Cheap Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Since my site is about cheap wedding centerpieces, I thought it’s only prudent to write a post on quick and cheap wedding centerpiece ideas.  As you know, one of the more costly expenditures for weddings is the reception. The venue and food are pricey and even wedding centerpieces can chip away at the budget.  Luckily there are cost effective ways to make elegant and beautiful wedding centerpieces that add to the special day.  Here’s some great inexpensive wedding centerpiece ideas that you should be able to create quite easily:

Natural centerpieces using seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables arranged in baskets make lovely centerpieces that can be used later. These are most beautiful and inexpensive for fall weddings. Using pumpkin, apples, and leaves arranged tastefully can be colorful and very understated. At the end of the celebration, guests can be allowed to take some home in smaller baskets as a small thank you gift and memento.

Cheap Wedding Centerpieces

Candles are another inexpensive idea to create beautiful cheap centerpieces. They are available in every color, size and price range so arrangements of pillar and votive candles in small glass containers or ceramic pieces can coordinate reception tables for a reasonable price. Combining candles with ribbons and small sachets of potpourri in lavender or rose petals can create a wonderful setting.

Subtle arrangements of wine bottles and glasses can create a classic look. Filling wine glasses with flowers such as rose petals, baby carnations and lavender and set among wine bottles can become interesting centerpieces. Again, once the celebration is over, guests can be sent home with a memento. Special placards for the guests make the gifts individual and unique.

Ribbons tied around small vases filled with special mints or bubble candies make wonderful centerpieces when grouped on small mirrors. The ribbon can be coordinated with the theme colors for the wedding and can be purchased at art and craft stores for nominal prices.

Decorative stemware filled with colored water and floating flowers can be lovely and create a nice table setting. Be sure to use food dyes that will not irritate the stomach of guests presuming it to be a beverage.

Small clay pots filled with bulbs or African violets are an excellent way to make an ecological statement. The plant should have a placard about the care of the plant. This idea is great for an outdoor wedding.

Dried flowers and baby’s breath spread about the table can be a good fast centerpiece that is not at all expensive. The florist will most likely give rose petals to customers at no extra charge. Lace doilies placed about the table will give the flowers a good place to rest and provide an interesting touch.

Small pictures frames with pictures of the bride and groom at every table will definitely provide wonderful conversation pieces. An eclectic mix of small and large, as well as metal and wood frames bring a contemporary feel to the celebration.

Small water bowls filled with candy and ribbons add a nice touch as wedding centerpieces. They can be tied with coordinating ribbons and small ceramic Asian spoons also tied with ribbon are a nice touch.

Ceramic knick-knacks made whimsical centerpieces. Small music boxes or ceramic figurines of hearts are easily purchased from “dollar stores” and create a novel centerpiece idea. Placing them on small mirrors with flower petals make the table look appealing.

Though silk flowers have a bit of a bad reputation, they can be used in arrangements in small vases or rectangular boxes. Small wooden birdcages filled with silk flowers look expensive and elegant on white tablecloth. Guests can also be allowed to take these home.

With a little imagination and creativity, these ideas for cheap centerpieces can be used to create beautiful yet inexpensive wedding centerpieces that will add just a little more meaning to a very meaningful day.

Floating Candle Centerpieces

For many brides, floating candle centerpieces and floating candles in general are very popular these days because they are simple, tasteful, and inexpensive. When a younger couple gets married, the first thing they want to know when planning a big wedding is, how much is it going to cost me? With floating centerpieces, it’s so easy that you can make them yourselves and never have to worry about whether or not they are going to look nice or if someone is going to be allergic to your flowers that are hanging in their face or even if it is too expensive. You don’t even have to be creative to be able to make these simple centerpieces because they pretty much create themselves. Here are some simple ways to create a stunning centerpiece using floating candles.

There are a range of both high-end and cheap floating candles out there that are perfect for any occasion. The most common ones are white or cream color and are round. There are many that you can get including floating rose candles or even hibiscus if you are choosing to have a tropical wedding. Pick which candle is best for your needs and get as many as you need for your tables plus one extra box. This is to ensure that you have enough if your guest list runs over or if some of the candles in the box look less than perfect.

Floating Candle Centerpieces

Once you have the candles and any floating candle holders that you need, go to the dollar store or the craft store and find some floating candle bowls for all of them. Glass fish bowls are the best because they are big enough to include shells or flowers in along with your candles and still have room to float. If want to include seashells or river rocks, perhaps even marbles, pick them up here. Often times you can get a discount if you buy a bunch of them.

