3 Ways to Create Wedding Centerpieces

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Centerpieces are a beautiful decoration that creates the right atmosphere for a wedding reception. Once you have set the budget available for the centerpieces, you can decide which type best matches the theme of the party or the general presentation.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Floral Centerpiece

Step 1. Choose the flowers and plants

Think about which flowers can be the protagonists of the centerpieces: hydrangeas, tulips, lilies, etc. So decide if you want to focus on a certain range of colors or if you prefer, rather, to mix shades and tones and thus choose complementary flowers.

• Purchase cut flowers from a florist who has a large selection of good quality available. If you want to use mixed varieties of flowers for decorations, choose five varieties with different leaves or shapes. If, on the other hand, you opt for simpler decorations, look for a single main flower and a complementary one with leaves of different shapes.
• To choose the florist, ask your wedding planner for advice, or call around and compare the prices of various florists for wedding decorations.
• There are also sites online where you can order flower arrangements in bulk - a great option if you're creating centerpieces for a big wedding.
• If you decide to use silk flowers instead of fresh ones, order them online in large quantities and create your own floral decorations yourself.
• You could also consider using succulent or tropical plants to add a unique touch to your centerpieces.

Step 2. Choose vases, jars or containers

For your floral decorations, you need to choose a container that matches the color or theme of the wedding, as well as the size, shape and color of the flowers. You can opt for classic glass jars, food jars or alternative containers such as wicker baskets or clay jars.

Look for pots that are 2.5 to 5 cm shorter than the flowers they are going to contain. Wide-necked pots or jars are ideal for long-stemmed flowers, while narrow-necked ones are more suitable for short-stemmed flowers

Step 3. Prepare the centerpieces the day before the wedding

Since you will be using fresh cut flowers, you can prevent the buds from sagging and the petals from wilting by creating centerpieces the day before the wedding. You will then need to store them in a kitchen or portable refrigerator until reception: this way the flowers will keep a fresh look.

Step 4. Gather all containers and cut flowers

You will need a pair of scissors (or more if you get someone to help you) and fresh water.

Step 5. Fill clean containers with room temperature water

Fill them about halfway full.

Step 6. Imagine the decoration has a circular shape

Place the container of water in front of you and spread your hands to outline a circle above the vase. This will help you to delimit the decoration, albeit invisibly.

Step 7. Divide the circle into three equal parts

Imagine that the circle reproduces the symbol of peace. These three equal parts will allow you to arrange the flowers in a balanced way.

Step 8. Pull the lower leaves off the stem

Gently run your hand along the stem in a downward motion to remove the leaves.

Step 9. Cut the end of the stem at an angle

An angled cut will ensure that the flowers last longer and stay fresh inside the vase.

Step 10. Place one flower of each variety of your choice in the vase

Do this by arranging each stem at an angle within the three equal parts you created in the vase. It is okay if they overlap, as long as they are all facing outwards and not towards the center of the container.

If you are using decorative leaves in your compositions, place them in the vase first, as they provide a nice base for the rest

Step 11. Place the main flowers in the vase

Take three main flowers and place them in the three sections of the vase.

Flowers with harmonious bulbs such as hydrangeas, lilies and tulips are perfect for playing a leading role

Step 12. Add secondary flowers

Add a few more splashes of color and new shapes by arranging the secondary flowers in the three sections of the container - they will complement the main flowers.

Flowers such as roses, snapdragons and eustomas are perfect as secondary flowers

Step 13. Complete the composition with filling flowers

These are flowers with large green leaves, or with small flowers such as the so-called bridal veil or astartea.

Adjust and refine the composition so that it appears rich and well balanced

Method 2 of 3: Centerpiece with Candles

Step 1. Choose candles of different sizes and colors

You can create a homogeneous centerpiece with candles that have the same shape and size, or vary the size, shape and color of the candles to give a unique touch to your table.

• If you don't want to spend too much, go to your local DIY store and buy candles in stock.
• Depending on the centerpiece you want to create, you will have to choose the most suitable candles: if you want them to stand out on the tables, you will have to buy them long and thin. If you prefer that they are not too noticeable, opt for short and wide candles.
• If you choose colored candles, keep in mind any color scheme you have adopted for the wedding, and arrange the candles almost as you would with flowers. Think about which colors best match and complement each other.
• Don't trust yourself to choose scented colored candles, as some essences don't mix well. You certainly don't want there to be an unpleasant smell on the tables during the reception.

