When it comes to decorating your reception tables, the centerpieces for each table play a major role in setting the tone and style of your wedding.
They'll be one of the major focal point for your guests while they're eating their meal, and spectacular or unique centerpieces can add an element of sophistication or surprise to your event.
The most established kind of centerpiece — and the most expected — is flowers. There are literally thousands of popular floral centerpiece designs, from tall lilies to tightly packed roses.
You should really shop around and check out different wedding supply shops and online specialists to see the different possibilities, and look at the varying prices. Also remember that you'll need a centerpiece for every table ... which could get expensive if you're planning to invite a large number of guests.
For a cheaper option, buy the flowers yourself from a wholesaler, and put together simple displays such as six tulips in a glass vase. You could also use the bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces to really get the best value out of them. Believe it or not, brides do this all the time!
Instead of fresh cut flowers, consider using potted plants as centerpieces. You can decorate terracotta pots, and choose flowers that coordinate with your wedding colors.
These centerpieces will last long after your day has ended, and provide a gift as lasting as it is lovely for your special guests.
Popular alternatives to floral centerpieces include candles and fruit. Candles are a wonderful way of creating an air of romance and enchantment for your wedding, and look particularly great if your venue's dimly lit. But if you plan to hold your reception in the afternoon, with plenty of natural daylight, candles may not produce the appropriate dramatic effect.
You could purchase candelabras for each table for an elegant look, or introduce a less formal but lovely centerpiece of floating candles and rose petals in a large glass bowl. Just ensure that any holders or bowls you use are heat-resistant, and also check with your venue for any restrictions on the use of naked flames.
Fruit is an attractive, decorative choice -- your guests might even nibble on it later in the evening! Other edible choices include candy, chocolate lollipops or Hershey's Kisses. Use your imagination to display whatever treats you choose in an exciting, visual way, using glitter, flowers, tiered trays, rose petals, vase gems and so on.
Be as original as you like when it comes to your centerpieces. You could start by displaying something really personal, such as hand-written poems or family photographs in ornate picture frames.
If you're having a themed wedding, create a unique centerpiece to reflect the wedding motif. For example, wonderful centerpieces for an Asian-themed wedding is a bonsai tree, individual water fountains, or large origami creations. Anything that ties into your theme is bound to wow the eye.
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May 31st, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Tammy,
My son and his fiance are getting married at the beach in early Sept. We are doing alternating table arrangements. I went to Garden Ridge and purchased tubular looking glass vases, we are adding shells at the bottom, water and floating flowers in the middle in water and a floating white candle on top We are laying them on top of a squared mirror with two tea light candle holder on the side. We will be putting a few shells around on the mirrors as well . I have collected the shells over the years. .The cost is $3.00 for the vase, $1.00 for the flowers and about $1.25 for each floating candle. The mirrors can be bought cheaply.
The second table top idea we are doing is an oval table top vases from Walmart (around $3.00 as well) adding sand half way, adding a medium sized pillar candle in the middle adding more shells on top. Tying a bow around the vase (I am using tulle) in the middle and gluing a fake gerber daisy on the bow. Again laying it on the mirrors. We are doing flowers at the cake table, picture table and brides/grooms table. Just using the tubular shaped vases , putting rocks in the bottom and adding a dozen roses. We are getting our flowers from Costco. You can get 2 dozen roses for under $15.00. I am figuring on about $10. - $15. per table max. for arrangements. The biggest problem is going to be getting it down to the beach 7 hours away. Good Luck
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
My Son and his girlfriend are getting married in Aug and they would like sand centerpeices and i have no clue on what to do… Any ideals?
November 21st, 2007 at 4:58 pm
We are having a evening black tie wedding and some of the people coming dress too casually. How do I mention the black tie dress code on the invitation without being offensive?
July 31st, 2007 at 5:58 am
Mandy use Hawaiin foods like Hawaiin chicken, lots of pineapple dessert centerpices on your fruit display. Shells that are iridescent.
July 31st, 2007 at 5:52 am
Colleen maybe you can put some round christmas ornaments the same colors as your wedding or all the same color with long stemmed flowers or a flower coming out the top of the vase.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Hey,
I am having trouble with centerpeices as well. My wedding is in December though. I am on a strict budget but I want floral centerpeices.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Melissa, I do not know if you have decided what to do with your centerpieces yet but if not you could put some glass pebbles in the bottom add a stem of pink roses down in the container, add water and float a candle on top. You can even glue a band of ribbon in your colors either at the top or bottom of the container.
Hope this helps. Happy Planning
April 25th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
I am wondering could i have a romantic wedding and the reception be hawaiian?? Having hard time picking out centerpieces and the wedding is 10 wks away.
March 15th, 2007 at 5:55 am
HEy does anyone have an idea on cheap centerpeices for a tall round shaped glass (plastic but it looks like glass) my colors are clover and pink!!!! and were using pink roses for our bouquets!!!