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.
I have a wedding planned for july 2011, and the color i want is champagne. I am not sure what i should do for another color and for the centerpieces. I dont have a lot of money, but i want it to look beautiful. Any ideas would be very helpfull.
Christine,
Where will you be getting married? Champagne looks amazing with black or brown. It has celebrity worthy impact with just the color scheme alone. That is why I recommend color schemes that have high impact, it looks like a million bucks when it didn’t cost that much. Consider using 1 type flower in one color. Say red for example. it will give even more wow factor. If you use all champagne it will take more decor but that depends on where your marrying. Another color is green. Champagne and green is gorgeous together. 2 color-color schemes really are my fave because they have so much wow factor.
Christine,
* here is green/champagne
* black and champagne
* paired with brown
Christine,
* Here is black, champagne and blush in a board I did
*Here are some more boards I have done you might want to browse through. I have used champagne a few times in a 2-color scheme. Let me know if you find something.
these ideas are wonderful.. i was thinking of doing a rustic/adirondack theme.. i was wondering if shades of orange, yellow and red for the flowers would match the champagne color and the theme I want?
Christine,
Absolutely! These colors would look amazing against champagne linens.
Christine,
* look at this too.
* photo from this website
Christine,
* mood board
* had to share this with you for some ideas.
* here she has champagne in her dress, this can give an ideal of how it can look
Christine,
* good visual
* look at this bouquet
Christine,
* just found this
Hi Christine,
I agree, champagne and black look wonderful together. I’d also suggest a blush or a soft coral for a more nostalgic vintage feel. Color combinations also depend on the mood you are trying to achieve and your wedding location. Have fun and send pics!
all these idea are wonderful….
i am getting married in June 2011 and i am looking for a simple/elegant centerpiece and also overwhelmed with the whole idea… i havent choosen my colors but i was thinking of maybe magenta and yellow, its still in the air. any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
Vanessa,
First we need to find your colors. It would be difficult to look for centerpieces and decor without them. Are you having a theme wedding? If not, what is the vibe of your wedding? romantic, simple and informal, bold, formal, modern, etc. If I know the style of wedding you want and the venue link or pic, I would be happy to give you any ideas you need! Look forward to your reply!
Hi, I’m also gettin married in June 2011, my colors are lavender, I’m not sure if I should add another color to the lavender to make it more prettier, but Im having a hard time finding a center piece. I dont want to spend alot of money on a center piece. I want something elegant and affordable. I’m also willing to do it myself. I tried getting ideas of using some fake flowers in which they look real, however they cost alot, but even with that it just didnt look right. Im having an outdoor weeding and I’m having about 50-60 guest so with that said Im having about 6-8 tables and the table hold about 8 people. I’m into beautiful spring/summer flowers and candles, however Im not sure if I’m going to be able to have lid candles outside.. Can you help me please
…. I’m not having a big wedding and I dont want to spend alot, however I want my wedding to look like a million bucks.. 
.. I would really appreciate your help and ideas. 
Jackie,
To bring in the lavender I suggest putting your $$$ to work on lavender linens. This will pull in your colors very nicely. With 6-8 tables you will not spend alot to rent linens. Linens are reasonable. I was at Walmart the othe day and saw some great sparkle sand over where the vases etc. was in the craft section. You could do that in cheap cylinder vases at dollar tree, then pluck some real flowers from an abiding garden and float. With the sparkle sand or gems or even rocks in bottom it would look amazing. I would talk to a florist to see what they coudl do for me as far as florals. Maybe they have some lavender or white orchids or other flowers like hydrangea, that are great for floating or submerging but have been culled. I recommend greenery, greenery, greenery. It gives that lush look for nothing if you have some available.
for color and pop you could add varying shades of purple or a shade of green for pop. If you use green on lavender linens it will be gorgeous! the color itself will give impact and will cause you less stress about centerpieces. Think greenery centerpieces in vases spilling over onto lavender linens.
but here is one of my faves, green linens with purple and green florals. it has wow factor.
* pic
* link to pic
* very simple, very stunning
Jackie,
* love this! paired with green apples.
