Want 10 New Centerpiece Ideas in the Next Five Minutes?
Of course, for some lucky brides, it's not that hard — they just set the florist free with some thoughts about "mood" and a blank check. Others are happy to find their venue offers perfectly decent centerpieces as part of the evening's services. Neither of those brides are reading this.
Since you are, you're probably somewhere in between. And it's possibly up to you to at least design, if not actually produce, the cute things that'll unify the design and provide a focal point — or a talking point, even! — at every table. (And no, "what was she sniffing?" is not the type of talking point we'll leave your guests with, promise.)
At first, the task can seem overwhelming. But if you check out the centerpieces showing up at weddings across the country, you'll find there's a big trend toward keeping it simple that works in your favor. And it's easier than it looks to dream up dozens of great ideas.
How? Just mix and match, stealin... — ahem, borrowing — from popular building blocks you'll see everywhere. Just keep your overall look in mind (traditional? contemporary?) and you'll be sure to come out looking like you were born to style weddings.
The Building Blocks of Fabulous Wedding Centerpieces
Not all centerpieces have all these elements, of course. If you actually used them all at once you might have some sort of horrible gravitational accident ("Sorry about the black hole, honey. I'll work in the garage next time."). But most of them use a few. Just play along with our creative nomenclature, and you'll be off and running.
The Guts
The guts, the contents, the gear, the goods. This is them. Going for the most stately and traditional to aggressively modern, these is a list of popular, well "¦ stuff that brides build their centerpieces around.
- pillar candles
- floating tealights
- candelabras
- roses, gerbers, hydrangeas, callas
- black magic roses, orchids
- flowers plus interwoven bear grass
- hypericum berries
- flowered branches, curly twigs
- green ranunculous, brown or green roses, green mums, gomphrenia, proteas
- small citrus fruits wrapped in contrasting satin ribbons
- ferns
- large variegated leaves, curled into clear cylinders
- wheat grass
- medium gauge copper wire, curled and spiraled
- tall curly willow or flowered branches pushing vertically above floral arrangements
- peacock feathers (a collar for roses, hydrangeas)
- white ostrich feathers (typically in Eiffel vases)
- traditional white blooms dyed startling colors (acid green, aqua blue)
- tropical exotic flowers, reeds, bamboo
- lotus pods, artichokes, kale "roses"
Thematic Guts
We're going to take a brief detour here and list a few popular "thematic" centerpieces. Those are little more specialized, so we won't linger long.
- candy bouquets (oversized lollipops, chocolate long-stemmed roses)
- cookie towers
- individual cakes
- tiered favor box "cakes"
- terra cotta pots, painted or natural
- wine bottles
- sand castles
- flower-filled conch shells
- pumpkins, gourds
- galvanized pails, watering cans
- birds nests, birdhouses
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The Containers
Okay. Let's talk vessels and cylinders, fishbowls and boxes. These are a few of brides' favorite things when it comes to holding The Stuff.
- bubble bowls ("fish bowls"), ivy bowls, hurricane lamps
- footed pedestal bowls, urns
- silver mint julep cups
- eiffel (tower) or trumpet vases
- mason jars
- photo cubes
- gift boxes, hat boxes
- wooden crates
- clear glass cylinders
- square vases, square bowls
- oversized martini or wine glasses
The Treatments
A rose is a rose is a rose, it's said. But wasn't a rose something else when you lopped off the heads of a dozen and sent the stems to your cheating ex in college? Of course it was.How you treat Your Stuff says at least as much about your style as The Stuff itself. Here are some popular treatments, ranging from Princess Di-ish to Edie Sedgewick-y.
- flowers, nosegays
- flowers, wired to topiaries
- flowers, paveed
- de-stemmed single flower heads floating in water: gerbers, roses, peonies
- blooms arranged into pomanders or spheres
- maple or oak leaves, roses, orchids, gerbers: submerged entirely in water (aka "drowning rose")
- callas, bear grass, sword grass: submerged and twirled in bubble glass
- roses, orchids, gerbers: submerged plus underwater lighting
- vegetables (gourds, succulents): submerged
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Killer Container Fillers
Of course, it isn't always enough to have fabulous flowers and Baccarat vases (or wheat grass and stainless steel). Sometimes we ladies just need an extra design element. Voila: pretty stuff that goes into the container. Hey, plain old water isn't always thrilling enough for events like this.
- gel beads
- vase gems, clear
- vase gems, bright striking colors
- vase gems with underwater lighting
- cranberries, kumquats, cherries, frozen green peas (can take water)
- coffee beans, candy corn, dried indian corn, popcorn, dried peas, lentils (keep dry)
- colored water, underwater lighting
- citrus fruit, arranged cut side out
- block of floral foam wrapped in sword grass or hosta leaves (placed in square jars)
Snappy Container Wrappers
You've tossed in the callas, the vase gems, a magnificent beta fish for good measure — but something's still missing. What could it be?Perhaps it's the snappy container wrapper. Because that bubble bowl can look a bit bare without a little something wrapped around it. Miniature "bowl lingerie" is hard to find, but satin ribbons are easy. Hurrah!
