Crafting Cute Wedding Centerpieces: Creative Diy Ideas

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and time-consuming endeavour, but creating DIY centrepieces is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. From simple floral arrangements to creative displays of candles, there are endless possibilities for crafting centrepieces that reflect your unique style and personality. Whether you're aiming for a rustic, elegant, or whimsical theme, with a bit of creativity and some careful planning, you can design centrepieces that will wow your guests and make your wedding truly unforgettable.

How to make cute wedding centerpieces with candles

Candles are a great way to make your wedding decor more romantic and elegant. Here are some ideas for creating cute wedding centerpieces with candles:

Greenery-Draped Lanterns with Floral Accents

Lanterns throw ambient light and are perfect for creating a romantic ambiance. Decorate a glass-encased lantern with arching greenery and romantic roses for a beautiful and impactful wedding table centerpiece.

Elegant Tapers with Repurposed Stemware

Add translucent height to your wedding tables by using delicate tapered candles in various colours and stemmed glassware. This simple DIY centerpiece idea can be customised to fit any colour scheme.

Dusty Rose & Blush Wreath with Votives

A low-lying floral and candle arrangement, such as a wreath with votive candles in varying heights encircled by greenery and flowers, is classic and beautiful. It fills the table and leaves space for conversation during the reception.

Rustic Simplicity with Bud Vase Accents

Sometimes, less is more. Create a warm and inviting atmosphere with minimalist bud vases filled with flowers and the warm light of pillar candles.

Dramatic Elegance in Dusty Blue & Navy

Combine towering candelabras with an overflowing abundance of elegant flowers for a breathtaking display. This arrangement can be created using designer flower boxes for a more affordable option.

Vineyard-Inspired Wine Bottle Decor

Transform leftover wine or champagne bottles into a unique candle centerpiece. Floral foam and flowers give new life to the bottles, and the top can be used as a perfect pillar candle holder.

Floating Candles

For a dreamy look, try floating candles in plain glass vases or thin candles in elongated transparent displays. This idea is perfect for a nighttime event or to add a whimsical touch.

Gold Accents

Gold candlesticks or gold-trimmed table number frames can make any centerpiece look regal and sophisticated. Gold also adds a touch of sparkle and warmth to your tablescape.

Lanterns and Candles

Lanterns adorned with flowers and candles are a perfect rustic centerpiece. You can also decorate lanterns with craft store pearl beads or fresh herbs like rosemary for a simple and smell-good centerpiece.

Mercury Glass Containers

Mercury glass candle holders and vases create a soft, rustic look. Teacup candle holders are another adorable option for a luncheon or little girl's tea party.

Succulents and Tea Candles

Mini succulents and tea candles make a stylish and low-effort centerpiece for a backyard dinner party.

Colourful Candles

Add a pop of colour to your centerpieces with pink, orange, blue, or lilac candles. Colourful candles can highlight the event's theme or the seasonality of your wedding.

Candles and Flowers

Combine the warm glow of candles with the soft elegance of flowers. Surround candles with a wreath of flowers or hang them from tall floral centerpieces. You can also incorporate flowers and greenery around your candle display or add paint, rhinestones, or other decorations to your candles and candle holders.

DIY wedding centerpieces with flowers

DIY wedding centrepieces are a great way to personalise your wedding and keep costs down. You can compose your own floral arrangements, repurpose pieces of décor from your home, or feature family heirlooms. Here are some ideas for DIY wedding centrepieces with flowers:

Sourcing Flowers

Instead of hiring a florist, you can source and arrange your own flowers. Purchase your favourite flowers or a mix of up to four different kinds from a floral shop or grocery store, and make simple arrangements showcasing each bud. To save money, select in-season options, like bundles of hydrangeas for a summer wedding.

Using Ceramics

If you have ceramics lying around your house that fit your wedding colour scheme, add them to the centre of your tablescape. This will save you from having to order rentals, and will add an artistic, sculptural edge to your wedding. For example, beige-toned vases in multiple shapes and sizes can help execute an earthy vision, which can be reinforced with neutral taper candles and stone coasters.

Creating Ambiance with Lamps

Including lamps on your reception tables is a chic, homely idea. You can reuse at-home pieces, borrow from loved ones, or thrift second-hand items. To give your decorations a unique edge, spray-paint the lampshades or press flowers on them.

Embracing Taper Candles

Taper candles can enhance any wedding look, whether you’re pairing them with other décor pieces or letting them stand on their own. If you're throwing a colourful bash, try rainbow varieties, but be sure to place them on neutral linens to avoid a cluttered setup.

Using a Linen Runner

To add texture to your tablescape, consider adding a linen runner. Line the centre of your table with a gauzy piece of fabric to welcome depth and dimension. For a minimalist look, include a few white candles and bud vases.

Lanterns

Metal-rimmed lanterns with votive candles inside make ideal centrepieces and don't require much effort. For modern affairs, select black edges with coordinating chargers and glassware. You can also add a few floral arrangements to this setup.

Fruit Bowl

Fruit is a naturally beautiful addition to any table, imbuing colour, height, and texture. Consider filling large glass bowls with peaches, oranges, and cherries for a sunset-inspired colour scheme, or choose other fruit that matches your colour palette.

Single Stems

If you're not interested in full floral arrangements, you can place your favourite single stems in bud vases. Anemones, tulips, and ranunculus can add a vivacious splash without being overwhelming. This is a fun look for a garden-inspired or casual wedding.

