Ideas for Centerpieces at Wedding Reception Tables

Choose the perfect table decorations for your wedding reception

By Michelle Bolyn

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Like every other bride, you want to have beautiful centerpieces that your guests will admire and that fit the theme or location of her wedding. Rely on your taste when choosing tablescapes. A couple's wedding budget usually determines the centerpieces, but you can have swoon-worthy centerpieces on a shoestring.

Floral Centerpieces

If you choose floral centerpieces, consider what flowers are in season during the time of year you're getting married. If you have the opportunity, go to your florist one year before your wedding and look at the flowers. Make notes on which ones you like and dislike for when you meet with your florist to place your order. A vase of the same flowers on a mirror surrounded by candles is a romantic, budget-friendly way to incorporate flowers into the centerpieces. For a more formal look, use white roses. Or to save more money, use an inexpensive flower such as a carnation. If you want an out-of-the-ordinary look for your floral centerpieces, consider using tea cans, tea pots or glass jars as vases.

Non-floral Centerpieces

A glass vase of crisp citrus fruits such as lemons, limes or oranges makes for a beautiful, budget-friendly centerpiece in the spring or summer. Match the fruit to your wedding colors. Or place small wedding cakes in the middle of each table. The guests will enjoy having their own wedding cake or trading someone at another table if they like that flavor more.

Seasonal Centerpieces

If you're on a tight budget but want creative centerpieces, use seasonal objects and items from nature. For example, if you're having a wedding on the beach, use seashells and candles for inexpensive centerpieces. If you've always dreamed of having a wedding in autumn, use pumpkins, leaves, acorns and gourds to decorate your tables.

Favor Centerpieces

Smart brides use their favors as decorations, place cards, or centerpieces to give the favors a double duty. Cut back on costs by placing a stack of your wedding favors in the middle of each table. For example, stack favor boxes filled with candy in your wedding colors to add color and decor to the centerpiece. Put a cupcake holder in the center of each table with different flavored cupcakes instead of having a traditional wedding cake. Make sure to include a note with the centerpiece encouraging guests to take one home with them.