Diy Fall Wedding Centerpieces: Creative And Affordable Ideas

Autumn is a popular time for weddings, and it's easy to see why. The season's vibrant colours, rich foliage, and cosy bonfires provide the perfect setting for nuptials. If you're planning a fall wedding, you'll want to embrace the season's beauty with creative centrepieces that showcase its earthy and rustic charm. From colourful floral arrangements to candlelit displays, there are endless ways to make your fall wedding reception shine. Here are some ideas to get you started on creating your own fall wedding centrepieces.

Choosing seasonal flowers

Know Your Options

The transition from summer to fall brings a wide range of flower options to choose from. At the beginning of the season, you can still find summer favourites like zinnias, cosmos, hydrangeas, and sunflowers. As the season progresses, you can explore quintessential autumnal blooms such as dahlias, chrysanthemums, chocolate cosmos, and anemones.

Play with Colours

Autumn boasts a rich colour palette, from vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows to more muted shades like burgundy, mauve, and blush pink. You can create stunning centrepieces by mixing and matching these colours. For example, combine light-coloured flowers with the earthy tones of fall, or add warmth with flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect autumn palette.

Incorporate Textures

Add depth and interest to your centrepieces by incorporating flowers with interesting textures. For example, use flowers with wide green leaves or thin, delicate blooms like baby's breath. Dried flowers are also a wonderful option for fall centrepieces, adding a rustic charm with their faded colours and unexpected textures.

Think Beyond the Blooms

When creating your centrepieces, remember that it's not just about the flowers. You can supplement your floral arrangements with harvest-inspired elements like pumpkins, pine cones, gourds, and colourful leaves. These natural accents will enhance the autumnal vibe of your centrepieces and make them truly unique.

Consider Scented Options

Scented flowers can add another layer of sensory delight to your wedding. Fragrant options like stocks, sweet peas, lilacs, and garden roses will fill the air with their delightful perfumes. Just be mindful of combining too many strong scents to avoid an overwhelming aroma.

Plan Ahead

When using fresh flowers, it's essential to plan ahead. Create your centrepieces a day or two before the wedding to ensure the flowers remain fresh and vibrant. Store them in a cool place, like a refrigerator, to prolong their beauty. This will ensure that your centrepieces look their best when your big day arrives.

Selecting the right vases or jars

For a rustic fall wedding, you could use vintage outdoor planters, woven baskets, or clay pots. For a modern or glamorous fall wedding, consider gold or copper vases, sleek glass vases, or mercury glass. If you're looking for something unique, hollowed-out logs of white birch or vintage Coca-Cola boxes can make interesting vessels for your centrepieces.

When choosing the right vase or jar, consider the height and width of the container in relation to the flowers you plan to use. A wide neck on a vase or jar allows flowers with longer stems to sit higher, while narrower vases or jars are better for shorter stems. You'll also want to choose a container that is one to two inches shorter than your flowers.

Don't be afraid to mix and match your vases and jars, especially if you're going for a rustic or eclectic look. You can also add personal touches by customising your containers with lace, tulle, paint, or other decorative elements.

For a simple and affordable option, mason jars can be personalised to fit any wedding style. Fill them with wildflowers for a sweet floral arrangement, or group them together and use votive candles to create an illuminating tablescape.

Using candles and mirrors

Candle and Mirror Centerpiece Ideas:

