Five Easy Do-It-Yourself Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
A great way to save money on your wedding budget is to do your own wedding reception centerpieces. If you keep it simple, you can have elegant centerpieces without breaking the bank.
Here are five simple do-it-yourself centerpiece ideas:
Shimmering Silver
This is probably the cheapest do-it-yourself centerpiece of all! Gather up branches, driftwood, leaves or pine cones. Spray them with metallic silver spray paint and arrange in the center of the tables. Add a few tea lights and you have a shimmering centerpiece perfect for a winter wedding. Looks stunning against a black or dark colored tablecloth.
Tissue Paper Mason Jars
Here are surprisingly elegant centerpieces that cost under $10. Gather assorted mason jar sizes and wrap them in colored tissue paper, add a few flowers and you have cheap centerpieces.
Skip the Flowers
Consider using unusual things for your centerpieces such as peacock feathers, small sculptures, wooden carvings, glass vases full of beach sand or large rocks.
By choosing things that can simply be arranged, you'll save a ton of time and have do-it-yourself centerpieces that everyone will remember.
Think Functional
A centerpiece of candles gives off romantic light and can easily be set-up ahead of time. Likewise, food can be used as an attractive yet functional centerpiece. Consider arrangements of tropical fruits — including star fruit, pomegranates cut in half, melons and citrus — for a lovely summer centerpiece sporting bright colors.
Mix and Match
Helpful tip: always remember to do a mock-up centerpiece a few weeks before the wedding, so you're sure it lives up to your vision. It's also a smart idea to enlist the help of a few friends if your centerpieces are even slightly labor intensive. With a little creativity and a little effort, you'll have unique wedding reception centerpieces in no time!
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ok I’m getting married August 2010 and I need some ideas for elegant centerpieces. My wedding/reception is going to be in the same room reception style seating for the guests at round tables. So I have a total of 24 guests tables so you can imagine that I’m trying to save by doing it myself coming up with something really nice. My colors are Platinum & Lavendar—accented in royal blue.
Please help…any advice would be appreciated. O and the centerpieces doesn’t have to include any floral arrangements as long as I can do something that implements those colors.
Thanks much!
Tiffani T.,
can i see a pic of your venue? would be most helpful in determining the best route to go!! thank you!!
I am looking for centerpiece ideas for winter reception
nita,
* some ideas
*more pics ( loving some pics on here, especially the ones with a mix of pinecones and ornaments, could use fruit instead)
*pics of pinecones ( you could even float them in water)
*widely popular branch centerpieces
( i think it would be gorgeous to have the branches( sturdy ones) and then have glittered or snow edged pinecones hanging from branches. another idea you could take from my state louisiana; take beautiful etched or crystal looking vases pick pine branches and place grouped pinecones within the branches, take the spray ice crystals or snow ( the kind from a craft store cost more but is better. not the kind for a $1 you use on a christams tree) and spray on edges of branches and pinecones in a way an actual snow would. you can google image search pinecones and snow or pine branches and snow to get an idea. last idea is to use the branch and pinecone idea but hang from branches with crystal garland. what you would do is take the pinecones and use a heavy duty glue such as super glue or very adhesive craft glue attach an eye screw making it very secure. then attach a crystal garland with a small gold or silver hook on both ends to hang.
* pinecone diy
* how to hang the crystal strands
So im getting married July 31 2010,
Im having trouble trying to come up with ideas for center pieces!! Im on a tight budget! my wedding reception is going to be outdoors, at a winery. My theme color is light yellow. I NEED HELP!!!! any ideas?
cristal,
I didnt know the formality of your wedding but here are some ideas, keep in mind ( if not protected by a tent) low centerpieces are best to keep from blowing over.
1) crystal bowls full of grapes and lemons
2) crystal bowls full of sugared grapes( just dip in eggwhite mixed with 1 tbsp. water then roll in sugar) spray glue also works but not recommended in case someone notices they are real and eats one. faux grapes from a craft store would also work.
