Five Easy Do-It-Yourself Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
What's a great way brides are saving money on their wedding budget? Doing their own wedding reception centerpieces, of course.
If you keep it simple, you too can have elegant centerpieces without breaking the bank. Here are five quick ideas to get you started.
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 that's perfect for a winter wedding. This looks stunning against dark linens!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. Or skip the decoupage, and fill with bright colored water to match your palette.
Skip the Flowers
Consider using unusual finds for your centerpieces, like peacock feathers or small sculptures, wooden carvings or pretty teacups, vintage books or glass vases full of beach sand, or even interesting rocks.By choosing things that can simply be arranged, you'll save a ton of time and have unique do-it-yourself centerpieces everyone will remember.
Think Functional
Pillar candles of varying heights give off a romantic light and can easily be set up ahead of time in an environment that's not too drafty. Or, turn to food 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
Scour thrift stores, discount stores and garage sales for intriguing vases to mix and match colorfully. Even drinking glasses could attractively display single stems. Trim with scraps of lace for a sweet vintage touch. Add a few long stems, and you'll have a lovely bohemian look for your reception tables.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 at all labor-intensive.
With a little creativity and a little effort, you'll have unique wedding reception centerpieces in no time!
DollarTree.com has a ton of bulk glass items, such as hurricanes, lots of candles, votives, and tons more. Look under the wedding section. I know people are going to think dollar tree, but they have tons, and everything is a dollar! They also have colored sand and gems.
I am getting married in three weeks 05/08/10 I am trying to find some do it yourself centerpieces because my mother had said she had them figured out and they are HIDEOUS. our colors are honeydew and wisteria (light green and light purple) we are getting married outside at a visitor center a local museum right on the river in the evening. we are going for kind of a very flowery and enchanted garden them.. example on our cake-bouquets and everything there are butterflies and lots of flowers. any help would be AMAZING because i am on such a short time frame. oh and a small budget
Elizabeth G,
the best centerpieces for this wedding would be greenery overflowing. It would add to the theme as well as the mood. Surround with simple votives. Or add light purple hydrangeas with green berries and greenery/fern.
* like this
Elizabeth,
* a simple hydrangea
* here is another
Hello,
I’m getting married November 06, 2010. Our colors are lapis purple, black, silver and of course white. I’m having a hard time finding centerpieces! I need them under 10 bucks each since I have over 30 tables. *sighs* I need help, lol.
rochelle,
what type of wedding are yu having? casual, rustic, modern, etc. floral, nonfloral?
rochelle,
also what color linens are you using? wht flowers are you using?
You could use stemware and votives with purple candles in them.
rochelle,
* like the stemware here you can get at a dollar store. just use varying heights of stemware etc.
( these are in floating water)
* here are some more ideas
I;m doing a victorian theme.
I’m doing feather and button bouquets and I have 350 purple wine glasses as favors. I’m looking for something elegent and victorian without breaking the bank
Rochelle,
Actually grapes would work in simple crystal looking bowls.
* you could also check into renting candelabras which would really work well.
Rochelle,
* scour flea markets for candle holders with prisms
or any silver containers, mix match would work too
* ideas
simple bowls of floating flower heads
Rochelle,
* look at this
also check into hurricane globes with candles. I have seen these reasonably priced.
* 2 pics I like on this page: hurricane lamps and the favor box centerpiece
Rochelle,
*finally found this, love this it could do double duty
I would really like to know how you would make this floral arrangement on the top of this apple centerpiece. How are the flowers held together in the vase without being able to see the stems?
Sarah,
Most likely floral foam cut to fit and secured at top of vase then the flower stems are cut to desired length and placed in to forma ball like arrangement.
We are getting married on 5/1/10 and I wanted the reception to be “his”. So I am planning a football themed reception – most importantly Norte Dame reception. I am having problems finding ideas that would look tasteful but still be fun for a football theme…Please help!
Thanks, Christy
Christy,
You can honor the fighting Irish by incorporating the green and gold into your reception. Now is a great time to get St. Patrick’s Day decorations on clearance! Maybe pots of “gold” with chocolate coins for center pieces?
Christy,
* look at this cake topper
* check out how they did this, pretty neat to number the tables with players jerseys
* more pics
Christy,
Have the favors edible or offer “game” snacks. Make a grooms cake table for him while keeping eveything else elegant and only touches of the theme. * look at this tablecloth
* here is a runner
* more links
Christy,
* okay this would make a seriously neat grooms cake table. Talk about a conversation starter
* you coudl add this to the drinks
Just little touches here and there would pull this theme into a supergreat wedding. game + wedding elegance= gametime chic?