- ivy
- raffia
- multilayered satin ribbons
- berry sprays/garlands
- bark strips
- marabou feather boas
- bear grass
- bear grass threaded with crystals
The Underlayments
What a pretty word, eh? "Underlayments." Sounds like something that involves a lot of rivets, and maybe some naughty lace. But in this case, it's something that goes under your container to make it look even more fabulous. Yeah, like that's possible.
- contrasting table runners
- doilies
- reflective mirror tiles
- criss-crossed satin ribbons
- hosta leaves
- sheet moss
- "stone" runners, cut into squares
- bamboo rolling mats or soba trays
Surrounds
Contrary to popular belief, this is not the unfortunate transformation your fiancé wreaks on your living room before you even tie the knot. ("Your TV isn't wired for 5.1?? Don't worry, honey, I'll take care of that. Can you hand me that coat hanger?")No, surrounds (at least in our minds) are those sophisticated little things you toss around your centerpieces to give them even more visual interest. Rose petals and vase gems are the most traditional. You can simply scatter them around your creations like little moons in loose orbits.
Or, if you're feeling a little more luxe, you can arrange your centerpieces in a soldierly little line all the way down the table, filling the spots between with heaps of petals or orchid heads. Or if you really want to cheer up your guests, you could always scatter gold coins.
- vase gems
- rose petals
- round votive holders
- beach glass
- seashells
- teacups (as votive holders)
- loose dendrobium orchids
- river stones
- square votive holders
- glass ornaments
- miniature gourds (plain or hollowed to hold votive candles)
- polished black river stones
And Now, Over to You
Whew! Well, that's enough out of us (do I smell something burning?) You've probably thought of a few great centerpiece ideas yourself. Trade ideas in the comments field below ... and don't forget to include some pics of your mock-ups or final results!
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Hi Linda,
instead of doing fish and candles (which can quickly make the water uncomfortably warm for the fish and lead to fish deaths), maybe submersible leds beneath the fish instead? Look at these diamond lights if you need something brighter or submersible floralytes which are more subtle, but you can amplify the effect by layering things like vase gems or sea glass on top.
Just be sure to dechlorinate any tap water you use because otherwise it will burn the fish … also, stay away from food coloring! I know it probably goes without saying, but I’ve been to some events where it didn’t, if you know what I mean …
I want to incorporate goldfish and candles in a centerpiece without harming the fish. This is a 50’s themed event. I need to add some light to the centerpieces but do not want to use lights on a strand due to the combination of electricity and water. I am having a creative block…Help!
Amanda: for the flowers, try keeping the lemons whole, rather than cut up; for the sand with candle, maybe get slightly taller candles and tie colored ribbons around them (or around the vase), or place the sand vase on a bright fabric square, (like a napkin or bandanna or a quilting square).
My wedding isi n Nov I want a beautiful ostrich feather centerpiece, i really dont want the same usual flower or candle water bowl centerpieces I wnat a affect that will wow !!! the guest and myself but the centerpiece that I want are so expensive and I want to do them cheap as possible but not look cheap.
Please any ideas helppppppp!!!!
I am planning my parents 25th anniversary party, it’s a dinner cruise on a yacht. There will only be about 10 tables but I would still like to keep the centerpieces simple (and cheaper).
My two different ideas: clear vase with sand, sea shells, and candle in the middle- or vase with few blue/purple flowers and cut up lemons. I am worried the sand/candle thing might not be colorful enough and I’m worried about the worry that will come with fresh flowers and fresh fruit…
If I do the second one, how do you keep the cut fruit arranged on the outside of the vase? Do you have to stuff it with lots of fruit and flowers so it will stay? Or maybe I should just put some lemon slices in there to float around? Is there any concern about the fruit getting yucky looking or in some way affecting the flowers???
EEEkkkk…. thanks for help
The pictures are great… I have been looking forever for centerpieces and I think I found them
It’s fallen to me to design and produce, the decory things that’ll unify the band banquet in two weeks and yes I’d like it to be a talking point at every one of the 34 tables. (And no, “what was she sniffing?” is not the type of talking point)
The dinner will be held in the school cafeteria. We’ll be wedged in like sardines. The band director and other school administrators will be seated on the stage (cafetorium style) hopefully eating and staying up there as there is so little room.
Any help will be most appreciated.
Hi LeaAnn, let’s see what I can offer, and maybe a pro florist will wander by and offer more help.
How do you get the flowers to stay down. There are lots of ways, but a good way for DIYers is to use monofilament (almost-invisible fishing line) and some kind of tiny weight.
A small fishing weight a.k.a sinker is good. Note: I just went to my local tackle shop. They had a bag of tiny clip-on sinkers, like maybe 50 for $6. They were perfect! Tie it to the bottom of your orchid stem(s) with just a short length, so the stem goes almost to the bottom. If you want to conceal the weight completely, pour in a little sea glass or some vase gems.
And if you do that — the vase gems — you can add some submersible LED lighting, which is fabulous for a sunset or low-lit, indoor event.
