All You Need to Know About Picking Your Wedding Centerpieces
Wedding centerpieces are essential. They help tie together the look of your entire table, which demand your guests' focus for half your reception. The centerpieces influence the linens you choose, the table dimensions and even the number of guests you seat on each table.
So, it's important to discuss your centerpiece options beforehand with your decorator and caterer.
Helpful Factors for Picking Your Centerpieces
The size of your centerpiece is important. It shouldn't be so small as to get overlooked. But if it's too large, other table features like the place cards, cutlery and dishware can become too cramped.The height of the centerpiece also merits your careful consideration. If the centerpiece you choose is something thin like a beautiful candle, the height matters much less. In fact, you may need it to be really tall to get noticed.
On the other hand, if your centerpiece is a wide and sprawling floral arrangement, ensure that it's short enough that guests can see each other over the florals (or tall enough that the florals are elevated on a slender trumpet vase). Often, couples choose centerpieces that are so overwhelming that guests can't even see each other properly across them, let alone hold a conversation!
Popular Centerpiece Options
Flowers, Live and Cut
Floral arrangements are the most common and traditional centerpieces. They can vary from small, exotic arrangements to large and effusive ones. If you want the wedding centerpiece to double as a party favor, think about gathering a group of small potted plants that also serves as a place card holder. After the party, guests can take their potted herb or flower home. This is attractive, informal and charming and works perfectly well for a garden party.Fountains
Tabletop fountains are a more exotic centerpiece choice, and add a strong Asian feel to your entire reception. Place votive candles around the fountain to add atmosphere.Floating Bowls
A crystal bowl filled with rose petals floating in water makes a smashing and inexpensive centerpiece. Add floating candles for a nighttime reception. The roses not only add romance, but their gentle fragrance will enhance the tables.Centerpieces are central to any wedding decor, so give them the attention they deserve. You'll be surprised how much a well-chosen design will bring to your reception.
Hi! I am getting married July 8th 2011 and i love the sage green colour but can’t find any colours in this colour for my bouquet – any ideas? Also what centrepieces do you think would look nice in this colour? Trying to keep things low cost if possible! Thanks – Rachel
Rachel,
* here are some pics
* more ideas
* bouquets ( I think using simple florals tied with sage green ribbon would look nice on bouquets)
Rachel,
Don’t overlook apples in vases. ( check out dollartree.com for glass vases etc.) Here is a simple pic of apples with sage ribbon. Don’t worry if the green is slightly different it will make for a great contrast. You coudl also consider simple greenery in vases. Surrounded with votives. Simple Elegance.
* for example
Hi Rachel,
Sage green is a wonderful color to work with many other colors for your day! Bells of Ireland or green hydrangeas or green fuji mums will all blend with the softer side of a true sage. Remember a green moss could be worked in as well. What is your overall vibe or theme and additional colors you will be using? Also granny smith apples or limes are perfect to “punch up” the sage a bit. Have fun!
Thanks very much there is some great ideas there for me to consider :)
My daughter is getting married May, 2011. We are using hurricane lamps on a mirror as centerpieces but can’ think of an inexpensive way to fancy them up. Any suggestions? Her bridemaids are wearing cornflower and the flowers are blue, purple and yellow.
jan,
* ideas
* more ideas
jan,
* xtra pics
* some more ideas
Jan,
To me the more simple the better. Here is a pic with rose petals and votives. Love it.
* pic
WRAP A THICK RIBBON OF YOUR COLORS AROUND THE CYLINDER AND HAVE A WHITE FLOATING CANDLE INSIDE. YOU CAN ALSO PUT YOUR FLOWERS ON THE MIRRORS IN A RANDOM DESIGN.
CONGRATS AND ENJOY YOUR DAY
you could gold leaf the glass to add a glow to the lighted lamp. I think the look and feel of it would add romance and elegance. It gives it a rustic but sophisticated look. Hope that helps
I am getting married in June 2011, and we are having a 1940s theme wedding. Our colors are Navy and blush pink. I’ve got most things figured out (I’m WAY ahead of the game), but I am stressing out over centerpieces. I want it to look glamorous, but I know my budget will limit what I can do. The only thing we have is this: Instead of numbering guest tables, we are going to name them after 1940s movies. We are then going to put black and white still photos from the movies in 4×6 frames around the centerpiece. Other than the photos, I have no idea what to do! Any ideas would be appreciated!!!
Lindsey,
Actually if you want to take cue from the traditonal 40′s, They used simple vases with flowers. They kept it more natural. Real easy and simple.
Lindsey,
* this is what this couple did
Lindsey,
My daughter’s wedding theme is similar however we are going with the 50′s and will have black & white photos of film stars..our plan is to buy vintage hats. On the tables with women stars we will have women hats and vice versa..however, we have not quite decided how we will use the hats. A suggestion I have gotten is to use a cylinder vase and fill it with something related to the hat (feathers, satin, flower petals) then set the hat on top. Not sure if this will work we are still in the planning stage.
oops, Lindsey I forgot we are also planning on buying the silver screen edition of trivia pursuit and putting a handful of cards on each table. The other idea I had was to put cigar boxes on the tables with male pictures, however this idea was vetoed by the bride.
im planning to get married july 2011. The colour of my bridesmaids is hopefully going to be a buttermilk colour. i have the image in my head but its hard to explain, do u think i need an extra colour to go with this or is buttermilk/yellow enough??? i need lots more guidance too.my venue is booked for the 2nd july 2011.should i be doing anything now???? should i have my dress,photographer??? i would really appreciate some extra imput.Thank you**
Stacey, Be sure to print these for reference and make wedding planning easier or buy a wedding planning book to keep all your details in one place.
* wedding checklist
* here is another one that has xtra details
Stacey,
This is a beautiful color. it may not suit skintones very well though. I would try the color or have a color swatch to see. This would be beautiful with simple white with silver accents. Another color would be chocolate brown or navy blue. What colors are your venue? Do you have a link or pic? And what colors do you lean to most? If looking at other colors for the buttermilk?
Hi Stacey,
I think buttermilk would be beautiful if mixed with a touch of black, just a few pops here and there to appeal to the eye. Have fun!
My wedding is Oct 9 2010, motif is pink and blue and finding it difficult to choose the colours for the reception and centrepiece
Should I stick with the pink and blue or can I totally go a different direction and have a champagne colour theme for the reception as I want to have an elegant, classic theme
Help! :)
Jlyn,
* look at this
Jlyn,
* just found this
It can be very classic and elegant. Blue is a traditonal wedding color. I wasn’t sure of the shades you were using.
Jlyn,
* very nice
Jlyn,
* look how they incorporated the blue. Blush pink could be added to the florals easily
super elegant!
Jlyn,
* here is one with a champagne and pink reception, the girls are in ice blue