3) grape leaf centerpieces
4) grape centerpieces
*yellow centerpieces
Cristal,
White Candles (lit or not) with corks spread around. Also a great look is any clear vase with corks in them. You can get corks at your local restaurants if you request them to save them for you. It looks fantastic and is very winery themed. Also if the vase is large enough you could out the tall white candle in the vase and surround it with corks.
Jeanette,
Is this what you mean? *photos courtesy of Young House Love
Yes something like that. Or like the attached photo. I also collect corks in a large round (fish bowl like) bowl and that is a GREAT decoration! I can’t find any pictures of it.
Good Luck. Also there are “cork” candles that go in the top of empty wine bottles that also look really cool.
We had a wedding in our yard last July. The colors were yellow,white with some greens. we decorated with white daisies, white mini lights. We made party favors with small white boxes with a yellow ribbon, and white daisie on them. we put lemon wrapped lemon drops in the boxes. We served ice cold lemonade as the guests arrived. We also made chair bows for ALL 200 chairs of white tulle, and a silk white daisy (yellow center) The tent was beautiful as the sun went down, with the yellow,white and mini white lights.
Hi,
I’m not actually the one getting married, but I play a huge part being a maid of honor! :-) My friend is having a beach theme wedding, getting married in NJ. THe reception is in PA where she lives, but I’m stuck on decoration ideas for the Hall……..I was thinking of getting some bowls from Michael’s or another craft store and filling it with sand and possibly floating candles for the center pieces. Any ideas would be appreciated! I’m also trying to stick with affordable decorations if possible.
michelle,
loving the sand centerpieces.
* check out these sand centerpieces, love these!
( i saw these cylinders at a Dollar Tree and Only A Buck) they were good quality and only a $1 each)
can i see a link or pic of the hall, to give you some ideas of what it may need? paper lanterns are super affordable and fill up a space. also using a color scheme like white, khaki, and a bold color will cut costs tremendously cause color takes less decor than white but pair it together and you have a winner!
*like here ( flowers of one type in one color can easily be bought at fiftyflowers.com or any local flower mart, walmart, or grocery store, just pick sturdy ones for DIY)
*ideas
I’m a MOH (Matron of Honor) for a wedding in July 2010, I told the bride about those cylinders at the dollars store. she was so excited ’cause we’re on a tight budget. We’re going to fill the cyliners with water 3/4 of the way, just before the reception, we’re going to mix in silk petals (yellow and purple) and then we’re putting one floating candle and light them up…I can’t wait to see how that looks…
Melissa,
one thing you could do is also go to your local florist or wholesale flowers ( example: grocery stores or walmart) buy up enough flowers ( walmart had a dozen roses for $10) tear off the petals and float with candles. it looks amazing when done. tip: be careful with silk rose petals around water, they tend to bleed in water or on surfaces.
I bought tall clear vases and filled them with water, a few glass aquarium beads that matched the colors of the wedding, and 2 goldfish in each. I surrounded the base with gathered, tan colored fishnet and hot glued starfish, shells and pieces of marine cork. then I sprinkled on clear sparkles. i also floated a lit candle on the water.
The whole thing can be made up ahead of time on a round, white cake board. When you get to the reception, fill the vases with water, add the fish and then the candle and then light it.
If you are thinking floating candles - the bowls can get expensive. Shop you local “All for A Dollar” store - you can use various goblets, bowls, anything clear - super easy & only a dollar a piece…
do you have any ideas for a spring centerpiece??? something different. I am getting married in April and colors will be bubble gum pink/dark pik and white.
Thanks
shelly,
*pink centerpiece
*wedding centerpiece
*centerpiece
*pink wedding
i would put ivy and your assorted flowers in unique containers like tea pots, bird cages, or baskets. have it abundantly spilling over like they were picked fresh from the garden.
