Create Stunning Tall Centerpieces For Your Wedding Reception

Tall centerpieces are a great way to add a bold pop of texture or colour to your wedding reception tables. They can suit any wedding style, from traditional to contemporary, and are a surefire way to wow your guests as soon as they walk into the room.

There are many ways to create tall centerpieces, from floral arrangements to candelabras, and they can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, metal, wood, and acrylic. You can even make your own DIY centerpieces to add a personal touch to your wedding.

When creating tall floral arrangements, it's important to consider the size of the arrangement, the time it will take to create, and the materials you'll need. It's also crucial to visualize your design beforehand to ensure you create a statement piece that your guests will love.

Flowers, branches, and greenery

Flowers

• Opt for classic mixes of garden roses, hydrangeas, and peonies in a large glass vase for a traditional event.
• Place long-stemmed blooms in a structured, four-pillared vessel for a contemporary arrangement.
• Create a floating effect by pairing white flowers with clear vases, such as orchids or calla lilies.
• Use a single type of bloom, such as tulips or cherry blossoms, for a mono-floral statement.
• Combine different shades of roses for a pretty gradient effect.
• Include fragrant flowers like jasmine or sweet peas to engage your guests' sense of smell.
• Play with textures by mixing soft and edgy flowers, such as chrysanthemums and proteas.
• Add a pop of color with bold flowers like pincushion proteas or anthuriums.
• Create a whimsical effect with spindly branches, such as dogwood, to keep the arrangement from looking too dense.

Branches

• Incorporate flowering branches like lilacs, wisteria, pear blossoms, or bougainvillea for a mix of flowers and greenery.
• Use branches with shiny, rich green leaves like smilax for a polished, timeless look.
• Hang branches and vines from the ceiling to extend your centerpieces upward.
• Opt for branches with spindly shapes, such as curly willow or manzanita, to add height and visual interest.

Greenery

• Eucalyptus is a popular choice for its wispy, long branches and rustic vibe. Mix different varieties like silver dollar and baby blue eucalyptus for added texture.
• Pair greenery with white flowers for a classic, elegant look, or with bold blooms for a pop of color.
• Create a simple, minimalist centerpiece with assorted greenery and baby's breath.
• Use tall palm leaves to create a beachy or tropical vibe.
• Hang greenery installations to create a forest-like atmosphere.
• Drape jasmine vines or other greenery over tall centerpieces for a beautifully rustic touch.

Using candles

Candles are a great way to add height to your wedding centrepieces, and there are many ways to incorporate them into your wedding aesthetic.

For a timeless and classic look, consider using taper candles. These tall, thin candles can be placed in elegant candelabras or sleek, modern holders. For a more whimsical or gothic style, opt for black taper candles. You can also play with different colours to add a pop of colour that fits your theme, such as pink or peach candles. If you're looking for a more nuanced display, floating candles can be placed in, above, or around floral arrangements, adding a romantic feel to your celebration.

For a bolder statement, pillar candles are a great option. These can be used to support other decorative elements, such as table numbers, or to add height to shorter floral arrangements. Pillar candles also come in a variety of colours and can be used to reinforce the colour palette of your event. For a more dynamic look, try pairing black and gold pillar candles with luxe table runners.

To create a glamorous glow, use tall acrylic candle holders. These can be lined up along the centre of the table, with low white florals at the base to balance out the display. Alternatively, for a more intimate ambiance, place a tall, white taper candle at each place setting.

When using candles, it's important to consider safety guidelines, especially if your venue has restrictions on open flames. Flameless candles are a great alternative, and you can also use candle shields or lanterns to protect the flames from wind or potential spills.

DIY centrepieces

If you're looking to add a personal touch to your wedding reception, consider creating your own centrepieces. Here are some ideas to achieve a tall, elegant look:

Floral Obelisk:

Create a floral obelisk by crafting a tower of flowers. Start by obtaining flower foam blocks and soaking them in water. Secure the blocks onto a wooden or metal obelisk frame, which can be purchased or made from metal piping. Choose flowers in your wedding colours and insert them into the foam, covering the entire structure. For a more natural look, add greenery and trailing vines. This design is perfect for a garden or outdoor wedding, and the height can be adjusted by changing the number of foam blocks used.

