Creating Dreamy Wedding Centerpieces With Flower Boxes

Wedding decorations can be expensive, but a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day is to make your own centrepieces. Flower box centrepieces are a beautiful and creative way to decorate your wedding tables. You can use a variety of flowers, plants, and materials to create a rustic, elegant, or whimsical look. Whether you're a crafty person or not, making your own flower box centrepieces is a fun and rewarding project that will wow your guests.

Choosing flowers and filler blooms

Decide on a Colour Scheme: Choose a colour scheme that complements your wedding theme and style. This could be based on the season, such as vibrant oranges and reds for a fall wedding or pastel hues for a spring celebration. You can also opt for a single colour in different shades or go for a pop of colour against a neutral backdrop.

Select Focal Flowers: Focal flowers are the stars of your arrangement. These are usually larger blooms that will draw attention and create a romantic atmosphere. Popular choices include roses, peonies, and garden roses.

Choose Filler Blooms: Filler flowers are smaller blooms that fill in gaps and add texture to your arrangement. They complement the focal flowers without overwhelming them. Examples include baby's breath, asters, hypericum berries, and spray roses.

Consider Greenery: Greenery adds a natural touch to your flower box centrepieces. Options include eucalyptus, ruscus, and ferns, which can be used to create garlands or backdrops for your floral arrangements.

Vary the Heights: Using flowers and filler blooms with different heights will create a visually appealing arrangement. Tall, elegant stems such as snapdragons or stock flowers can add height, while smaller blooms like baby's breath or waxflowers can fill in the lower areas.

Play with Texture: Incorporating different textures will make your centrepieces more interesting. Combine smooth petals with feathery foliage or spiky blooms like thistle or delphinium for a unique look.

Personalise Your Selection: Choose flowers that reflect your style and theme. If you have a favourite flower, consider making it the focal point of your arrangement. You can also incorporate meaningful colours or blooms that hold a special significance for you.

By carefully selecting your flowers and filler blooms, you can create stunning flower box centrepieces that will impress your wedding guests and reflect your unique style.

Selecting the right planter box

Size and Proportions

The size of your planter box will depend on several factors, including the size of your wedding tables and the desired impact of the centrepiece. A standard size for a planter box is 6"x 6"x 6", which can be an elegant and understated choice. However, you may want to opt for something larger, such as an 8.5"x 8.5"x 5.5" rustic cube, for a more substantial presence on the table.

Material and Style

The material and style of your planter box should align with the overall theme and aesthetic of your wedding. For a rustic wedding, consider using natural cedar wood, which can add a charming, natural touch to your decor. You can also create a rustic look by using cut wood and finishing it with wood glue and nails, then sanding the sides to create a weathered appearance. Alternatively, for a more elegant or modern wedding, you might opt for a painted wooden box in a colour that complements your chosen flowers or wedding colour palette.

Drainage

If you plan to use fresh flowers or plants in your centrepieces, it is important to consider drainage. Drilling a few holes in the bottom of your planter box will help to drain excess water and keep your flowers healthy.

Customisation

You can customise your planter boxes in various ways to make them unique to your wedding. Consider adding table numbers to the boxes to double up on their function and reduce clutter on the tables. You can also dress them up with twine, tags, or other decorative elements that fit your wedding theme.

Ordering Options

When selecting your planter boxes, consider whether you want to order pre-made boxes or create them yourself. Pre-made planter boxes are available from various sources, including online retailers like Amazon, and can save you time and effort. However, DIY planter boxes offer more room for customisation and can be a fun project if you're crafty.

Drilling holes for drainage

Choosing the Right Tools:

• Assess the type of material your flower box is made of. Commonly, you'll be working with materials such as wood, plastic, resin, ceramic, or glass.
• Select the appropriate drill bit for your material. For wood, a standard drill bit will suffice. For resin, a ¼-inch wood drill bit or smaller is recommended. Ceramic planters require a masonry bit, which is larger at the end. For glass, you'll need a glass and tile drill bit.
• If you're working with thicker materials, such as thick glass or ceramics, consider using a diamond-tipped drill bit or a masonry bit with a winged tungsten-carbide tip to prevent shattering.

