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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Hi ladies I am having a wine themed wedding aug 28th 2010 and I am stuck on center pieces…I wanted to use wine bottle in some way but dont want to use the candle coming out of the wine bottle…any ideas?
Just thought of an idea maybe a branch coming out of i dont know what but with wine charms dangling??? Any ideas would be great!! Thanks
Nicole, Love the theme! If I ever get married ( always a bridesmaid never a bride), I’m totally doing it in a vineyard.
Here are a few quick ideas:
these ideas are great! I know that was always me too!! Now it’s finally my turn! Well when you do get married I have lots of great ideas for you…I love the middle on! I was thinking maybe that but making the labels with table numbers on them and a ribbon on the lower part of the neck that match the bridesmaid dress..what do you think to much?
I have seen some wine glasses with christmas lights in them at craft shows they could be pretty
I was thinking of something wine themed as well. I’m thinking of getting a tall square shaped vase and fill it with corks from wine bottles, adorned with one simple yet elegant magnolia flower.
http://k53.pbase.com/o4/95/398095/1/55667594.IMG_5225.jpg
Of curse you could fill the vase with some water as well as the corks
good idea!! simple yet classy!
Looking for centerpiece ideas for a home wedding at the beach under a tent. Something that says coastal, casual, elegance. All creative ideas welcome!
idea number 1- Fill clear glass bowls with colored water. Layer the bottom with sea shells and “starfish” (fake of course). Float a candle on the top.
idea number 2- something with light houses
Kate,
The easiest thing to do would be to partially fill some glass containers with sand and place a votive in the middle. Then wrap some tulle loosely around the vases on the table and weigh it down with some sea shells and other beachy items. It will look like sea spray around it.
I need help….I am planning a surprise 40th wedding anniversary party for my parents. Round tables, white table cloths with burgandy napkins. I want to use roses in the centerpieces. I need ideas - colored vases, clear vases with crystals, mirror trays, candles, etc? I saw burgandy vases I like, but with the burgandy roses, it’s too much of the same color. I am afraid using white roses will bring the attention to the vase and not the flowers. What do you think about burgandy and white in roses and calla lillies (either flower could be burgandy).
chris,
i would keep it simple. clear glass vases( have sleek instead of crystal looking), in cylinder vases or glass container you choose i would put river rocks in bottom. then suround with burgundy votives in simple clear glass votive holders. it will keep it fresh looking and be very nice with the burgundy napkins. you could consider submerging a single rose in a cylinder vase too. it has a great effect when paired with candles.
*it is really nice
Hi i’m getting married in july 2010. I’m getting married outside and having the reception at a lodge. We will be at a ski resort but in the summer! Our theme is summer love..becasue we started dating 5 years ago during the summer! Thats our fave time of year.
Trying to think of some summer ideas for our centerpieces! but not beach theme because we will be up near the mountains!! Any thoughts?
amanda,
i actually have an idea i hope you might like. i know it is for christmas but just look at these centerpieces! i love it!! you could also name the tables after different sloped on the mountain. woodburn the titles into wood squares.
*love this!
* here is agorgeous wedding!!
let me know if you like the ideas here. i have been waiting to use the first link! soooo budget friendly too! if you dont like the pine or cedar, why not submerged pinecones? if i find the pic of submerged pinecones in the cylinder vase with floating candle i will post it. it was very pretty!!
I am seeking help with affordable ideas for centerpieces for my wedding recepetion . My reception is in late July ; looking to do something elegent but yet tropical. My color scheme includes Mango and tan with choclate brown accents . Any suggestions on afforbagle flowers that I could incorporate into the centerpieces ?
That is a gorgeous color palette!
