You may not give much thought to the centerpieces for your wedding reception tables, but they are more important than you think. Your wedding guests will spend a lot of time at their tables, as they have their dinner and chat with each other. So, these centerpieces will be in constant focus. Their arrangement will reflect the tone of the wedding and set the ambiance.
While some venues offer a few custom centerpiece options to choose from, you can also opt for your own design and find one that is suitable for the theme of your party. Let us look at the different factors you should pay attention to when designing your centerpieces, so you can maximize their effect.
Height of the display
This is an important criterion to pay attention to when choosing your centerpiece designs. A centerpiece that is too tall will obscure the view of the guests who sit across each other, and it will be difficult for them to communicate. So, your centerpiece should be low. You can still create an impact by designing the centerpieces to be unique and with interesting design elements. The only time you can go with higher centerpieces is when the design is elongated but not broad. This way, it will not obstruct the view, and will allow guests to talk to each other comfortably.
Width or size
The centerpiece should be compact and not spread out. It should be proportional to the size of the table, and the arrangement should be neat and attractive. Depending on whether the tables are round or long, choose a centerpiece that has the right proportions. A single centerpiece or a cohesive group that occupies a circle in the center is ideal for round tables. Well-spaced tall arrangements on a table runner through the center will be good for long tables.
Choosing the design elements
Flowers and candles are the popular choices for centerpieces. Apart from these, you can also use balloons, crystals, gemstones, jars, pebbles, shells, fruits or anything else that you can think of. The elements you choose should blend well with the theme. A clear vase with shells at the base and floating candles on top for a beach wedding would be appropriate. You can also make use of seasonal flowers and fruits to add color to the centerpieces, and also get them at a lesser price. Ensure you keep the color palette consistent and don’t go overboard with details. It is always the simpler designs that create more impact.
Choose variations for more visual interest
It isn’t necessary that all your tables are decked up the same way. In fact, it is more attractive if each table was personalized differently. Keep the colors consistent and the designs similar, but make slight variations in the arrangement. This will be more interesting. You could alternate two color combinations for each table, or even change the heights and designs of the centerpieces from one table to another. When you alternate styles, the only thing to remember is all the pieces should be tied together with a few unifying factors and not look too distinct.
There are so many details, both big and small, to get right at your wedding. One of them is your bridesmaids’ bouquets. The flowers and the designs that you choose, will have an impact on how well they look on the day. Although they may not hold on to the bouquet for the entire day, it will still be prominent during some very important moments. So, you have to get it right.
Here are some ideas for you to start with.
Match it to your bouquet
Your own wedding bouquet should be the starting point for your bridesmaids bouquets. Bouquets that are miniature versions of your own would complete the effect seamlessly. Consider choosing the same or similar flowers as you have used in your own bouquet, for a cohesive effect. One thing to remember is that if your bouquet matches the colors of the bridesmaids dresses, it would be a good idea to choose flowers that are slightly darker or lighter in color for their bouquets. Else, it could get lost in the background of their dress.
Complement their dress color
Choosing a bridal bouquet is easy, as there are hardly any combinations that could go wrong with a white wedding dress. This is however, not the case with your bridesmaids dresses. Not all colors blend well. So, when you choose your wedding color palette, make sure that you have enough flower choices that will go well with your choice of bridesmaid dress colors. Lighter and shades from the same color family, complementary shades on the color spectrum and neutrals can be explored to find a good combination.
The size should go well with their dress design
If your bridesmaids wear elaborate gowns or dresses with intricate detailing, keep the floral accessories simple. For dresses with details at the bust or waist, choose a bouquet style that doesn’t hide it. Also consider the differences in height and build of your bridesmaids when choosing bouquets. After all, it is very unlikely that a bouquet which is perfect for a plus-size woman will have the same effect on a petite woman.
Make it interesting by varying the colors and designs
There was this rainbow wedding featured on the Rock ‘n’ Roll bride, where the bridesmaids wore dresses in different colors and held bouquets that matched their dress color. The effect was spectacular. We can see that the most brilliant and memorable choices are when you think outside the box. Give a unique touch to each of your bridesmaids bouquets by customizing each one. Vary either the colors, or designs and you will have stunning results.
Trust your florist
You may soon feel you’ve had enough when you have to select so many flowers, bouquet designs and floral centerpieces. Trust your florist with the finer details. She is an expert who knows her job and when allowed to use her creativity, it is likely that she will give you some surprising choices that you would never have thought of yourself. Tell her what you would like and give her the freedom to design it. Not only will this reduce your stress, she may also appreciate the opportunity to show her best.
For more valuable bridal tips and wedding planning advice, visit us at Best for Bride.
Flowers have the power to make a breathtaking wedding scene. They are a crucial part of your wedding décor. After all, flowers contribute to the look and feel and set the scent and, thus, the ambiance for the scene. When the floral décor is done right, the entire venue will reflect the intended mood of the event. However, this magic has to be woven in by the talented hands of your florist.