I am getting married April 10, 2010. I know not alot of time. My colors are ivory I guess you would call it light turquiose or aqua and black. I need center piece ideas. Will have 4 long tables and of course the cake table. Also ideas to decorate the arch which will be outside
thanks
Jodi,
* some pics
* table pic
Oh I think colored water centerpieces would work here.
* the pic
( could you imagine having different sizes of cylinder vases with aqua water and floating candles)
* wedding arch pics
Jodi,
* here is the how too
I am getting married October 9, 2010 and I am having the most difficult time with centerpiece ideas. My colors are sangria and burnt orange. The reception is at a banquet hall and I am on a small budget. Any ideas for decorating the reception hall would be greatly appreciated. Something simple and the looks of expensive, but don’t break the bank. I have no theme just yet as I don’t even know where to start. Thank you so much for any ideas. All will be greatly appreciated.
Yvette,
Could I get a link or pic to your banquet hall? Plus will you be renting linens or chair covers? If not, what color linens will you be using? I highly recommend a vineyard style wedding. Using artifical grapes in your decor. This will give a lush look. Craft stores have the most amazing grapevines that you could put white lights with. Hobby Lobby usually has a sale where theirs is half price.
* look how simple this is. gorgeous!
* here is some pics
October you have a lot of things to choose from, Pomegranate’s and oranges as centerpieces… make small inexpensive fruit baskets or bows with all the fall colors, pumpkins gourds etc. Then let people take them home after the wedding to eat!!
Mary M.,
* look at the low centerpieces here
* or this, black river rocks in cylinders or other glass container anchoring candle. add white flowers tucked around vases.
Thanks Stacy, for the idea. I tried the black rocks in one of the vases and it looks realy nice with water and a candle floating on top. I was thinking of 2 wines glasses in different heights. One with a votive candle and Oasis ribbon wrapped around the stem of the glass and the other with oasis colored water and a floater in the glass. I’ll have all three of these together as a cluster on each table. What does everyone think? Too much?
Mary M,
I would color water in all with all the glasses. I was thinking you could add the rocks to the vases, add clear or colored water and a floating candle. Then add smaller votives. Wine glasses are nice but it usually takes a nice grouping to make effect.
* see how they did here
* here is more pics
Hi Stacy, I got the 8 inch vases I ordered and they are SOOO SMALL! I guess I didn’t figure they would look so tiny at a table that seats 10 people. Now I’m right back at the drawing board. How can I make these vases work? Vase + about 3-4 voties and confetti? Plus I’m still wondering what I would use for the “other decorations” that my mom insists I need. I have linens, chair covers, ties and hopefully soon, centerpieces. What else do I need? Thank you for all your help. I really do appreciate it!
Mary M,
Can I see a pic or link to your venue? If you could also post a pic of the vase. Are they 8 inch cylinders?
Mary M,
How many tables were you using at the reception? Also are the tables round or square? Once I get a pic I can see if your venue is ornate or neutral.
* here is a place for more vases if they are cylinders that are cheap
Mary M,
Better yet if you could place the vase on the table and give me a pic of that along with the venue link or pic. That would be ideal. Thanks!
Hi, I’m gettting married 4 Des 2010 in cape town, south africa. My colour scheme are chocolate brown and apple green and i want to add orange too. I need ideas with centres pieces that is not too expensive. The reception is going to be outside and i’m going to use apples in long spaghetti vases on the table with brown runners. Is there anyway i can incorporate the orange in the centrepieces and what can I use. To me it seems like the vase with apples innot enough and that there are something missing
. I also want to have a romantic atmosphere at the reception.
Candice,
* !here are some ideas, hope they help
Since you’re incorporating fruit already you could consider putting orange slices in the vase with the apples. Adding water with the fruit creates a cool effect too.
Hi Im getting married in Dec this year and would like to do a winter wonderland theme, we want to stay away from all reds and greens do you have any ideas for centerpieces that wouldnt cost alot.
kay,
white branches would work with this theme.
* pics
*more pics
*more tips
We decorated with the winter wonderland theme for our 25th wedding anniversary in Jan. I am completely illiterate when it comes to getting pics on here. I will try to get some on here very soon. I am sorry for the delay. If I cannot get pics on soon, I will give you an address to view them at. As we had a professional photographer.
Thanks Nita. that would be great!
Getting married May 28, 2011
Colors: Pink, Black, Silver
want to make own invites, favors…
cant find a really great DIY site…
Centerpiece Ideas?