Mixing Vases

Mixing multiple sizes and styles of vases will give your reception tables a bohemian feel. For a monochromatic look, stuff white blooms in multi-sized white vases.

Using fruit in your wedding centerpieces

Using fruit in your wedding centrepieces is a unique alternative to the standard flower arrangement. Fruit, like flowers, comes in a vibrant range of colours and can add a wow factor to your tablescape.

If you're looking for a rustic vibe, run a garland of apples down the centre of the table or fill a vintage vase with grapefruit and blackberries. For a charming, tropical look, combine pink pineapples with a bed of vibrant greens.

For a Mediterranean feel, try a jewel-toned arrangement with blood oranges, exotic leaves, and fuchsia flowers. Or, for a more muted palette, use pretty peaches to complete soft tones.

You can also use fruit to complement flowers. Succulent peaches in a bowl of gardenias enhance the Southern charm of the flower, while pomegranates, berries, and cherries can work with red and fuchsia roses for a romantic feel. Vivid limes can fill a vase of sunflowers for a lively look.

For a simple, elegant look, try a single fruit. Apricots, for example, will bring a distinct orange colour to your tablescape. Or, for a more subtle hint of fruit, stick to a mostly floral arrangement and add a few slices of orange or green grapes.

If you're looking for a colourful summer palette, use bananas, starfruit, oranges, and grapes. Or, for a farm-to-table feel, try asparagus stems, green apples, grapes, and farmers market-style bouquets.

Upcycling items for wedding centerpieces

Painted Wine Bottles

Used wine bottles can be upcycled and transformed into creative and sustainable centrepieces. Remove the labels and paint the bottles in various metallic hues or pastel shades to create a luxe look without the hefty price tag. You can use them as vases or candle holders, and even add glitter for extra glamour.

Hessian-Wrapped Jars

Add a rustic and eco-friendly touch to your wedding tables with hessian-wrapped jars. Fill them with candles or flowers, or use them as vases for a unique and personalised touch. This idea allows you to recycle old jars and give them a new lease of life.

Tin Can Planters

Old tin cans can be upcycled and repurposed as planters for flowers, succulents, or greenery. It's a budget-friendly and eco-conscious way to bring nature into your wedding decor. You can paint the cans gold or in other colours to match your wedding theme.

Wood Slices

Rustic wood slices are a versatile and natural way to enhance your wedding centrepieces. Use them as a base for candles, greenery, or even as a cake stand. They are perfect for a woodland-inspired or outdoor wedding, bringing a touch of the great outdoors to your decor.

Vintage Books

For book lovers, stacking vintage books or stacking them with ribbon or lace creates a unique and literary-themed centrepiece. It's a way to tell your story and add a personal touch to your wedding decor. You can use old books from your shelves or thrift stores.

Fairy Lights in Mason Jars

For a whimsical and magical centrepiece, fill mason jars with fairy lights. The twinkling lights will add a dreamy glow to your reception, creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere that your guests will love.

Upcycling everyday items for your wedding centrepieces allows you to be creative, stay within your budget, and reduce waste. With a little DIY, you can transform these items into beautiful and personalised decorations that reflect your style and theme.

Choosing a colour scheme for your wedding centerpieces

Colour is one of the most important elements of your wedding decor, and choosing a colour scheme for your centrepieces can help tie your wedding's aesthetic together. Here are some tips for choosing a colour scheme for your DIY wedding centrepieces:

Choose a Colour That Suits Your Wedding Theme and Venue

Think about the overall theme and style of your wedding, as well as the venue, when choosing a colour scheme for your centrepieces. For example, if you're having a rustic countryside wedding, colours like hessian or other neutral tones may complement your venue and theme. If you're having a more glamorous wedding, consider richer colours like gold or deep jewel tones.

Consider the Season

Take inspiration from the season when choosing your colour scheme. For example, autumnal colours like tangerine, coral and blood orange are perfect for a fall wedding, while pastel colours and soft neutrals might suit a spring or summer wedding.

Use Colour to Create a Mood

Different colours evoke different moods and emotions, so consider the atmosphere you want to create at your wedding. For example, warm colours like red, orange and yellow can create a vibrant and energetic mood, while cool colours like blue and green can be calming and soothing. If you want a romantic and elegant atmosphere, consider softer colours like blush pink, peach or lilac.

Choose a Colourful Centrepiece or a Pop of Colour

If you want your centrepieces to stand out, opt for colourful DIY centrepieces. For example, you could wrap colourful fabric or paper around vases or candle holders, or fill clear vases with colourful fruits or flowers. Alternatively, if you're going for a more neutral or monochromatic tablescape, add a pop of colour with a colourful table runner or napkins.

Mix and Match Colours and Textures

Don't be afraid to mix and match colours and textures for your centrepieces. For example, you could combine different types of greenery like eucalyptus, ivy and olive branches, or mix and match colourful candles with neutral linens and tableware. Just be careful not to overload the tables with too many different colours and patterns, as this can create a cluttered look.

Use Colour to Enhance Your Wedding Centrepieces

Colour can be used to enhance the overall design and impact of your centrepieces. For example, if you're using flowers, choose a colour that complements the blooms. If you're using candles, consider coloured candles or candle holders to add interest. You can also use coloured lighting or uplighters to create a specific mood or ambiance.

Remember to have fun with the process and choose colours that reflect your personal style and taste!

Frequently asked questions