Unless you are a botanist or have grown up with flowers, it is unlikely that you will know all that you need to about choosing flowers on the scale required for a wedding. With so much going on in the world of wedding flowers, with varieties in everything ranging from bridal bouquets to reception décor, seasonal flowers and table centrepieces, just the thought of getting everything right may hurt your head. If you are like me, you will agree that choosing flowers belongs to the list of tougher wedding planning tasks. So, you must trust your florist for her insight and ideas to get it done right. With so many vendors who claim to be seasoned experts, how do you find the right person for your wedding?
Here are the essential questions to help you sort the pile and settle on the florist who will set wings to your floral vision.
What role do you want the flowers at your wedding to play?
According to this article on How Stuff Works, there are florists and flower designers, and both of them work very differently. Who you choose depends on what you want the flowers to do at your wedding.
Florists are capable of churning out masterpieces based on the specifications you have. It is usually good enough to create the impact you may desire. However, if you are a full-blown flower fan and want finer work and look forward to creating more than just a beautiful scene with the flowers at your wedding, a flower designer is a better person for your job.
They come with an added price tag since they will be working exclusively for you, whereas a florist will juggle several orders at once. Nevertheless, they are artists with the expertise to churn out beautiful floral motifs that will go down in the pages of your wedding memories. They will also be able to go the extra mile to obtain specific flowers needed to create the impact you desire. So, if you wish to make your wedding a floral extravaganza and have a budget, a flower designer is your best bet.
Of all the florists I’ve visited, whose store arrangements did I love the most?
As with choosing any vendor, you should search, search and search for the perfect florist. Obtain references from your friends, look at classifieds and read reviews online. Once you’ve shortlisted those you think will be best, drop in at their stores and look around. This will give you an idea of how organized and passionate they are about their work, more than the pictures you find online.
Do you think the flower arrangements in the display window are neat and attractive? Are the flowers fresh and vibrant? Or do the blooms look dull and wilted? Is the cooler section well-maintained? How neat is the shop generally? Do you think the designs are charming, or do they look dated? Shop around, and you will know which florist is more organized with her business. You can also take a look at their wedding portfolios to get a complete idea.
Does the florist think your budget is reasonable, and what ideas does she have for you?
There is no point in proceeding further if the florist’s rates exceed your budget. Ideally, you should choose vendors who fall within your range and then progress with further analysis to avoid any disappointment. On average, expect to spend 8 to 10% of your budget on flowers if you do not want anything too elaborate. If your initial review of the shop and what you heard from others was positive, you can now discuss the rest of the details.
How does this florist react to your budget and the ideas you have? Does she think creating what you want within the price range is practical? If not, does she have other suggestions for flowers, or can she offer alternate arrangements that will satisfy you and are within your price range? An experienced florist will know the best options that will work for a certain budget, and will be ready to customize to a certain extent to ensure her client is happy. If the florist cannot work within your allocated budget or is unavailable on the day you want, you can always ask her to recommend other vendors who will do a similar job.
Do you like her suggestions?
People have different tastes, and finding a florist who shares your taste will help you progress without too many hiccups. You can identify this to a certain extent by simply looking at her portfolio. Also, look at her flower arrangements in the shop, and notice whether they appeal to you. Also, ask her for suggestions regarding your bouquet, flower options, and designs. It is impossible to go into every detail regarding what you want, so you must trust her decisions to a certain extent.
If you like what she suggests or the options she provides are mostly appealing, you will likely not have any issues with what she comes up with. Just make sure that you tell her about your preferences and what you do not want. Some brides do not like carnations in their bouquets; if you have similar dislikes, inform her about it.
Are you comfortable discussing your ideas with her?
Your wedding décor is obviously important to you, as it sets the mood for the entire day. So, you need someone who understands your ideas and is capable of executing it well. When you talk to a florist, see if she encourages your ideas or is dismissive of what you suggest. If you think she is overbearing or rigid with what she can accommodate, it may be time to look elsewhere. Make sure that you establish a good rapport with your florist, and she can translate your ideas into practical solutions.
It is a good idea to take pictures of arrangements that inspire you, when you visit your florist. For this, start clipping pictures off magazines or take prints off the net, well in advance. This will help you communicate your ideas better and you can also be certain that your florist understands what you mean, rather than just assume she got everything required from the description you provided.
Is she ready to experiment with your ideas and décor suggestions?
Imagine you have this great vision of the perfect table arrangements in your mind, but your florist shoots it down, saying it is too difficult to get right. How disappointing will it be? A talented florist will be ready to stretch a little and take risks, as long as it is what you want. If you think the person you are talking to is too set on her ideas and doesn’t want to try anything out of her comfort zone, you may have the wrong person for the job.
A good florist works with other décor elements like candles, ornaments and tableware to create a unique statement design. She will also know where to source the extras, like vases and candles, so she can do the arrangements well. If your florist is enthusiastic about what she can bring to your wedding, and how to do it differently, by all means, encourage her. Also, find out what extras she can help you with. Will she also cover smaller floral arrangements for the restrooms to create floral favors or petal confetti within budget?
How soon should you confirm, and till when can she accommodate changes?
You will definitely need more than one consultation to ensure you cover everything you want, per your ideas. So, find out when is the latest by which you have to confirm what you want. On this note, you can also ask her if she can do a few samples based on your ideas, so you can suggest changes if any.