* just a simple hydrangea bloom is beautiful. since they have large blooms one usually does the trick or take several small vases and group together
* would look awesome and chic!
Jackie,
* always thought this was gorgeous! very chic too.
* this is simply pretty. You could do low centerpieces like here in white and green lavender linens.
* THIS is gorgeous! simple white linens with simple lavender hydrangea in a vase( look at flea markets, thift stores, or dollar trees) would pop on this setting. If you wanted alternate bowls or short cylinders of floating candles or apples. then but paper lanters ( which are one of the cheapest decorations out there and attach chiffon ribbon, pure magic!
Jackie,
* here is a vintage garden wedding
* check out all links to this wedding
And last, I give you this wedding. It doesn;t have dripping florals and jewels. It is simple, traditonal, timeless. It will look beautiful 50 years from now in photos. The garden tables you could have a simple square glass vase with floating rose or candle. Nature has done the work of decorating already and it is taken advantage of. Look how the right color scheme and less is more looks! Jawdropping. Think lavender roses instead of the pink she used here and you get the same result. Focus more on food to celebrate your occasion!
* check it out.
Thank you so much.. those ideas are great… you are awesome!!!!!!!!!
Hi, I am getting married on July 24, 2010. The ceremony will be held in an open field in Vermont and the reception will be held under a tent. The reception is in the evening and i picture a romantic and intimate vibe. However it seems impossible for me to decide about the centerpiece
My colors are red and ivory but i would like to add maybe some orange or yellow. So far i would like to have candles and flowers but I don’t know how to organize or arrange them. Also i’m on a $350 budget
Please help!!!
Abigail,
I would consider simple votives surrounding flowers. It has great impact for the buck! I have seen cylinder vases at dollar stores and dollar trees/only a buck that were wonderful! All for a dollar. you could also submerge red roses into the cylinder vase.
* pics
* more ideas
you could even get square or round ( low) containers and flaot blooms on top with floating candles too. Or add votives surrounding container.
* these are my faves, simple rose petals and votives ( would be super easy to add other color petals to the red rose petals)
I am getting Married on June 25, 2011. The Colors for our wedding are lavendar and like a tiffany blue. But we are wanting to do all different shades of both colors through everything. It is pretty hard trying to find unique things (like centerpieces) in our colors. I want to find something cheaper too, because our wedding is bigger than we had planned!!! Any Ideas!?!?!? Congrats to all of you as well!!!!!
Hello i may have an answer to ur question about ur centerpices… what if u did tiffany blue table clothes with lavander napkins.. with a glass vase with purple flowers…
Brittany,
* check this out
I am getting married July 24, 2010 and we are really feeling a bit overwhelmed with the centerpice piece of the puzzle. Our colors are eggplant and a spring green. We are having a cocktail reception in a ballroom with chandeliers and many windows, our reception starts at 4pm. We have a wedding party of 14 including my Fiance and I and are going for the old Hollywood 1950′s style. Please HELP us with ideas..we love the ideas of candles and are trying to stay away from flowers except for the bouqets and boutiners. Thank you so much for any suggestions you can give!
Laila
Hello i maybe able to help…. i know u wanted to stay away from flowers what if u did something like this but changed the blue to eggplant and just did a touch of ur spring green….
Laila,
* something like this would work
* you could also do lace covered candles.
* here are the instructions
I am getting married May 1, 2010. Our wedding colors are ROYGBIV (we have 7 bridesmaids and 7 groommens– each bridemaid wearing one color of the rainbow and their matching groommens wearing a tie and vest of the same color). Our colors are bright and breath taking. The rest of the wedding (table napkin, seat covers) and are going to be black and white because I want all the color to be up front in our party and then on the centerpieces. I want a breath taking centerpiece that screams color like my party will be, but need some help with ideas. Anything you can suggest would be amazing!
Megan,
* something like this would work
* so would a centerpiece like here
Megan,
* Or groups of flowers like this would work
* this would work super well in low containers
Megan,
forgot I saved some weddings to show you…
* I am in utter awe!