I love Tulips..and want to incorporate them in the wedding..
Just in the starts of planning and would LOVE suggestions
email casmeranddiedre@gmail.com
Thanks!!
Diedre,
* pics
* DIY wedding site
* lots of links
* another site
Diedre,
*submerged tulips
* another pic
My daughter is getting married Aug. 14, 2010. We are having the reception in a banquet hall that will need no decorating other than the centerpieces. The room is very light, beige walls and white trim and a corner with beautiful full length windows. Her colors are black and plum. We found tall black wrought iron looking candelabra’s for a very good deal but are uncertain what color table clothes. The tables are round. Some thoughts were, black clothes with a plum colored square overlay or plum clothe with just the black candelabras. The candles will be plum colored if we can find them. Your ideas are great!
Pam,
* check out how they did this. It kept the tables from looking to dark.
pam,
*I found this. i thought it would be really beautiful if you did a black linen with a plum and metallic sheer overlay. Then have the black candelabras and votives surrounding base. Then go with white candles.
OK finally decided to ask for help! My partner and I are finally having a commitment ceromony on 9-10-10, after 12 yrs. I’m obsessed with teal, browns, and greens, so we dicided to have a “peacock” themed ceromony. I really need ideas for low cost centerpieces (the hall has about 30 tables). So far I’ve made the save-the-date, and invitations, and favors but am desperate to find something beautiful using peacock feathers. Please help!
Thanks,
Delilah
Delilah,
* pics
* more pics
* pics and ideas
*xtra links
Hello i’m getting married July 31 2010 and I’m having a difficult time coming up with look that is cheap but looks expensive. Our colors are going to be black and white. simple but elegant I need help.
Crystal,
* ideas
* real weddings
* more ideas
* receptions
HI ALL! Getting married on 10/22/10, and have no idea what to do about centerpieces!! I’m completely at a loss. Our colors are purple and orange. We’re getting married at Botanical Gardens, so I think flowers in the centerpieces may be going overboard. On a very small budget. Please help.
Tiffany Z,
For Botanical garden wedding, I would use simple floating candles or greenery. Or for a whimsical idea have urns or water bath looking bowls and have floating candles and maybe birds. If you do use florals use low key like floating flowers/candles. Or low centerpiece. Little tree centerpieces would work as well as gorgeous fern or fresh greenery clippings add votives. hurricane globes/candles would be beautiful.
* like this
* more ideas
* more pics
* love this!
Tiffany Z,
* fern centerpiece
* upclose
OOP! I meant to say bird bath. You can find terra cotta or stone looking bowls at any home and garden store. Fill with water and a flower or two ( birds optional but look for inexpensive standing figurine birds in color or stone or terra cotta too. if you like this, I have seen them at dollar stores for cheap) and voila.
* love this too!
* love it
Don’t underestimate the power of edible/nonedible favor centerpieces or a single roses in a vases marching down the center of the tables.
Try a large class bowl wiht a gold fish in it and a flower or two floating with a few candles around it
I have a party with a military theme for adults. There will be about 12 tables with six settings at each table. Can you help with unique but inexpensive centerpiece idea?
Paulina,
I would use simple flags if your going patriotic.
* ideas
* more ideas
Paulina,
If your going the camo route why not put simple pea gravel in bottom of these vases and wrap camo ribbon around them and add candle.
* like here
You coudl always name your tables after different military ranks, etc.
Paulina,
I would go the candle route, the most they had was condiments in bottles. So keeping it simple would be best.
No, I didn’t want to go Patriotic. Our theme is Battlefield. We’re decorating with military netting, the greaters will be wearing military uniforms. We want to dress the dinning area like a mess hall but will a bit of elegance. Something using camouflage.
Paulina,
*ideas/theme
I am getting married 06-19-10 and I have a few centerpiece ideas but would love some help with some cheap and easy but elegant ones. Our colors are red and white, my flowers are red roses and the bridesmaids are white gerber daisies with white mini mums with red centers.
TIA!!
I am getting married 06-19-10 and I have a few centerpiece ideas but would love some help with some cheap and easy but elegant ones. Our colors are red and white, my flowers are red roses and the bridesmaids are white gerber daisies with white mini mums with red centers.
TIA!!