If your bouquets or décor arrangements will include out-of-season flowers, find out when is the latest that you have to place your order, so they are ready in time.
Who will set up the site?
This is a question that many couples skip by just assuming that the florist will take care of everything on site. Well, not all of them do. Find out specifically if she or her staff will be handling the decorations on-site personally, or whether she expects the venue staff to take over. If it is an optional condition, does she charge for doing the arrangements herself? How long will it take her to set up?
If it is the latter, find out where the flowers will be delivered to. Will she provide specific instructions on how the arrangements are to be done, if she isn’t there to oversee it? How early will they be delivered and what care has to be taken to ensure the flowers stay in top condition for the wedding and reception?
What expenses will her bills cover?
When dealing with any wedding vendor, ensure you have a written contract that seals the deal and includes all relevant information. Your florist is no exception. Before you confirm the booking, discuss her charges in detail. Does she charge for consultations, and if so, how much? What expenses will you have to pay for? How does she want the bill settled? Will she accept installments, or does she prefer a bulk payment?
What additional charges will you incur if there are small or big changes to the original number of bouquets, boutonnieres or centrepieces? What about if the chosen flowers have to be changed due to unavailability? How will the new ones be charged? Also, discuss the distance to which she will have to deliver, and the transportation rates. Are there any extra overheads you can expect? Discussing all these details and including them in the contract will help you ward off nasty surprises in the form of shocking bills in the future.
What will she do if she has to cancel?
We are all human and you never know when something goes wrong and your florist has to cancel. However, it helps if you are prepared for this worst-case scenario. Don’t hesitate to ask your florist if she has a plan B in case of a contingency. Does she have extra staff who can take over if she isn’t available? Or will she hand over the responsibility to another trusted florist who can deliver a similar service? A professional florist will have some arrangements in place and reassure you that you will receive your service, despite anything that may happen.
At Best for Bride, we endeavour to make your floral vision real. Find inspiration for splendid centrepiece arrangements, bouquet ideas, boutonnieres and venue decoration at our gallery. We also offer customized plans to cater to your specific theme and creatively design to meet your expectations. Whether you would like a formal, casual, classic, modern or traditional theme, we have hundreds of options for you to choose from. In keeping with our overall vision of celebrating love and weddings, our floral services also strive towards the same goal: making your dreams a reality and having the perfect wedding you always wanted. Visit us on Best for Bride today for an awe-inspiring gallery of beautiful designs. You can also shop for your wedding dress, pick outfits for the entire bridal party and get everything wedding-related with us.
More and more couples are creating their own centerpieces. Some buy vases, candleholders, or glass bowls and transform them into fantastic centerpieces. Others create unique centerpieces that are like unexpected surprises for the guests. Whether you want a classic centerpiece or something unusual, these ideas for beautiful DIY wedding reception centerpieces may inspire you.
A gorgeous wedding reception centerpiece can be created with large, shallow glass bowls that hold water with flower blossoms and floating candles on the surface. Some people add stones or colored glass to the bottoms of the bowls. While this is a easy DIY reception centerpiece, the design is very common. If you want something new and exciting, you may want to consider other ideas.
Hanging centerpieces can be incredibly innovative and unique. While some people take the typical hanging flower pot and place them over the center of the table, some approach the hanging centerpiece in a whole new way. Tying flowers and twigs with ribbons so they hang from the ceiling along with hanging candleholders create a romantic fantasy atmosphere.
Upcycled bottles are a popular choice for DIY centerpieces. The bottles can be painted, tinted with food coloring, or etched with the couple’s names or “LOVE.” Each bottle in the centerpiece can hold a single flower or small bouquet. Tissue boxes can be upcycled centerpieces by covering them using decoupage glue and newspaper or scrapbook papers. If you add printed photos of the couple, spray them with a fixative like Mod Podge spray so that the decoupage glue doesn’t smear the ink. Add plastic or styrofoam cups inside the tissue boxes to hold small flowers.
A vase decorated with black and white photos of the couple can be part of an interesting and fun centerpiece. The vase can be decorated with ribbon or craft embellishments as well. The vase can hold flowers in the wedding colors, white flowers, or a combination of both along with twigs or foliage.
How about a centerpiece floating in the air above each table? Large helium balloons can be tied to a vase or champagne bucket in the center of the table. The string can hold table numbers or light decorations like a cluster of smaller helium balloons. Use balloons in white to reflect colored lighting or the wedding colors.
A bowl of fruit is an easy and unique centerpiece for wedding receptions. If there is in-season fruit that is the same color as the wedding colors, that would be the perfect choice. The bowl can be metallic or contrast with the color of the fruit. A bowl that matches the wedding colors and a fruit that contrasts well with that color can be used if fruit in the wedding colors cannot be found. A small cluster of leaves with a flower blossom can be a great little accent for the bowl of fruit.
The DIY wedding reception centerpieces can be recreated as described or personalized by adding objects that reflect the wedding colors or theme. The internet is a wonderful resource for finding DIY wedding decor tips. Browse our blog at Best for Bride for more sensational DIY wedding ideas.
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