Nothing comes to mind right at the moment but I’ll keep thinking about it! 
renata,
I did a quick google search for “orange wedding flowers” and I found this handy website that color cordinates flowers. The orange dahlias are very pretty and the light orange ones even look kind of tan too. Here is the link: http://www.weddingflowersbyheidi.com/flowers/orange.html
Renata,
actually i would have vases full of palm fronds. you can buy these at your local craft store along with cylinder or bamboo vases. if you use palm fronds you could always submerge tropical fruit or oranges into water then put the palm frond stems in. very tropical!!
i found this and thought that it would work. the colored water looks like the ocean and you could add mangos or mango/orange colored flowers at base.
*centerpiece idea
*beautiful wedding
my actual first reaction to your centerpiece was having bowls of real or artificial mango in wood or footed glass bowls or the palms.
*fake mango
* more ideas, love these
*palm leaf
Okay this is pretty fab!! depending on how many you need they may not be expensive…..
the bowls could be bought at any dollar store. tall vases would look nice too with votives.
*i love this too
the pic would work just the same. try saveoncrafts.com for the supplies. they are very reasonable!!
I need help with my centerpieces…its driving me nuts! We have a Mexican theme (white linens) and need the centerpieces to have a hint of our culture and be bold in color considering the linen color. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I’m thinking small cactus planted in terra cotta pots in the center (maybe even some flowering cacti?) and spread some flamenco fans out around the base of the plant. It will be plain but very pretty and true to theme.
Great idea but something bugs me. Flamenco fans are Spaniard not Mexican. But neat idea.
maybe a mini zarape about a foot long and a foot wide with the terra cotta pot and cactus in it.
I am getting married june 5,2010 and need sum DYI centerpieces for a victorian theme. PLZ help
The first thing I could think of was teapots! You could put a teapot filled with flowers in the center of each table and tea cups with candles in them around it. Teapots and cups range in very different prices (anywhere from 4 to 400 dollars a piece) so to cut the cost of buying the really fancy victorian patterned teapots, you could get solid colored ones and go to your local craft store to purchase rub on flower designs or the paint stroke lessons books and have your bridesmaids and family members help you adorn them. I’ve included some pictures, you can certainly google some sites that sell cheap teapots/teacups. Also check garage sales and second hand stores you’d be suprised what people have and don’t know it. My friend from work just recently bought a vintage teapot at a yard sale for 5 dollars and found out it was worth at least 50!
Oh and you could hang a string with a teabag shaped card on it out of the side of the teapot with the table number on it! Too cute!
amanda,
LOVE THIS!!
I’m getting married June 5th 2010 also! My colors are hot pink and green, we are doing it at a golf course. I want something different, but pretty and elegant. But I dont knwo how to make it classy but fun! Any ideas?!
sarah,
i would buy some round or square glass containers. then pack with golf balls in each( submerge). Optional: then add your flowers. will make for an interesting centerpiece!
*pics and ideas
*centerpiece pic
That’s a good idea!
Maybe either have golf balls at the bottom, filled with water and a hot pink Daisy floating at the top. Or Even putting a section of grass at the bottom of the vase, then the gold balls with a flower on the top, that way it’s both green and pink…hmm I’ll have to try several examples. We’re making white chocolate golf balls and placing them in the mini cake boxes with a ribbon tied around it with a tee attached. 
Any other tips for anything let me know!
Had another brainstorm! What about a white floral topiary? You could wrap the stems in pink and green ribbon and it will look like a golf ball on a tee! You could also put little colored flags in your centerpieces with the table numbers on them. Instead of Hole 1-18 it’ll be Table 1-? These would be really easy to make with some constroction paper or card stock, and a few short dowl rods. Just cut the paper into large wide diamond shapes (so when you fold it in half it looks like a triangle) and glue the dowl or even a plain white drinking straw into the crease of the folded flag. Then write your number on the flag and place it in the centerpieces!
I am on a creative roll today, I thought of yet another idea! Wheetgrass! You could put a pot or galvanized tub of wheatgrass in the center of eack table and put the cute flags i mentioned above in the middle. And then you can paint plain golf balls to look like a tux and a wedding dress and place one of each on the grass. (or put your white chocolate golf balls there since wheet grass is edible and wont hurt the chocolate). It’ll be a real hole in one!