Tall Branch Centrepiece:

For a unique, natural look, consider using branches as your centrepiece. Source tall, thin branches from a craft store or your own backyard. Paint them a colour that fits your theme, and secure them in a heavy base, such as a flower pot or weighted vase. Decorate the branches with hanging tea lights, fairy lights, or even small hanging flower pots. This centrepiece will create a whimsical, fairy-tale atmosphere and can be made as tall or short as needed.

Towering Candle Display:

Create a romantic and elegant atmosphere with a towering candle display. Purchase varying heights of candle stands or create your own using candle adhesive and tall, thin candles. Add a touch of glamour with gold or silver candle holders, or keep it simple with classic white. Surround the candles with flowers, greenery, or even small potted plants. This centrepiece is perfect for an evening reception, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Suspended Centrepiece:

For something truly unique, consider a suspended centrepiece. Hang a metal hoop or a tall, thin vase from the ceiling above each table. Fill the vase with flowers and trailing greenery, or hang decorations and ribbons from the hoop. This idea creates a real wow factor and keeps the tables clear for guests. It is important to check with your venue that this is possible, and ensure the structures are securely attached.

With these DIY centrepiece ideas, you can create tall, stunning displays that will impress your guests and add a personal, handmade touch to your special day. Keep in mind that the key to successful DIY centrepieces is to plan and test your ideas beforehand, ensuring a stress-free and beautiful result.

Choosing the right vase

Glass Vases

A glass vase is a good neutral option, as it will suit any flowers or plants you choose. Cylindrical vases are understated and elegant, and come in a range of heights, making them a good choice for a DIY bride. Etched glass vases offer more texture and a vintage feel, perfect for an outdoor or rustic wedding.

Metal Vases

Metal vases can fit a variety of themes, depending on the colour, shape, and finish. Antique, galvanized, or brushed finishes are homely, while shiny finishes are more modern. Nickel-plated aluminium cylinder vases, for example, are sleek and elegant and would be perfect for black or white flowers, especially if paired with matching candle holders. Gold or brass vases complement flowers in warm hues, while silver suits cool tones.

Ceramic Vases

White ceramic vases are a safe option, but there are also many other colours, designs, and shapes available. A shiny black vase is an excellent option if you’re thinking of having bright-coloured flowers. A short round black vase can be a blank canvas to get creative with a three-dimensional bouquet.

Wooden Vases

Wooden vases evoke a natural and rustic quality. A wooden vase with harsh angles and a dark brown finish is more modern and refined. For a relaxed reception, with fairy lights and wildflowers, an irregularly shaped teak bowl or a wooden log trough-like bowl would be perfect. For a compromise between modern and rustic, a polished wood cylindrical vase is a good choice, as it will complement a variety of flower colours.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your table will also influence your choice of vase. If you have a smaller table, use a petite or medium-sized vase so as not to overwhelm the table. Larger tables can accommodate medium to large centrepieces. Round tables work well with a single centerpiece, while rectangular and square tables are more versatile, accommodating either a linear or cluster arrangement.

Adding height with trees

If you're looking to add height to your wedding centrepieces, why not bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with tree centrepieces? From small citrus trees to tall cherry blossom branches, there are plenty of options to choose from.

For a pop of colour, consider a lemon tree or a mini kumquat tree. These small potted trees add a touch of greenery and a bright splash of yellow or orange to your tablescape. If you're looking for something a little more understated, a simple white blossom tree with a moss base and small wood stumps can create a beautiful, elegant display.

For a modern take on tree centrepieces, try pairing a sprawling branch with neutral grey taper candles and pastel blooms for an enchantingly romantic design. Or, for a truly unique look, opt for a custom design using branches to create a tree trunk, finished with red blooms for a moody, autumnal feel.

If you're set on having an actual tree as your centrepiece, you could try adding table-sized trees or shrubs on risers to your reception tables. This is a great way to bring a touch of the outdoors in and will definitely be a talking point for your guests.

Frequently asked questions