While the average cost of a wedding today is more than enough to make a good down payment on a house, there are many brides and grooms who would rather have that money in the bank. That’s a smart choice during a recession. However, what bride doesn’t want a beautiful wedding and reception? You can have a lovely wedding without filing for bankruptcy afterwards. Making your own table centerpieces for the wedding reception is a great place to start.
Of course, you want something simple, but unique when it comes to DIY wedding tables centerpieces. That’s a pretty hard trick, when almost everything has been done. However, there are some ways to buck the seen-that-done-that wedding centerpieces problem without breaking the bank doing so. Here are three, hopefully novel, ideas for Summer wedding centerpieces that you can make yourself.
Miniature Garden Arbor or Gazebo Centerpiece
The idea of using a miniature garden arbor or gazebo scene as a wedding centerpiece is perfect for an outdoor wedding. Where do I find miniature gazebos and garden arbors, you ask? Well, there are whole websites out there devoted to the making of miniature garden scenes. One such place is www.miniaturegadrenaccesories.com. This site have lovely and reasonably priced garden arbors. Places that sell doll house accessories, as well as eBay, are other great places to find mini gazebos.
With this summer wedding centerpiece idea, you will need to following, aside from the arbor or gazebo: Glass votive candle holders and votive candles, tiny plants such as miniature roses, tiny pots of Johnny-Jump-ups, or little pots of herbs, wide ribbon and sod…yes, sod. Sod is a big hunk of grass, roots, soil and all. You can purchase sod, or you can harvest your own from the backyard or a pasture setting. Ask the groom to do this, as it’s a lot of work.
To assemble the centerpieces, cut a piece of sod into a circle about 12″ in diameter. You will need one sod circle for each table. Wrap a length of the wide ribbon around the sod circle to disguise and contain the soil and pin in place. Position your arbor or gazebo in the middle of the sod circle and place one of the miniature plants of your choice under, or in it. Arrange the votive candles, in the holders, around the periphery of the arbor or gazebo, alternating with miniature plants to create the illusion of a hedge or bushes around the arbor or gazebo.
This a pretty , romantic and unique summer wedding centerpiece that your guest will remember. These centerpieces may sound like quite a bit of work, but once you have all of the materials gathered, making these centerpieces will be a snap. Use your wedding color scheme to help you choose the appropriate color in miniature flowering plants, as well as the ribbons and candles.
Life In A Fish Bowl Centerpiece
The following idea is for a whimsical summer wedding centerpiece. If your wedding is at a beach or seaside location, this centerpiece idea may appeal to you. For this centerpiece you will need round fish bowls. These can be found in the 1 gallon size for less than $3 at www.ablackhorse.com. Next, you will need gravel for fish bowls, live gold fish, votive candles and clean holders, tulle and flowers, tied in bunches. Sand and sea shells are optional ideas.
Fill each fish bowl with properly treated water and add live goldfish. Using a yard of the tulle fabric, bunch it up attractively and place it in the center of the table that you are adorning. If, at this point, you choose to use sand and shells, dump a reasonable amount of sand in the center of the bunched tulle. Place the fish bowl atop the tulle, or tulle and sand, in the center. Arrange votive holders filled with the candles around the perimeter of the fish bowl. If you are using sea shells, arrange them around the bowl, as well. All of these things can be done the day before the wedding, as long as someone remembers feeds the fish.
Prior to the wedding reception, place a bunch of flowers, tied into a bundle, into the fish bowl. The bunch of flowers should be of the height to create a sort of cap effect over the fish bowl, which has now become a vase, as well. When I envision this centerpiece, I see it in a monochromatic theme, with the tulle, flowers and candles all being of one color, as well as the gravel in the bowl. Of course, you are free to use your wedding colors and such, to make this centerpiece suit you best. After all, It is your wedding. The fish bowls can be given away to those who will take them, and they are certain to amuse all of your guests, adult and children alike.
A Pitcher Perfect Summer Wedding Centerpiece
This is, admittedly, the least unique summer wedding centerpiece idea, bit I like it anyway. This is a more rustic, less formal idea for a more relaxed, casual summer wedding. To begin, hit the flea markets and second hand shops to gather a collection of old pitchers, and if you like, old Mason jars–the ones with the pretty turquoise color. The pitchers will be mismatched, but that’s the whole idea. Chose glass pitchers or colorful ceramic ones, it’s your choice. Mix it up a bit by using both pitchers and Mason jars.
Once you have enough pitchers and jar for your needs, you can plan for the assembly of the rest of the centerpiece, best done the day of the wedding. You will need flowers–I see wildflowers, sunflowers or a mix gathering of a variety of flowers with possibilities such as gebera and plain daisies and dahlias. Again, this is a relaxed centerpiece. You will also need a good amount of mixed summer fruit, such as peaches, nectarines, plums, strawberries, and clusters of grapes. You can toss in mint leave sprigs, if you like.
Fill each pitcher or jar with the flowers of your choice, adding water. Put the flower filled pitchers on the tables, as you want them to be. Attractively heap/mound/arrange the fresh, mix fruit around the base of each vessel. Place springs of fresh mint into the fruit arrangement, if you wish to add color and a lovely scent. Encourage your guests to help themselves to the fruit during the wedding reception, as you don’t want the fruit to go to waste and you’re guests will love the edible centerpiece. Looks good, tastes good, what’s better?
Take any one of these three, easy and unusual centerpiece ideas and make it your own. Your summer wedding is a very special event and these centerpieces will help make it all the more special and memorable for all concerned. Best Wishes!
