Wedding Reception Centerpiece
From LoveToKnow Weddings
Your wedding reception centerpieces can set tthe mood for the evening's festivities. When you consider there will be a centerpiece on each table you'll want to choose something appropriate. You'll also want to choose a centerpiece that is elegant and decorative.
Choosing a Centerpiece
Traditionally most couples go with flowers for their wedding reception centerpiece, but this doesn't have to be the case. The only rule for a centerpiece is that it adorns a table. There's nothing in the rule book stating a wedding reception centerpiece has to be flowers. What follows are some suggestions.
- Candles – Candles make wonderful centerpieces, especially for evening weddings. In fact, the type of candle holder you choose makes all the difference. Some suggestions for wedding reception centerpieces with candles are hurricane lamps, candelabras and decorative crystal votives grouped together.
- Baskets – The great thing about using baskets for wedding reception centerpieces is they can be filled with just about anything! Flowers, potpourri, candy, fruit or marbles, the sky is the limit!
- Birdcages – Like baskets, birdcages can be filled with almost anything including flowers. They're also great on their own with perhaps a decorative ribbon tied around the center.
- Potted plants – Instead of your basic floral arrangement, potted plants can be used. Small potted plants in decorative containers can be grouped together to form a centerpiece and then taken home individually as wedding favors.
- Small goldfish bowls – Marbles and candles can turn a small goldfish bowl into a stunning wedding reception centerpiece. Potpourri, acorns, pine cones and pine branches make for an aromatic table.
- Straw Hats – Decorate with ribbon, lace and silk flowers and place in the middle of the table.
Holiday Themes
- If your wedding will be taking place on or around a holiday, your decorating is done for you. Weddings taking place around Christmas time can incorporate holly, miniature Christmas trees or elegantly wrapped "gifts" as wdding reception centerpieces.
- For a Halloween wedding, why not try a whimsical approach with a carved Jack O' Lantern? Don't forget a candle for the center!
- Easter weddings should take advantage of pastels. A crystal bowl filled with colorful eggs adds a lighthearted yet elegant touch.
Important to Note
When choosing a wedding reception centerpiece, make sure your guests will be able to communicate comfortably around it. For instance, will they have to move it to one side or raise themselves up on their chairs to talk to someone across the table? Don't make centerpieces so tall they block out half of the guests.
When using centerpieces that contain candles, make sure there is nothing flammable within reach of the candle. For instance, a basket or straw hat is not a good candidate for a candle holder.
Be Creative
Be creative when choosing wedding reception centerpieces. Instead of visiting a florist, visit a craft store or home center. Don't forget to bring an open mind; you're only limited by your imagination.
Comments
I'm quite surprised it was the groom's family that took the centerpieces. If anyone was going to leave with them I would think it would be the bride's family, because they would most likely know what she wanted done with them as they had probably been with her through most of the wedding planning and the groom's family had not. Fot the sake of a new marriage, though, I think I'd swallow my justifiable annoyance and not mention it to anyone, particularly the groom. -- Contributed by: ValerieJanice - No, usually guests do not help themselves to centerpieces unless invited to do so -- some couples choose to give away the centerpieces as part of the festivities and to help with the cleanup. Unfortunately, if this has already happened, there isn't much the bride can do about it -- it would be tacky and tasteless to bring it up.
-- Contributed by: Melissa MayntzI am a relative of the bride. Near the end of the reception the relatives of the groom either claimed or walked out with one or more centerpieces (the bride actually had planned to keep them-she was left with 4 out of 20). I thought this was tacky. But they felt entitled. Is this normal for guests to take the centerpieces without asking/offered? HELP!
-- Contributed by: Janice ParedesThis page has been accessed 29,094 times. This page was last modified 12:36, 22 March 2006.
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