Winter Wedding Centerpieces: Diy Guide For A Magical Day

Winter weddings are magical, and the decor is a chance to lean into the season's charm. When it comes to centrepieces, there are endless creative ways to celebrate your love while reflecting the beauty of winter. From flowers to candles, and natural elements to colour palettes, there are many ways to make your wedding tables stand out.

Using seasonal flowers

Jove Meyer, owner and creative director at Jove Meyer Events in New York, recommends the following flowers for winter wedding centrepieces: amaryllis, anemones, camellias, Casablanca lilies, tulips, gardenias, holly, jasmine, orchids, mini gerberas, poinsettias, roses, ranunculus, hellebores and sweet peas.

For a modern and elegant arrangement, opt for large roses, chrysanthemums, and lisianthus flowers in stone urns. This combination, designed by Gold and Bloom, features an elevated fall colour palette of warm pink and gold tones.

If you're looking for a more whimsical and refreshing effect, try bud vases with single stems. Mix up the flowers and napkin colours for a unique twist.

For a moody palette, try a lush floral arrangement in shades of plum purple or mauve. Accent your arrangements with metallic-painted details or berries to add a wintry touch.

To capture the rustic charm of winter, incorporate berries, pinecones, and eucalyptus greenery into your centrepieces. You can also use low, lush arrangements on long banquet tables or tall, dramatic looks with high centrepieces atop gold stands.

White roses are a classic choice for winter weddings, conveying purity and new beginnings. For a pop of colour, consider dramatic red ranunculus, which signify radiant beauty, pride, and determination.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box and use unexpected colours or flowers to make your centrepieces truly unique. Ultimately, the design should be a reflection of the couple's style, personality, and love story.

Creating a rustic theme

Rustic wedding centrepieces embrace the beauty of natural elements, simple textures, and vintage vibes. Here are some ideas for creating a rustic theme for your winter wedding:

Flowers and Foliage

Arrangements of wildflowers, including daisies, chamomile, and sunflowers, add a cheerful, charming touch to your centrepieces. You can also use seasonal flowers like amaryllis, anemones, camellias, Casablanca lilies, tulips, gardenias, jasmine, orchids, mini gerberas, poinsettias, roses, ranunculus, hellebores, and sweet peas. For a simple yet elegant look, consider a single type of flower in vases as centrepieces. If you're looking for a more laid-back style, try loose, asymmetrical arrangements in ceramic pots.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables can add a unique, eco-friendly touch to your centrepieces. Create a runner with artichokes, pomegranates, apples, and cabbages, or use baskets of fresh lemons for a country-chic vibe. For a farm-to-table feel, use wooden crates or slices as part of your display.

Candles and Lanterns

Candles are a great way to create a romantic, intimate ambiance. Use taper candles in glass covers or vases, or mix in votive candles for a warm glow. For a rustic-chic touch, display candles in vintage-style hurricane lanterns or brass candlesticks.

Natural Elements

Incorporate wood slices, logs, or wooden troughs to showcase your centrepieces. Burlap table runners or lace runners with a vintage feel can also enhance the rustic theme. For place settings, consider wood slice chargers or wooden boards.

Creative Touches

For a whimsical touch, use miniature chalkboards for table numbers. If your wedding is near Christmas, add pinecones and pine tree branches to your centrepieces for a natural, rustic feel. For a unique, sustainable approach, use vintage bottles and vases of different heights and colours to showcase your flowers and greenery.

Using candles

Candles are a great way to create a romantic and elegant atmosphere at a winter wedding. Here are some ideas for centrepieces that incorporate candles:

Floating Candles

Floating candles are a unique and romantic option for wedding centrepieces. They can be placed in glass jars with pebbles and pinecones, adding a cosy ambiance to the tables. Floating candle arrangements offer endless styling possibilities, and you can explore different looks using decor elements you already have. For a festive touch, consider adding berry red florals and cedar greenery under the floating candles.

Lanterns

Vintage lanterns can add a timeless charm to a winter wedding reception. Placing lush greenery, such as ferns, eucalyptus, or ivy, around and inside the lanterns creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. For a more luxurious presentation, consider using velvet or satin linens. White candles inside the lanterns will increase the warmth and glow, perfect for a winter celebration.

