Creating A Wedding Reception Table Centerpiece: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding centrepieces are a great way to express your personality and creativity. Whether you're planning a simple or elegant wedding, a rustic or bohemian celebration, or something entirely unique, there are endless options for centrepieces to suit your style and budget. From floral arrangements to fruit displays, candles to books, the only limit is your imagination. So get ready to be inspired and create something truly special for your big day!

Flowers and foliage

Flowers are a popular choice for wedding centrepieces, adding colour, texture, and a romantic vibe to the reception tables. When selecting flowers and foliage for your centrepiece, it is important to consider the season, venue, colour scheme, and overall theme of your wedding. Opting for in-season flowers can help create a cohesive look and cut costs.

• Select a colour scheme: Choose a dominant colour that will serve as the foundation of your colour scheme, such as pink, yellow, or blue. Select one or two accent colours to complement the dominant colour, such as softer or darker shades or complementary colours from the colour wheel. For example, a combination of blush pink and gold creates an elegant and sophisticated look.
• Go monochromatic: Create a monochromatic centrepiece by using flowers in varying shades of the same colour. For instance, a combination of pink peonies, roses, and Gerber daisies makes for a vibrant and cheerful display.
• Mix and match: Combine a variety of bold colours into one vase for a unique and eye-catching centrepiece. Alternatively, separate each hue by creating monochromatic arrangements, resulting in a rainbow-like effect.
• Embrace simplicity: For a simple yet elegant centrepiece, opt for an all-white floral arrangement. White flowers pair well with any aesthetic and can be easily complemented with greenery. Baby's breath, dahlias, cosmos, and butterfly ranunculus are great choices for an all-white palette.
• Add a pop of colour: If you're looking for a subtle touch of colour, consider a neutral shade with a small pop of colour. Lilac flowers among white blooms and greenery add a whimsical touch to a rustic barn wedding.
• Think seasonally: Using in-season flowers can ensure availability and create a cohesive look with the overall wedding theme. For a fall wedding, consider flowers such as zinnias, dahlias, marigolds, mums, goldenrods, and sunflowers. Sunflowers, in particular, are a cheerful and rustic floral choice.
• Go tropical: For a tropical-themed wedding or a destination wedding in a tropical climate, opt for vibrant colours and native blooms such as anthurium, protea, hibiscus, and plumeria. Tropical greens and beachy elements will further enhance the theme.
• Focus on texture: Flowers with interesting textures and unique petal patterns can create a captivating centrepiece. Combine blooms with extraordinary appearances, such as ruffled roses and ball-shaped dahlias, for an out-of-the-box arrangement.
• Suspend your flowers: Instead of traditional centrepieces, consider suspending flowers and greenery from a structure above the tables. This creates a fairy-tale-like atmosphere and frees up space on the tables.
• Ikebana-inspired arrangements: Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, involves creating structural and artistic arrangements with a mix of flowers, textures, and shapes. This style is perfect for a unique and intriguing centrepiece.
• Single-stem arrangements: Opt for single-stem floral arrangements by placing individual blooms in their own glass bud vase. This creates the illusion of floating flowers and adds a touch of elegance to the tablescape.
• Use accent colours: Tie your tablescape together by incorporating an accent colour throughout the design. For instance, light blue florals paired with matching taper candles and napkins create a cohesive and elegant look.
• Go big with greenery: While flowers are essential, don't underestimate the impact of greenery. Garlands of eucalyptus or Italian ruscus can add a natural and organic touch to your centrepiece. For a simple yet effective idea, consider a greenery garland with taper candles.

Fruit and veg

For a summer wedding, a tropical splash of oranges, lemons and pineapples in a vase will bring a sense of joy and festivity. Alternatively, a bowl of colourful summer berries, such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, is a simple but captivating centrepiece. Hollowed-out watermelons or grapefruits filled with flowers or other fruits are fun and eye-catching. For a more exotic display, use dragon fruit, papaya and kiwi.

In spring, a combination of citrus fruits and tulips in a vase is a refreshing choice. Or, for a simple yet effective centrepiece, fill a glass bowl with ripe strawberries.

In autumn, a rustic wooden tray filled with red and green apples is a stunning celebration of the harvest. Hollowed-out pumpkins filled with figs and persimmons are another unique way to mark the season. For a more glamorous look, spray paint pomegranates, apples or pears in gold or silver.

Winter centrepieces could include a bowl of glossy persimmons, or a display of oranges, pomegranates and cranberries. For a wintry effect, spray fruits with white paint to give them a frosted appearance.

For a more general year-round centrepiece, a garland of apples down the centre of the table gives a rustic feel. Or, for a charming vintage look, combine grapefruit and blackberries in a vase.

Don't forget that your choice of container can also make an impact. For a rustic or eclectic look, use vintage teapots, lanterns, bird cages or wine bottles.

Candles

Types of Candles

There are several types of candles that you can use for your centrepiece, each offering a different look and feel.

• Pillar Candles: Thick, column-like candles that can stand on their own. They come in various heights, allowing you to create a dynamic display.
• Tea Lights: Small candles that sit in a rounded dish, providing a cosy glow without overwhelming your other decorations.
• Votives: Slightly larger than tea lights, these small white candles sit in glass containers, often used in religious ceremonies but also make beautiful decorations.
• Tapered Candles: Long and narrow candles with a tapered tip. They are the quintessential romantic table candle.
• Flameless Candles: These candles use batteries instead of an open flame, making them ideal for places where you wouldn't want a naked flame.
• Lanterns: You can place any type of candle inside a lantern to amplify the cosy lighting and create a low-effort display.

