Nowadays, everyone is on a budget; so, when it comes to your wedding, it’s important to get the most bang for your buck. One way you can do this is by having centerpieces that double as favors!
One of my favorite dueling decorations is potted or replant able centerpieces that your guests can take home and enjoy long after the disco lights dim and the dances are done. By using dual purposed décor, you’ll not only create a standout look for your reception, but a standout memory for all your guests.
Everything from fragrant herbs and superb spices to vibrant blossoms and tall grasses can all be arranged to your liking and sent home with your guests for theirs. It’s a win / win for everyone!
And depending on your budget, you can easily make homemade plant boxes for super cheap, simply by using wood, nails and a stain of your choice… or leave the wood as is for an even cheaper, more rustic solution! As always, it’s really up to you. Get as over the top or under the radar as you want… just be sure to have fun and stay happy :)
Here are some of my faves:
photos courtesy of theknot.com and marthastewartweddings.com
YOWZAS! Talk about making a statement from floor to ceiling… floating or hanging wedding décor is one way to get more bang for your buck! Because they offer a means to create more levels of dimension throughout your entire reception hall, you’ll easily streeeetch your real estate dollar to its fullest potential by filling in areas that otherwise would be lost… And who doesn’t love that??
After perusing through several images on BeautifulBlooms.com, I couldn’t help but be inspired by these float-tastic furnishings and immediately set off on a journey to discover more. (Of course by “journey,” I mean manic mouse clicking and by “discover,” I mean whatever Google Images wanted to show me… but alas, I digress.) I went absolutely Lady GaGa for the one of a kind, optical illusions they create and fell even deeper in love when I realized their practicality.
Not only do these suspended superstars create an allstar look, but they also offer brides and grooms a way to decorate their tables without blocking the view of their guests. Because big, bold centerpieces can create such big, bold WOW factors, so many brides are drawn to them… but they don’t always create the most rational way for your guests – seated in between and across from them – to communicate to others or worse yet… see you! Blasphemy!
Hence, only furthering the appeal of hovering centerpieces! By cutting out the middle “man” altogether and suspending the décor, you can be as big and bold as you want without blocking the view of your guests! It’s a win / win for everyone!
Just be sure to go over things with your venue. Since some of these will more than likely need more planning to accomplish, you should definitely work with your reception hall vendor and / or coordinator to make sure they go off without a hitch!
And if you’ve found yourself already booked to venue that doesn’t allow or have a means to hang things, there are still several options for you to create this look. One, consider using super tall, thin vases and placing floral or “pom pom” styled arrangements on the tops only. This will ensure you’ll get the height you want with minimal to no distractions of your guests… Or I like the idea of using large, elevated glass cylinders. You can fill them to the top with water, creating the illusion of “clear” space, and crowning them with your favorite flower buds, floating candles or fiber optics.
At the risk of sounding too bold, I’m gonna go ahead and say that teapots rival the cuteness of puppy dogs and baby feet. There, I said it… do with it what you will, but there is no denying the undeniable creativity and colorfulness of a wedding day centerpiece done up Mrs. Potts style!
With their variety of shapes, sizes and styles, teapots have a chic’ness that exude an ironic blend of timeless elegance and contemporary freshness. Fashioned in everything from antique, hand painted ceramic to engraved stainless steel, there is surely a teapot to fit every wedding day decor. And with the ability to dress them up with your favorite fresh flowers or coordinated tea cups, the possibilities are almost limitless!
Which is exactly what so many brides are looking for! Because every wedding is different, teapots have the ability to individualize every couple’s big day. They can capture every mood from an afternoon tea on a spring day on a London to the Mad Hatter and March Hare party in Alice in Wonderland. It truly is an unmatched brilliance, and after viewing all their possibilities, I’m hooked!
Use your engagement pictures, and create a centerpiece worth 1000 words!
Ahhh, centerpieces. Is there any other wedding day detail that has more options? I’m gonna go ahead and say, “N.O.” In fact, there is one movie scene in particular that perfectly describes my state of mind in choosing a centerpiece… I give thee, the “Very Merry Unbirthday” scene from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. Its attributed chaos captures my current dilemma perfectly.
Sure, sure, I may not be dealing with a Mad Hatter, March Hare, Dormouse (thank goodness) or White Rabbit, but I do have Myself, Two Mothers, Numerous Bridesmaids and One Poor Man (no pun intended) footing the entire bill. Trying to narrow down the choices is like looking at the unbirthday table filled with 23,034,893,098 teapots. The teapots - accurately symbolizing the centerpiece options – are almost limitless, and they’re all great for different reasons. So, how does a bride choose, when her options include (and aren’t even limited to) to the following teapots, errr, centerpieces…
Some are short and stout; while others are tall and slender. Some are round and hearty; while others are square and dainty. Some are filled with vibrant colors; while others look better in not so saturated tones. They can be plain or layered. They can be accompanied by everything from cakes and candles to fun and fireworks. Yet, there are still others that do perfectly well simply by standing alone… I mean the list goes on and on, people!
And we probably shouldn’t forget that the March Hare and Mad Hatter didn’t have a budget, like the majority of us brides do. And depending on the number of guests attending your wedding day extravaganza, the cost can add up quickly. I like to quiet the chaos, however, by remembering things I’ve seen and liked from past weddings. Here are some centerpieces ideas that created the biggest buzz:
Photo Themes: One bride and groom took pictures of themselves and displayed them in vases at the center of each table. For example, you could have pictures of when you were one, displayed at Table 1. Or you could put good use to all your favorite engagement pictures.
Flower Themes: I’ve seen many brides and grooms use flowers as stand alone centerpieces, as well as well coordinated decor. Whether you choose to sprinkle rose petals or create a large floral display, there is no denying the eternal presence of flower power.
“Well Lit” Themes: Nothing says romance like a dimly lit room filled with candles. I like it when couples play with candle heights and wax colors. It adds immediate interest to a reception hall without a lot of preparation or cost.
Mini Cake Themes: At a friend’s spring wedding, the bride and groom created mini versions of their wedding cake and placed one at the center of each table. This doubled as a centerpiece AND dessert. Not to mention, clean up was a breeze! They were all eaten :)
Beach Themes: Bring the atmosphere of a destination wedding directly to you! Use fish bowls, seashells, floating candles and sand to create a seaside creation that any city would love! My friends even went as far to place Beta fish in each bowl, because they matched their royal blue color so well.
At the risk of sounding too bold, I’m gonna go ahead and say that teapots rival the cuteness of puppy dogs and baby feet. There, I said it… do with it what you will, but there is no denying the undeniable creativity and colorfulness of a wedding day centerpiece done up 
