by Sarah Kikkert

Centerpieces can be one of the most fun, albeit challenging, details of a wedding to plan.  The options are various and seemingly limitless and can be overwhelming, especially if you want to think a little outside the box and do something other than floral.  Here are a few tips and tricks to make your centerpieces as unique as the rest of your very important day!

VARIETY:  Simply stated, many brides this year are choosing centerpieces that aren’t all identical, creating interest and a reception feel that is less “coordinated” and more thoughtful or textural.  For example, by choosing three different pieces that still go together along some common thread can give a stylistic flair that will be noticed by all your guests.  It also is a great way to do a whole bunch of ideas without feeling mismatched.

THEMES:  This is not to say that all your bridesmaids, centerpieces and invites should have some “Little Bo Peep” theme (27 Dresses, anyone?).  Rather, choose a theme for your centerpieces that emulates the feel of your wedding.  We recently did a wedding that fairly small and close-knit.  To mock this cozy feel, we used old teapots arranged with white flowers and placed them on top of stack of mismatched and old books.

TRADITIONAL…with a TWIST:  Who says elaborate floral arrangements ever go out of style?  Or candles, for that matter?  The trick is to make them your own.  Instead of twenty vases of the same bouquet, try a mixture of five or six types of flowers in different arrangement styles, and place them each in a vase at different heights on a table.  Floating candles may be cliche, but try placing your candles in textures other than water, like colored glass stones, mirrors, or seashells (for those fun summer weddings).

No matter your taste, style, or wedding design design plans, centerpieces are an easy way to tie in a look while still enabling you to maintain your own personal touch!