Creating Stunning Tall Wedding Centerpieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating tall wedding centrepieces can be a stressful task, especially for beginners. However, with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to make stunning arrangements that will add drama and elegance to your wedding reception. Tall centrepieces can be created using a variety of elements such as unique vases, candles, greenery, or floral arrangements. They can be designed to fit any wedding aesthetic, from modern to romantic, bohemian to timeless. This paragraph aims to provide an introduction to the topic of creating tall wedding centrepieces, offering a glimpse into the creative process and the potential for customisation to match different wedding styles.

Use tall vases

Using tall vases is a great way to add height and drama to your wedding centrepieces. You can find tall vases at dollar stores or online, and they come in a variety of styles such as clear glass trumpet vases or gold flower stands.

When creating tall centrepieces, it's important to consider the time it takes to arrange them. They typically take 45 minutes each to make, or 30 minutes if you've prepared the flowers ahead of time. It's best to make them the day before the event and store them in a cooler, but you can also leave them out overnight if necessary. Just be mindful of water evaporation and add more water to the vase the next day if needed.

To start, you'll need a tall vase, floral foam, and floral tape. Soak the floral foam in water mixed with floral food until it's completely saturated. Then, place the foam on a clear dish and secure it with floral tape in an "X" pattern to ensure it doesn't come loose. Trim the top corners of the foam to create a rounder shape that fits your vase.

Now, it's time to add your flowers! Start by inserting tall blooms like hydrangeas to establish the height and width of your arrangement. Place one stem at the top and four around the sides, measuring each bloom for symmetrical placement. Continue adding your remaining hydrangeas to create a round form. Then, fill in the arrangement with foliage like ruscus and plumosa, working around the design to fill in any holes and distribute the greenery evenly.

Finally, add in additional blooms like roses and spray roses for contrast and colour. Focus on placing these flowers at the mid-level and base of the design, as the top of the arrangement will not be visible once it's elevated. Once you're happy with your arrangement, place it on the elevating vase and secure it with additional tape or floral clay if needed.

Your tall, elegant centrepiece is now ready to wow your wedding guests!

Incorporate candles

Candles are a great way to add a romantic and ethereal glow to your wedding centrepieces. Here are some ways to incorporate candles into tall wedding centrepieces:

Use candelabras

Tall gold candelabras make a statement on long tables and add an old-world touch, especially if your venue is historic. They can also be used as a simple yet elegant centrepiece for a formal soirée. For a modern twist, opt for sleek black candelabras with white taper candles.

Mix and match metallic containers

Create a simple yet modern display by mixing and matching metallic containers such as gold-rimmed vessels and sleek mini vessels. Fill them with votive candles or tea lights and place them on cake or dessert tables.

Create a sky of stars

Hang glass orbs filled with tea lights from the ceiling of a clear-top tent to create the look of stars. The more candles, the better!

Play with height

Mixing candles of varying heights will help to create depth and showcase your handiwork, especially if you have spent months curating the perfect centrepiece. Tall, black candles paired with mini votives or tea lights make a perfect pair.

Use taper candles above and below

White taper candles are easy to showcase both on the table and in a chandelier. Consider the placement of candles and any potential challenges of going high and low with an open flame.

Add floating candles

Floating candles are an intriguing option for your wedding reception. Thin glass column vases are the perfect display vessels for floating candle centrepieces.

Use fresh flowers and floral foam

To make tall wedding centerpieces with fresh flowers and floral foam, you'll need a few essential materials and a bit of time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create stunning and long-lasting floral arrangements.

Materials:

First, gather your supplies. For a standard tall centerpiece, you'll need a tall vase, such as a 24-inch clear glass trumpet vase. You'll also need green waterproof tape, fresh floral foam (not dry foam), and a 9" Lomey dish or a similar container. Additionally, you'll want a variety of fresh flowers, such as hydrangeas, roses, and greenery like ruscus and plumosa.

Soak the Floral Foam:

Before you start arranging your flowers, it's crucial to properly soak the floral foam. Use water mixed with floral food and fully submerge the floral foam bricks. Let them soak overnight or according to the instructions provided with the foam. This step ensures that your flowers stay hydrated and last longer.