Rustic Pinecone and Candle Arrangements

A rustic wood slice foundation with scattered pinecones and candles provides a natural and cosy feel for a winter wedding. Mixing different candle holders, especially in gold, adds a touch of elegance while maintaining the rustic charm. This setup beautifully blends simplicity with sophistication.

Candles with Greenery

Combining candles with greenery is a classic way to create a romantic and elegant atmosphere. White taper candles paired with a bay leaf wreath exude a timeless winter romance. For a more modern look, try pairing clean white taper candles in granite holders with dark linens and rich-coloured florals.

Dramatic Candelabras

Tall ornate candelabras make a bold statement as wedding centrepieces. If your venue is historic, candelabras can add an old-world flicker that meshes perfectly with the surroundings. For a dramatic and elegant look, combine a towering candelabra with an overflowing abundance of flowers.

Candles with Floral Accents

Lanterns decorated with arching greenery and romantic roses create a glowing and impactful wedding table centrepiece. For a whimsical touch, try a wreath hoop with hanging tea lights and floral accents. Delicate peach-coloured tapered candles paired with florals in a soft colour palette will add translucent height to your wedding tables.

These ideas showcase the versatility of candles in creating a romantic and elegant atmosphere for a winter wedding. Whether you choose floating candles, lanterns, rustic arrangements, or dramatic candelabras, candles will add a warm glow to your wedding reception.

Playing with height

If you want to create a romantic and glamorous look, try using tall centrepieces that won't hinder conversation. Opt for a mix of high and low arrangements, with tall centrepieces such as tall gold or silver candelabras, or tall vases filled with fairy lights, icy branches, or tall blooms. You can also add height with tall taper candles or floating candles in glass jars. For a more natural look, consider a forest-themed piece with dark green leaves and dried mushrooms, or a wooden vase etched with your initials.

For a cohesive look, ensure your centrepieces are tall enough for guests to see beneath them. A good rule of thumb is to keep short centrepieces around twelve inches tall, and tall centrepieces over 32 inches.

You can also play with height by using different-sized candles and candle holders. For example, elegant white and silver candle holders in varying heights and designs, such as taper candles in sleek silver holders or white pillar candles in ornate holders. Or, for a rustic look, mix different candle holders, especially in gold, to add a touch of elegance without losing the rustic feel.

Using non-floral centrepieces

There are many ways to create beautiful winter wedding centrepieces without using flowers. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Pine Cones and Winter Greenery

Pine cones are a popular choice for winter brides, and they can be easily paired with swags of spruce, fir, and pine to create a nature-themed centerpiece. You can also incorporate evergreen branches to add a seasonal scent to your wedding reception.

Branches and Dried Naturals

For a rustic feel, consider using branches and dried naturals, such as creamy pampas grass and shimmering Lunaria. Birch disks can be used as platforms for other decorations, and bare branches can be scattered along the tables. This option is especially suitable for a Winter White-themed wedding, as branches from trees with white bark can be used.

Food-themed Centrepieces

Food-themed centrepieces are always a hit, and they can add a touch of colour to your winter wedding. Cranberries in vases or on branches, gingerbread houses, and candy canes are all great options. Not only do they look festive, but your guests can also enjoy snacking on them!

Candles

Candles are a must-have for any elegant and romantic winter wedding. Use tea light candle holders, taper candle holders, or hurricane vases to create a soft and warm glow on your tables. You can also add fairy lights to apothecary jars or scatter them on table runners along with fir branches for a magical touch.

Snowflakes

Snowflakes are a perfect addition to any winter wonderland wedding. Submerge them in water inside hurricane vases, scatter snowflake-shaped confetti on the tables, affix them to candles, or use them to decorate place cards.

Jewels, Gems, and Glitter

Recreate the sparkle of fresh snowfall with centrepieces that feature jewels, gems, and glitter. You can cover branches and pine cones with glitter or submerge gems in water underneath floating candles. Hang jewels from wispy branches arranged upright in the middle of the table for a truly magical effect.

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