If you want to use flowers in your floating candle centerpieces, there are two ways that you can do this that will not look over done and tacky. The most inexpensive way is to use flower petals in your glass bowls. five or six is more than enough to cover the bottom of the bowl and then with the white floating candles on top you have a stunning centerpiece that people will be sure to talk about for days to come. If you want to use whole flowers, first you must make sure that your bowl is going to be big enough. A vase is more preferable because you can add more water so your candle doesn’t touch the flower and ruin the petals. Fill the bottom of the vase with rocks, marbles or even sand so that when you add the flower, it will be weighted to the bottom and won’t move around. Fill the vase so that the flower is completely submerged. The flower will appear under the candle as it floats around.

If you are choosing to use seashells in the bowls, be sure that you use smaller shells that do not have large, bulbous pieces so that your candle won’t stop mid float by a shell. Place them however you like in the bottom of the bowl and fill the bowl until the shells are completely submerged. Then place the candle on top of the water and let it float around. Once it is lit, it will have a nice luminescence to it that will reflect of the water making the shells look bigger and more beautiful. If you want to add a more tropical look to the floating candle centerpiece, try adding a drop or two of a bright blue food coloring. You can get these at most grocery stores or craft stores. This will make your water look like you scooped it right out of Hanauma Bay.

Lastly be sure to experiment with your floating centerpiece ideas . You may think of something that you have never seen done before. Be sure to check the internet and maybe even the craft stores for some ideas on how to create your own wonderful centerpieces using floating candles and other simple objects.

Pink Wedding Centerpieces

Since we are born, a majority of women are raised in an environment full of the color pink. Sometime after that we begin to dream about our wedding and it is no surprise that for many brides, the color pink plays a big part in that picture. For brides using pink in their color scheme, there are extensive choices when it comes to pink wedding centerpieces – but first, you need to narrow it down and choose what shade of pink you see on your tabletops.

When going for a softer look, your options can range anywhere from cherry blossom flower arrangements to serving trays of decadent desserts, like little pink petit fours and cupcakes. Cotton candy could make for a unique pink centerpiece – edible, fluffy, and totally fun! If you do plan on utilizing food as your centerpieces, I highly recommend using multi-level trays and apothecary jars filled up with pink treats. Place them onto mirrors and surround them with flowers and votives – (which look very nice in pink frosted candle holders!)

Pink Wedding CenterpiecesBut maybe this isn’t the pink vision you had in mind; maybe you want a little more “edge” to your wedding. In this case, go with a more saturated shade of pink. Arrange hot pink roses onto shiny black candelabras, or submerge hot pink orchids under water in a tall vase. It doesn’t get any more modern than that! Another detail to consider is the shape of the tables folks will be sitting at. For circular tables, you will have a more focused arrangement in the center of the table whereas for longer tables you could have more of a linear look – with the centerpieces lined up down the center of the tabletops (like pink gerbera daisies in individual pink vases!).

Pink pairs nicely with almost any other color; chocolate brown and baby pink is a classic look, as is hot pink when against a high contrast black or silver. Pink centerpieces for weddings can be girly, soft, and preppy or they can be vivid, wild, and modern – it’s all in the shade. Some women choose not to limit themselves when it comes to shade in their centerpieces. If the flower is pink, they want it. Peonies, hydrangeas, roses, tulips, and more! This can end up looking fabulous when it comes to the floral details but as far as the rest of the table is concerned, it’s better to have more focus.

Fruit Wedding Centerpieces

Finding unique and inexpensive wedding decor can be a challenge, however, fruit wedding centerpieces are a novel solution to saving money and having a beautiful centerpiece. Decorating with fruit at your wedding will cause your guests to pleasantly remember your reception decorations. For the bride that is budget conscious and unique, this is a great idea to incorporate into her wedding day.

There are many different ways to decorate with a fruit wedding centerpiece. A bride may chose to pick one fruit, such as lemons, and arrange the fruit among silver bulbs in a clear bowl. This is a stunning arrangement that would work well for a summer wedding. In a winter wedding reception, another idea is to float cranberries in a crystal bowl of water. Try floating white votive candles among the cranberries. Place evergreen branches around the crystal bowl. This winter reception decoration is unique and brings the colors of the Christmas season indoors. A fall wedding would benefit from miniature pumpkins placed among silk leaves and fall flowers. A bride could chose to leave the miniature pumpkins whole, or carve a hold in the top to hold a votive candle.