I love, love ,love the containers of different colored blooms. keep it hip looking stick with one type flower in different colors ( like roses or gerberas) also is a money saver if you stick to one type flower.
im getting married in august 2010… my theme colours r white, pale yellow, and green…but mostly white and green… I have an idea of what i want for the centerpiece for the head table(have pic) but i want it different for the guest tables… i want a centerpiece for when the guest walk in the room, i want them to be like wow like with no words because its just amazing… i want them to be kinda big but not too big… and bright but with the colours of the wedding… with candles and flowers…. someone please help
Dana,
i think votives are a gorgeous way to go. you can have cylinder vases with submerged flowers and then have votives scattered all over the table.
* this pretty
* look at this, it is unique and very beautiful you could even do smaller vases for the roses.
dana,
* gorgeous
* another beauty
* this is seriously amazing and budget friendly
Thank you so much i really like the first one u said… do u know where i can get this for cheap
Dana,
i have found those exact size cylinder vases at a dollar store or dollar tree. dont overlook the option of using plain drinking glasses that look like that. saveoncrafts.com should have cylinders for reasonable in bulk also. i wasnt sure what type flowers you were using, they are using submerged orchids here, which are pretty expensive. one option is talking to a florist and seeing what you can come up with as far as green orchids go. maybe the ones the florist culls would be perfect for submerging. you wouldnt believe some of the stuff florist do cull from the “best” flowers in arranging. it is usually perfect for such centerpiece decor. also grocery store florists are usually cheaper. the other flowers are hydrangea etc, tucked in the grouping. fiftyflowers.com is also a pretty reasonable place to get florals.
I´m getting married on January 2, 2010 in Mazatlan, Mexico. My wedding color besides white is blue, but I´m having trouble to incorporate other color in the flower certerpieces. I chose roses and lilies. Any ideas?
carolina,
here are some different combos…..
*blue and green
*blue and yellow
*blue and orange
*blue with brown makes simple white florals pop!
*blue and pink
*and just blue and white is gorgeous!!
if your wanting to keep mainly the blue and white color scheme and are renting linens. colored linens can cost the same to rent as white in alot of cases. have blue table linens and have centerpieces of your flowers in white with greenery, you can choose whites with faint colored centers like a white rose with a blush or palest yellow center or even a pale tangerine center.
*like here
*white and yellow
you could add some native greenery or flower to the mix also. bougainvillea is super gorgeous, and a small amount mixed in with your roses and lilies would be so pretty.
*ideas
I am getting married in December of this year. My colors are berry, silver and white. I need help on centerpieces. PLEASE HELP!!!!
candace,
is it a christmas or winter theme? what style wedding are you having? if more christmas theme some of the simplest centerpieces i know is taking silver ornaments and nestling them into a crystal looking pedestal bowl and march votives in between. you could also take red berry branches and place tall stems in clear vases( keep smaller mouth vase openings you will need less stems)
or cranberries…
*cranberry centerpiece
*cranberry centerpieces
*wedding bee forum pics
you could even have ornaments in tall cylinders.
oh loving this site….
*garden party sisters
*ornament centerpiece
candace,
with berry colored cloths, i think centerpieces of babies breath could be stunning!!
have silver crystals in bottom of glass vase.
*stunning pics
Stacey,
Please help my wedding is September 19th, colors are espresso, latte with topaz – we have selected roses with frenchbraid for the bridesmaids. The reception will start shortly after noon and will be held in the Ballroom of the Hotel. The room is beautiful with drapes and chandeliers. Please help with ideas for inexpensive centerpieces that will fit with ‘My Fairytale come true I have fallen for you” theme. I have already bought 12 vases
Psalm,
i think we have talked before. did you want fall elements or more fairytale? these vases are large mouth, it will take alot of flowers to fill them up. something with falling leaves or falling petals would work.
