Creating Artificial Wedding Centerpieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding centrepieces can be expensive, but there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to make your wedding day look spectacular. DIY centrepieces are a fun activity to do with your partner and friends, and they're a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. From painted wine bottles to silk flower topiaries, the possibilities are endless. You can even make your own floral arrangements or repurpose pieces of décor from your home. So, if you're looking for ways to save money on your wedding, read on for tips and tricks to create stunning artificial wedding centrepieces.

How to make a silk flower topiary centrepiece

Silk flower topiaries are a great way to save money on your wedding decorations and can be made well in advance of your big day. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a silk flower topiary centerpiece:

Materials:

• Green Styrofoam shape
• Pot
• Moss
• Wooden dowel
• Silk flowers
• Leaves or a bow
• Glue
• Paint or ribbons (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step one: Start by decorating your pot with ribbons or paint. If you choose to decorate your pot, wait for any glue or paint to dry before proceeding to the next step.

Step two: Place moss into your pot until full, while the wooden dowel is inside. Set it aside as you move on to the next step.

Step three: Cut the silk flowers from the stem while keeping them in small clusters. Then, glue them to the Styrofoam until it is completely covered.

Step four: Place the Styrofoam display onto the wooden dowel and add leaves or a bow to finish the job.

You can also follow these optional steps for a more personalised topiary:

• Glue ribbons around the pot that will hold the silk flowers.
• Paint the pot.
• Design different types of flower designs.

Using artificial flowers for a colourful pop

Choose Your Flowers

Select bright and vibrant artificial flowers in various colours and sizes. You can find these at craft stores or online. Consider mixing and matching different types of flowers to create a unique and eye-catching display.

Plan Your Design

Before you start assembling your centrepieces, decide on the overall design and colour scheme. Do you want all the centrepieces to be the same, or will you have different arrangements on each table? Planning this in advance will help ensure a cohesive look.

Containers and Vases

The containers or vases you choose will also contribute to the pop of colour. Clear vases will showcase the flowers, while coloured glass or painted vases can enhance the overall effect. Consider wrapping vases in coloured ribbons or fabric for added texture and interest.

Filler and Embellishments

To add further colour and depth to your centrepieces, use filler such as coloured moss, pebbles, or sand. Embellishments like pearls, beads, or glitter can also be used sparingly to create a luxurious look.

Assembly

Arranging artificial flowers is similar to arranging fresh flowers. Start by trimming the stems to the desired length, then arrange them in your container, using floral foam if needed. Add filler and embellishments, playing around with different combinations until you achieve the desired effect.

Other Colourful Elements

In addition to the flowers themselves, you can incorporate other colourful elements into your centrepieces. Coloured candles, table runners, or even fruit can all contribute to the vibrant pop of colour. Lanterns, painted branches, or stacked books are other creative ways to add interest and height to your centrepieces.

DIY lanterns

Wooden lanterns are a great DIY option for wedding centerpieces. They are cheap, quick, and easy to make and can be adapted to fit any wedding theme or style. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create your own wooden lantern centerpieces:

Materials:

• Wood (e.g. pine boards, aspen dowels)
• Glass hurricane or vase
• Candle
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Stain or paint (optional)
• Finish nailer or brad nailer
• Clamps
• Rope or wire (if hanging)

Step 1:

Cut the wood to the desired size and shape. You can create varying heights and widths to add visual interest. The size of the lantern will depend on the size of your table and the overall style of your wedding. For a simple and elegant look, use a single lantern, while multiple lanterns can create a more dramatic effect.

Step 2:

Sand the wood to smooth out any rough surfaces. This will ensure that your lantern has a polished finish.

Step 3: (Optional)

Apply stain or paint to the wood to achieve your desired colour and style. You can also leave the wood natural for a rustic look. If you are using stain, consider using a wood conditioner first to help achieve an even finish. Allow the stain or paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4:

Assemble the lantern frame using wood glue and a nailer. The construction process is the same regardless of the size, but the cut list will vary depending on the desired dimensions. You can find free plans and cut lists for different sizes of wooden lanterns online.