Strawberry Centerpieces

Destination weddings could incorporate local fruits into their wedding centerpieces. For instance, a tropical wedding may use pineapples that have been cut in half, carved like a pumpkin, and votive candles placed inside. Replace the top of the pineapple, and you have a pineapple luminary to light up your tropical wedding. Another idea for a destination wedding centerpiece is placing wooden bowls filled with small key limes and clementines in the center of tables. The tropical colors of these fruits will brighten up reception tables.

Another fun option is providing fruit fondue for the reception tables. Simply provide bowls of fruit, such as grapes, apple slices, strawberries, and star fruit. Next to the bowls, provide a fondue pot filled with melted premium chocolate. Wedding guests will really enjoy helping themselves to this treat. The varieties of fruit could be changed to suit the bride and groom or to incorporate the theme of the wedding.

Edible fruit centerpieces for weddings are a wonderful idea for decorating reception tables. Fruit is relatively inexpensive, and easy to obtain. Fruit comes in many varieties and types, which allows brides to customize their centerpieces based on the theme of their wedding. This is a great idea for a bride who wants their guests to remember their beautiful and unique wedding decorations.

Rose Wedding Centerpieces

The elegance of a rose makes it a great flower choice for wedding centerpieces. Since they are very versatile flowers, roses can be used for all types of weddings ranging from small venues in the countryside to large weddings at a banquet hall. There are many different types of arrangements that can be made for rose wedding centerpieces. Since roses come in a variety of colors and sizes, they can be made combined in different ways to produce various effects. Here are some ideas for rose wedding centerpieces.

The Monolithic Rose Centerpiece
For extravagant weddings at a traditional hall, large rose wedding centerpieces definitely make a statement. Choose a tall glass or ceramic vase that is at least two feet in height. White roses balanced with some greenery give the table a classic and bridal look. Red roses are bold and romantic; for wedding themes with warm hues, red rose centerpieces would be a great addition. It is important that the blooms are large and fresh or they will not stand out in a huge vase.

Rose Wedding CenterpiecesThe Modern Rose Centerpiece
Although roses have always been the flower choice for traditional arrangements, they could just as easily be used with a modern décor. Choose vases with that are cubical or cylindrical in shape made from glass. Arrange the stems with little or no foliage, to give the centerpiece a clean simple look. White rose centerpieces on a black tablecloth can look very chic for a modern wedding.

The Rustic Centerpiece
For the couples that are planning to get married outdoors on a farm or in a vineyard, roses would also make great centerpieces. Rich pastel tones, such as yellows, peaches, and pink rose centerpieces for weddings complement the beauty of the outdoor scenery. They can be arranged haphazardly in a wooden basket or a mason jar to give a desired natural look atop wooden picnic tables.

The One-Stem Centerpiece
Since the cost of wedding centerpieces can be very high, there are ways that couples can save. One way to save on centerpieces is to reduce the number of blooms used. The rose is one of the few flowers that can still look quite elegant standing by itself. For a simple and budget-friendly centerpiece, choose one large bloom with a little big of foliage and place in a narrow vase. Several vases can be spaced along a rectangular table to create symmetry and balance.

Regardless of the type of centerpiece you choose, always use the freshest blooms from the florist. If cared for properly, rose wedding centerpieces could last up to a week.

Red Wedding Centerpieces

For couples who have chosen red as the primary color for their special day, red wedding centerpieces can really help centralize the theme. There are many different ways to incorporate this idea into your own wedding depending upon your own personal tastes and wants. Here is a look at some of the different ideas one can consider when they are thinking about doing their centerpieces.

The first option when considering red as your centerpiece color is to go with a floral centerpiece. One obvious choice is of course the red rose. It is symbolic and perfect for a wedding day. A beautiful red centerpiece that is both elegant and inexpensive would be to get a lovely tall vase and put three red roses in it. There are special touches one could add such as a simple ribbon or a few red rose petals surrounding the vase. Another choice for those considering using red flowers is the tulip. The tulip is very popular because it can give a fun, modern twist. Tulips are very popular in weddings because they are so readily available and they do not have any thorns so you do not have to worry about pricking your finger when handling them.

Red Wedding CenterpiecesAnother popular choice among red centerpieces for weddings includes the use of red accented candles. Candles are an excellent choice because there are so many ways one can use them. For a simple look one can use a number of plain red pillar candles. One look that is becoming increasingly popular is with the use of floating candles. These candles are specially made to float in water. The overall look is very intimate and beautiful. To add an extra touch to this you could add some small red stones to the bowl of water to really bring out the red candles and add that extra special touch.

