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Your wedding centerpieces don't have to look cheap, even if you can't spend a fortune on them.
Here are some ideas for frugal wedding centerpieces.
Potted Herb Centerpieces:
Small herb plants, such as parsley, thyme, basil, marjoram and
lavender, can be planted in small pots, one herb per pot. You can use
plain terra cotta pots to very nice effect, or you can paint the
exterior of the pots or decorate them with fabric and ribbons.
Use groupings of the potted herbs as your wedding centerpieces, and
they can double as wedding favors for your guests to take home.
"Memories" Wedding Centerpieces:
Do your families have lots of photos from your childhoods? If so,
frame them!
Shop in advance for a variety of inexpensive picture frames - check
out flea markets, tag sales, e-bay, discount stores and sales at
retail stores. Don't worry about consistency - the variety will add
to the charm.
If you can't do it yourself, find a friend or family member who can
scan the photos and resize them for you. Then print them out on photo-
quality computer paper and start framing them.
Place groupings of a variety of framed photos on your tables as
centerpieces - different sizes are best to create visual interest.
Let them do double duty by serving as wedding favors you guests can
take home.
Alteration on the idea: include framed wedding pictures of your loved
ones for their tables when available. The joy of their special day
can contribute to the joy of yours!
Green Thumb Wedding Centerpieces:
Do you have a knack for growing potted plants? Are you having a late
summer or fall wedding? If yes is the answer to both these questions,
here's a great wedding centerpiece idea for you.
Plan in advance and stock up on a variety of planters and cache pots.
Make sure they're wide-mouthed and large enough to accommodate
multiple mature annuals. Scour flea markets, tag sales, discount
outlets and end of season sales at garden centers for a nice supply,
at least one for each table.
The winter before you wedding is a great time to plan the plant
groupings you'll use in your centerpieces. Include some foliage
plants, like coleus and dusty miller, some trailing plants and plants
of various heights and textures. Don't choose anything that grows too
tall, so you don't block your guests views with your centerpieces.
In the spring, purchase inexpensive six-packs of annuals that you
want to use in your centerpieces. Pot them up into your centerpiece
planters, and tend them carefully. Pinch them back to keep them bushy
and healthy for the wedding.
After the wedding, you can have someone collect them so they'll be
waiting for you when you get back from your honeymoon (make sure they
know how to care for them, regarding sun/shade and watering). Or, let
each centerpiece go home with a guest.
Nature's Wedding Centerpieces:
Baskets of nature's beauty can make beautiful and inexpensive
centerpieces. Collect a variety of baskets to hold collections of
dried flowers, pine cones, nuts, evergreen branches, seed heads,
small potted plants and other natural items.
You can find inexpensive baskets at craft supply stores. They'll also
have raffia, ribbons, and other supplies to pull your baskets
together. Don't hesitate to ask a salesperson for ideas if you get
stuck!
Harvest Wedding Centerpieces:
If you're planning a fall wedding, let the bounty of the season fill
your centerpieces. Use baskets, bowls, terra cotta pots, straw
cornucopias or anything else that strikes your fancy. Fill them with
gourds, Indian corn, tiny pumpkins, apples, nuts and other symbols of
the season. If you use a collection of small containers instead of
one large one, each guest can take part of your wedding centerpiece
home as a favor.
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