First buy small, white, cake circles. Hot glue a tall, thin, clear vase in the center of the cake circle. Fill the vase with shredded confetti-preferably iridescent- the kind you put in Easter baskets. Buy very long stemmed flowers, fit them in the vase. Anything that cascades looks awesome. Lastly, hot glue a vine around the base of the vase and sprinkle it with sparkles. You can add a few petals from the flowers to give it a natural look.
I need help I’m getting married on April 10, 2010 and I have been procrastinating and has really just started planning as far as decorating goes. My colors are apple, champagne, and ivory. I am trying to get some really good centerpiece ideas, and a clear idea of how I would like to have our cake down. Someone please help me
with any ideas or helpful websites. The theme we are leading toward more is apple being that I found these beautiful apple wedding favors and hey it’s part of our colors.
Thank you!
Tami S,
are you having apple red or apple green?
Tami,
Good luck!
Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! I totally feel your pain! I’m getting married on May 15, 2010 & have been TOTALLY procrastinating & it’s just now hitting me that the wedding is now less than 6 months away! Aaagggghhh!! Anyways, take a look at
greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com
A TON of cute/cool wedding ideas here for inspiration.
Hi, I am getting married 10/10/10 and I am trying to save money by doing everything myself…my problem is lack of creativity. My colors are crimson, white, and the men have black tuxes. Bouquets are red roses and white carnations. The reception will be at a community center and they are completely empty…we will have round tables and covered chairs but what do I do for decorations, no nails, no candles. I would like it to have my colors (reds and whites) I may end up with red sashes on the tables…gathered in the middle or sashes on the chairs.
Please help! Thanks so much
christina,
*red and white wedding
*real wedding
*wedding decor
*wedding reception
* using black with the red and white would look awesome!!
*it would actually lend a great look to it. very classy and pulled together without alot of decor.
*like this adding oomph especially since you cant use nails or candles
thank u for the VERY useful photos!!! I found a cake idea already! thanks again
My friend had those colors and she bought a nice bowl from michaels and put red stones/pebbles things at the bottom and floated nice candles on top… if you can use candles, you can float really pretty flowers on top… it looked so pretty and it was cheap!
I was actually thinking of something like that but never dawned on me to use those stones and flowers…great idea! Thanks
1.Buy 3 pieces of 4×8 lattice from Lowes or Home Depot. Draw an arch on the top of each piece and cut it out.
2.Paint the arched lattice white.
3. Buy 3, 8′ floral garland at Michael’s. Buy flowers to match your colors. Outline the edge of thelattice with the garland. Use hot glue to hold it on, white kitchen string, or both.
4. Connect the right edge of the first piece to the left edge of the second piece and the left side of the third piece to the right side of the second piece with white kitchen string. It will look like a bi-fold door and will stand on its own.
5. Hot glue flowers, petals and leaves all over the place.
Stand this beauty behind you and the groom at the head table. Your pictures will look absolutely amazing with this as a backdrop.
Hi all, I am getting married in September of 2010. The reception is an evening outdoor reception on the grounds of a local museum. We are having a sunflower-themed wedding with colors of sunflower yellow, apple red, chocolate brown and deep apricot. Both my fiance and I grew up on farms/ranches and would like to implement some “country” touches but not go overboard. Does anyone have suggestions for unique and cost-effective centerpieces? Mason jars are one possibility but I’d like to have a centerpiece with something other than (or in addition) to flowers. Our budget is tight so it would be helpful if the centerpieces were composed of items we could buy a little at a time. I would welcome any help or suggestions! Thanks!
Dawn,
That sounds like a lovely setting for your wedding. I’m sure your families will appriciate they trubute to them with the farm centerpieces. There are just so many options with a theme like that. Have you checked out the website Style Me Pretty? They’ve featured quite a few farm weddings that you might draw inspiration from. - Amanda
Thanks, Amanda. I looked at the site briefly yesterday and it seems pretty amazing. I will check it out more this weekend!
