Inexpensive Homemade Wedding Reception Centerpieces

Wedding reception centerpieces can be overwhelming to any bride in the planning process; there are a million ways out there to be creative, but many wedding centerpieces can be very difficult to assemble and require professional help (also known as a wedding vendor). But there are several centerpieces that you can make yourself that will be a lot less expensive than hiring someone to make them for you.

Crystal Tree - A crystal tree is just that - a small arrangement of branches (real or fake) inside a vase with strung crystals hanging down from the branches. This is a very whimsical centerpiece and can be very inexpensive and simple to make.

You will need some sturdy tree branches for this one - either find some outside or purchase them from a craft store; the height is entirely up to you and depends on how tall you want your centerpiece to be. You will also need a cylinder vase with a wide enough opening to hold the branches, fishing wire, and crystals and/or beads. For the crystals and beads, stop by your local craft store and pick out any colors; if you want your crystal tree to shimmer in the lights at your reception, make sure to buy ones that are iridescent. (Swarovski crystals work well for this and are carried at most craft stores.) Also, make sure that your crystals have a hole that you can string the fishing wire through; do not just buy normal crystals. You will not want to spend hours trying to drill tiny holes in to them only to shatter each crystal!

Once you have your supplies, simply stand the branches inside the vase, tie the fishing line to various areas of the branches so that it hangs down at different lengths, and then string the crystals on to each fishing line. When you set the centerpiece up on the day of your wedding, you can add tea lights around the (outside) bottom of the vase. They will make the crystals sparkle even more. Also, feel free to add rose petals around the tea lights for an extra dash of color.

This centerpiece can range in price depending upon what type of crystals that you buy; but, most major craft stores run ads or coupons weekly, so watch for those. If you shop using a sales ad or coupon, each crystal tree will likely cost you well under $50.00. Be careful when storing these before your wedding, too. If you take the branches out of each vase, you will want to figure out a way to label which branches go in which vase; and, be extra careful to lay the branches out in an open area so the crystals do not get tangled together.

Pillar Candles - This is also a very simple but elegant centerpiece. It is made up of three candles placed on a charger plate and surrounded by marbles (which, will glisten in the candlelight.)

You will want to buy a charger plate in any type of material or color you like; you can use a plastic or glass one in any color. Just be sure to pick a color that will compliment the rest of your reception décor as your guests will be able to see the charger. Then, find three pillar candles at varying heights. You will want to make sure they are varying heights to add some depth to your centerpiece; you do not want your guests staring at three candles of the exact same height. This centerpiece works best if you do not use scented candles; you do not want your guests to be overwhelmed by any type of odor, so be sure to purchase unscented ones. Pick out candles that also compliment your wedding colors; if you are using pink tones in your color scheme, pick out various shades of pink. Also, you will need about half a bag of small marbles (in any color) for each centerpiece.

Place the three candles in the center of the charger plate and scatter the marbles around the candles (so that they are still on the charger.) If you do not want the marbles to be covered in wax by the end of the night, make sure to buy dripless candles. You can also scatter a few rose petals in your wedding colors around the outside of the charger; but, do not put the rose petals on the actual centerpiece because the melted wax will make the rose petals wilt quickly. The most expensive parts of this centerpiece are the candles, but if you shop wisely, each centerpiece will cost you less than $20.00. This is a very simple yet stylish centerpiece that does not require much prep-time, so you can even set it up on the day of your wedding reception.

Submerged Flower(s) - This is a classy and modern centerpiece; it is literally a submerged in a vase with a floating candle covering the opening of the vase.

This is a very inexpensive centerpiece that can also be set-up the day of your reception; you will need a vase at least six inches tall. The shape of the vase is entirely up to you; just make sure that it is not too wide as it will only be holding one to two flowers. You will also need to buy enough marbles to cover the bottom of each vase; you only want them (the marbles) to be stacked about two or three marbles high. So, do not over buy as you do not need many of them. You will need as many floating candles as you have vases, too. (If you have need six centerpieces, then buy six vases and six floating candles.)

Order flowers in advance to be picked up the day before or the day of your wedding from any local flower vendor; most grocery stores will order any type of flower in any (in-season) color for you at a very low cost. You do not need to go to an actual flower shop for this, so just give yourself time to shop around. The best flowers for this centerpiece are orchids or roses, so try to stick with those. If you use any other flower, you will want to experiment in advance; but, those two varieties are solid flowers and do not fall apart easily (as long as they are fresh.)

On the day of your wedding, fill each vase half way up and add the marbles to the bottom. You will want to cut each flower to fit inside the vase and submerge it in to the water. Do not put more than two flowers in each vase as you want to keep the look simple. Make sure to leave enough room on top of the flower to add the floating candle. Once you have the flower submerged in the water and the candle in the vase, you may have to play with the water level. Just make it so that the edge of the candle wick barely sticks out of the top of the vase. The candle will keep the flower submerged in the water. You can add tea lights around the outside of the vase for a romantic finishing touch. As long as you do not go overboard with buying flowers from an over-priced flower shop, this centerpiece will run you about $15.00 each. This is a very easy to assemble and simple to make centerpiece, but is very timeless all at the same time.