*flaoting rose petals idea
now i have one idea, i dont know if you will like it or not, but turn the vase over on its side, be sure to weigh it down with clear crystals or white rocks, from a craft store. have the inside with flower petals and look like they are falling out of the vase into a elegant puddle. surround with a few votives. like this:
*rose petal pic
*and this
another idea is to take these vases and fill with roses and have some bent over and right in under the rose have 2 or 3 petals that look like they purposely fell off the rose.
you could also take branches ( free) and anchor them in your vase and take rose heads and suspend them from the branches ( make sure the roses are more light weight) or attach beautiful silk fall leaves and have some scattered as if falling on the table. and last….if you have a low ceiling consider suspending ribbons above the table in different sizes with a rose attached to the end or spaced on ribbon. in your vase have a simple floating candle and smaller votives.
*wedding decor
you could also mix your flowers with fall branches and have just a “few” on the table of both. i hope i mentioned something you like. i couldnt remember which theme you were having or what you liked on the other post.
*rose petal ideas
My wedding colors are chocolate, burnt orange with a hint of cream. I have not idea on where to begin with table centerpieces. Any ideas. Please email me at southerngurl_35@yahoo.com
Thanks
Southern_gurl
lena,
could you let me know some details on your venue, that way i will give you complimenting centerpieces. will they need to be low or tall? rustic, elegant, casual, etc?
Hi I am getting married in December, it is Summer here in South Africa that time. My colours are black, hot pink, bright fresh green and a cool blue. Need unique ideas for centerpieces. We are having banquet style tables. My fiance does not like the tall centerpieces because he does not like people having to look around an object to talk or see whats going on…so something low. I want to bring the colour in with the center pieces….any help or suggestions?
chantel,
are you wanting to go in the south african direction? do you want them hip and trendy;rustic; or elegant?
i am thinking have a simple candle centerpieces like shown except have guinea feathers instead. you could also layer the feathees, for example….
1st row….peacock feathers 2nd row, layer withguinea feathers, and rightclose tothe base have a ring of hot pink roses. if you dont care for all the colors, the hot pink roses on next to JUST the guinea feathers would be stunning!! you can also get guinea feathers dyed.it would resemble this boutonniere…
*boutonniere pic
I’m Getting married in September and the colors of the reception are blood red, black and ivory. Any ideas for an inexpensive centerpiece? I am able to use any of the materials provided by the reception site and it’s quite an extensive array of candle holders, vases, colored glass beads etc. I have very very little left to do something stunning with the reception area. Any suggestions will be welcome!!!
Thanks! Ana
ana,
what color are the glass beads and candleholders? also what color are your linens? what else do they have? i am thinking clear vases with blood red glass beads in bottom, fill with water. then add red flowers. amazing if setting this on white linens with black napkins. if the flowers are out of budget then consider floating candles. i will be able tohelp more once i get a rundown of the materials they have. oh yeah what size are the candleholders?
I’m getting married June 6th. I still don’t know what to do about centerpieces. We are having a fairly small reception,maybe 50 people. Our colors are black, white/ivory and red. My bouquet as well as the bridemaids are black magic roses. Any ideas?
kim,
*wedding
google image rose petal centerpiece also rose petal and candle centerpiece and one of my faves google image wedding centerpiece submerged rose. i thought the pics i posted were nice and would be budget friendly. that white one is gorgeous!!
kim, i would definitely carry the black magic roses throughout as the only flower. it would make a beautiful statement because it is a gorgeous flower. so buy in bulk and just use everywhere!!
hello everyone. I’m definately driving my self nutty trying ot find awesome centerpieces. We are getting married dec. 09 and are having a winter theme. My colors are going to be saphire and silver. I’mnot sure what to do. I’m also tryingto figure out what to do with my bouquets. My MOH is wearing the same color as the rest of the BM (Everyone loved the color soo much), and I want to do something different with her bouquet but i’m not sure… I’m also looking for good ideas for my own. Any suggestions??
