Creating Wedding Reception Centerpieces: A Guide To Diy Decor

Wedding centrepieces can be expensive, so why not try making your own? It's a fun project that will add a personal, homemade touch to your reception. You can go for a floral or non-floral look, depending on your preference and skill level. If you're feeling creative, you could even upcycle items from your home, such as ceramics, lamps, or books.

For a simple yet elegant look, consider using table runners, taper candles, or a single central arrangement. If you're after something more vibrant, try colourful candles, fruit bowls, or printed linens. And if you're a nature lover, bring the outdoors in with eucalyptus, sugarbushes, or potted herbs.

So get crafting and add a unique twist to your special day!

How to make a floral centerpiece

Choosing Your Flowers

• Select your favourite flowers or a mix of up to four different kinds.
• Choose flowers that are in season to save money. For example, hydrangeas are a good option for summer.
• If you're going for a traditional, neutral-toned tablescape, add a pop of colour with your floral centrepiece.
• For a garden-fresh look, opt for wildflowers.
• If you're having a tropical or desert-themed wedding, consider sugarbushes, also known as protea.
• For a rustic wedding, use moss and leaves instead of blooms.
• If you're having a winter wedding, embrace the season with a mix of tree branches, pine cones, and candles.
• For a simple yet classic look, go for an all-white palette with flowers like baby's breath, dahlias, cosmos, and butterfly ranunculus.

Arranging Your Flowers

• If you're using one variety of blooms, arrange them in their own vase. Hold the bunch, cut the stems at an angle, and place them in a vessel filled with water.
• For a simple, wild design, try the ikebana style of flower arranging.
• For a bold and cheery statement piece, fill tiered bowls with goldenrod, mimosa, craspedia balls, olive leaves, kumquats, lemons, and lavender.
• If you're using multiple varieties of flowers, group big, bold flowers together, such as peonies.
• For a whimsical look, arrange your flowers in a mix of vases of different sizes and styles.
• For a monochromatic look, use white blooms in white vases.
• For a botanical or minimalist theme, use dried flowers or foliage, such as eucalyptus, hare's tail grass, or dried palms.
• For a rustic or organic wedding, try wooden lanterns or wooden vases.
• For a colourful pop, wrap vases in strips of hot pink vinyl.
• For a sculptural arrangement, try veneer figure eights.
• For a unique composition, paint plain taper candles and plant single-stem flowers in vintage vases.
• For a bohemian feel, mix multiple sizes and styles of vases.
• For a simple, elegant look, opt for a central arrangement in a gold vase, such as roses and hydrangeas.
• For a tropical feel, use a mix of palm fronds and monstera leaves in a glass vase.
• To fill space across a long table, choose long rectangular vases with a few blooms and greenery.
• For a colourful, vibrant look, use a mix of locally sourced flowers and coloured glassware.
• For a garden party, arrange scented geraniums, herbs, and foliage in hand-painted pots.
• For a colourful, textured look, use colourful candleholders and candles in the same hues.

Using candles in your centrepiece

Candles are a great way to elevate the romance at your wedding and can be used to create a signature scent or add sparkle to your tables.

There are many types of candles to choose from, including pillar candles, tea lights, votives, tapers, and flameless candles. Pillar candles are thick and column-like and can stand without a container. Tea lights are small candles that sit in a rounded dish, adding a cosy glow without being overpowering. Votives are slightly larger and are often used in religious ceremonies. Tapered candles are long and narrow and are the quintessential romantic table candle. Flameless candles are battery-powered and can be used in places where an open flame isn't possible.

When it comes to displaying candles on a table, they can be the focal point or accent features that complement a floral arrangement. 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 the layout and the types of candles to find what works best.

• Greenery-draped lanterns with floral accents: Glass-encased lanterns with arching greenery and romantic roses create an impactful, glowing centrepiece.
• Elegant tapers with repurposed stemware: Add translucent height with delicate tapered candles and a supply of stemmed glassware.
• Dusty rose and blush wreath with votives: A low-lying floral and candle arrangement with votive candles in varying heights encircled by a wreath creates a charming and romantic tablescape.
• Vineyard-inspired wine bottle decor: Transform leftover wine or champagne bottles into unique candle centrepieces with floral foam and flowers. The top of the bottle can hold a pillar candle.
• A festive holiday candle display: This gorgeous centrepiece features pillar candles, florals, evergreens, and extra bling to add sparkle and light to your table.
• Natural elements for a unique candle display: Bring nature inside with a single candle floating above smooth river rocks in a tall glass pillar set on a raw wood tray.
• A classic wreath and candle centrepiece: Combine a pillar candle, a lantern, and a gold-trimmed table number frame in the centre of a eucalyptus and rose wreath for a timeless look.
• Warm and inviting industrial chic: Mix pillar and tapered candles atop metal bases that mirror the lofty lines of the venue and accompanying floral arrangements.
• Reflecting romance with gold and mirrors: Add an ambient glow with a mirrored tray adorned with shimmering tea lights and candlesticks in varying heights.

