Article By: marthastewartweddings / Photo Credit: Bryan Gardner
OUR BEST WEDDING CENTERPIECES
If you love yourself a good craft, you’re certainly not alone. When it comes to your nuptials, there’s plenty you can make, build, or create on your own, from décor to food and everything in between. One especially fun idea is DIYing your reception table centerpieces. With so many options out there, you’re sure to find a project you love, and something that suits your skill level, time frame, and budget. DIY centerpieces can help you save up for other aspects of your wedding. They can also allow you to take the reins and make something all your own. Ahead, ideas for adding personality and a homemade touch to one of the prettiest parts of your wedding reception décor.
Hardware Candle Centerpiece
This modern metallic centerpiece starts with a slab of stone tile ($7, homedepot.com) used as a runner. On top, insert both candlesticks and tea lights into mix-and-match copper-colored hardware you can get from your local store (3/4-inch brass pipe cap, $7.50; 3/4-inch copper pressure C x C coupling with stop, $9.50 for a bag of 10; and 1 1/2-inch copper tube cap, $6.50, homedepot.com).
Peony Centerpieces and Favors
Group a few big, bold peonies together, and you’ve got a gorgeous tablescape. But that’s not all! Invite guests to take a vase home at the end of the evening, and you’ve got your favors covered, too. Simply arrange them on tables (make sure there are enough to go around) and add our custom clip-art sign.
Geometric Candle Sticks
MAKE THESE GEOMETRIC WOODEN CANDLEHOLDERS
Remember playing with wooden blocks as a kid—or learning to draw with them in art class? Those same educational toys can be transformed into modernist centerpieces with a quick trip to the hardware store and a coat of paint. But here’s a lesson you didn’t learn in kindergarten: A cone and cylinder, when stacked, make an inexpensive and eye-catching geometric candlestick, as does a cube all on its own. A small cut in a half-sphere or prism can also turn it into a place-card holder or table-number holder. Continue the theme with wooden bead napkin rings and chair garlands.
Tiered Bowl Centerpiece
MAKE THIS TIERED BOWL CENTERPIECE
For a bold and cheery statement piece, fill tiered bowls with dense tufts of goldenrod, fuzzy clusters of mimosa, globelike craspedia balls, olive leaves, kumquats, lemons, and sprigs of fresh lavender.
Blooming Branches
Fit for a spring wedding, these branches bloom with handmade paper blossoms and are accented with millinery birds.
Decorated Glasses
MAKE THESE GLOWING GLASS CENTERPIECES
Clustered around a floral centerpiece, these gussied-up containers enhance any scene. We relied on common adhesives—glue, stickers, and tape—as well as paint and glitter to make basic glasses stun.
Pink Vinyl Centerpieces
Snip plastic strips of hot pink vinyl to the same height as vases, roll them up, and slip them inside. Add a glue dot to keep the strip in place on larger vessels.
Gold Embellishments
Flowers and birds and clovers—oh, my! Sold by the sheet, Castle in the Air Dresden paper-backed foil trims take a zillion shapes, pack flat (perfect for a destination wedding), and are so wallet-friendly that even your grandma would agree they’re a good deal. Re-create this tablescape by using double-sided tape to affix the embellishments to clear glass vessels in varying sizes. Pair the golden hue with soft pastel blooms.
Tissue Paper Flowers
MAKE THESE TISSUE-PAPER FLOWER CENTERPIECES
In winter, when fresh blossoms may be harder to come by, these lush tissue-paper flowers are in full bloom. Their silver centers are actually Christmas balls, a nod to the season. Arranged at different heights in silver trumpet vases and mint julep cups, they bring whimsy to a formal reception table set in all white.
Floral Spheres
MAKE THESE FLORAL-SPHERE CENTERPIECES
Spread out on lush lawns or placed on a pedestal, these whimsical globes consisting of hundreds of orange, red, fuchsia, and yellow gerbera daisies add a pop of color to your wedding.
Papier-Mâché Fruit
MAKE THIS PAPIER-MÂCHÉ CENTERPIECE
A minimal centerpiece, like this whitewashed papier-mâché fruit arrangement piled on a cake stand and trimmed with silver millinery leaves, is as chic as it is unexpected.
Striped Luminarias
MAKE THESE LUMINARIA CENTERPIECES
Download our chic striped clip art to create this modern take on luminarias—paper bags with votives inside.
Accordion Accent Centerpieces
MAKE THESE ACCORDION CENTERPIECES
If you can print and fold, you cake make these luminarias, inspired by cake-decorating stencils.