Getting married 9/4/2010. Colors Cornflower Blue and Chocolate Brown, Ivory accents. Would love some thoughts on centerpieces that would help our banquet room. The ceilings are tall and i’m thinking tall centerpieces but not sure…any ideas??? Please be aware that I will have chair covers and different linens on the tables :-)
Jennifer,
* here are some pics
* this would be beautiful
Jennifer,
*slender candle holders would work very nicely, less bulk
* your colors
I am working on my daughters 5th grade banquet. The kids have requested an elegant theme… we chose “Reach for the stars~ It’s all about the climb”. We are going with a white, black and silver color scheme.
As with any school function, funds are limited. I’m needing to make some centerpieces for those very long lunchroom tables that will be covered with white fabric. Huge room… they need to make a statement.
Besides~ each year the 4th grade classes are brought by to see what they have to look forward to the next year. I’ve heard last year was AMAZING. More primary color theme, but awesome. I want them to be wowed!
Any thoughts?
Dawn,
What about hanging stars from the ceiling?
* like here
* love this, you coudl get simple colored branches or spray paint some and hang glitter stars off edges
* more ideas
Dawn,
*Here is another idea with hanging stars in a cylinder. you can get these at any only a buck or dollar tree, then head to a craft store for supplies to make stars and suspend. ( heavier stars will hang better)
you could even make moons and have a couple lightweight stars hanging from edge.
* more ideas
Stacey~ you are AWESOME!!!
Thank you so much, my brain is flowing again.
Love it!!!
Hi All! I’m totally enjoying reading all of your posts!! : )
My partner and I are having a commitment ceremony on September 4, 2010 and have just decided on our colors: Chocolate Brown and Bamboo/Celedon Green. We’re going to have 8 ft tables, end to end, and the room is like starch white! (Not so thrilled about the white thing). Our venue is otherwise beautiful – it’s on the Harbor, on the water and is nestled in a gorgeous park with old trees. I’ve started working on some centerpieces, but am really hoping for some other great ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)
Tara,
* loads of pics
* more pics
* more ideas
* this is great!
What kind of ideas do you have for a simple, elegant nautical centerpieces/table decor for a wedding reception?
Dr. Shannon Robinson,
* ideas
* decor
* nautical
* this is beautiful!
* real weddings
Hello,
We are getting married on September 5th, 2010, Labor Day weekend. It’s sort of a transitional time of year, it’s still officially summer, but people hear September and think “Fall.” Our ceremony will take place in a brick courtyard in an urban setting. The reception area is on site and will be a rustic loft area. Our colors are green and yellow. Do you have any ideas for centerpieces? We’d like to stay away from sunflowers.
We like organic, vintage, and whimsical ideas. We will have many votive candles dispersed evenly throughout the entire reception area.
Thanks,
Amanda
Amanda,
* pics
* this fits the bill
* eco and diy
I am getting married on September 25 2010. We dont really have a theme but the color is coral(s). Also, my fiancee is in the airforce (actually in afghanistan right now until august) so something military themed might be fun. And/or i really like the idea of simple elegance with pearls or something more original than just flowers on the centerpieces. any ideas are very much appreciated! I am very open, but cannot think of anything creative. help please!? :] thank you all.
Amber,
you might like this with the floating pearls, I think it is gorgeous! pair it with the pic i posted.
Amber,
here is the pic
What causes the roses to light up? Is it the pearls
Denise,
floralytes cause it to light up and they are very reasonable.
* like here
* and here
you all seem so helpful i couldnt help but post. Im getting married next March and the theme….peacock feathers…the colors, purple, a blue color (dark turq) and maybe a teal….i have some ideas, Im going to incorporate some branches spray painted gold…i have some ideas, but this is going to be at a fire hall…i wanna WOW. any idea would be super awesome…Oh and there is no white, i am wearing ivory
thanks girls!
Tiffany Z,
* ideas
* more ideas
* pics
* real wedding decor
Hello
I am getting married on September 18 2010, we are having a difficult time deciding on centrepieces. We are having a fall colour scheme and I need to decorate 18 long tables. (3 tables put together lengthwise to make each table for 24 people.) I’m wanting to spend as little as possible… but am wanting the ‘wow’ factor :)
Thank you in advance :)
Natalie,
rose petals and votives
* pic
pumpkins marching down the table
* glitter pumpkins with ribbon add votives in between
1) bowls of apples
2) trailing grapevine with candles
* centerpiece pic
Natalie,
* fall leaves or branches in simple containers
* mixed nuts with candles
* more pics
Thank you very much for the ideas :)
I would buy flowers at a place like Sams Club. They sell in bulk and are the cheapest I’ve found. I made the mistake of buying my flowers at a florist and when I researched, I noticed that I could have had more for my money.
