Feathering The Perfect Wedding Centerpiece

Feathers make for an elegant and sophisticated wedding decoration. They can be used as a glamorous alternative to flowers, or to supplement a floral arrangement, and are perfect if you or your guests are allergic to flowers. A feather centerpiece is a unique creation that will leave your wedding guests in awe. This introduction will cover the steps to create a stunning feather centerpiece, from choosing the right feathers to adding the final touches.

How to Make a Feather Wedding Centerpiece

Choosing feathers: peacock, ostrich or marabou feathers are popular choices

When it comes to choosing feathers for your wedding centrepiece, peacock, ostrich or marabou feathers are all popular choices. Each offers a different look and feel, so it's worth considering the style and theme of your wedding before making your decision.

Ostrich feathers are a popular choice for centrepieces as they create a simple, elegant look. They are available in a wide range of colours, from traditional white to bright pink, orange, purple, black, gold and more. If you're after a full, plush look, opt for ostrich plumes. These are perfect for a tall, dramatic centrepiece. For a slightly less full look, ostrich drabs are a good option. For a standard-sized centrepiece, you'll need between 15 and 20 drabs, but you can use up to 40 for a fuller look.

Peacock feathers are a great way to add a pop of colour to your wedding centrepiece. Their iridescent eyes and sword-like shape make them a unique choice. They are often used in combination with flowers, either fresh blooms or silk arrangements, to create a vibrant, eye-catching display.

Marabou feathers have a soft, fluffy appearance, making them perfect for a luxurious, romantic centrepiece. They are often used in wedding decor, in colours such as white, pink and black.

When choosing your feathers, consider the overall style you want to achieve. For a dramatic, elegant look, opt for tall ostrich feathers in a vase. If you're after something more colourful and unique, peacock feathers could be the perfect choice. For a romantic, luxurious feel, soft marabou feathers are ideal.

Gather materials: vase, floral foam, floral tape, glue gun, wire cutters, etc

To make a feather wedding centerpiece, you'll need to gather a range of materials to bring your creation to life. The foundation of your centerpiece is a vase or container, which can be an elongated glass vase, a martini glass, or even a recycled wine bottle. Choose a vessel that aligns with your desired style and ensures it is clean. Consider enhancing its appearance by wrapping it with decorative ribbon, adding gems or pearls, or coating it with glitter for a touch of sparkle.

The next essential component is the feathers themselves. Select feathers that complement your wedding colour palette and theme. Popular choices include peacock feathers, ostrich plumes, and marabou feathers. Incorporate a variety of sizes and textures to create depth and visual interest. If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, consider purchasing fake feathers from a thrift store or using feather boas to add volume.

To secure the feathers in place, you'll need floral foam or Styrofoam balls and floral tape. The floral foam will be inserted into the vase, providing a stable base for your feathers. Cut the foam to fit snugly inside the vase, and use the floral tape to secure it in place. You can also use wire cutters to trim the feather stems to your desired length.

For additional decorative elements, consider ribbons, crystal beads, artificial flowers, or greenery. These items can be wrapped around the vase or incorporated into the feather arrangement to add colour and texture. Lastly, a hot glue gun will be your tool to secure the feathers to the foam or container. Be careful to use just enough glue to keep the feathers in place without creating a messy appearance.

Prepare the vase: clean and decorate with ribbon, gems or pearls

To make a feather wedding centerpiece, the first step is to choose a vase or container that fits your desired style. Once you have selected the vase, it's time to prepare it by ensuring it is clean and decorated to your liking. Here are some detailed instructions on how to prepare and decorate the vase:

Before you begin decorating, make sure the vase is thoroughly cleaned and dried. This will ensure that any adhesive decorations you add will stick properly and last throughout your event.

One way to decorate the vase is to wrap it with a decorative ribbon. Choose a ribbon that complements your wedding colour palette and theme. You can wrap the ribbon around the neck of the vase or around the entire vase, securing it with hot glue or another adhesive.

If you want to add some sparkle to your centerpiece, consider gluing gems or pearls to the vase. You can find adhesive gems and pearls at most craft stores, or you could use a strong glue to attach loose ones. Apply them in a pattern or scatter them randomly for a more organic look.

For a more natural and elegant look, you could also wrap the vase with a feather boa. This will create a soft and luxurious effect, especially if you use feathers that coordinate with your chosen colour scheme. Secure the boa to the vase with glue, ensuring that it covers the desired area evenly.

Feel free to get creative and combine different decorative elements. For example, you could wrap a ribbon around the neck of the vase and then attach a pearl or gem brooch for a touch of glamour.

Remember to consider the size and shape of your vase when decorating. For a taller, slender vase, you may want to use longer feathers or a feather boa to create a dramatic effect. For a shorter, wider vase, a combination of ribbon and gems or pearls might be more visually appealing.

Secure the floral foam: cut to size and use tape to fix in place

To secure the floral foam, start by measuring the vase or container you plan to use for your centrepiece. Cut the foam to size, ensuring it fits snugly inside. You can use a sharp knife or a serrated blade to cut the foam, but be careful and take your time to get the right size and shape.

Once you have the foam cut to the right dimensions, it's time to fix it in place. Take your floral tape and wrap it securely around the foam, attaching it to the vase or container. Make sure the tape is tight and smooth, with no loose ends that might spoil the overall look. Use enough tape to ensure the foam is stable and doesn't shift or move around.

If you find that the foam is still a little loose, you can add some hot glue to the base of the foam before taping it in place. Just be careful not to use too much glue, as you don't want it to ooze out and spoil the appearance of your vase or container.

By taking your time and carefully cutting and securing the floral foam, you'll create a stable base for your feather centrepiece. This will ensure that your feathers can be securely attached and that your arrangement looks neat and elegant.

Trim and arrange feathers: cut to length and arrange in a circular pattern

To create a stunning feather centerpiece for your wedding, you'll want to carefully trim and arrange the feathers for a professional finish. After you've gathered your feathers and other materials, it's time to prepare them for your vase or container.

Start by trimming the feather stems to your desired length using wire cutters. Take your time with this step, as you can always cut more but can't add length back! Ideally, you want a range of heights to create a natural, varied look. Consider the size of your vase or container, and cut the stems accordingly. For a cohesive look, cut the feathers to similar lengths, creating a uniform base for your arrangement.

Now, it's time to arrange the feathers. Start from the centre of your vase or container and work outwards. Place the feathers in a circular pattern, fanning them out as you go. This will create a beautiful, full effect. Ensure the feathers are evenly distributed and vary the heights and angles to achieve a natural, organic feel. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with the overall look.

If you're using a smaller vase or container, you might want to trim the feathers again at this point to ensure they don't overwhelm the display. Remember, you can always cut more, so take it slow and steady!

Frequently asked questions