Prepare the Container:

Take your clear Lomey dish or similar container and spray paint it to coordinate with your chosen floral arrangement or the event's décor. You can spray paint it in a colour that matches your flowers or the wedding theme. Once the paint is dry, place the soaked floral foam bricks on the dish and secure them with waterproof tape. Use a generous amount of tape in an "X" pattern to ensure the foam stays firmly in place.

Start with the Focal Flowers:

Now it's time to start adding your blooms! Begin with your focal flowers, such as hydrangeas. Insert five hydrangea blooms into the floral foam to establish the height and width of your arrangement. Place one stem at the top and four around the sides. You can measure each bloom for precision, ensuring they are symmetrically placed. Continue adding the remaining hydrangeas evenly throughout the design to create a full, round form.

Add Greenery:

With your basic structure in place, start filling in the gaps with greenery. Ruscus and plumosa are excellent choices, but you can also use other types of foliage. Work your way around the design, filling in any holes and evenly distributing the greenery. Adding greenery helps to conceal the mechanics of the arrangement and creates a natural backdrop for your focal flowers.

Insert Additional Blooms:

Now, it's time to add more flowers! Classic choices like roses and spray roses in complementary colours will create a beautiful contrast against the greenery. Focus on placing these blooms at the mid-level and base of the design, as the top may not be easily visible once the arrangement is elevated.

Final Touches:

Once you're happy with your arrangement, give it a final spray with a product like Crowning Glory to help prolong the life of your flowers. Allow it to dry completely before placing it in a cooler if possible, or at room temperature if a cooler is not available.

Assembly:

On the day of your event, or just before, assemble your centerpiece by placing the vase on the table and securing the painted dish with Uglu dashes or floral clay. You may need to add a few extra greens to finish out the base and ensure all the mechanics are hidden.

Creating tall wedding centerpieces with fresh flowers and floral foam takes some time and preparation, but the results will be well worth it!

Consider the time it takes to arrange

When it comes to creating tall wedding centrepieces, it's important to consider the time it takes to arrange them. These large floral arrangements typically take 45 minutes each to create. However, if you set the flowers for each arrangement aside ahead of time, this can be reduced to 30 minutes per display. With practice, you can further decrease the time to 20-25 minutes.

It is best to avoid preparing these centrepieces earlier than the day before the event. They should be stored in a cooler if possible, but they can also be left out overnight. If placed near an air conditioner, be mindful of water evaporation and rehydrate the flowers the next day if they have not been refrigerated. It is recommended to have a few extra flowers on hand in case any replacements are needed.

The time required for arranging tall wedding centrepieces should be carefully considered, especially if you are working with fresh flowers. It is crucial to follow the instructions for preparing the flowers, such as fully soaking the floral foam overnight or for the recommended duration. The flowers will need time to fully bloom, and it may take a day or two for them to open completely.

To save time, you can start creating the arrangements as soon as you receive the flowers. However, keep in mind that the flowers will be tightly closed at first, and the arrangement may not look perfect initially. Set each arrangement aside, add water to the foam as needed, and make adjustments the night before or on the morning of the wedding. This way, you can ensure that the flowers are at their best when the arrangements are completed.

Add foliage and greenery

Adding foliage and greenery is an essential step in creating tall wedding centerpieces. This step not only fills out the arrangement but also helps to conceal the mechanics of the design, ensuring a polished and elegant finish.

When selecting foliage, opt for varieties such as ruscus and plumosa, which offer a beautiful contrast to the floral blooms. You can also use greenery such as salal to create an "armature" or frame for your arrangement. Start by placing a ½ bunch of salal (or your chosen greenery) at the base of the design to establish the height and width. Then, use smaller pieces of greenery to "collar" and disguise the mechanics, ensuring a cohesive look.

In addition to filling and concealing, foliage and greenery can be used strategically to add volume and texture to your centerpieces. Baby's breath, for example, is a dynamic floral choice that can create an ethereal, cloud-like display when paired with tall vases and candelabras. Pampas grass is another eye-catching option that draws attention to your tablescape, especially when incorporated into a centerpiece with a tall stand.

When working with foliage and greenery, don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different textures and varieties. You can even incorporate painted foliage for a bold, autumnal look or opt for floating greenery displays for a modern twist. Remember, the better you visualize your design, the more successful you'll be at arranging and adapting your tall wedding centerpieces.

Frequently asked questions