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Just Said Yes March 2010

Centerpieces and Decorations- Any Alternatives to Flowers?

lgilmore11, on February 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM

Posted in Planning 33

My parents set a fairly tight budget for the wedding, and one of the things I would like to skimp on is flowers. I've never really been crazy about buying flowers, and I'd much rather put some of the flower budget towards the food, or lighting, or getting a good photographer, etc. I'm doing the...

My parents set a fairly tight budget for the wedding, and one of the things I would like to skimp on is flowers. I've never really been crazy about buying flowers, and I'd much rather put some of the flower budget towards the food, or lighting, or getting a good photographer, etc. I'm doing the floral bouquets/boutonnieres for the bridal party, but I'd really like to find an alternative to flowers for my decorations, and especially for my centerpieces at the reception. The wedding is going to be later in the afternoon, and the reception in the evening, and both will be held at the same place.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

33 Comments

  • Mrs. Reid
    Dedicated August 2009
    Mrs. Reid ·
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    Our florist quoted us $900 for centerpieces. So I went online and was able to buy small, battery operated water fountains at about $6.00 a piece. We'll be putting them on the tables with some votives and pond rocks or rose petals. We spent about $150 on these centerpieces!!

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  • Jessica
    Expert November 2009
    Jessica ·
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    Did you know that the Dollar Store has a website? My sister, who is getting married 6 months before me, stumbled upon this when she was looking for inexpensive black picture frames for her wedding.

    This is a great site for things like candles, picture frames, vases, etc...

    My wedding colors are lime green, black, and white. One of the things we are planning on doing for my centerpieces is filling vases with split peas, black beans, and white beans and then placing candles on top. I didn't like how the "fish bowl" pebbles looked and I think that beans are a cheap alternative.

    Good luck! Smiley smile

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  • Nyxks
    Beginner May 2009
    Nyxks ·
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    My mate and I are having two hand carved wooden huskies on the main table, and the other tables don't have anything save what the place puts on them.

    I do not have a flower budget (that and i dislike dead things that were once growing and alive around me when it comes to plants).

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  • Jonathan Chan
    Jonathan Chan ·
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    My girlfriend is the maid of honor for her best friend and she spent a whole day looking for low budget centerpieces. They ended up going to the flower district in Downtown LA and purchasing nice tall vases in bulk along with beautiful white japanese branches. They are filling the vases 1/3 of the way with multicolor earth tone sea rocks and then placing the branches in the vases. They also purchased some very inexpensive white candles and will arrange a couple around the vase.

    Another thing that I saw at a wedding is a shallow round bowl filled with water and then floating tea lights inside it. There were some pretty rocks at the bottom of the bowl too. If you're not allowed to have open flames at your reception site then you can use flower bulbs as alternatives. One of my friends used the bulbs of various colored gerber daisies to float in the bowls.

    Hope that helps!

    Jonathan

    http://jonchanphotography.com/

    **@******************.***

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  • N
    Dedicated September 2009
    nicfrom127 ·
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    I've only seen this on TV but thought it'd be cute. Not sure of cost of this but it's just an idea. The couple had a cake in the middle of each table as a center piece just enough to feed everyone at the table. Then during the cake cutting they cut their cake then went around to everyones table and cut there cakes and they used this to mingle as well. It's something you, your wedding party, and family members can do together (make the cakes). They made each one different. Another idea I seen was a dessert centerpiece it had cookies and candies on this nice little dessert stand.

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  • SEXTARY
    Just Said Yes January 2009
    SEXTARY ·
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    As an alternative to flowers, I put large candles in the center of the tables, with funny cake toppers on them... I actually found candles that looked like cakes, however, huge candles will do just fine. I found candles on sale after xmas, although, the dollar stores or discount stores usually have them fairly cheap. I found the toppers on Ebay - used, but still new. I actually still have a few that I'd be willing to give you. *******@***.***

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  • Blair Grant
    Blair Grant ·
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    My company offers floral design workshops where you come to our design studio and with professional help from a florist, you make your own centerpieces and bouquets.

    You purchase the flowers wholesale and you are saving on the typical florist mark up because you are doing the work yourself.

    We'll even deliver and set them up for you on the day of your wedding.

    For more information, visit www.theboutiquegrp.com

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  • DreamComeTrue
    Master June 2011
    DreamComeTrue ·
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    Megan A nice blog and great suggestions!

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  • DreamComeTrue
    Master June 2011
    DreamComeTrue ·
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    I found out on another blog that the dollar tree has a website where you can order online! www.dollartree.com

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  • Michael Geiger
    Michael Geiger ·
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    We are a flower wholesaler and ships all over the country.

    We have a wedding planner on staff that can help you estimate the flowers you might need and walk you through the process regardless of weather you buy though us or not.

    Michael

    www.48longstems

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  • Stephanie
    Just Said Yes December 2013
    Stephanie ·
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    I plan on using oak branches for our centerpieces. We are going to paint them silver and put them in cylindrical vases filled with clear plastic stones and put them on a battery powered light which will shine through the glass and stones and reflect on the silver. If we have enough money left over we are getting large clear beading that we will hang from the branches using fishing line. its a really neat effect

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  • J
    Beginner April 2020
    Jolicia ·
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    Could you post a picture I like the ideas but I can’t envision it .

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  • Simone
    Devoted April 2020
    Simone ·
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    There's a girl I follow on FB who makes gorgeous bouquets and centerpieces made from wood. Idk how she does it. They're look so lifelike! Thinking of using her for centerpieces. Mama Luna.

    Centerpieces and Decorations- Any Alternatives to Flowers? 1
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