Beautiful Centerpieces for Natural and Garden Weddings

When my husband popped the question, I couldn't wait to plan our big day. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted an outdoor wedding. The beauty of the garden where we held our ceremony was its own decoration. The fresh air and April tulips made it a fairytale afternoon.

I thought it was best to have an indoor reception. There are so many uncontrollable elements. But I didn't want to switch gears and ruin the atmosphere. If you're in this situation, consider garden-themed centerpieces. Easy designs like the ones below can transform your reception hall into a green, growing wonderland.

Au Naturale

Bring the outdoors in with these charming pieces. Like Zen gardens, they bring peaceful happiness through simplicity.

Supplies:

Bronze, gold or silver chargers (2-3 per table)

Craft sand

Polished river stones

Votive or pillar candles in earth tones

Arrange chargers on tables. Pour ¼ cup - 1 cup sand in each and smooth it Add a few stones and candles to each one. Place remaining stones around the chargers or along the length of the table. When the big moment comes, light the candles and dim the lights.

Make it Easy:
Omit the sand to sidestep messy spills. Instead, add a few leaves, twigs or flowers to fill in the gaps between stones and candles.

How Tweet!

If the bride and groom are singing their love, why not give them a sunny reception? These centerpieces are sure to attract the bluebird of happiness.

Supplies:

Unfinished wooden birdhouses (1-2 per table)

Flowerpots (2-4 per table)

Acrylic paints

Craft or hot glue

Feather birds

Feather butterflies, optional

Silk flower petals

Paint the birdhouses according to the theme of the wedding, or to match the location of the wedding, the couple's new home, or another special location. If you'd like, you may also paint the flowerpots to match. Glue birds on and in the birdhouses, and on the edges of the pots. If desired, add feather butterflies as well. Fill the pots with favors. Alternate flowerpots and birdhouses along the length of each table. On round tables, group them together, back-to-back. Surround them with flower petals.

Make it Easy:
Consider buying silk flowers and taking them apart to get petals. Sometimes, this is the least expensive option. If the rest of the bridal flowers are also silk, you can easily match the petals perfectly.

Bucket of Love

Buckets are in, and this centerpiece gives them the sophistication of a florist's touch. Look for the perfect pails at craft shows, antique malls, and in the holiday sections of department stores.

Supplies:

Metal buckets (1-3 per table)

Potted ivy or other full plant (1 per bucket)

Silk flowers (3-4 per bucket)

Wide, shimmery ribbon

Additional silk flowers

Silk garland that resembles the potted plants

Place one potted plant in each bucket. Cut the silk flowers apart, keeping the stems intact. Tuck 3-4 blooms into each plant, pressing the stems into the dirt until the flower appears to be part of the plant. Tie ribbon bows around the bucket handles and lay flat or stand straight up. Lay additional flowers around the pots, along with sections of the garland.

Make it Easy:
Measure your bucket and purchase plants whose pots will fit neatly inside. This way, there's no re-potting; just drop the plant in.

Beauty Under Glass

These tiny terrariums are an oasis of calm and natural beauty. Choose unfinished wooden statues, or ones with a stone-like or terracotta finish, to continue the theme.

Supplies:

Hurricane covers (1-2 per table)

Potted plants (1 per hurricane)

Spanish moss

Small garden statues, under 5 inches tall (2-3 per hurricane)

Small, smooth river stones

Center the plants on the tables. Gently lower a hurricane over each one. Use the moss to completely cover the pots. Place 2-3 statues near each hurricane. Sprinkle the river stones around the centerpieces.

Make it Easy:
You found the perfect little bunnies and turtles to use on your tables... But they're painted plastic and they look a little goofy. Salvage the deal with a stone-finish spray paint. Use it as directed to give your statues a rustic, yet sophisticated look.

Submerged in Your Love

These shimmery arrangements are the stuff of fantasies. Glass and water magnify the blossoms and reflect light for a glitter throughout the room.

Supplies:

Glass containers or vases (2-3 per table)

Large, full silk flowers

Smooth river rocks or glass drops

Votive candles (3 per vase)

Glass votive candle holders (1 per votive)

Clip a single large blossom from its stem, leaving about 1 inch of stem intact. Bend the stem at a right angle in the middle. Hold the blossom in a vase and pour stones or drops in to anchor it in place. Fill the container completely with water. Arrange the vases on the tables, along with the votive candles. Sprinkle additional stones or glass drops on the table as well.

Make it Easy:
Air bubbles? No problem! Use a butter knife to gently release the air bubbles from your blossom. Fill the containers slowly to prevent them from forming.

Cultivating a Wonderful Marriage

This garden party centerpiece is a welcome refrain from a traditional bouquet. It lends a fresh, airy quality and can easily be used at an out-of-doors affair.

Supplies:

Straw gardening hats (1-3 per table)

Wide coordinating ribbon

Hot or craft glue

Full silk flowers, such as carnations or roses

Small silk flowers, such as violets or pansies

Feather butterflies

Small terracotta pots (3 per hat)

Small garden signs

First, prepare the hats. If they have a ribbon, remove it. Use the coordinating ribbon to create a hat band, securing the ends with adhesive. Add full blossoms to the hat, covering the seam, and fill in with smaller flowers. Attach one or two butterflies. Place one large flower and a few smaller blooms in each pot. On the garden signs, write the names of flowers and herbs, or traits that are necessary in marriage, such as "Love," "Fidelity" and "Joy." Tuck a sign in each pot. Sprinkle remaining flowers and butterflies on each table.

Make it Easy:
If you'd rather cut back on the blooms, place a puff of Spanish moss in each pot and add a garden sign. The signs will also be easier to read.

Sources: personal experience.