Your centerpieces are one of the highlights of your wedding reception. They are a great place to add style to your reception, and they also allow you to have some fun expressing your personality. Here are seven ideas for unique centerpieces that you can use.
Submerged flowers. This style of centerpiece is both incredibly hip and surprisingly simple. All you need is a stem or two of orchids or berries, a tall clear vessel, and some water. Fill the vessel, submerge the flowers, and there you go. The cool thing about these centerpieces is that they have a true designer look, and yet are easy enough to do yourself. They are also affordable, because you are only using a few flowers per table.
"Planted" flowers. One of the most adorable centerpieces that I have ever seen was created from low containers in which wheatgrass was planted and grown a while before the wedding. The day before the wedding, the grass was trimmed to be uniform, and stems of cheerful gerbera daisies were "planted" in the bed of wheatgrass. A neat piece of ribbon was added to each vessel with a dab of hot glue (no bows), and that was it. Totally original and affordable diy centerpieces.
Hanging flowers. Who says centerpieces have to be in vessels? A really great look is to create long centerpieces that are suspended above each table. They can be done using a number of different elements, to create the feel that is appropriate for your reception style. For a casual wedding, attach the blossoms of daisies to long ribbons that drop over the tables. If your wedding is more formal, you can substitute more elegant flowers and mix in some crystal drops to tie in with your jewelry.
Colored water. Why does water have to be clear? A few drops of food coloring can quickly transform water from boring to interesting. Just be aware that some flowers will draw the color up their stems, so it is safest to match the color of the water to the natural color of the flowers. Brides who can't get enough sparkle will love the effect of filling the bottoms of clear vases with colored crystals. This looks fabulous when the bride and bridesmaids are wearing crystal bridal jewelry.
Non-floral displays. You do not have to create your centerpieces from flowers. They can be anything that strikes your fancy, from a tower of antique books to stacked gift boxes covered in exquisitely patterned paper. Edible centerpieces are also wonderful. You can create tiers of perfect little cupcakes or a croquembouche, which is a traditional French wedding dessert consisting of a tower of cream puffs held together with caramel. Beautiful and mouthwatering, what could be better?
Natural elements. Eschew the expected vase of flowers and instead treat your guests to an eclectic display of smooth river rocks, moss, sand, twigs, and branches. These elements can be used to fill multiple jars, as the anchor for a floral display, or any combination of the two. You can also think outside of the vase and use cool pieces like giant balls woven from wicker, which are quirky and just awesome.
Theme centerpieces. For instance, if you are having a beach wedding, your centerpieces could be pillar candles in hurricane lanterns set onto a bed of sand and surrounded by shells and starfish. For a Christmas wedding, fill clear glass vases with pretty glass ornaments (also nice for a holiday centerpiece at your home, by the way). In the autumn, a cornucopia overflowing with nature's bounty would be warm and welcoming.