Dawn,
i would buy up cheap bowls or vases(stemmed urns) and fill them with apples or lemons. they would really go with your theme and for xtra effect have grapevine or greenery trailing from the centerpiece onto the table. check out baskets or mix and match items at second hand stores or flea markets. setting these out should only take up a few minutes and your done! good luck!
Stacey, thanks. I love the idea of using apples and will keep my eyes out for interesting and unique baskets or vases. What do you think about having several types of centerpieces in play (say 4 tables with floral centerpieces, 4 tables with bowls of apples, 4 with mason jars filled with candy, etc.)? Thanks!
Dawn,
i am thinking the same centerpieces will give a more pleasing look. using to many items has the tendency to make the room appear a bit cluttered. you can however set up a candy table ot just have simple lil’ bowls of candies ( also from a second hand store) around the centerpiece for guests to enjoy. another idea you could do is take the bottom of a cake plates or something similar and have your boxed favors with trailing satin or chiffon ( even plaid) ribbon nicely stacked and use that as centerpieces instead.(double duty decor!) i have seen this done at a more casual celebration.
* ideas
dawn,
here is the pic i have been looking for, that can be used for centerpieces, you could do plaid ribbons or plaid fabric that holds the contents. just another idea.
*martha stewart
My wedding is 11/26/10 and am planning a Hollywood Glamour (20’s) themed wedding. My colors are navy (other blues), white and black (men’s tuxedo). I would like to incorporate feathers in my centerpiece, but they can be expensive. Any suggestions on how I can use them and not break the bank?
I have a couple ideas. The first would be to get some of those large glass (or clear plastic) martini glasses. You can find them at party or craft stores. And get some feathered boas to fill the inside and drape over the side of the glass. If this is too plain for you you could do floating candles in the glass and then just put the boa on the outside. You can do the same thing with a hurricane glass and pillar candle with a feathered boa round the base.
The next idea is to have candles or even a floral arrangement in the middle of the tables and then get some fake feather pens (or make your own) and place a few at each table with little cards so your guests can write you a note during the reception.
The third option which appears to be getting on the pricey side is an image I found on google. It loooks awesome though. It has a glass bowl of river rocks and water on the bottom with floating votives in it. Then a tall cylinder in the middle with a large leaf, a flower, and a peacock feather in it. I’ll attach the image so you can see what I mean.
I also wanted to give you this link for some more affordable peacock feathers. Real ones are extremely pricey but if you plan on having the lights dimmed you could easily get away with these fake ones from Oriental Trading Company. They sell all kinds of crafts items so you could probablly get many things you could use from them and save money on shipping.
amanda, i might have an idea. you could get feathers and incorporate them into your bouquets, around base of cake plate.
for a reasonable price you could rent table lamps for your tables and voila instant centerpiece……
*table lamp rentals
this is extreme old hollywood glamour.
this is 1940’s dinner club from the notebook, alot didnt change from the 20’s
*video begin watching at 4:17
the centerpieces from that era would be low centerpieces. so candle globes with feathers around them or just plain candle globes. even single flower vases with 1 to 3 roses in them would work. table lamps were a staple. something that would give off subtle light. i have seen square containers with pillar candles in them. basically anything that you’d see at a restaurant centerpiece now would be at a 20’s-40’s supper club then. simple, unfussy, and dont take up alot of room.
I was going to post that picture! But I knew you had already posted it on here once before. I like your idea about the table lamps. They are candles I assume and not plug ins?
Another thing is that you could put feathers closer to the light source if you use battery operated LED lights instead of candles. Of course they don’t look as nice to the naked eye so this option would be for if you had them more hidden in the centerpeices.
