Selecting Your Wedding Centerpieces
Wedding centerpieces help tie together the look of your entire table setting. The centerpieces will influence the linens you choose, the size of the tables and even the number of guests you seat on each table.
It's important to discuss beforehand the centerpiece options available to you with your decorator and caterer.
The size of the wedding centerpiece is important. The centerpiece shouldn't be so small as to get overlooked. But if it's too large, there might not be enough room for other things like the place cards, cutlery, and crockery and in general the table may become too cramped.
The height of the centerpiece also needs to be carefully considered. If the centerpiece you choose is something thin like a beautiful candle, the height won't matter. In fact you may need it to be really tall to get noticed. On the other hand if the wedding centerpiece is a floral arrangement, ensure that it is short enough that guests can see each other over the arrangement. Often people choose wedding centerpieces that are so overwhelming that guests cannot even see each other across them, let alone hold a conversation!
Of course, your budget will largely determine the wedding centerpiece you choose. Wedding centerpieces can be very affordable or very extravagant. It's up to you to decide how much to spend.
You could also choose a wedding centerpiece that doubles as wedding party favors. This is a great idea because it allows you to combine your budget for the wedding centerpieces and the party favors and afford something better.
Floral arrangements are the most common and traditional wedding centerpiece options. They can vary from small exotic arrangements to large effusive ones. If you want the wedding centerpiece to double as a party favor, think about placing a small potted plant that also acts as the place card holders. After the party guests can take their plant home. This works very well and merges with the wedding decoration for a garden theme party.
Tabletop fountains make for exotic wedding centerpieces. They can certainly add an Asian feel to your entire wedding reception. Place votive candles around the fountain to give an exotic feel.
A crystal bowl filled with rose petals floating in water makes a smashing wedding centerpiece. You can add floating candles if the wedding reception is at night. The roses not only add romance to the atmosphere, but their fragrance will enhance the entire wedding decoration.
There are many options available when choosing your wedding centerpieces, and they are a big part of the overall wedding decoration, so give them the attention they deserve. You'll be surprised how much they bring to your reception.
Tags: 
June 25th, 2008 at 7:41 am
My wedding is July 2009 what type of decorations can i use for the reception with a rainbow theme?
June 24th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Hi,
My wedding colors are a dark vibrant purple and apple green. Because of a few other wedding details my FIANCE suggested using apples, green apples, as a theme through out the ceremony and reception, now I just need ideas of table centerpieces. Any suggestions?
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
Delores, have you seen the new rainbow roses? I’ve read they’re about $6 a stem … no question, they would be stunning!
If that doesn’t grab you, you could wrap simple cylinder vases in rainbow ribbon or fabric and fill with some colorful flowers. See this Todd Oldham rainbow floral design from FTD (attached) …
… across a whole reception I might fill these vases with solid-color arrangements that differ subtly from vases to vase … solid cream roses in one, pale pink in another, deep pink in another, etc. etc. Just some thoughts!
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:06 am
I am having a rainbow wedding, what kind of centerpiece would work?
June 5th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I am helping my sister plan her wedding and we are on a VERY tight budget, we are trying to figure out her centerpieces, she is going with a very simple yet elegant look her dress reminds me of the 40’s just sleek, thin and flowing mostly made of silk like material. she is wanting something on the table that will have “pearl” beads tied into it, her colors are bright pink orange and green, any ideas would be GREAT!
November 18th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
My theme for my wedding is double hearts. I am having a little trouble thinkng of a good center piece for the tables. I want something with hearts and candles… any ides please let me know. thank you.
September 15th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hi Kathy: Your centerpiece idea would be very pretty and easy. Here is a link with some pictures.
interiordec.about.com/od/cmasctpcproj/a/bowlofballsctrp.htm
Glass bowls and ornaments can be found at Walmart, Michael’s Craft Store, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Stores, or any discount store. Just look around! Ornaments can also be found online cheaply. Since you are not getting married until 2008, you can scour the stores THIS Christmas season….take advantage of all the Christmas sales, or wait until after Christmas when everything is discounted. Good luck!
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:49 am
I am getting married on Dec. 6, 2008. My mom and her friend want to make the centerpcs. We were thinking glass bowl with ornaments for my guests to take hom as favors. Where do I get pretty ornaments and glass bowls at a reasonable price? What colors should I stay with? My girls are wearing scarlet and the groomsmen will be in Navy dress blues.
April 22nd, 2007 at 10:56 pm
I want a white wedding and pick one color for the floral centerpieces, but I don’t know which color….my wedding is in july…
April 12th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I totally agree - I think that the main key is to stick to a central theme and color scheme, and then go from there. In fact, having a few different yet coordinating centerpieces will help keep your wedding decor a little more interesting - especially if it is a bigger wedding. When they are all the same, after a while it starts to look like someone hit the “copy” button a few to many times.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Hi Miranda. Your question reminded me of a post on StyleMePretty that was put so beautifully, I thought. She wrote:
“… It seems that when a bride talks about her wedding (and I am definitely one of those brides), there is always somewhat of a theme and always, a clear color palette. And many times, I find that the color palette is translated so literally that the end result seems a bit contrived and overdone …
Sarah’s colors are pink and brown. Rather than using one particular shade of pink and chocolate, I’ve instead decided to do a spectrum of varying colors and textures, all in the same color family… I feel strongly that by using color to inspire, rather than create, your wedding will seem much more chic than if you were to simply do a pink and brown theme.”
(more >)
This kind of nuance is definitely showing up in centerpieces. A lot of weddings have moved beyond the soldierly line of identical candelabras marching down the tables and gone to complementary focal points. It’s the same concept as decorating your house in mixy-matchy instead of matchy-matchy for a much more individual and elegant look. I think your centerpieces will look gorgeous together.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I am planning a fall wedding with lots of roses in 10 different shades of colors ranging from burgandy to golden yellow. Is it tack to have two or three different table centerpieces that all correlate to eachother?