• Pair candles with mirrors of different shapes and sizes to create a modern and elegant look. Rectangular or oval mirrors can be used as a base for candle holders, adding depth and dimension to the table setting.
• Opt for mirrored candle holders or votives to reflect the warm glow of the candlelight. These can be found in various shapes and sizes, from sleek pillars to low votives, adding interest and sparkle to the tablescape.
• Play with height and silhouette by using tall taper candles or pillar candles paired with smaller votive candles. This creates a visually appealing display and adds drama to the overall aesthetic.
• Incorporate coloured candles such as deep navy, burgundy, or black to create a moody and indulgent atmosphere. Soft neutrals like taupe can also add depth to the centerpiece.
• For a unique twist, consider using vintage birdcages as candle holders. Fill them with candles and surround them with eucalyptus, crimson florals, or other fall-inspired accents.
• Add florals or foliage to your candle and mirror display. Use autumnal leaves, ferns, or seasonal flowers such as dahlias, chrysanthemums, or chocolate cosmos to bring a touch of nature to the centerpiece.
• Create a romantic and whimsical look by pairing candles with lace or plaid linens. This adds texture and a cozy fall vibe to the tablescape.
• For a rustic touch, incorporate wooden elements such as wooden candle holders or a wooden base for the mirrors. This can include wooden stands, tree slices, or a simple wooden tray.
• Hang mirrors above the tables, reflecting the warm glow of the candlelight and creating a magical ambiance. This is especially stunning for outdoor fall weddings.
• Experiment with different types of candles, such as taper, pillar, or floating candles, to find the perfect fit for your fall wedding centerpiece.

Adding fruit and vegetables

Choose Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Select produce that is in season during the fall, such as apples, pomegranates, figs, persimmons, grapes, pumpkins, and gourds. These can be used as the focal point of your centrepiece or incorporated into floral arrangements. For example, try pairing figs and cherries with lighter pink flowers, or mixing apples and blackberries in small wooden crates for a rustic look.

Create Edible Arrangements

Incorporate other edible pieces, such as herbs, spices, and vegetables like carrots. You can even add cinnamon sticks or cloves for a fragrant aroma. Not only will these elements enhance the visual appeal, but they can also be enjoyed by your guests as a unique treat.

Play with Colours and Textures

Fruits and vegetables offer a vibrant range of colours and textures that can complement or contrast with your floral choices. For instance, try combining succulent peaches with gardenias, or pairing oranges with blue and white chinoiserie vases for a bold statement.

Get Creative with Containers

Think beyond traditional vases and explore unique containers for your centrepieces. Use rustic elements such as wooden crates, or opt for elegant glass or metal vases. For a more natural look, consider arranging produce and flowers in a wooden bowl or on a slice of tree stump.

Mix with Floral Arrangements

Combine fruits and vegetables with flowers to create dynamic and fragrant centrepieces. Mix lilacs with apples, tomatoes, herbs, and carrots for a bold and colourful display. Or, for a more subtle approach, add subtle hints of fruit to a mostly floral arrangement, such as green grapes among roses and tulips.

Incorporating feathers and foliage

Feathers and foliage can add a whimsical and rustic touch to your fall wedding centrepieces. Here are some ideas to incorporate them into your special day:

Choose your feathers

Select feathers that align with your wedding colour palette and theme. Opt for peacock feathers, ostrich plumes, or marabou feathers for a glamorous or bohemian theme. You can also use pheasant feathers for a fall-inspired arrangement. Consider using a mixture of feather types, sizes, and textures to create depth and visual interest.

Combine with foliage and flowers

Feathers can be a stunning addition to a floral arrangement, adding volume and texture. Combine feathers with fall foliage like ferns, eucalyptus, or pampas grass. Add flowers in complementary colours, such as burgundy, blush, or white. Dahlias, chrysanthemums, cosmos, and roses are all beautiful choices for a fall wedding. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to flowers, you can use feathers as the main feature of your centrepiece, perhaps with some artificial flowers or greenery for added colour and texture.

Containers and vases

Use a vase or container to hold your feather arrangement. You can wrap the vase with decorative ribbon, add gems or pearls, or place it inside a birdcage for a vintage touch. If you're using floral foam, cut it to fit snugly inside the vase and secure it with floral tape.

Trim and arrange the feathers

Trim the feathers to your desired length and arrange them in a circular or fan-like pattern, starting from the centre and working outwards. Vary the heights and angles to create a natural, effortless look.

Final touches

Secure the feathers to the foam or container with a hot glue gun, being careful not to use too much glue. Add any final touches, such as ribbons, crystal beads, or artificial flowers, and place your finished centrepiece on the reception tables. You can adjust the height of the centrepiece if needed to ensure a visually appealing arrangement.

Frequently asked questions