Quirky Wedding Ideas

Every wedding shares many elements in common, but that is no reason that you have to do them in the expected way. Most brides will give their attendants bridesmaid jewelry, but instead of giving each girl an identical set, why not have custom bridesmaid jewelry made with unique variations for each attendant? What a simple way to show each of your bridesmaids that you see her as an individual, not just as part of a matched set.

Your wedding favors are a great place to try something a little different. No matter how traditional the wedding, it is always okay to go out on a limb with the favors. At one wedding I attended in a mountain resort, the newlyweds gave pens from the resort as their favor; not just any pens, but the retro kind filled with liquid and a moving scene. To dress them up, they handmade special clear triangular tubes which fit the gifts to a “t”. It made a nice presentation for favors which were inexpensive, but also fun, unique, and enjoyed by all the guests.

Centerpieces are one of the main forms of decorations for most wedding receptions. Flowers are always gorgeous, of course, but blossoms in a vase do not always look so original. Think of new ways to display your flowers, like putting them under a sheet of Plexiglass on the table or inside clear boxes. Or skip the flowers altogether and design centerpieces around something that is near to your heart. Book lovers can stack up piles of their favorite classic stories (pick up vintage hardcover versions in second hand shops) and top with a ribbon or a few loose cut flowers. Or maybe you are headed to Paris for your honeymoon. Attractive Eiffel Tower replicas would look marvelous as centerpieces. Almost anything goes, as long as it looks stylish or beautiful.

Allow your mind to wander and your creative juices to flow, and before you know it, you will have planned a wedding which is quirky, fun, and entirely you.

Unique New Wedding Centerpiece Designs

The thing which is making the wedding centerpieces for 2010 fresh and interesting is not so much the flowers used as the way in which they are used. If last year was all about offbeat materials in simple vessels (think river rocks in a clear square vase), this year is almost the opposite: the flowers are more traditional, but the vessels have a lot of personality. You can choose vessels which tie in with your wedding theme, your favorite color, or ones which just look cool. The choice is yours.

Let’s say that you are planning a wedding with bright citrus colors like lemon and lime, bringing your signature colors through everything from the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry to the ceremony programs. Rather than simply choosing yellow and lime flowers and putting them in clear vases, you can really run with your color palette when you design the centerpieces. A great look would be to fill a clear plexiglass box with real lemons and limes. On top of that, place a collection of clear short cylinders, each of which holds a perfect white and yellow daisy. Sheer perfection and utterly unexpected.

Who is to say that all centerpieces must be placed on the dinner tables? A really fabulous effect can be created when the floral displays are suspended above the tables. One of the most gorgeous wedding photos I have seen in a long time was of a cluster of white rose pomanders suspended over the wedding tables in lieu of standard centerpieces. Another spectacular idea for hanging centerpieces would be long strings of orchids, either in pure white or in a bold color like hot pink.

Funky props are another top centerpiece idea for 2010. Instead of a vase, use your favorite knick knacks as table décor. Fill a Morrocan lantern with blossoms and let them spill over the sides. This is an area where a couple can really think outside the box to come up with a centerpiece which says something personal about them. A couple who adores travel, for example, could use old fashioned globes on the reception tables. Drape them with greenery and surround them with tiny tea lights, or be brave and cut the tops off of the globes; instead of the Arctic Circle, your centerpiece globes could be topped with flowing white flowers. Centerpieces this distinctive will make your wedding truly unforgettable.

Add Height to Your Wedding Centerpieces

Dramatic centerpieces will add style and elegance to your wedding! A great way to achieve this is with tall elements that reach skyward. These are some great ways to add height to your wedding centerpieces to get that stunning look that every bride desires.

First of all, think beyond traditional flowers in a vase. A fantastic way to get height in your centerpieces is to create trees from branches. They can be decorated according to the season and style of your wedding. For instance, if you are having an elegant Winter Wonderland wedding and plan to have lots of sparkle in your wedding like crystal jewelry and chandeliers, hang shimmering crystals and beads from the branches. White or silver painted branches will be extremely elegant when draped with their own glistening crystal wedding jewelry.