kristin
one of the best centerpieces for a winter wedding is branches, pine boughs, or candles. i would suggest putting shimmering branches(sprayed with white glitter or ice crystals(which i prefer) and put in food tinted water(your desired shade of blue) branches can be free but be careful the shimmer doesnt get everywhere. ask a local craft store for the best glitter sprays. i think this would be an awesome centerpiece at a fraction of the price. if you want, add white votives here and there with pine or evergreen boughs lining the table in between branches for a truly magical setting. as for the bouquets white would be the best choice. all you have to do is have your bouquet with a sapphire ribbon(your something blue also) and for the bm have them carry white with the silver ribbon. with your moh carrying a white bouquet with some blue flowers in it or find an amazing blue and silver ribbon to add. unless you want the blue and silver ribbon then add a solid blue to hers. consider adding winter evergreens to the bouquets too. consider winter berries(faux cause real will stain). you can also just adjust the number of flowers. or let each bridemaid add a sentimental token to their bouquets. or for example let each attendant carry their fave flower in say white. then you carry each type of flower they do and your fave.
google image winter wedding centerpiece also winter wedding branches then cheap wedding centerpiece
What I did for my MOH was have her bouquet a smaller version of mine. Very cute
Congratulations to everyone. Im so lost I guess I dont really have a theme Im a cake decorator and I cant find a centerpeice to match thats cheap I have 40 tables and Im wearing a princess ballgown my colors are white, sage, and peradot please help
oh this is soooo easy!! do all greenery centerpieces not only are they affordable especially if you have a free abundant supply near your home. check out barndivaweddings. once on webpage. click 6th pic. waiter is preparing table. look at the centerpiece. love this wow factor!!
Hi Tiffanie, take a look on google images at green hydrangea centerpieces and DIY hydrangea centerpieces. Consider putting a touch of color in there: a few pale pink roses for example, or coral ones, or some deep burgundy flowers (mini suns, callas) if that fits your scheme.
Hydrangeas are beautiful, but some easy ideas for jazzing up these CPs more:
- wrap two colors satin ribbon around the vase, see pic. (For example your peridot and sage.)
- tuck a little ivy or amaranthus under your hydrangeas so you have something trailing out romantically below. Ivy is foolproof!
- or, you can fill tall cylinders with something green and eye-catching like small green apples, limes or pears and put a simple hydrangea arrangement on top — very cool.
- Check out FutureBride08′s green wedding! She wore a beautiful ballgown, used green & white and hydrangea CPs and has lots of great pictures.
Hi! My name is Ella and my fiance and I are getting mariied in October of 2009. Our wedding colors are soft pink, silver and charcoal. I am going nutty trying to find just the right idea for a centre piece while staying within a budget. I want to do something with water and flowers, but I am not a fan of floating candles. After they melt, I have seen them make other centre pieces look awful! Plese help!
Ellainontario 8)
okay, take simple and inexpensive glass bowls, container. fill with water. and float pink flowers in water. your done!! if youd like tint the water pink and add white flowers. beautiful!! google image floating flower centerpiece for tons of ideas!!
My wedding is August 2009 and my colors are champagne, cream and gold. I want some that looks elegant without the big price tag. Also nothing too tall, because I want my guests to be able to converse with one another. Any ideas.
Hi Brande! Try this:
* Gilded Elegance
* Elegant Gold Affair
take simple glass containers like in top picture. add a tight bunch of cream tulips or chosen flowers, surround with candles in glass and gold etched votive holders. add brown runner to this to make it pop if you wish!! voila!!
My wedding is July 2009 what type of decorations can i use for the reception with a rainbow theme?
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?
HI!
I am also doing a purple and apple green and was planning on typing apples in my centerpiecesa s well. If you could e-mail me with that you did or any ideas you have id greatly appreciate it!! any info is helpful!
its julebug_99@yahoo.com
thanks!!!!!!!
Julie & Na’omi, there are SO many beautiful apple centerpieces out there, seems like florists come up with so many beautiful new ways to do them every year! Just search theknot, brides, google images or see if this doesn’t help. I love how natural and unfussy this looks.
Also, apples look great with hydreangeas, kermit mums, branches, hypericum berries, or just put them in tall clear cylinders. Love green apples with pink, purple or cream. Oh and of course chocolate brown.
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!
I am having a rainbow wedding, what kind of centerpiece would work?
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!
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.
Hi Kathy: Your centerpiece idea would be very pretty and easy. Here is a link with some pictures.
http://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!
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.
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…
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.
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.
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?