Inexpensive Diy Wedding Centerpieces: Creative Ideas On A Budget

Planning a wedding can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to make your wedding day look spectacular without breaking the bank. One way to save money is to make your own centrepieces. DIY centrepieces can be a fun activity for you and your partner in the run-up to your wedding, and they're a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're having a formal indoor wedding or a casual outdoor celebration, there are lots of creative and inexpensive centrepiece ideas to choose from.

Use fruit as a centrepiece

Using fruit as a centrepiece is a unique alternative to the standard flower arrangement and can be a feast for the eyes and the palate. Fruit comes in a vibrant range of colours, from sunny citrus to jewel-toned berries and in-between. Here are some ideas for creating inexpensive fruit centrepieces with a wow factor:

Go for a garland

Run a garland of apples down the centre of the table for a rustic vibe. You could also try other combinations such as grapefruit and blackberries in a vintage vase, or a mix of fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits like carrots or apples.

Fill a bowl

Consider filling large glass bowls with peaches, oranges, and cherries for a sunset-inspired colour scheme. Or, look for other combinations that match your specific colour palette. Succulent peaches in a bowl of gardenias can enhance the flower's Southern charm, while vivid limes in a vase of sunflowers create a lively look.

Mix with flowers

When paired with lush flowers, fresh fruit can enrich a wedding centrepiece's natural design and capture each blossom's beauty. Pomegranates, berries, and cherries can complement red and fuchsia roses, while oranges and yellow roses bring energy to the table.

Keep it simple

Sometimes, fruit is at its best when it does all the talking. A row of pineapples emits tropical vibes, perfect for a destination wedding. Add a handwritten tag for a special touch. Red pears arranged on a wooden stump have a rustic feel, ideal for an outdoor country wedding.

Seasonal fruit

Using seasonal fruit can add a unique twist to your centrepieces. For a spring wedding, add a few lemons to a pastel floral arrangement. In the fall, fill a small wooden crate with figs and sliced persimmons for a beautiful colour palette of red, green, and pale yellow. In winter, embrace jewel tones with a fruit bowl of pomegranates, blackberries, purple grapes, and figs.

Repurpose wine bottles

Wine bottles can be repurposed in a variety of ways to create inexpensive centrepieces for a wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Grouping of Bottles and Flowers

A collection of wine bottles in varying colours and heights can be grouped together to make a lovely statement. Adding flowers in pastel shades can create an enchanting arrangement. Try wrapping twine around a few clear bottles to enhance the look.

Table Numbers

Wine bottles can be decorated with table numbers. This idea plays a key role in the design and can be customised to fit the wedding's theme and colours. It's a simple and affordable DIY project that will impress your guests.

Spray Painting

Spray painting wine bottles in metallic shades is a simple and elegant way to repurpose them. The bottles can then be topped off with taper candles, creating a dreamy and elegant look, especially when grouped with white accents.

Floral Display

Wine bottles can be used to create a focal floral display. This can be done by incorporating them into a seating chart, such as using a ladder as a base. This idea is sure to be a conversation starter at the reception.

Contrast Colour

Using coloured glass bottles, such as bold green or deep burgundy, adds a pop of colour to the table. Neutral florals or pampas grass can be added to the bottles for texture. A creative runner made of real fruit can also be a unique addition.

Customised Labels

Custom labels can be added to the wine bottles served at the reception. This detail-oriented approach will make the bottles look beautiful, intentional, and part of the wedding vision. They can also be kept as a wonderful memento of the special day.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to repurposing wine bottles for wedding centrepieces. Get creative and have fun crafting these inexpensive and unique decorations!

Make your own flower arrangements

Flowers are a key part of any wedding, but they don't have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to create your own flower arrangements and centrepieces for your big day without blowing your budget.

One way to save money is to source your own flowers. You can buy your favourite flowers or a mix of up to four different kinds from a florist or a grocery store and make simple arrangements. To save even more money, choose flowers that are in season. For example, hydrangeas are a great choice for a summer wedding.

You can also use silk flowers to create beautiful and affordable centrepieces without the hassle that real flowers create.

Another option is to use dried flowers. You can buy dehydrated foliage from a craft store or shop online for preserved blooms that match your wedding aesthetic. Dried plants will add texture and colour to your tables.

If you're a fan of fresh flowers, consider using wildflowers. You can hand-pick your own arrangements from your garden or a meadow, which will cut costs and give your tables a garden-fresh look.

For a beach-themed wedding, you can create the illusion of flowers sitting on the sand by using a combination of flowers and sand in a beautiful DIY centrepiece.

For a whimsical look, you can use plaster-dipped flowers to make stunning votives that resemble expensive porcelain.

If you're feeling creative, you can even repurpose old wine bottles as vases or planters for succulents or other greenery.

Use fairy lights

Fairy lights are a great way to illuminate your wedding reception or ceremony, especially if you are unable to use candles. They are a good alternative to candles, as they are often permitted in venues where naked flames are not allowed. They are also a very cost-effective way to decorate your wedding.

To create a simple and elegant fairy light wedding centerpiece, you will need the following:

• Foam board
• Glass cylinder vase
• Fairy lights (battery-operated)
• Flowers
• Double-sided tape
• White marble accent stones
• Acrylic crystal beads (optional)

Firstly, create a base for your centerpiece by tracing the vase's circumference onto the foam board and cutting out the circle. Remove any excess foam from the rim of the circle, then poke a hole in the center and thread the fairy lights through until you reach the plastic end.

Next, attach the fairy light power box to the base using double-sided tape. Trim your flowers, leaving about half an inch of the stem, and attach them to the foam board by poking a hole with a box cutter and inserting the stem. Surround the power box with flowers, then use double-sided tape to secure them in place.

To assemble the centerpiece, fill the vase with white marble stones, then add the fairy lights and gently place the floating flower base on top. You can add some acrylic crystal beads for a touch of glamour. Finally, replace the rose covering the on/off switch and your centerpiece is complete!

For a different look, you could fill a glass vase with fairy lights and accent stones, or wrap the fairy lights around a centerpiece made from stacked books. You could also use fairy lights to illuminate a lantern centerpiece, or place them inside a small glass vase for a simple yet pretty decoration.

Use books as a centrepiece

If you and your partner are bookworms, then books can be a fun, inexpensive, and creative way to decorate your wedding tables. They can add height to a centerpiece when stacked, or you can stick to a specific colour scheme for your reception tablescapes. Using books as centrepieces allows you and your partner to select and display your favourite novels or non-fiction books, showcasing who you are as individuals and as a couple.

• Stack two or three books and place a candelabra or floral arrangement on top.
• Place a single book or a stack of two books on the table next to a medium-sized floral arrangement and a decorative bud vase with a single stem.
• If you're using a library or bookstore as your venue, select your favourite books and create stacks in the centre of the table. Add small vases with flowers and use the setting to inspire your table numbers with a design to match a library due date card.
• Place a lantern on top of a vintage book to add a rustic touch and a splash of light.
• Source hardcover books in a variety of colours, especially vintage books, and create a small stack in the centre of your table. For a more modern look, select large coffee table books.
• If your wedding has a specific theme, or you and your partner love a specific author, consider using only books that fit those parameters. For example, you could use books by Shakespeare or books with a vintage look.
• You can source books from a variety of used book outlets, such as vintage shops, thrift shops, and library book sales.

Frequently asked questions