Wow! you WERE on a roll!! Must be all the talk about golf balls!
lol Great ideas! We having an outside ceremony, and are using a small sized gazebo to get married in (well the JP will stand on the first stair and my FI and I will stand below her) The gazebo is white, and I’m trying to think how to decorate it.Any ideas?
Sarah, Are you going with a golf theme? My cousin recently held her reception at a golf course club house, but she def. didn’t want any golf type decor. I did a quick google for pink and green centerpieces, attached are a few of my favs.
How much of the course will be yours for the wedding? All outdoors? What about customized golf umbrellas in hot pink & green used around your wedding area? There are so many links for custom umbrellas, I would have to do more research based on how many you wanted. It was the the first thing that came to mind when you said Golf course, and FUN. You can be very classy with umbrellas…
brides,
i love this look for a minimalist wedding. large glass footed vases with a single submerged flower. LOVE THIS!!
where can I buy these footed vases?
Thanks,
Shelli,
Here is one website with a large selection. If these don’t fit your needs try googling “footed apothecary jars.”
http://www.englishcreekgardens.com/Apothecary.htm
better yet! I found some on Target’s website! Much more affordable for the DIY bride on a budget!
i am looking for help on my wedding center piece. My colors are royal blue, silver and white. We are not allowed to use candles and we are trying to keep cost low. please help. thanks
heather,
what is your wedding date? so i will know the right centerpieces!! thanks
March 6th
heather,
simple cluster of vases of flowers would look beautiful. putting asingle stem in each vase at different heights for a romantic chic look.
*wedding centerpiece( this is sooo easy)
*candle centerpiece
*great tips and pics
*diy centerpiece
*floralyte (saveoncrafts.com)
Instead of using regular candles, you could try using the battery operated tea light candles. You can find them in Walgreens ans sometimes in dollar stores!
hi, im getting married on january ‘10 and my colors are turquoise & chocolate brown can you pls help me with some centerpiece ideas. reception is in a spanish art gallery setting. i need help, thank you!
jane,
can you tell me if you need tall or low centerpieces? do you wnat candles or flowers;both? do you happen to have a pic of the venue so i can see? i dont want to compete with the gallery itself. hear from you soon!!
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tall or low centerpieces are fine, whatever is more logical and appropriate. flowers and candles would both be nice.
My wedding is for winter of 10/11… some centerpieces ideas are some variation of small tree branches or stems… i plan to spray paint the branches and place daisies or magnolias on the branches using floral tape… or idea #2 is to spray the stems with adhesive and roll them around in diamond looking stones or marble looking things… my colors are silver and purple but the branches could very well work for a brown color theme….
If you go to the save-on-crafts.com website they have the “how-to” on making Iced Branches out of the Colorform Vase filler. This will eliminate the need to roll your branches in stones or marbles, and gives a more natural “iced” effect.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/icedbranches.html
hey, we are getting married in a few weeks are colors are watermelon/flamingo pink and back we are using black table clothes, but on a really tight budget, any center peice ideas? i like few flowers but not many, its downstairs in the church, and plannin on 20 tables of ten
brooke,
i think submerged or floating flowers would be great!
*floating wedding centerpiece
*submerged wedding centerpiece
*wedding centerpiece votives
i would head to a local $ store or craft store. or go here…
saveoncrafts.com
buy up clear glass bowls, votives and holders. then go to walmart and buy some pink flowers. large head roses would be best!! fill bowl with water and add some floating flowers;surround with votives.
