Affordable Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception

When it comes to decorating your reception tables, the centerpieces for each table play a major role in setting the tone and style of your wedding. They’ll be one of the major focal point for your guests while they’re eating their meal, and spectacular or unique centerpieces can add an element of sophistication or surprise to your event.

Going With Old Faithful

The most established kind of centerpiece — and the most expected — is flowers. There are literally thousands of popular floral centerpiece designs, from tall lilies to tightly packed roses.

You should really shop around and check out different wedding supply shops and online specialists to see the different possibilities, and look at the varying prices. Also remember that you’ll need a centerpiece for every table … which could get expensive if you’re planning to invite a large number of guests.

For a cheaper option, buy the flowers yourself from a wholesaler, and put together simple displays such as six tulips in a glass vase. You could also use the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces to really get the best value out of them. Believe it or not, brides do this all the time!

Instead of fresh cut flowers, consider using potted plants as centerpieces. You can decorate terracotta pots, and choose flowers that coordinate with your wedding colors. These centerpieces will last long after your day has ended, and provide a gift as lasting as it is lovely for your special guests.

Moving Left of Center

Popular alternatives to floral centerpieces include candles and fruit. Candles are a wonderful way of creating an air of romance and enchantment for your wedding, and look particularly great if your venue’s dimly lit. But if you plan to hold your reception in the afternoon, with plenty of natural daylight, candles may not produce the appropriate dramatic effect.

You could purchase candelabras for each table for an elegant look, or introduce a less formal but lovely centerpiece of floating candles and rose petals in a large glass bowl. Just ensure that any holders or bowls you use are heat-resistant, and also check with your venue for any restrictions on the use of naked flames.

Fruit is an attractive, decorative choice — your guests might even nibble on it later in the evening! Other edible choices include candy, chocolate lollipops or Hershey’s Kisses. Use your imagination to display whatever treats you choose in an exciting, visual way, using glitter, flowers, tiered trays, rose petals, vase gems and so on.

It Pays to Experiment

Be as original as you like when it comes to your centerpieces. You could start by displaying something really personal, such as hand-written poems or family photographs in ornate picture frames.

If you’re having a themed wedding, create a unique centerpiece to reflect the wedding motif. For example, wonderful centerpieces for an Asian-themed wedding is a bonsai tree, individual water fountains, or large origami creations. Anything that ties into your theme is bound to wow the eye.