Another really neat way to give your centerpieces a vertical line is with non-floral elements such as coral. Paint faux coral in red or for more drama, black, and set it standing up into a bed of sand or pebbles. It can be surrounded with starfish and seashells for a true beach theme, or flower blossoms for an elegant chic effect that will look great in any reception setting. The coral is a wonderful element that can be pulled into other aspects of your wedding design, such as on the invitations and as a graceful wrapping paper print for favor boxes.

Very tall candelabras add magic to an evening wedding. Choose an antique silver for an old school opulence, Art Deco style crystal for a modern/retro wedding, or an ornately designed black painted candelabra for a cool Gothic romantic effect. Not only will the candle holders add considerable height to your tablescapes, but when filled with tall taper candles, the vertical effect will be even greater. Candelabras can be adorned with flowers, or pay a nod to Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball, and simply twine them with greenery.

The Basics of Wedding Centerpiece Design

Designing your own wedding centerpieces can be a very fun project, if you know where to start. Whether you want to make your own table arrangements or simply want to have the knowledge needed to work with your florist on the design of your centerpieces, the more you know, the easier it will be. These are the basic elements of wedding centerpiece design that everyone should know.

The Vessel:This is what will hold your flowers. The most common vessel for centerpieces is a vase, but many other types of containers can be used. You can really set the style of your centerpieces by the type of vessels which you choose. A garden urn, for instance, would be lovely for a garden theme wedding. A tall silver vase works beautifully for a formal affair with the bride in lots of sparkling crystal bridal jewelry, and a simple tall clear cylinder is modern and clean. Baskets, pitchers, bowls, and silver mint julep cups are some other options for wedding centerpiece vessels.

The Flowers: Obviously, the flowers are the most important part of a wedding centerpiece. You will want to base your selections on certain categories, such as season, color, style, and cost. Choosing blossoms which are in season at the time of your wedding is always a very smart idea. They will be less expensive, fresher and prettier, and will also evoke the feeling of that time of year. A poinsettia, for instance, would be marvelous for a holiday wedding, but would be just plain odd in July. Lovely lily-of-the-valley definitely say “spring”, and nothing says autumn wedding quite like mums. Of course there are some wedding flowers, especially roses, that are year-round staples.

The Extras: Once you have selected your vessels and flowers, it is time to think about the extras that will make your centerpieces unique. Brides who are wearing crystal bridal jewelry may choose to adorn their centerpieces with teardrop crystal accents dripping from the flowers. For an earthy look, weave natural elements such as wheat and seed pods into the blossoms. Or add a gentle scent to your centerpieces with the addition of fragrant lavender and rosemary. When it all comes together, you will have designed wedding centerpieces which are unforgettable.

The Prettiest Pink Wedding Centerpieces

There are so many wonderful options for pink centerpieces out there that the first step is to narrow it down to the style that is best for your wedding. For instance, if your bridesmaid dresses are pink and green striped A-line dresses which will be accented with pearl jewelry, take a look at the preppy centerpiece suggestions. If your style is more contemporary, such as charcoal gray bridesmaid dresses with simple crystal bridesmaid jewelry, then you will enjoy the modern pink centerpieces. For those brides who love the customs and heritage of weddings, the traditional centerpieces will be your cup of tea.

Preppy pink wedding centerpieces are cheerful and perky, with fairly traditional flower choices. They will always be lush and beautiful, but need not be fussy or formal. A perfect example would be big fat garden peonies in silver mint julep cups. Set one at each place setting and fill the center of the table with a candle in a hurricane lantern. This is a great look for an outdoor wedding.

Brides who want something more contemporary and chic will love the look of submerged flower centerpieces. Take a branch of pink berries and submerge in a tall clear cylinder filled with water. These centerpieces are simple yet striking. You can also layer in other vessels of submerged flowers, like bouquets of pink tulips and exotic pink orchids. The resulting centerpiece design will be clean and modern, yet breathtakingly beautiful.

Traditional brides will find countless pleasing ideas for pink centerpieces. One of the most classic is a lovely mixed bouquet of flowers in a range of pinks set into a simple round clear vase. Include roses, lisyanthius, sweetpeas, and tulips for an utterly romantic effect. If you should happen to be a May bride, delicate pink lily-of-the-valley would make darling table decorations. They are fairly small, so they are best used either as an accent to more substantial pink blossoms like roses, or as centerpieces which feature clusters of vases to give the tiny flowers more presence. Pink is such a lovely color that it is the ideal accent for almost any style of wedding.