*cheap wedding centerpiece
*inexpensive wedding centerpiece
i cant stress how expensive the submerged flowers look! i have even suggested getting tall glasses, later you can use them at home.( think tea glasses) that look like cylinders. but saveoncrafts.com will most likely have glass cylinders in bulk for cheap!! just add water and flowers.
brooke,
one more…
*candles
get the candles in hot pink for stand out centerpieces!!
im getting married on august 1 09
we intended to do an outdoor wedding but have opted a hall just a month before the wedding because of the heat in south mississippi. we bought centerpieces to go with simple picnic tables but now stuck with them or doil out money we dont have
any ideas on something i can do with these or something cheap with tangerine orange color
they have three big candle holders on iron platform here is pics:cry:
jeanne,
those are great!! i would set them among a bed of rose petals from light to deep tangerine. start with peach, a medium orange, and then deep tangerine petals. another idea you could do, which was my first instinct is head to wal mart and buy up spray paint in platinum and set among rose petals. would be beautiful!! you could also take them and buy bunches of flowers at walmart and tuck inand out of the openings. have a floating candle instead of regular votives.
jeanne,
what is your complete color scheme? are you using gold or silver? would you oppose spray painting them in a metallic? another idea is this: take your centpieces and add tangerine floating candles( can spray paint metal or leave alone) then surround the centerpiece with more votives and tangerine candles. sprinkle rose petals ( optional).
i personally think these great lil’ items would do a great job as your centepieces.
Any ideas on centre pieces for round tables using burgundy cala lilys ? (march wedding)
Gill,
I would take simple glass cylinders and submerge a burgundy calla lily in each , then add a floating candle. you can also use a grouping of 3 on each table in different heights, and in between spaces you could add more burgundy callas peaking in and around the cylinder bases, just leave plain, or instead of callas at base add greenery or some great table jewels such as rhinestones( oh yes, you can also add rhinestones or acrylic rhinestones at bottoms of cylinders too, it will give a glistening effect if surrounded by votives.) Tip: use simple glass votive holders that look like a mini version of the tall cylinders. it is a very nice and a great way to get the burgundy calla look without having to buy alot of flowers too.
Gill,
i menat add rhinestones to cylinder base; submerged.
Thanks very much stacey you have been a big help.
hi stacey im getting married in nov. and i need help with the centerpieces my colors are purple and black im looking for unique but not to crazy ideas i’ve been reading some of your ideas and there awsome now can u help me? thank u so very much
cindy,
hi and thank you!! feather centerpieces would work so well with these colors!!
mixed with floralytes .
*centerpiece
*floralytes
*floralytes and feather centerpiece
*feather wedding centerpiece
Tip: you can have the feathers for tall or short centerpieces. you just slip the submergible floralyte in the water and it illuminates.and it gives this luxury look for less. pretty cool huh?!?
let me know if you like this, if not, i will cook up some other ideas.
wow! i love those ideas never would’ve THOUGHT OF IT MYSELF THANK U SO MUCH your the best if u have anymore ideas let me know just a second option if i cant get any of this thing once again thank you
cindy,
i would do simple cylinders with the submerged purple flower you can add floralytes to this. i know it is not as unique but the look is still stunning.
*submerged wedding centerpiece
*submerged purple centerpiece
if you are looking for floraltyes just google search for LOTS of links to buy. they are VERY reasonable. and for cylinders you could buy simple tall glasses too. the contemporary look with no pattern on it. they resemble the shorter cylinder.
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH STACEY!!!! those are good ideas im going to combine them both thank you again ur a life saver wish me luck:-)
I’m filling large hurricane jars half way with sand I collected at the beach,. Then I’m sticking a huricane candle in the center and a few pretty silk flowers into the sand to compliment my luau wedding. I’m also filling tall hurricane jars with shells for the buffet table. For a budget friendly alternative to flowers around the room. I’m decorating with pineapples.
I still don’t know what to use for my centerpieces, could you add some pictures? Does anyone else out there have any ideas?
Jennifer, could you refresh my memory? What colors, themes, or looks were you looking for? And when and where is the wedding again?
Thanks everyone for your great ideas! I appreciate all your help and ideas!