Remember to keep florals and greenery away from direct flames and never leave candles unattended. If your venue doesn't allow open flames, you can opt for battery-operated candles to achieve a similar effect.

Choosing a colour scheme

One way to choose a colour scheme is to pick a colour that you want to use as an accent throughout your design. This could be a light blue, as seen in the taper candles and napkins in one example, or a bold black, as seen in the plates in another. You can then use this accent colour to complement the other design elements on your table, such as the floral arrangements or table linens.

Alternatively, you could opt for a more vibrant and colourful approach, with a mix of dazzling hues that will instantly enthral your guests. For example, royal blue, violet, marigold, pink, and coral shades can be used together to create a carnival-themed wedding.

If you're having a seasonal wedding, you can also use colour to celebrate the time of year. For a winter wedding, embrace the holiday feel with a colour scheme of red, green, and white, using decorations such as tree branches, pine cones, and candles. For a spring wedding, fresh blossoms in pastel colours can be a whimsical choice.

Finally, don't be afraid to mix different colours and patterns. For example, you can pair gold with soft pastel blooms, or choose a black-and-white theme with white florals, bold black plates, and greenery to warm up the design.

DIY vs buying centrepieces

There are many options to consider when it comes to wedding centrepieces, and you may be wondering whether to make your own or buy pre-made ones. Here are some things to consider when deciding between DIY and buying centrepieces for your wedding reception:

DIY Centrepieces

Creating your own centrepieces can be a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding reception. It can also be a budget-friendly option if you're looking to save money. If you're crafty or enjoy DIY projects, making your own centrepieces can be a rewarding experience. You can find many DIY centrepiece ideas online, such as using candles, flowers, lanterns, or even repurposing items from home. However, keep in mind that DIY centrepieces may require more time and effort, and you or your family and friends will be responsible for setting them up and taking them down.

Buying Centrepieces

On the other hand, buying pre-made centrepieces can save you time and stress, especially if you're not crafty or don't have the time to dedicate to making them yourself. Buying centrepieces can also ensure a more professional and polished look, especially if you hire a florist or event planner. You can find ready-made centrepieces at many wedding supply stores, both online and offline. This option may be more expensive, but it can be worth it if you want to avoid the hassle and ensure a cohesive and elegant look for your reception.

Examples of DIY vs. Buying

To help you decide, here are some specific examples of DIY centrepieces and similar centrepieces that can be purchased:

DIY: Paper lanterns with flowers placed inside, accented with LED lights.

Buy: Pre-made paper lanterns with floral arrangements, available on Etsy or from a local wedding stylist.

DIY: Spray-painted wine bottles used as vases, decorated with glitter or metallic paint.

Buy: Glass or crystal vases from a homeware store, or rent vases from a wedding supply store.

DIY: Tiered bowls filled with goldenrod, mimosa, craspedia, olive leaves, kumquats, lemons, and lavender.

Buy: Pre-made fruit and flower arrangements from a florist, or ready-made centrepieces with similar elements from a wedding stylist.

DIY: Eucalyptus garlands or table runners – source eucalyptus from a local florist or market and drape it across tables.

Buy: Pre-made eucalyptus table runners or garlands from a wedding stylist or event planner.

DIY: Hardback books stacked and used as centrepieces, especially fitting for a literary-themed wedding.

Buy: Vintage books or book-shaped boxes from an antique store or online marketplace.

Ultimately, the decision between DIY and buying centrepieces depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. Both options can result in beautiful and memorable centrepieces for your wedding reception.

Using fruit in your centrepiece

For a spring wedding, add a few lemons to a pastel floral centerpiece to subtly hint at the warm weather ahead. Alternatively, add a small wooden crate filled with kumquats to accent fresh blooms and bring a pop of colour. Peaches also work well with garden roses and peonies, as the orange and yellow tones of the peach peels match beautifully with the same colour palette of flowers.

For a summer wedding, try a tropical fruit centerpiece with sliced papayas, limes, bougainvillea, and tropical leaves. Or, for a fragrant element, use sliced grapefruits, lemons, and oranges to complement floral centerpieces. If you're planning a beach wedding, a pineapple centerpiece brings tropical island vibes to any waterfront locale.

For a fall wedding, sliced figs present a beautiful colour palette of red, green, and pale yellow. Build the rest of your centerpieces around them using greenery-filled arrangements and wooden accents. Persimmons, figs, apples, and grapes are also perfect for this season.

Finally, for a winter wedding, cranberries will jazz up an ordinary glass centerpiece vase. Complete the wintry look with burgundy orchids, seeded eucalyptus, and curly willow branches. Pomegranates and figs also make for a great jewel-toned centerpiece, especially when complemented by lush greenery and amaranthus.

Frequently asked questions