Step 2. Get some candle holders

You may like simple glass containers or you may be looking for something bolder like tapered, shiny or twisted metal candle holders. Consider which candle holder best matches your chosen candles, as well as the overall wedding presentation.

• An interesting idea for a rustic presentation could be to empty some white birch logs and use them to hold candles on the table.
• You may also be interested in the idea of personalizing the candle holders by wrapping them with a fabric such as lace or tulle.

Step 3. Add other details such as mirrors or flowers

By combining the candlelight with other details such as water, mirrors, or flowers, you will create an intimate atmosphere for the reception and will not exceed your budget.

• Place the mirrors under the candles to accentuate the glow of their light.
• Decorate tree branches with hanging candles and make them a showy centerpiece.
• Create a composition of candles of various sizes and heights and add cut flowers to them in small glass vases or by simply arranging them around the candles on the table.

Step 4. Opt for a floating candle arrangement

This type of composition is ideal for presenting candles and flowers in water. If you are using fresh flowers for this creation, add them the day before the wedding or the day itself to make sure they stay fresh.

• Use any container you like. If you will only be using a single container, look for one that is wide and low so that it can hold candles and flowers at the same time. If, on the other hand, you want to use various containers, look for them in different heights and widths.

  

• Fill the containers with water. Fill them up to 2.5 - 5cm from the edge. If you want to add more color, pour a few drops of food coloring into the water, but do so before pouring the water into the vase - this way the colors won't leave any traces of dye on the flowers.

  

• Cut the stem of the flowers. You will certainly want to show off the flower buds, so remove the stems until there is only about 2.5cm under the bud. Flowers with harmonious buds such as orchids, roses or lilies are a perfect choice.

  

• Alternatively, you can glue the stems to the bottom of the container with the heat gun to hold them in place. If you decide to use this method, glue the flowers together before filling the container with water.

  

• Place the floating candles on the surface of the water, around the flowers. The floating candles are specially made to be used near or directly in the water and can burn for several hours: this way you will have beautiful centerpieces for the duration of the reception.

  

Method 3 of 3: Themed Centerpiece

Step 1. Create a centerpiece based on a certain style or historical period

From the glamor of the 1950s flapper to the refined English countryside, focusing on the style of a certain historical period can be a creative way to achieve the perfect centerpiece. Some ideas for a centerpiece inspired by a specific historical period could be:

• The Golden Age of Hollywood: Think old Hollywood glamor, with fur inserts adding to the champagne and shimmer on the tables and luxe colors like gold and silver in the centerpieces.

  

• The return of the Renaissance: Decorate the tables with rich upholstery and luxurious silks, as well as flowers and bright fabrics in the centerpieces.

  

• The Victorian Invasion: Aim for a royal style and create the scenario in which Queen Elizabeth I could feel at home, with silver family heirlooms, elegant porcelain services and vivid flower centerpieces that fully embody a classic English garden.

  

• The vintage: indulge in a kitschy style and spruce up the reception tables with old wooden Coca Cola boxes, jars or antique goblets.

  

Step 2. Create centerpieces based on your favorite book, your favorite TV show or, why not, a movie

Really commit to respecting the theme by focusing on the smallest details in every facet of the centerpiece. Here are some ideas:

• The Great Gatsby: Create centerpieces with whimsical gold spirals and long white feathers, or use the book's famous blue and yellow cover as a palette of colors to draw inspiration from for floral decorations.

  

• Harry Potter: Grab your wand, create a label for each Hogwarts house, and make each centerpiece lively with white owls.

  

• The Wizard of Oz: Decorate with monkey figurines, wicker baskets and touches of sparkling red (a reference to Dorothy's famous ruby slippers). Don't forget to add emerald green floral decorations to represent the city of Oz.

  

• Game of Thrones: if you are a fan of epic fantasy and, on your special day, you want to experience the atmosphere of the intrigue, glamor and magic of the famous TV series, create centerpieces based on the colors or animal symbols of the five noble houses of the realm, including roaring dragons, and choose colors like red and dark purple for floral decorations.

  

Step 3. Create a centerpiece based on a color scheme

One of the simplest ways to create eye-catching centerpieces is to use a color scheme, with one main color and complementary shades or tones of another hue. Some of the most popular color schemes for a wedding are:

• Gold and green.
• Pink and chocolate brown.
• Teal and yellow color.
• A neutral shade and a bolder or brighter complementary color.