Easy to Make Wedding Reception Centerpieces

You're getting married! You've got the dress, the headpiece and a million honeymoon brochures. But wait, you also have a reception to plan. Already you're over budget, so why not save some money for the honeymoon and make these simple yet elegant centerpieces yourself.

This first one is very unique and will delight your guests. Purchase round or square mirrors, small glass bowls, tea lights, a few gallons of spring water and one Betta fish for each table. You could also use goldfish, but in my experience the Betta fish are much easier to take care of. Place the bowls on the mirrors and add water, leaving at least an inch of room. Add the fish (one per bowl), place the candles around the mirror and scatter shells, glitter, flower petals or anything else your imagination can conjure up. After the reception you and some of your guests can take the fish home and enjoy a nice reminder of your wedding day.

For a fall wedding you may wish to gather some fall foliage to use for your centerpieces. Gather some colorful leaves and scatter them around the center of the table and add some glass votive candles in the color of your choice, adding some cinnamon scented pinecones to the mix will make it fragrant, as well!

For a magical December centerpiece, you can mix beaded Christmas balls and taper candles in large glass bowls. Another idea is to wrap a few different size boxes per table in Christmas gift wrap that matches your wedding colors. You can place them in the center of the table and spray some fake snow or sprinkle some glitter around them!

Here's a great summer or beach-themed centerpiece. This is one of my favorites since I live near the beach in Florida. Simply take a round or square mirror and a small glass bowl. Add some sand and shells to the glass bowl. Next, add a small votive or tea light candle. Be sure to nestle it in the sand so it doesn't tip over. Place the bowl on the mirror and then add some larger shells scattered around the mirror and the center of the table. For my daughter's wedding we also used shells in place of birdseed or rice. We wrote the happy couple's name and wedding date inside each shell in plum permanent marker. Plum and black were their wedding colors. We passed out the shells along with the programs. After the ceremony, which was preformed on a deck overlooking the beach, everyone took their shells down to the ocean and made a wish for the couple before tossing their shells into the ocean.