Displaying Candles on a Table

When it comes to displaying candles on your wedding reception tables, there are a few things to consider. Candles can be the focal point of your centrepiece or used as accent pieces to elevate the ambiance of a floral arrangement or other creative design.

For round tables, candles are typically displayed in the centre, while for rectangular tables, candles work well across the length of the table. Play around with different types of candles and placements until you find what works best for your tablescape.

Creative Candle Centrepiece Ideas

• Greenery-Draped Lanterns with Floral Accents: Decorate glass-encased lanterns with arching greenery and romantic roses for a romantic and ambient centrepiece.
• Elegant Tapers with Repurposed Stemware: Add height to your tables with delicate tapered candles in various colours, paired with stemmed glassware for a unique DIY centrepiece.
• Dusty Rose & Blush Wreath with Votives: Create a low-lying floral and candle arrangement with votive candles of varying heights encircled by a floral wreath, leaving space for conversation during the reception.
• Rustic Simplicity with Bud Vase Accents: Minimalist bud vases filled with flowers and flanked by the warm glow of pillar candles create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Dramatic Elegance in Dusty Blue & Navy: Combine towering candelabras with overflowing flowers for a breathtaking and elegant display.
• Vineyard-Inspired Wine Bottle Decor: Transform leftover wine or champagne bottles into unique centrepieces by using floral foam and flowers, with the bottle top serving as a perfect pillar candle holder.
• A Festive Holiday Candle Display: For a winter wedding, create a centrepiece with pillar candles, florals, evergreens, and extra bling to add sparkle and light to your table decor.
• Natural Elements for a Unique Candle Display: Bring nature indoors with a single candle floating above smooth river rocks in a tall glass pillar set on a raw wood tray, creating a unique and inspiring centrepiece.
• Classic Wreath and Candle Centrepiece: Combine a pillar candle, a lantern, and a table number frame with a eucalyptus and rose wreath for a timeless and elegant centrepiece.
• Table Runners with Seasonal Fall Flair: Create a charming banquet table with a lush eucalyptus garland, colourful pumpkins, and twinkling candles for a sophisticated nod to the fall harvest season.
• Warm and Inviting Industrial Chic: Mix pillar and tapered candles atop metal bases that mirror the industrial style of the venue, paired with floral arrangements for a warm and welcoming look.
• Reflecting Romance with Gold & Mirrors: Use a mirrored tray adorned with shimmering tea lights and candlesticks of varying heights to add an ambient golden glow to your tablescape.

Candle Safety Tips

When using candles as part of your wedding reception table centrepieces, it is important to keep some safety tips in mind:

• Keep flowers and greenery away from direct flame.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Utilise heat-resistant surfaces for your candles.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines for lighting candles.
• If your venue does not allow open flames, opt for battery-operated flameless candles, which are available in various styles.

Succulents

To create a stunning succulent centrepiece, start with a shallow container and a variety of small succulents. You can use one larger succulent as an anchor, or a few larger ones, and then add the smaller ones one at a time, working out from the centre. Fill in any gaps with small succulents like sedum, or let them spill over the edge. Keep your DIY centrepiece in a sunny spot.

For a rustic or boho wedding, use simple terracotta pots, or for a modern bright and casual wedding, use bright painted buckets with pebbles and cacti. For a vintage, rustic feel, a wooden box planter with a variety of succulents, pink blooms and greenery is a great choice. For a minimalist wedding, use concrete planters or simple white egg planters with colourful succulents and moss.

There are endless ways to incorporate succulents into your wedding centrepieces, whether as the star of the show or as a supporting role to floral displays.

Heirloom china

Choose a Theme:

Select a theme that aligns with your wedding style and reflects your personality. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, consider a nautical or tropical theme. If it's a winter wedding, evergreens and sparkling accents could create a festive atmosphere. You can also aim for a romantic ambiance with soft pastel colours and delicate flowers or go for a bold and energetic vibe with vivid hues.

Select the Right Container:

The container you choose will enhance the overall visual impact of your centrepiece. Opt for unique objects that align with your theme, such as vintage teapots, lanterns, bird cages, or repurposed wine bottles for a rustic or eclectic look. Consider the size and shape of your tables when selecting containers. For long banquet-style tables, try a longer and narrower container like a trough, while for round tables, a central focal point like a large vase can work well.

Mix and Match:

Don't be afraid to mix and match your heirloom china. Combining different patterns and styles can create a whimsical and eclectic look. Play with different heights and arrangements to add visual interest. You can also incorporate other decorative elements like candles, ribbons, or natural accents to elevate the overall design.

Flowers and Greenery:

Flowers are a key element in creating a captivating centrepiece. Choose flowers that are in season and harmonise with your colour scheme. For a romantic vibe, soft and delicate blooms like roses, peonies, and ranunculus are ideal. If you want a bolder look, consider dahlias, sunflowers, or orchids. Add depth and texture to your arrangement by combining focal flowers with filler flowers and foliage.

Add Personal Touches:

Incorporate meaningful items alongside your heirloom china to make your centrepiece even more special. Small photo frames, personalised trinkets, or sentimental objects can add a unique touch that reflects your love story.

Final Touches:

Step back and assess your centrepiece from different angles. Ensure the height, proportions, and overall symmetry are visually appealing. Check for cleanliness and make any necessary adjustments. If using candles, ensure they are lit and secure. Coordinate your centrepiece with the table linens and tableware to create a harmonious and polished look.

Frequently asked questions