Modern Wedding Centerpieces

Are you looking for a way to set your wedding apart from all the rest? Then try using fresh and unique design elements for your reception decorations. These are some great ideas for modern wedding centerpieces that are sure to make your wedding look amazing.

When you are looking for an update on the standard vase of flowers, the key is to think creatively. Your flowers do not have to be displayed in a plain glass vase; for that matter, you don’t even have to use flowers as your central decoration. There are so many fun alternatives to consider. To avoid becoming overwhelmed by options, think about what the general tone of your wedding will be like, and then build from there. For instance, if you were planning to host your reception in a grand ballroom, while wearing an elaborate ballgown and opulent bridal jewelry, you would want to design modern centerpieces that are equally luxurious and glamorous.

One of the hottest trends for wedding décor is to bring in lighting. This can be a terrific idea for fresh and modern centerpieces. Instead of floral arrangements, set up lamps on the reception tables (an especially great look on long rectangular tables). Use chic lamps with a touch of 1930s glam: heavy rectangular crystal bases with square silk dupioni lampshades in an ice blue or a deep espresso color.

Another modern approach to wedding centerpieces is a mixture of items, rather than one main display. You can really have a lot of fun arranging groupings that are slightly varied from one table to the next. Incorporate elements that have visual interest and contrasting textures or colors. For instance, one idea would be to take an assortment of clear glass square vessels and fill them with items such as smooth river rocks, floating lotus blossoms, and simple ivory pillar candles.  The original modern centerpieces will be sure to make your reception look incredible.

Centerpieces for Halloween Weddings

If your wedding is taking place on Halloween, the big day is right around the corner! Along with the usual decorations, you will surely want to have spectacular centerpieces that fit with the theme of your wedding. From the classic to the unexpected, these are some great ideas for Halloween wedding centerpieces.

The most classic way to design a Halloween wedding is to really take the theme of the holiday and run with it. This might mean the bride in a non-traditional red or black dress with custom bridal jewelry, rather than the traditional white gown and demure accessories. If this sounds like your style, then personalized jack o’lanterns would be ideal for your centerpieces. This is no time for the basic face on a pumpkin, however; your wedding decorations call for something intricate and spectacular. Carve each pumpkin with a different spooky scene, such as a graveyard, complete with the initials of the newlyweds on one of the tombstones!

Another idea for jack o’lantern centerpieces is to use three smallish pumpkins and place them on a tiered stand, like the sort typically used for pies. Designs to consider would be the newlyweds’ monogram, Halloween motifs such as black cats and monsters, or even the faces of the bride and groom, if you have a talented enough pumpkin carver (rendering an accurate likeness is actually not as hard as it sounds). At the base of the three tiered stand, place clusters of fall flowers like mums and asters for more color.

Tall black candelabras with dark red taper candles would look magnificent on the dinner tables for a Halloween wedding. Dark red roses like Black Magic or flowers in a deep purple would be the perfect complement to the black candelabras. You can have the flowers dripping off of the candelabras or surrounding them in vases with a Gothic flair. Either way, the results will be impressive. You can be sure that your wedding will be one that no one will ever forget!

Textural Dried Natural Elements for Wedding Flowers

When you are designing your wedding flowers, the first thing that probably comes to mind is fresh blossoms. It is true that fresh colors are wonderful, but they are not the only thing that can be used to create interesting and beautiful centerpieces and bridal bouquets. A fantastic way to add texture and visual interest to your wedding flowers is to incorporate dried natural elements.

There is an abundance of different dried elements that can be worked into wedding arrangements. Any florist will certainly be able to access a wide variety of dried seed pods, vines, branches, and more, but will the bride who wants to make her own centerpieces and bouquets. These items are widely available at craft stores and on the internet, along with the instructional materials to show you exactly how to work with them. This is great, because it can allow you to design floral arrangements for your wedding that are one-of-a-kind pieces, whether you work with a professional or make them yourself.

More and more brides are finding the appeal of wedding details which have been handmade, whether it is their gown and jewelry, the invitations, or their bouquets. And yet, it can be intimidating to think about making your own wedding bouquets, so many brides who attempt it will end up creating very basic arrangements. However, dried natural elements are so easy to use that almost any bride can learn to incorporate them into her bouquet. For autumn, you could make a wonderful bouquet using mums in shades of russet and orange, combined with dried preserved mini-sunflowers and stalks of natural wheat. So simple, yet so pretty and autumnal.