Getting married Dec 5 2009. In need of centerpiece ideas, were on a budget, very tight budget. Winter/Christmas theme ,colors are red and ivory. And if anyone has any ideas for decorating reception hall it would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
carla,
can i see the layout of the reception hall? i can help better and avoid what is not necessary if i have a visual. therefore, saving you $$$.
carla,
i found a very simple, unique, and gorgeous centerpiece idea. i think it would be so pretty with some votives ( from a $ store) or saveoncrafts.com
*christmas wedding centerpieces ( here is some links to browse; i especially loved the pinecone in a bowl( you can even white spray glitter these) and accent with votives. ot have glass vases with standing evergreen branches with votives. make sure they will not topple over, cause pine branches can be heavy. use a low centerpiece, if possible.
*winter centerpieces
simple candles are always a winner! but why not jazz it up and have unscented peppermint candles or centerpieces.
*candy cane candles
*candy cane centerpieces
*floating candy cane candles
*Do-It-Yourself Christmas Centerpieces
( thumbs up on this one! why not get boxes and wrap them to look like gifts? stick with one decent size with 2 smaller. or have one large one in the center and holding evergreens, have the lid propped up on its side against the box. think about those christmas shows where the gifts look sooo elegant ( even attach a piece of evergreen to the bow) withthe big bows and you just take the lid off!! then for favors have mini versions on each place setting with the favors inside. it would be fun!!
i also thought you could keep the simple centerpieces and use tons of white lights or suspend paper lanterns fromt ceiling. this could be purchased from save on crafts. and reused in your home or garden after. you would actually be investing in your decor.
here is a link i COULD not resist sharing.
*absolutely stunning
( okay i am in love with the suspended paper lanterns or lights) for one reason cause you can keep those tables relatively simple as shown. i do hope this helps!!
carla,
here are some pics.
carla,
wound up forgetting the main page i had, love these cranberry centerpieces.
*real wedding
hi. it might be a good idea to take a simlpe glass vase, square if you want, and put some white x-mas lights with a couple christmas balls, probably red or something metalic in the bottom, and add some pine tree boughs arranged as flowers, maybe add a pinecone or 2, depending on how much you’d like to add to the vases. you could also put a simple ribbon- bow around the vase as well. someone I spoke to said that they also used that fake evergreen garland wrapped in white x-mas lights around the edges of the ceiling, and it was a beautiful, yet cost efficient wedding. Most of the winter’s seasonal decorations can be utilized throughout the whole winter, and therefore, are very appropriate for a wedding at that time of year. congrats!
Use ivory table cloths, and purchase wide red ribbon in bulk online - preferably wired, 2 1/2″. This ribbon is usually available for Christmas at the large shops (Garden Ridge or similar) around the end of the summer. Have other people help you find it. THEN use the ribbon on each table in a gift motif - Criss-cross in the center, and make Very LARGE bows for the center of the table. This works great for round tables. I did this with ivory table cloths and gold ribbon. Right in the middle of the bow, I placed a pedestal candle holder and lit a long-burning candle. If you can only find pedestal candle holders for tapered candles, consider 3 per table in a cluster with the bow surrounding on the bottom. IF you consider an accent color, try spraying some leaves or branches with gold mettalic spray paint, or make some icicle branches with Colorfil Diamond vase filler - how-to’s on save-on-crafts.com. You should be able to do alot with a little for your whole reception. I didn’t even mention flowers, but some silk rose bouquets cut & separated into clusters used with the ice branches or gold leaves should be beautiful. I hope this helps.
Carla, thinking about it, pedestal Votives would also be beautiful. I like the idea of gift-wrapping empty boxes and the smaller favor boxes. If so, use your accent color (gold or ivory - notice I keep saying gold?) for your ribbon or use them interchangeably on each table. Send pics after the wedding! One site for ribbons is jkmribbon.com.