In some cases you won’t need monofilament or a weight or adhesive to keep the flowers down. If your flowers or branches are sort of stiff and sturdy, they’ll push against the sides, and you’re set. Or if you fill the cylinder really full with flowers (like the tulips shown in the pic here, from InStyle Weddings), they’ll also push against the sides, and you’re set.
And how do you get them to twist. If your orchids are long enough, and you anchor them to the bottom and push it down from the top with a floating candle, they should twist pretty naturally. If they aren’t, you can help them along with a few monofilament ties along the stem, or use inconspicuous floral wire to give them an ‘exoskeleton’ here and there.
Can you use fake flowers to do this? Fake flowers are an EXCELLENT idea, especially in that challenging destination wedding environment. Drowning florals look easy, but they’re actually tricky because most flowers don’t hold up well underwater for long. You need to do these right before the ceremony if they’re real. Especially with orchids, whose petals can start to look thin and tatty if they soak ‘in the tub’ too long.
Fake flowers let you trial-run the whole thing: orchids, line and sinker. Which you MUST do for your own peace of mind on the big day. Try out the twists and see if you have to fuss over them. See how long the filament needs to be, and if you need to clip the stems, or daisy-chain several together. See if your floating candles actually stay lit once you put them in water. Better yet, do all this with a very good friend or relative who will set most of these up for you before the ceremony.
Last note: try to use distilled water. It’s less prone to developing microbubbles along the margins, and has that clear-as-glass look.
Hello Blake,
I have a couple questions for you on centerpieces. The tall vases, with the flowers submerged in them and the floating candle on top, how do you get the flowers to stay down? And how do you get them to twist? Can you use fake flowers to do this?
I am planning a destination wedding and am doing my own centerpeices to cut costs and this is what I want to do. I have seen many pictures on the web of these, but can’t seem to find one the opens big enough to really see the details.
I need to create a centerpiece for everyday usage for my Banquet Department preferrably during luncheon events. I would like it to be sleek and contemporary, also storage friendly.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a rookie trying to expand their creative horizon. :-?
I need to create a centerpiece for everyday usage for my Banquet Department. I would like it to be sleek and contemporary, also
Hi again Sandy,
Glad you like the coffee bean idea. As for the feathers, i would only use them if they are incorperated elswhere such as, your bouquet. Otherwise, i would just use ivory petals, stones or whatever your theme is.
Thanks Tonya
The Coffee beans are excellent, especially that everyone knows how much I love coffee! I didn’t even think about that. I also thought about ivory feathers on the base, with a square mirror under each of them, and votives. What do you think? anyone else?
Sandy,
I love your idea! I have colours close to yours. I am using espresso brown, ivory and burnt orange. Your centrepiece idea is great! You think about layering your rice with maybe coffee beans or something along those lines.
Good Luckl
My colors for my wedding on 7/5/08 are Choco-Latte, Ivory and Pink. What recommendations can anyone give me as far as centerpieces are concerned. I am on a budget. I was thinking of renting triangular shaped vases, and filling it with dry ice, which explodes and gives a nice visual effect along with a spray of hot pink sparklers in them, with a baby pink and latte bow on top? What do you think of this?
Anyone, please!
Well the wedding is in the spring and is waterside but not a nautical theme. The water can be seen as there is windows lining the back the venue. The table linens are white on white. The flowers are all different colored wildflower. Think daisies, snap dragons, poppies etc… The lanterns are Moroccan and made of a resin like material and will have a votive burning inside. I want everything to have a light and airy feel. I hope that helps. Thanks for the ideas.
Heather
Heather, tell us a little more, is this a beach/tropical wedding? Or more English garden, or something else? Indoors or outdoors?
Instead of flowers or petals, there’s always vase gems, smaller votives, vines like ivy or bittersweet or grapevines (fall), or polished river stones. Moss to cover the base is woodsy and cool.
If it’s a beach wedding you can underlay the lanterns with banana leaves or tatami mats, very chic. Or, you could tie wide sheer organza ribbon(s) (blue and white, say) to the lanterns and let the ends pool around the base of the stand for a flowy, bridal look.
But it really all depends on your overall theme or setting
Hello,
My main colors are aqua and white with hints of yellow. I found beautiful white lanterns that hang on free standing white shepherd hooks that are about two and a half feet tall. I would like to decorate the base of the stand and the rest of the table without using flowers. Any ideas or pictures?
Hello, I need help!!! I have been struggling with my centrepieces. My colours i am working with are Burnt Orange, Brown and Ivory. My colour of centrepieces are going to be orange to capture the orange napkins combined with the brown linen on the table. I would love to use my idea of an oil vase, however; i can not find ANYWHERE orange oil. I am going with a rustic look and my theme are leaves. I have put together another centrepiece but it appears to be missing something - it looks bare. Any ideas are welcomed and thanked in advance.
Tonya
workcyw@cogeco.ca
Hey girls! I need to know where I can buy artificial flowers to wrap around the base of the pedetstal bowl, lilac and ivory theme. My wedding is in 2 weeks! (YIKES, LOL) HELP!