Drilling the Holes:

• Put on safety goggles to protect your eyes from any debris during the drilling process.
• Invert your flower box on a hard, stable surface. This will make it easier to drill the holes and prevent slipping.
• Mark the spots where you want the holes to be. You can use painter's tape, a pencil, or make a small nick with a nail. This will help guide your drilling and ensure the holes are placed correctly.
• If your flower box is made of resin and measures between 12 to 14 inches, one hole in the lowest part of the bottom should be sufficient. For larger boxes, consider drilling a second hole opposite the first to increase drainage.
• For ceramic flower boxes, one hole in the centre is recommended to prevent cracking.
• Hold the flower box steady and upright during the drilling process. Use gentle, steady pressure and keep the drill straight. There's no need to apply excessive force.
• If you're drilling into ceramic, dip the drill bit into water every few seconds to prevent overheating.
• Once the holes are drilled, cover them with coffee filters or fine mesh to prevent soil from falling out while still allowing water to drain.

By following these steps, you'll ensure your flower box centerpieces have adequate drainage, keeping your flowers healthy and happy!

Painting and decorating the box

Selecting the Right Paint

The type of paint you choose will depend on the material of your box and the desired finish. For a rustic look, spray paint works well and can be easily sanded to create a weathered appearance. You can also opt for regular wall paint if you plan to use brushes or rollers. Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme and the flowers you intend to use.

Preparing the Surface

Before painting, ensure the surface of your box is smooth and clean. If there are any rough areas, use sandpaper to gently sand them down. If you're working with wooden boxes, consider using wood glue to fill in any gaps or cracks. Remove any dust or debris with a damp cloth before starting to paint.

Painting Techniques

When painting your boxes, use even strokes and avoid overloading your brush or roller with too much paint to prevent drips. Start with a base coat, especially if you're painting a light colour over a darker surface. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats, following the instructions on your paint can. Depending on the paint type, you may need to apply a primer first to ensure better adhesion and a smoother finish.

Adding Decorative Touches

Once the paint is dry, you can enhance the appearance of your boxes with various decorative touches. Consider using twine or ribbon to create a rustic or elegant look. You can also add tags with table numbers or names, either hanging from the twine or attached directly to the box. For a glamorous touch, try using gold or silver paint to add details like polka dots, stripes, or a metallic rim around the top of the box.

Embellishing with Nature

Incorporate natural elements into your design by gluing small twigs, dried flowers, or leaves onto the box. You can also wrap the box with jute or twine, creating a natural, rustic look. If you want to add a pop of colour, consider pressing flowers or leaves onto the box after painting it. Simply arrange the flowers or leaves on the box and carefully place a piece of paper over them. Use a rolling pin to press and adhere them to the box.

Combining with Other Decorations

Your flower box centrepieces can also be decorated with other wedding table decorations. Candles, especially taper candles, can add a romantic and elegant touch. Lanterns, fairy lights, and votive candles in upcycled jars are also great options. Combining your flower boxes with other decorative elements will create a cohesive and enchanting tablescape for your wedding reception.

Adding finishing touches

Adding the finishing touches to your flower box centrepieces for weddings is an important step to elevate your decor and impress your guests. Here are some ideas to perfect your DIY flower box centrepieces:

Add a Personal Touch:

Include a special element that reflects your style or the wedding theme. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, use twine and mini wooden tags to label the boxes. You could also incorporate fairy lights for a magical touch or gold accents for a touch of glam.

Play with Heights:

Create visual interest by varying the heights of your flower arrangements or candles within the boxes. This adds dimension and makes your centrepieces more captivating.

Incorporate Texture:

Mix different textures to make your centrepieces more intriguing. Combine fabrics like linen or burlap with the smoothness of glass vases or the rustic feel of wooden elements. You can also add dried foliage or eucalyptus leaves to bring in natural textures.

Enhance with Colour:

Introduce pops of colour to your flower box centrepieces to make them stand out. This can be done with colourful flowers, table linens, or even painted candles in your chosen hues. A colourful runner can also bring vitality to a neutral-toned tablescape.

Don't Forget the Details:

Pay attention to the small details that elevate the overall presentation. For example, use sandpaper to distress the wooden boxes for a rustic look, or add water to the boxes to keep your flowers fresh. Ensure your centrepieces are proportional to the size of the tables, and don't overcrowd them.

With these finishing touches, your flower box centrepieces will surely wow your guests and create a lasting impression.

Frequently asked questions