Budget Centepieces

             The centerpieces at your wedding may be the most important element of reception décor.  Each centerpiece will be in your guest’s view for a large portion of the night, and naturally you want them to be perfect.  So you begin the search through bridal magazines and find a few that you like… they are so creative, so magnificent, so stunning, soooooo pricey!  It is easy to get your heart set on a specific centerpiece, only to find out that it is beyond your budget.  So now what do you do?  Rework your whole budget?  Give up and forego centerpieces altogether?  I’m Sarah Merrill, owner of Suite Blooms & Designs, and I’m here to help you fulfill your dreams of having a beautiful reception with amazing centerpieces without breaking the bank.  I’ve gathered 3 great ways to stretch your floral décor dollars!

Submerged flowers:

                Blooms submerged in water make a striking impact.  This unexpected display is truly beautiful.  The water in the vases will magnify the blooms making them seem larger, and displaying the flowers behind the glass makes even simple blooms seem exquisite.  A grouping of cylinder vases at different heights with one type of flower in each is very effective, and will work at round or banquet style tables.  Try placing the grouping on a mirror to double the impact, and place a floating candle atop each arrangement for a subtle glow.

Pictured above: a grouping of Tulips, Cherry Blossom Branches & Cymbidium Orchids in 3 Cylinders 

Make your Centerpiece do double duty:

                A single flower in a vase may seem dull at first, but group several together and you have a beautiful informal centerpiece.  By using a mixture of flowers and types of vases, your florist can create this impressive, yet down to earth look even on a strict floral budget.  Are you having a Graphic Modern  reception but like the single-flower look?  Try using only one type of structured flower such as Bells of Ireland or Gerbera Daisies in clear glass vases.

                The best part is that you don’t have to wonder what to do with 60+ bud vases after the wedding - just send them home with your guests as favors! 

     

Pictured above: Blue Delphinium, Corn Flower, Grape Hyacinth & Anemones. 

Pictured above: Bells of Ireland

Think beyond flowers but don’t forget them:

                If you have been dreaming of large showy centerpieces all your life (or at least for the last 6 months), but know that your budget is already stretched thin, then maybe it’s time to think beyond flowers.  A large floral centerpiece will often cost $170 or more!  But don’t worry, achieving that grand look on a budget is not impossible!  Discuss with your florist how substituting fruits and or vegetables for flowers in your arrangements will affect their cost.  Its easy to find fruits and veggies that will work with your color scheme and add texture to the arrangement.  Fruits and vegetables are much less expensive than blooms and offer the same live, vibrant feel as fresh flowers.  Most are also substantial in size and therefore take up room in your centerpieces that would otherwise have to be filled with pricey flowers.  Here is a short list of some that can look great: lemons, limes, tangerines, kumquats, apples, cranberries, pomegranates, grapes, pears, cauliflower, kale, and artichokes.

      

Pictured above: Mango Callas, Kermits, Ranunculus, Variegated Aspidistra, Salal with Kumquats and Tangerines.

Pictured above: Submerged Green Apples surrounded by a few stems of calla lily per vase.