Here are a few other pics. I especially like the one with the pearls and feathers. You could do it on a smaller scale with an empty wine bottle. Try visiting the local dollar store or party store for costume pearls.
amanda,
thank you! yes they are candle lamps. i just love table lamps for a wedding, lends a very stylish, vintage air.
getting married next July in an industrial-meets-urban loft-like space. (exposed brick, hardwood floors) We don’t necessarily have a color scheme to adhere to … mostly just black, white, and brown! Simple but classy… I’m getting married in a vintage suit… so nothing to bride-y or floral. Any DIY ideas for centerpieces??
Summer,
I’m not sure if these are too Bride-y but you said your wearing a vintage suit and you’ll be in an industrial urban enviroment. so I found some candle options. Here are a few really cool ones that would play on the theme and could be added onto. I found them all at wholesalemart.com and they have a square 3 teired version of the round mirrored one too. The beaded pillar stand is a bit more frilly but it would tie in the vintage theme and youcould do it with any color candle to fit your theme. The wave one is really simple, laid back, and sleek which would also be very industrial.
Hi. Im getting married Aug 2010. My mother and I are trying to do most of the planning ourselves. The dresses I picked out are a lilac color and i really want to use sunflowers in my arrangements. Any ideas that can help us?
katie,
* centerpiece
* this is amazingly beautiful! i love the lilac with other colored roses with the sunflowers
*love the purple wrapped vase
* lots of ideas
*centerpiece
*more sunflwoers
*fifty flowers
katie,
hey brides and designers! I recently stumbled upon a handy website that sells wholesale candle lanterns and other craft items that can be incorporated into centerpieces. Plus their prices are awesome! Here is the link:
http://www.wholesalemart.com/Wholesale-Candle-Lanterns-s/294.htm
Hi,
I, getting Married April 10, 2010 my colors are black and white. Im having troubles on deciding decor i want sprikle and alot of candle light. I want it real elegant:( I need help
Hi there getting married in Sept 2010 and nedd centerpeice ideas??i am not a big flower person and looking for something inexpensive and that i can do myself!!
janna,
*nonfloral centerpieces
*candle centerpieces
*floating candles
*more candles
*coffee beans or black pebbles in bottom of glass
*whew!! this is elegant and simple, love it!
*ehow
Hi,
I am getting married next July at an art musuem. Without going overboard, I’m trying to add some creative twists to my centerpieces that tie into the “art” theme. Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks!!!
Marcy,
Art is such a broad category! You could really do almost anything. Colored water with floating votives, paint brushes and sketching pencils stuck in floral arrangements, etc.
The first thing that came to mind was to take creative pictures of numbers and use them as the table numbers. Here is a website where you can get ideas on creative numbers:
http://www.framethedate.com/frame-the-date.html
It shows you different artsy images when you “create your own.” They are really pricey but if you have a camera and an eye for detail there is no reason you can’t make your own!
I am so beside myself that I found this site….how helpful….I’m getting married in Aug 2010 and for my bridesmaids I have chosen the burgundy casablanca as the center flower and white carnations to surround it….I’m just not sure if 1 I should use a carnation in between each pedal of the casablanca and 2 what foilage I should use…right now I’m going back and forth with the hawaiin tea leaf or the cordyline leaf…..also if u think I should add another flower….PLEASE HELP…..
yvette,
this style is really pretty as far as a guide for your bouquets. as far as placement.
*idea
cordyline would give a beautiful accent to these flowers. you could consider adding some white roses or calla lilies to the mix.
I am getting married in spring 2010 and i want to have a black and white wedding. I need centerpiece ideas that are simple yet elegant but different from the norm. Any suggestions?
rose,
i think rhinestone buckle centerpieces would look beautiful.
*pics
*simple elegant
*black and white wedding
Here’s a fun idea:
Get some old vintage record/vinyl albums large and small, clean them and arrange them 2 or 3 on a table on the long silver stands (the ones typically used for table numbers). Cut out Black & White photos of you and the groom and glue them in the center of each album (better to cut them circular). The black album makes a gorgeous and dramatic frame and then you can either give them to your guests at the end of the reception, or take them home and make a lovely, kitchy wall collage for your media room. *You can usually get the albums for pennies at a second hand store, but just make sure that they are not scratched!