Step 5:

Add the glass hurricane or vase to the centre of the lantern frame. You can secure it in place with glue or by routing a space for it to sit in. If you are hanging your lantern, ensure that you have a sturdy handle or hanging mechanism in place.

Step 6:

Place a candle inside the hurricane or vase. You can use a real candle or a battery-operated LED candle for safety.

Step 7: (Optional)

Decorate your lantern with embellishments such as flowers, greenery, ribbons, or other items that match your wedding theme. You can also add elements inside the lantern, such as seashells or decorative stones.

And that's it! You now have beautiful DIY wooden lantern centrepieces that will add a special touch to your wedding décor. These lanterns can be made well in advance and are sure to impress your guests.

Using fairy lights

Fairy lights are a great way to light up your wedding reception or ceremony, especially if you can't use candles. They can be used to create a warm and romantic ambiance and are a good, budget-friendly alternative to candles.

Step 1: Create a base for the lighted wedding centerpieces

Take a piece of foam board and a glass cylinder vase. Trace the vase's circumference onto the foam board using a pen or pencil. Cut out the circle using a box cutter and remove any excess foam from the rim. Poke a hole in the centre of the circle, and thread the fairy light through until you reach the plastic end.

Step 2: Attach the power box to the base

Take some double-sided tape and place it on one side of the fairy light power box. With the tape side down, attach the power box to the circle and apply a little pressure to hold them together.

Step 3: Decorate with lights and flowers

Trim your flowers, leaving about half an inch of the stem. You can either push the stem through the foam board or poke a hole with a box cutter and then insert the stem. Once you have surrounded the power box with flowers, use double-sided tape to attach any remaining flowers to the top of the box.

Step 4: Assemble the fairy light centerpiece

Fill the base of your vase with about a cup of white marble stones or similar decorative stones or sand. Place the fairy lights inside the vase, and gently put the floating flower base on top. You can tape this down for a more secure fit.

Step 5: Add some extra sparkle

Take some acrylic crystal beads and tuck them between the flowers, allowing some pieces to hang off the sides to add a touch of glamour.

Step 6: Light up your wedding centerpieces

Remove the rose covering the on/off switch and turn on the fairy lights. Put the rose back in place, and you're done!

You can find many of the required materials at your local craft store or online.

Creating a fruit table runner

Choose your fruit:

Select fruits that are in season and complement your wedding colour palette. For example, for a summer wedding, choose vibrant fruits such as oranges, lemons, pineapples, peaches, and berries. For a winter wedding, consider using oranges, pomegranates, cranberries, and pears.

Prepare the fruit:

Wash and dry the fruit to ensure it looks fresh and colourful. You may also want to polish each piece of fruit to give it an extra shine. If you're using fruits with stems, such as strawberries or cherries, cut the stems to the desired length.

Design your runner:

Decide on the layout of your runner. You can place the fruit in a single layer or create a more abundant display by layering and overlapping the fruit. Play around with different arrangements until you find a composition that you're happy with. Consider using a combination of whole fruits, sliced fruits, and fruit segments for added interest and texture.

Assemble the runner:

Start by placing the largest or most eye-catching fruits first and then fill in the gaps with smaller fruits. You can create a uniform runner by using only one type of fruit or create a colourful display by mixing different fruits. If you want to add height and dimension to your runner, consider using tiered stands or vases filled with fruit.

Add finishing touches:

Enhance your fruit table runner with complementary elements such as flowers, leaves, or herbs. For example, combine peaches with gardenias or add lilacs to a display of apples, carrots, and tomatoes. You can also incorporate vegetables, such as artichokes, into your runner for a unique and unexpected touch.

By following these steps, you can create a stunning fruit table runner that will impress your wedding guests and add a unique, natural element to your décor.

Frequently asked questions