▷ 🥇 Wedding centerpieces 101

Endless Wave Studies

Wedding centerpieces are a super important focal point for your reception space. Before meeting with your florist, it is important to anticipate the types of arrangements you want. It may surprise you that there is more to the process than just choosing your favorite flowers.

To get you started, we’ve broken down the main things to keep in mind when deciding on the centerpieces for your wedding.

How many wedding centerpieces should I order?

The number of centerpieces you will need is based on the number of tables you will have at your reception. Give your florist an approximate number of guests as soon as possible, even if you don’t have the exact number finished yet. You will also want to consider additional arrangements for the head table, the wedding table, the welcome table, the dessert table, etc.

Budget

You guessed it: the more centerpieces you need, the more money you’ll need to spend. The price will also be higher for flowers out of season and rare flowers that have to be shipped from afar. Be honest with your wedding florist about your budget and work with them to choose the flowers that you can comfortably afford.

On average, about eight percent of your total budget should go to flowers. If you need a lot of centerpieces, consider using lower priced flowers with minimal accents to keep cost in check. On the other hand, if you are having a smaller wedding and only need a handful of centerpieces, you might be able to splurge a little more for each one. Lastly, consider changing the destination of your ceremony flowers, such as using aisle markers or bridesmaids bouquets instead of royal arrangements.

Colour

Your centerpieces should complement the tones in your wedding color scheme. If you want the flowers to go perfectly with the rest of your décor, be as specific as possible with your florist. Bring samples of fabric or paint in the exact colors you like, and also describe any linens, dinnerware, glassware, and chair belts you are using. While some flowers may not be identical, your florist should be able to get pretty close depending on your budget and the wedding season.

For spring and summer, neutrals, bright colors, and pastel shades are always popular choices. Some of the most requested flowers for this time of year are peonies, anemones, tulips, poppies, buttercups, hydrangeas, garden roses, and sweet peas. Flowers with darker, jewel-toned colors, such as dahlias and mothers, are common during the fall and winter.

Season

For the most part, you will want to choose flowers that fit in your wedding season. Although there is nothing right or wrong when it comes to this (it is your wedding after all), there are some flowers that naturally make sense for certain times of the year. For example, poinsettia and evergreen centerpieces look gorgeous for winter weddings, but they can look a bit out of place on a summer soiree. It is also important to remember that not all flowers are readily available throughout the year. If you want a specific flower out of season, work with your florist to find a similar option (or be prepared to spend more money to get exactly what you want). Flowers that are available throughout the year include roses, hydrangeas, orchids, lilies, and greenery, which looks beautiful with or without flowers.

Rebecca Yale Photography

Style

If you are trying to decide how your centerpieces should look, think about your wedding basics. What is your meeting place like? If your reception is held in a stately, historic ballroom, classical arrangements that are somewhat formal will likely work best. For a barn or outdoor setting, you can try centerpieces that are a bit more relaxed and flowing.

You’ll also want the centerpieces to blend in with the rest of the reception decor so the space has a cohesive feel. For a rustic wedding, it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to have centerpieces adorned with crystals or rhinestones if the rest of the decor is more country chic. When in doubt, ask your florist for their suggestions. Look at examples of your wedding work that match your general theme or type of venue.

High vs. Under

Another detail you should think about is the height of your centerpieces. Tall arrangements bring a sense of glamor and drama to a reception space, but can potentially obstruct your guests’ view from the table. Shorter centerpieces work well in cozy spaces, but more flowers may be needed to make them stand out. If you can’t decide between high or low centerpieces, don’t be afraid to mix the two. Many couples choose to have taller centerpieces on some tables and short centerpieces on others. If you want to draw attention to the head table, decorate it with tall centerpieces and use short centerpieces for the guest tables.

Ships

The containers that display your centerpieces are just as important as the flowers. From cylindrical glass vases and silver flutes to small porcelain compotes, centerpiece containers come in many different materials, shapes, and sizes. Most florists should be able to provide the appropriate glasses for an additional cost, but you can also rent or purchase them yourself.

Decorative accents

Take your centerpiece arrangements to the next level by adding decorative accents, such as pearl strands, crystals, or playful feather feathers. Another option that we love is to incorporate lush greenery and foliage. Certain types of accents can also be used to achieve height if you want tall centerpieces without the price tag that comes with the containers. Adding a few curly birch or willow branches to each arrangement can easily create the illusion of taller centerpieces. Don’t be afraid to get creative and step out of the box!