Creative Wedding Centerpieces

Though they won't be the full center of attention, the decorations that adorn the center of the guests' tables at a wedding deserve quite a bit of careful contemplation. Traditional wedding centerpieces often revolve around floral arrangements, though the modern era welcomes inventive and contemporary styles. Unleash your creativity and open your mind to new and memorable ideas for unique wedding centerpieces. Some of the most elegant, unusual and unforgettable decorative touches can exist even within a strict budget.

Popular "convertible" items to mix and match for clever and creative centerpieces:
- Candles
- Glass bubble bowls
- Glass dishes/shallow bowls
- Ivy
- Mirrors
- Floating candles
- Foliage/flora

Gather some of the above-mentioned decorations or use your imagination and come up with a creative centerpiece of your own. Often the reception hall may have standard centerpieces available onsite, though they will be more than willing to accommodate your special requests. If you are having your wedding reception at a private location, such as your home, a fire hall, park or other non-commercial location, consider crafting your own wedding centerpieces. Below some ideas are listed for a traditional centerpiece design.

For a traditional, classic and sedate feel for the décor, consider:
1. Glass bubble bowls with ivy and a white or colored pillar candle
2. Floral arrangement in a handmade ceramic pot or planter
3. Etched or stained glass vases with a single, long-stemmed flower
4. Mirror with a candle sitting upon it - a sculpted design or a standard pillar candle
5. A small basket of various colored wildflowers to accent the wedding's color scheme

If thoughts of generic pillar candles and flowers are not your idea of an ideal wedding centerpiece, perhaps you need to spruce things up a bit. Listed below are a few ideas for simple yet stylish wedding centerpieces.

For a simple yet classy wedding centerpiece, try:
1. Shallow glass dish with floating candles and river rocks or marbles
2. Glass bowl with floating candles and petals
3. Small metal pail with seashells, flowers, floating candles, etc.
4. Hand-painted flowerpots with flowers or hand-poured candles inside
5. Small basket of flowers with love poem scrolls

When nature, the great outdoors and the simple pleasures of life are important to you, let them come out for the celebration. Let it be known at each table how much you and your sweetheart enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature and a relaxing moment to revel in peace and serenity. Select a centerpiece based on your own enjoyment of life's simple gifts. Listed below are some examples that might be helpful to a garden or country themed wedding.

For a garden or country wedding theme or an old-fashioned one, consider:
1. Painted birdhouses, color coordinated to match the wedding's color scheme
2. Dainty teapots or teacups and saucers - you can even place a floating candle inside the cups!
3. Hand-painted or stained wooden clocks
4. Small basket of flowers, herbs, etc.
5. Snow globes - you can get these custom-made or learn how to make them yourself!
6. Christmas ornament - get the traditional glass ball ornament personalized for your special occasion. Do it yourself with a paint-pen to save some money if you wish.

If none of the aforementioned centerpiece ideas knock your socks off, start thinking of the types of centerpieces that guests will talk about for years to come. Think unusual, creative and outrageous and see what you come up with…listed below are a few ideas.

For a contemporary wedding centerpiece, try:
1. Lucky Bamboo plants, to share the luck of the newly weds to their special guests
2. Bonsai trees
3. Candy jar with Hershey's™ Hugs and Kisses from the new Mr. and Mrs.
4. Glass bubble bowl with a colorful beta fish (or other type of fish) and pretty stones or glass marbles to match - add floating petals and place a mirror below the bowl for a special effect.
5. Mini mailboxes or wishing wells with notepaper and pens for the guests to leave hints and advice for the newly weds!

Countless themes and color schemes are available for brides and grooms to blend into their weddings, and the freedom to select the perfect centerpiece adds an element of creative control to the planning process. No matter what your budget, creative designs and decorative fashions can be easily prepared and displayed with a little bit of time and careful crafting.