There are also dramatic dried lotus pods, pine cones, dried rose petals, and all sorts of other natural elements just waiting to be included in your wedding. These interesting dried pieces give your wedding centerpieces and bouquets a wonderful natural earthy quality with fantastic visual appeal.

Easy Centerpieces for Every Season

Your wedding centerpieces will be one of the most important parts of your wedding décor, so naturally you want them to be fabulous. But fabulous does not have to mean expensive; in fact some of the most beautiful centerpieces are so easy that you can make them yourself. Here are some great ideas for easy wedding centerpieces for every season.

Spring lends itself to all sorts of lovely centerpieces. There are many wonderful fresh flowers that characterize the season of growth and new life. Bulbs, in particular, capture the beauty of the spring. One idea for wedding centerpieces is to create low table arrangements using potted flowering bulbs like mini daffodils or fragrant hyacinths. Gather a collection of shallow and wide painted bowls, such as those with a classic blue and white design. Transfer several of the bulbs and dirt into the bowls, and cover the top with dried Spanish moss. The centerpieces will be so beautiful that your guests will all want to take them home!

Beach themes are popular for summertime weddings, and they lend themselves beautifully to easy and affordable centerpieces. You can create the perfect summer wedding decorations using sand, seashells, and starfish. Fill a clear cylinder about a third full with sand and plant a tall chunky white candle in the sand. Set the vase into a bed of sand on the table, and carefully arrange an assortment of your favorite shells and starfish stacked up against the outside of the cylinder. For a dash of color, layer in bright red faux coral.

In the fall, there are countless ideas for easy diy wedding reception displays. One of the most charming is to hollow out mini pumpkins, eggplants, and gourds to use as centerpiece vessels instead of standard vases. Cluster three or more of these mini vases on each table and fill with mums, berries, and other seasonal flowers.

Winter brides will also have some fantastic options for easy to assemble centerpieces. One of the simplest is to fill a large footed glass hurricane lantern with round Christmas ornaments. Spread some evergreen boughs around the base of the lantern and light the room with tiny white votive candles. If you are the sort of bride who loves the sparkle of crystal bridal jewelry for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding, you can incorporate that feeling into your handcrafted centerpieces. Make your own table displays by planting silver painted branches into a pretty vessel. Drape crystal and pearl strands across the branches to coordinate with your bridal jewelry. As a finishing touch, place battery powered LED lights into the base of the centerpiece to cast dramatic uplighting on the branches and make the crystals really dance and sparkle. Gorgeous!

What to Do with Your Centerpieces After the Reception

You spend a lot of time and money planning the perfect centerpieces for your wedding. Your guests will enjoy them for the duration of the event, but then what? These are some great ideas on things that you can do with your centerpieces after the reception.

One of the nicest things that you can do is to donate your flowers to a place where they can really brighten someone’s day. These places include hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers. Many couples especially like to take their centerpieces to places that have special meaning to their family, such as a retirement home where a grandparent lives or a hospital that once helped an ill family member. Elderly patients in nursing homes will enjoy hearing about a wedding almost as much as the cheerful flowers themselves; it would be very special if you included a few snapshots of the bride in her pretty gown and bridal jewelry with a brief note about the wedding.

Potted plants are affordable and beautiful centerpieces. They can also be wonderful because they will live on well after your wedding. The best idea is to choose a plant that will thrive when planted in your region. What many couples will do is to “raffle” off the centerpieces towards the end of the reception. Place a number on the bottom of the basket and have a corresponding number on the bottom of one of the coffee cups at the place settings on the table. The bandleader makes an announcement for each guest to turn over their cup, and whoever has the matching number gets to take home the centerpiece on their table.

Silk flowers are something that some brides choose for their wedding decorations instead of live plants. These days other non-floral items are also very popular for centerpieces, such as river rocks, painted tree branches, and so on. If you will be using any of these non-perishable elements for your wedding, rather than discarding them or letting them pile up in your garage after the wedding, sell them off on ebay or Craig’s list. It is a great way to recycle and to recover some of your wedding costs while also helping the next bride to plan her own beautiful wedding.