I am trying to think of DIY wedding centerpieces after seeing the flower estimate! YIKES. I am getting married end of July 2010. I would like to do tangerine and brown, but I am at a loss at a theme and centerpieces. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
donna,
can you tell me a little of the wedding styles you are drawn too? and what type of wedding casual, formal, etc? also what color is your venue, that can be agreat place to look for a theme.
maybe instead of flowers you could do some fruits…Have a bowl with the tangerines in it (Clear bowl of course but you could paint brown swirls on it) then around the bowl you could have choc. covered strawberries…and bring in a very simple flower somewhere….I dont know just an idea
I am planning my wedding for April 2010…I need some original and romantic ideas for centerpieces! maybe something with candles and flowers? help! I am leaning towards bright andsoft pink colors
rachelle, here is one pic you might be interested in……
Staggeringly versatile, hourglass shaped cylinders are larger at the top than at the bottom… or the other way around, depending on your creative whims and how you choose to use them. By inserting stemmed white rose heads and shell-colored pillar candles, you can reach your highest standards of elegance with this stunning, white-on-white arrangement. Or get creative, and fill with your own decoration ideas. Products may no longer be available, however, visit Illuminations for other equally exciting products offered by this retailer.
( pic included with this paragraph courtesy of superweddings.com)
one idea i have is depending on the height of your ceiling. take simple fishing line or thin ribbon and place a suspended flower heads above each table in different lengths9 keep a odd number of suspended floral heads) and have simple clear glass bowls of floating tealights and rose petals. this will be very budget friendly cause you can scoop up tealights by the bags, ribbon at craft stores, then head to your florist and grab bags of rose petals in the different shades of pink.
*kinda like this
( these tissue paper pom poms look fab!!)
*another idea
*rose petal and candle
* i thought this looked neat
* here is full website for previous centerpiece
i am loving the floating glass bubbles….
*centerpiece accessories
i posted a pic that was on the page sideways but i hope you can still tell how gorgeous it is.
i truly hope these ideas help!!
So, we are getting married April 24, 2010. We were supposed to get married next weekend, but had to move it out due to family illnesses. Our reception location will let us use their centerpieces but, well they arent very pretty. Our colors are cornflower blue and chocolate brown. Our favors are going to be grapevine wreaths with blue almonds to look like robin eggs inside a nest. Probably going to glue some moss on the wreaths. At any rate, I don’t want to be stuck with ugly centerpieces and to say we are on a budget would be an understatement. Does anyone have any ravishing ideas for a centerpiece? It is an evening reception. Ceremony is during the afternoon up in a mountain in an outdoor amphitheater. HELP! I need to start buying stuff now in pieces so I have everything by the end of Feburary or early march and am ready to roll.
lynn,
i have a couple pics you might be interested in……
lynn, oh yes!
i recommend putting candles in globes or other glass containers due to wind, if the centerpieces will be outside. i LOVE the glass bowl with the river rocks, candles, etc. i think that would be so perfect for this style wedding. actually, both of these could be used in your wedding. i have seen some tables with 1 type centerpiece and vice versa.
Gorgeous! Definately going to look into how to do something like this. We have white tableclothes, white chair covers, Brown bows on the chairs and cornflower blue napkins. The location suggested sprinkling something on the table but I am not sold 100% on that so we will see where that ends up. Although I had thought about using glue and blue sand and maybe making designs and then just randomly laying those around. But, I just don’t know. One of my friends suggested that we get the LED lights that are battery operated on clearance after christams and make the sand gardens and put those on the tables with blue and brown sand and maybe do a design in the sand but, i think it would get destroyed getting it there. Great idea but a logistical nightmare.
lynn,
i am so happy you liked them. good luck!!