Guests Taking Centrepieces Home

Some people will do whatever they want regardless of announcements. Would a card attached to each one work along the lines of "please do not take home"?

You could place a tiny card next to it as pp mentioned or if you have anyone at all like a security guard he could tell anyone that he sees to put it back. Went to a wedding last year and people thought they could take home the centerpiece but the security guard said no and made them put it back

I’ve read similar forums on here and most people have agreed that announcements or cards about not taking centrepieces home can be a bit tacky. I think we might just need to have the MC announce not to take the flowers home and accept it at that maybe.
it’s tricky especially because we will have about 7 meters of floral on the bridal table that people can take home at the end as we give them out so I’m more so concerned about having to tell people ‘you can take flowers if given’ in case people just think they can overall take centrepieces home. Hmm.

I would have your DOC or a trusted family member or friends keep an eye out at the end of the event and stop people. It shouldn’t be difficult to see someone carrying out an entire candelabra. Maybe you could have them removed from the tables after all of the special events while guests are dancing?

Did you purchase the candelabras, or will they be rented from the florist? Our floral centerpieces had many components that were rented from the florist (crystal vases the flowers were in, votives, etc.) and the florist came back near the end of the wedding to take them back. Will this be the case with your centerpieces? Also recommend having a DOC who can keep an eye on things. Nobody should be walking away with a centerpiece!

View Quoted Comment Our candelabras will be hired from the florist. The floral team will come in at the end of the wedding to disassemble the room and take away their items but we still want to make sure no candelabra get taken.
I think it is so tacky to take flowers unless specifically being told to do so but in my culture (particularly the older generation) it’s something some people do 😭

Yes girl, I love my Jamaican family but some of our traditions are a bit annoying! 🤣 my mom insists on having boxed fruit cake as a favor. In Jamaican weddings the cake will decide your entire wedding. You can serve steak, lobster, shrimp, and veal but if the fruit cake is terrible, then so is your wedding 😩😂


And yes, those old ladies love stealing people flowers! I will hunt them down because we are using them for our day after brunch at the hotel.... lordt... I hope no one tests me that night!

Oh to answer your question, sometimes you just have to do what you do to make sure to don’t get screwed in the long run. You shouldn’t have to hold people responsible to be flower police. I know I’m going to have to put up small cards and make multiple announcements because I am in the same exact position as you.

I laughed at a friend's wedding to see small signs that the florist eas selling the fliwer arrangements fir $30 apiece, and the vases $125 for crystal and $25 for plastic. Cash or charge, reserve with Matre D' ! No one did, but no arrangements were missing when some of us stayed to reclaim property and wrap flowers to go to bride's grandmothers' assisted living and nursing home, bouquets in florists paper and rented vases returned.
Tacky sign to prevent tacky behavior. A few people said something, and each time I was around, someone filled in to explain, the venue/ caterer rents the vases, and the couple must pay for any theft or loss. Which is often true. Meanwhile it labels anyone thinking of taking one as a thief, and makes it less likely someone will be caught taking one. Taking without asking is not done in my family, my area, So I was stunned the first time I saw someone do it when I worked catering. Just walking out with a cut glass vase obviously a few hundred dollars to buy. And flowers.

My florals will be in rented pieces too. I was thinking that my DOC would be monitoring the room and door to make sure they didn't walk off.

View Quoted Comment I think we will have to just have an announcement made. I like the idea of little notes under the candelabra that can be seen if picked up (I don’t like the idea of a general sign on the table) but I don’t think anyone will see it let alone pay attention to it.

Can you possibly just spread the message that they are rented and need to be returned? I know in my family, it would just take one or two old biddies to let everyone know the whole story about every flower in the centerpiece, how much I spent, and when they need to be returned.

View Quoted Comment

If that's the case, then I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much. The floral team will most likely begin packing things up before your guests leave. If you're worried about guests from the older generation potentially leaving early and taking a centerpiece before the floral team arrives, alert your DOC or venue coordinator to keep an eye out. If the candelabras are heavy, it would be pretty noticeable if someone tries to walk away with one!