Hello my husband and i are renewing our vows on july 10. 2010 colors are pink and latte brown. I looking for ideas on centerpiece summer and fun. we want to do a sand vase and have some members come up and say a couple words and then put they color sand in has anyone seen this before.
My wedding is the same day and we are doing hot pink and chocolate brown. In my vases i am useing coffee beans looks great with Gurba daiseys
i am thinking about going with the same colors. What color tuxes did the guys wear?
I am getting married at the end of October. Our colors are apple red and black. I would like to incorporate apples as a theme, but am not quite sure how to do it with the centerpieces… any ideas?
you can have soo much fun with this!! Hurricane vases filled with apples and a sheer black ribbon tied in a bow around it.. small red apples dipped in dark chocolate,.. for a layer of your cake have an apple spice cake! I’ve seen apples cored out on the top and used as candle holders! U can use different apple names to name your tables , use small apples with a slit cut into the top to hold name cards…You can also ue white pumpkins hollowed out as an apple bowl and use black pearl head pins to put a pretty black swirl design around your pumpkin!! Have fun!! Send me picture!! My wedding is at the end of june and have been working on my stuff for 6 mos. now… Im almost done!
at my friends wedding a few summers ago her colors were lime green and orange. so for her centerpieces she had tall wide vases that were filled with oranges, limes and lemons. They sounded crazy but looked really good. at then end when we were cleaning up she told the guests to take what fruit they wanted home.. i hope this helps.
I am planning a 80th birthday party for my father in April and want to make centerpieces that are different. The tablecloths are black so I am having a hard time coming up w/ ideas. Any suggestions?
Karen,
What about a tangible timeline of his life?
You could do different life stages at different tables.
Baby: pictures of his parents and him as a baby, baby booties, bottles etc
Toddler/ younger child: vintage toys, retro candy and soda (like from the dimestore)
Older child/teen: hotwheel cars from the year he started driving, memorobillia from his high school
Young adult: wedding photos or artifacts from when he met and married your mother and started his own family.
Adult: pictures of when his children were born. Hand write some notes about memories from your childhood or favorite times spent with him.
just some ideas. This showcases his interests and accomplishments from his life. Its also interactive and allows people to mingle as they move from table to table looking at the momentos.
Hi, Im getting married August 20, 2010 and wanted a bright summer wedding. Our venue is in the Adirondacks on a lake and we wanted to use the colors of bright pink, sunshine yellow and maybe a periwinkle blue but have NO idea how to make it work. Worried that the wood will throw it off and Not sure how to decorate the tables or what color linens to use and totally lost on favors and centerpieces. Balance is key with colors and I am just lost. Strict budget too. OUr main goal is to have a room filled with life and is fun and original like we are! Please help me Im losing my mind.
Brooke,
Are you wanting to use a nautical or waterfront theme? I love the idea of adding navy to pink and yellow. It would pop against navy blue dresses. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Ok after much thought and many discussions I have officially decided to use a blue turquoise or aqua and tie that with pink, like the pink from star gazers. I was thinking that I would use white linens and maybe have sheer gold runner over it and use sheer gold chair sashes over white chair covers. Do you think this would work? How do I go about making the space reflect us as people? Im still stuck on decorations too. Havent made any progress since my last post =(
If you’re worried about it clashing with wood then just get some hand baskets and put in hand tied flowers the color you want.
You could also put some sand in the middle of the table and use cheap shells in the colors you want. and put a Lantern in the middle. (the lanterns wouldn’t have to match and you can always paint them all the same color.) just search garage sales or look in a relatives attic or basement. :)
Take some large vases or mason jars and fill them with water and lemon slices. Tie pink/blue ribbon around and voila!! :)
Help me plese!
I am in a wedding this April 2010 and in charge of doing all of the centerpiecs. Her colors are purple and lavender. I do not have a complete count on the tables yet. And I have a very small budget! Any ideas??
K,
I would do simple floating flowers with candles.You can purchase the containers and votives from your local dollar store for very cheap!!!
Make mirror boxes with mirror tiles from a hardware store. Put in something purple… (grapes, plums, cheap flowers.) then put tea light candles around it.
If you have a costco or similiar membership this should be rather inexpensive. GRAPES!!!! get a pretty platter from the dollar store and battery operated tealights also at the dollar store (3 per platter mabey) put the candles on the tray and lay grapes all around them! or Vases from the dollar store, drapegrapes around the base(people can eat them while they are waiting!! ) and a single lavendar rose in the bud vase!! Be creative! Look to natural already purple stuff! it makes it so much more simple!