I’m not sure about the reception hall decor but I do have an idea for YOUR centerpieces - hopefully I’ll find something for mine - take 3″ round glass jars and fill them with fake holly and place a semi-ivory flower in it that has been cut so that it just rests on the berries. For added color you could tie a cute ribbon of your choice around the jar. Hope that helps! –Jenny
brides, i thought if a great centerpiece. use different layers of colored sands in glass cylinders. and set in a trio on tha tables surrounded by shells
Hi I am helping a cousin take care of her wedding reception. She doesnt have a lot of money. She is looking for colors lavender and ivory. Can u help me with ideas for centerpieces (inexpensive). I am paying for the whole reception and I would like it to be as nice as possible with the least expensive items that are tasteful small is not out of the question. THanks
jessie,
i always love recommending candles, theyare the most inexpensive by far, you can have floating flowers or candles in bowls or vases, submerged roses in cylinder vases( you can use tall drinking glasses even) for this particular color scheme, i LOVE the idea of using several votive holders of ivory candles sitting atop lavender linens. no lavender linens? ivory instead? well just reverse the color of candles. another fave idea of mine is the colored water centerpiece. just take your cylinder or glass containers fill with lavender water ( tinted with food dye), add a floating candle and sprinkle with rose petals. or floating rose petals with floating candles. another idea is the wedding favors doubling as centerpieces. the dollar stores carry glass votive holders and glass bowls for super reasonable!! really reasonable!! also a single perfect bloom, in a vase surrounded with candles makes a simple but powerful impact or vases of submerged fruit even submerged grapes!! nonfloral centerpieces are excellent!!
jessie,
i got to thinking how beautiful the purple grapes would be. if you dont put them in water, why not lightly egg white the surface and dip in sugar. they will look frosted and sparkly. you could use very fine white glitter also, or mix it in the sugar. fake grapes would work amazingly well for this. i did this to some fruit for tree ornaments and the white lights ( inthis case candles) made it shimmer and EVERYONE commented on how beautiful those ornaments were. i went to our local $ store and walked away with all colors for a $1 a bunch ( and they were the long elegant bunches). the glitter and glue was next to pennies!!
Great minds think alike! Here is another idea from John and Sherry from This yooung house. They like the grapes as centerpieces idea too! Check out their latest magazine spread photo:
Hi, I’ve had to do a wedding in a month with about a 500 dollar budget. We did a LOT of shopping at the dollar store. We bought simple cylindars, and silk flowers, we also purchased the battery operated candles and a gross of votive holders at Ikea, and the finishing touch was the “loose diamonds” that we scattered around the table along with silk rose petals that were set off by the romantic “flame” of the candle light.
Is the wedding soon? If so buy small lavendar flowers and place them on the tables as is, make sure they are sorta bushy so that it looks like there are quite a few even though there isn’t, or you could place them in cardboard boxes with ivory fabric wrapped around them! Hope I could help! Jenny
Hello,
I am getting married in October. The wedding and reception will be outdoors (Maui). It will likely be breezy or windy. The colors of the wedding are Ivory, Red and Black. I thought of a possible theme: Love, Chocolate, and Bubbly - romance.
The number of guests will be 100. What ideas so you have affordable romantic table dressings.
Thanks for your help!
Monica,
I just recently attended a wedding on Maui! The wedding I attended had a luau after the ceremony so all the decoractions were taken care of but there were 3 or 4 other weddings on the same beach that did their decor themselves. One of the coolest things I saw was pineapples! They used pineapples and tiki torches to create an aisle in the sand and then when they left each of the wedding guests got a pineapple (it was a smaller wedding so maybe instead of one per person you could do one per family or one per table). Also the hibiscus trees will be constantly dropping flowers, so you could have your wedding party gather some blossoms to sprinkle around the tables. If you didn’t want to worry about collecting flowers all day, you could just use leis and lay them out on the table. Once again I have too many ideas running through my head to type them all up. Here are a few pics of what i was going for:
Oops! In my post I said Hibiscus trees, I actually meant Plumeria. The hibiscus droppings are shriveled and wilted by the time they fall, but the plumerias are still in good shape usually. Sorry for the confusion!