Weddings are so expensive that most brides (and grooms as well as their fathers) find themselves looking for ways to cut costs and stay within their individual budgets. That does not mean they are willing to forgo a beautiful reception. They don't have to. A little research to get the ideas flowing, then creativity using what is available in a bride's own world will help each new Mrs. have a unique wedding reception with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
The following five centerpieces are just the beginning of possibilities.
Floating Candles Are Ideal for Centerpieces for Wedding Receptions
Candlelight can create a magical warmth in the reception hall if used lushly enough. It really does not matter what kind of candle holders are scattered about on the tables – even the least extensive glass votive holders when used with more elaborate pieces will create a beautiful glow.
Tall glass vases can be filled rocks or colored glass, which anchor a large single blossom. Water then fills the glasses and two or three candles are floated in the tops of the vases.
These can be used alone, one at a time, to create a centerpiece, or in groups. If a bride is not quite satisfied with the look, she might choose to set the vase(s) on a mirror, nestle them in a colorful fabric or ivy. These striking-looking centerpieces can be plain and elegant, or more elaborate – and still elegant.
Using Your Color Scheme in Your Wedding Centerpiece
A centerpiece can be created by starting with a flat holder – a wire rack, a mirror (my favorite), or even the one shown, which looks just like a stove eye cover available from any Walmart. Because only the white will be seen, it does not matter whether they all match or not. Plus they are sold in groups of four, so are particularly easy on the budget.
On the centerpiece base, a bride and her helpers can place anything – candles (either white or in the wedding colors), a glass vase filled with “glass” beads (again in the wedding colors) and spray painted twigs (white, silver, gold, black or any color that complements the rest of the centerpiece). Then, on the wedding day, when the hall is being decorated, three to five heads of flowers that match those being used throughout the wedding can be scattered on the base and perhaps outside the base on the tablecloth.
If you like the idea of a candle garden, but don't have the time nor inclination to spray paint branches, another simple centerpiece might be more appealing.
In this one, a base is needed but can not be completely flat. The floor of a bowl or other flat container can be covered with rocks or colored beads in one of the wedding colors. Then, a number of pillar candles can be arranged in a pleasing manner. How many you use should depend upon the size and shape of the base. However, keep in mind that an uneven number is generally more appealing to the senses. The final touch is scattering a few flower heads around the bases of the candles as the decorations are being put together on the wedding day.
In the same style, but if you are using bases that you wish to be seen, as you would for a mirror or gold or silver chargers, you can include silvered fruit and large flower heads. Tying bows on the candles themselves is a great idea, but would be tedious and time consuming, unless you have a great horde of helpers.
To Create Unique Centerpieces, Invert That Stemware
One easy centerpiece that caught my eye was using stemmed glassware inverted over a flower, then using the base for a candle holder. Because stemmed glassware is often faceted, it will catch and reflect light in a way that will make your reception hall sparkle.
If you have heirloom stemware that has been in the family for while that you wish to use with your wedding, this might be a way to use it and lessen the chance of it being broken. Just be sure whoever is helping with your decorating realizes how special these glasses are. Or perhaps, you can pick up mismatched stemware in second-hand or consignment shops for a song.
Using different designs, three or so pieces on a table, enhances the sparkle and total look you achieve.
The centerpiece is made of whatever number and size of glasses you plan to use on each table. They can be bunched together for a "center" centerpiece or scattered, alone or by twos, the length of a long table. By now, it is likely you have realized that you can use any glass container, it does not have to be stemware, to showcase something beautiful, then the bottom or base can become a candleholder.
Carefully select the flower or decorative item that you will be showcasing. A single large blossom is terrific. A small pumpkin or colorful gourd will be perfect for a fall wedding, glittery gold or silver blub ornaments for a holiday wedding. Perhaps you prefer something fun, such as a penguin or snowman for a winter wedding. For brides who have access to wild flowers, single heads of Queen Anne's Lace, Black-eyed Susans or even Butterfly Weed are colorful and possibly free. They're also perfect for a summer country wedding, as are any wildflowers abundant in different parts of the world.The candles placed on the bases of the stemware can be any color. White is always a good choice, but brides may prefer to use candles in one of her wedding colors to add a little pizzazz.
Don't Invert That Stemware
Brides who like the idea of using stemware as part of their centerpieces might find it more visually appealing not to invert the glasses.
A simple centerpiece would include a mirror or other base on which are placed about 3 glasses of different sizes. These can be different designs or styles as well.
Then the glass can be filled with water and a floating candle placed in the glass or a single stem flower that is in proportion with the goblet portion. Votive candles placed all around the stemware, and on a mirror base, will reflect dancing light for a magical effect.
If the glasses are old, it will be better not to use them as candle holders, but to place single flowers in each one, and perhaps a flower head resting on the base. Again, surrounding these with votive candles will add sparkle to your occasion.
Or, perhaps your heirloom stemware is beautiful in its own right and does not need to be filled with flowers. However, in order not to confuse your guest with extra glasses, group some stemmed glasses and place flowers and perhaps votive candles at the bases.
Wraping Vases to Create Unique Wedding Centerpieces
This idea is for the bride who wishes to use one of her colors more predominately in her centerpieces. Another advantage is that the containers do not have to match or even be on the same scale. All that is required is a waterproof container, wrapping material and ribbons in the desired color(s).
The flowers are arranged in each vase, which is carefully dried. The vase is set in the center of fabric, 2-3 pieces of tissue paper, or silver or gold metallic material that will reflect light.The covering material is then pulled up around the vase in a neat manner and secure. A glue gun may be necessary for some materials. For others, only a ribbon will be needed to hold the wrapping material in place. The ribbon can be of any material the bride chooses, just as the size of the bows are subject to whim.
How To Create A Wedding Centerpiece That Is Uniquely Yours
Brides should note that the above ideas are bare and basic and all can be elaborated and fluffed up as much as each bride wishes.
For instance, lengths of tulle or netting (in white or any color) can be bunched up, and the centerpieces nestled in the extra fabric.
Sprigs of ivy, holly, cedar, pine, fir, fern or magnolia can be used to surround the bases of the centerpieces (as can the same flowers as are used in the wedding).
The same greenery can be used in place of flowers or to fill out floral arrangements.
Brides who are planning to marry after Christmas (any Christmas) might want to check out the Christmas decorations on sale Dec. 26. Strands of silver and gold or pearls can easily be re-purposed and used to string in painted tree branches or to surround the bases of centerpieces. Again, the possibilities are limited only by the bride's imagination as each person designs and plans her own unique centerpieces for her wedding reception.
If you are planning a fall ceremony, this article: "Three Easy Centerpieces for an Autumn Wedding," might be helpful.
Those planning a spring wedding, might find "DIY Ideas for Spring Wedding Centerpieces to Use as Guest Favors" interesting.
For choosing pew decorations, this article: "DIY Wedding Pew Decorations that Are Inexpensive and Easy" might be helpful.
Velma Southerland - Velma Southerland has been employed in the lifestyles section of an award-winning East Tennessee community newspaper for more than 20 ...