For easy centerpieces one could purchase small red satin pillows and place them as centerpieces. By simply adding a small picture of the couple or a card with their names on it you really personalize this look. Another great option for those who are short on time include small red decorative boxes with some type of flowers or flower petals. This is a great choice because you can use real or silk flowers and you can incorporate other colors if you wish.

As you can see there are so many unique choices for red wedding centerpieces, all of which can be made to look absolutely beautiful for you and your new spouse’s big day.

Tropical Wedding Centerpieces

Whether you are having your wedding reception in a tropical location or going with a tropical theme, there are dozens of tropical wedding centerpieces that will add character and charm to your special day. Best of all, because tropical themed weddings are full of color, it is easy to work a number of items into your centerpieces.

One of the most popular ideas for tropical centerpieces include using flowers. Tropical flowers are beautiful and colorful, so you can choose to stick with one or two colors, or use a multitude of hues. Some of the most common flowers include Orchids, Gingers and Heliconias. Choose to use your tropical flowers in a colorful or plain glass vase or use them to spruce up your centerpieces.

Tropical Wedding CenterpiecesTropical flowers look stunning alongside a candle, and the candles can be lit at the reception to let off a soft and natural glow. Choose pillar candles that can be placed on a piece of glass with a tropical flower sitting next to it. Or choose floating candles with flower petals in the water. Votive candles are another great choice and work great in little lanterns or small pails.

Another wonderful idea for tropical wedding centerpieces include fruit displays. There is nothing more tropical than having an arrangement of pineapple, kiwi and strawberries in the middle of the table. Choose to have fresh fruit cut up into bite sized pieces or dipped in chocolate. If you do not want your guests to eat your centerpiece at the start of the reception, leave the fruit in whole pieces instead.

If you are looking to capture the beach in your tropical wedding, consider using seashells and sand in your wedding centerpieces. Attractive shells and starfish can be purchased to place on the tables. Use small shells to sprinkle around candles or bud vases.

For those of you who like the idea of using sand in your centerpieces, a sandcastle design may be just for you. Small sandcastles can be placed on the tables and serve as eye candy for the guests. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that sandcastles are easy to make and include sand, a candle or glass jar.

If you want to make your centerpieces both functional and pretty, you may enjoy making fans for your guests. Fans are great ideas, especially if your tropical wedding is in a hot location. Fans can be made out of bamboo material and tied with a ribbon that complements your wedding colors.

The styles of tropical wedding centerpieces are endless, so keep an open, creative mind when choosing your centerpieces. Not only are they a main part of your wedding decor, but you can send them home with guests as a token of remembrance.

Elegant Wedding Centerpieces

The most elegant and possibly most expensive elegant wedding centerpieces involve the use of romantic symbols reenacted in porcelain. White almost alabaster porcelain figures of the nymphs of Apollo and Aphrodite arranged with green ivy and cupids doing their work as messengers of love would be a most elegant wedding centerpiece idea.

Porcelain figurines can be used as centerpieces for the groom and bride’s table. They should be polished and require no added attachments much like a Lenox figurine but costing much less if ordered from a cake decorator whose catalog of wedding top centerpieces is full of elegant centerpieces that can be used to decorate the tables at the wedding reception.

Elegant Wedding CenterpiecesCertain flower centerpieces especially white flowers can definitely suit an elegant wedding though others may prefer tall candles in crystal candle holders set in clusters of three at each table. A matching porcelain figurine of a bridesmaid holding a bouquet is more appropriate than fresh or plastic flowers for an elegant wedding. The candles should be either white or red but not mixed. Pastel candles are better left for baby showers than for elegant weddings.

A compliment to each table at an elegant wedding should always include an unopened bottle of champagne or sparkling water to be opened when the groom’s best man toasts the bridal couple. Other foodstuffs that can be used as a centerpiece before being used are the bride’s gifts to her guests, her wedding day favors which can have attachments of white candy coated almonds.

The most elegant centerpiece will fall flat if the tablecloths are not of fine damask. Plastic or paper tablecloths are not for elegant weddings. The guests napkins should match the tablecloths and there should definitely be no place mats. Your centerpiece of a delicate porcelain bridesmaid or Greek nymph surrounded by three white candles or three red candles held by crystal candle holders, will be a truly elegant centerpiece. And, the bottle of bubbly to toast the new couple along with a crystal basket holding the guests favors will give your tables an elegant and prosperous look and design.

If you still prefer to have flower centerpieces, I’d go with either orchids or white calla lilies.   However, most flowers whether dried, fresh, plastic, or even silk do not usually make elegant wedding centerpieces and should be relegated to the bride’s and bridesmaids bouquets or to the men’s boutonnieres.

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