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Cathy
Devoted October 2019

Polite Way to Say Not to Take the Centerpieces Home

Cathy, on September 3, 2019 at 7:24 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 1 15

The centerpieces for the wedding are going to be handmade, but they will be incorporating things that come from my house--in particular, they will be placed on glass plates that I would like to have back because I am borrowing them.

Is there a polite way to tell the guests to please do not take the centerpieces home? I was thinking of putting out a sign that ways "do not take home" or asking the caterer to please watch for people taking them. The last wedding where I made the centerpieces, I lost at least $400 worth of plates and other decorative items. (Actually, at the last wedding, the caterer tossed them!)

15 Comments

Latest activity by Jolie, on September 4, 2019 at 1:19 PM
  • Brae
    VIP September 2019
    Brae ·
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    Hi. I'm renting the vases for my centerpieces so I can't have guests take them either. I'm gonna have the DJ make an announcement as well as have both mothers keep an eye out.
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  • Cathy
    Devoted October 2019
    Cathy ·
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    Ok. That sounds like a good idea.
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  • Laura
    Master October 2019
    Laura ·
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    You could also add a small sign on each table that says something like "please don't take me i'm borrowed" I saw that at a wedding once and thought it was cute

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  • Heather
    Expert April 2020
    Heather ·
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    People take centerpieces? I had no idea! Thank you for the warning!

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  • Megan
    Expert October 2019
    Megan ·
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    Oh yeah! My aunt encouraged people to take hers (I got one from my step-mom because I stayed home to watch their dogs -the wedding was a state away so they made a weekend of it) and I'll be encouraging people to take a few of mine. My FMIL is making them and doesnt want to store them and I don't have room for 15 centerpieces.
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  • Heather
    Expert April 2020
    Heather ·
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    I definitely understand if the wedding couple wants to have guests take them and for sure making an announcement that it's okay to take one, but I would have never guessed anyone would just take them without permission. Smiley xd Learn something new everyday!

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  • Courtney
    Master December 2019
    Courtney ·
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    A cute card with, "Thanks for partying with my mom and dad. But I need to go home with them so please leave me behind."

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  • Ashlyn
    Dedicated December 2019
    Ashlyn ·
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    Our DOC specifically asked if we were going to allow guests to take the centerpieces home. We said no since I am also using a lot of my own items. I assume she'll stop anyone leaving and tell them politely that they can't take them. I would have your DOC (or security, or whoever has all-seeing eyes lol) be alert to keep people from taking them.

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  • Erika
    Savvy August 2021
    Erika ·
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    Having the DJ make an announcement is a great idea. I’ve been worried about family friends taking our centerpieces home because I know they’ve done it at other parties. I’m planning on selling our centerpieces afterwards, so I definitely want to keep them all.
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  • Mary
    Expert July 2019
    Mary ·
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    It's very common at the weddings I've attended for the guests to take the centerpieces home. If you have a day-of coordinator, I would suggest you let them know in advance so they could keep an eye out at the end of the night. We did not make an announcement, but did spread through word-of-mouth that they were welcome to take the flowers but to leave the (rented) vases behind.

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  • Carol
    Devoted October 2019
    Carol ·
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    We're going to have our DOC and wedding party help to keep guests from taking the centerpieces. I think the note is cute, too, though.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I would definitely add a card to each table.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Is it common in your group to take home centerpieces? I haven't ever heard of this.

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  • Kelly
    Super October 2019
    Kelly ·
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    It is common where I live that people take centerpieces. Our centerpieces are the venues, and not for keeps. I'm going to have the DJ make an announcement... I also have 2x aunts that are known for taking anything that is not attached home, so I will let the DOC know about them, to keep an eye on them.

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  • J
    Master October 2019
    Jolie ·
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    Tell your dj to announce it that they are not for taking! That's extremely rude of people if there is no announcement/game to win the centerpiece! I am reselling my lanterns, can't take 3 tiered floating candles home, and the floral centerpiece boxes I might just give to bridesmaids or grandparents/parents. There will only be 4 of the flower boxes sooo not enough to go around.

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