Non-Floral Centerpieces and Decoration Ideas for Weddings

For any couple-to-be, wedding planning can bring a lot of stress. Oftentimes, financial strain also ensues if a budget is not carefully planned and kept-to, especially with the rising cost of most everything these days. Many end up spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on florists. Typical flower arrangements are sometimes even overcharged simply because they are specifically for a wedding. So based on several weddings that I have been in, attended, and seen pictures from over the years, I have compiled a list of possible ideas for wedding-appropriate table centerpieces and decorations that cost much less than professional services, and can definitely be done with ease. In addition, basically all of these ideas can also be used in the home, and are not necessarily exclusive to wedding settings.

1. Pillar Candles-- Pillar candles are convenient because they come in so many shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be arranged in several different designs. One project that I have personally done myself involved only 3 candles of descending height (3", 5", and 7") that were dark brown, tan, and sage green in color, that I arranged on a square plate of the same color scheme. Then I surrounded the candles with earthtoned pebbles to finish the look. This simple arrangement can be done with candles in colors that match your decor. Such candles, plates, and accents such as pebbles can be found for little money at most home and craft stores.

2. Floating Candles-- Something that my mom used as a dining room table centerpiece when I was growing up was floating candles. We also used these on the reception tables in a friend's wedding. It's another simple and cheap idea. Just take a clear glass bowl (we actually used wide-mouthed wine glasses) of whatever size you desire, and fill them about half full or so with water. Then just place floating candles, which come in many designs and colors, onto the water and light them at the appropriate time for a wonderful lighted essence. Something we always did also was to put food coloring in the water to match the decor. For example, the walls in our dining room are beige, and the room was decorated in a grape vine theme. So we would use red and blue food coloring in the water to make it a nice rich purple color, and then put in green or beige candles that were in a leaf design. Very simple and romantic look when it is complete, especially in a low-lighted room. I plan to use this in my own wedding.

3. Favor Baskets-- This idea is aimed mostly at weddings. I've seen people put baskets (or some other kind of theme-appropriate container--actually small metal buckets were used at an outdoor ceremony I attended once) of small wedding favors as centerpieces on the reception tables. Whether it's traditional birdseed or more contemporary bottles of bubble solution, small packages of personalized M&M's or tubes of fall leaves to shower the couple with, everybody will be wanting one of these favors when the time comes. So placing them in convenient locations as centerpieces will make them highly visible and readily available. In a friend's wedding where sparklers were used, I've also seen simply placing personalized matchbooks and confetti along the middle of tables as sort of a runner.

4. Pictures of the Couple-- Another idea that I've found to be neat is placing framed pictures of the couple throughout the years as centerpieces for tables such as the registry or program tables. These pictures can also be arranged with candles or other small decor items for a more complete look.

5. Quote Card-- I actually saw this at a birthday party held for a retired teacher once. At certain intervals down the long tables, metal card holders sat and held decorative cards with quotes about the teaching profession. This could be done in weddings also using well-known marriage quotes, Bible verses on marriage, or my favorite, quotes of advice for the couple from friends and family.

Another thing I might mention is that most of these ideas can be used with one of my favorite decorating pieces--mirrors. Just by using small square (or other desired shape) mirrors, you're able to create a whole new dimension to your centerpiece that often makes it look larger. For examples of use, place a square mirror under an arrangement of pillar candles instead of a plate; use a mirror square under the container of water for the floating candle idea; or place the card holders and favor containers on mirrors as well.

As far as centerpieces go, fruit arrangements, oil lamps set on doilies, or some piece of art (pottery, small sculpture) that complements the room are also classic ideas. But aside from just centerpieces, non-floral decorating can also include vines and other greenery, tulle scalloped in various places, or strands of Christmas-type lights (which look especially nice when used under the transparent tulle). The possibilties are endless!

I hope you've found this article to be informative, and hope it has maybe given you some ideas for decorating your event or home with greater ease and less financial burden. Enjoy!