Tada! Here is my first centerpiece.
I wanted the centerpieces to (be):
1. Affordable
2. Low - to not interfere with conversation at guest tables
3. Fit the theme (Chinese Tea)
4. Reusable for the most part
5. Easy to transport and set up
6. Incorporate something with life (flowers or plants)
7. Include candles as part of the centerpiece (as opposed to just adding votives around the piece)
8. Unique
I purchased 7 of these ceramic tea sets. The evolution of the mockup is pictured as follows:
Version #1:
Added red velvet liner, red tealights, silk red hydrangea (meant to be replaced by real flowers later) to the original tea set
Version #2:
Replaced velvet liner with red beans to add texture
Version #3:
Swapped silk flower with fresh carnations
Final Version:
Used large silk flower placed in the tray instead of in the pot
* Tea sets retail for $24.99 but I purchased them from various stores (Amazon, Ross, Le Gourmet Chef) on sale.
** Red tea lights were on clearance (90% off).
*** Silk Ranunculus also on clearance (75% off)
What do you think?
They’re neat! I would just love to see real flowers in there–I think it really does make a measurable difference and wouldn’t be too expensive (those red carnations are very pretty!) and not a whole lot more work.
i LOVE the red ranunculus! where did it come from?? having the flower side looks great beacause the teapot surface echoes the texture created by the red beans. beautiful centerpiece, really!
I love the red beans and flowers do add some freshness to the whole centerpiece.
I love them! What a great deal. I don’t think you need to use real flowers at all.
Wow! You’re so creative! I love the flower to the side, the flowers in the teapot took away from the teapottyness (hehe…I said potty). I can’t believe how affordable it is- you definitely got a lot of bang for your buck.
I think they look wonderful. I love how its very different then what we see… plus its TEA!!! 
I prefer fresh flowers, but really doesnt matter cuz the impact is still there! Great job!!! Cant wait to see more
Are you having a traditional Chinese meal? How are you going to fit such a large centerpiece on the table?
they look really unique and sophisticated! i’m impressed with how inexpensive they are also. one suggestion, you could maybe get candles in a few varying heights to break it up. regardless it looks great!
wow! that is VERY impressive and beautiful!! very affordable too!
I LOVE them…#3 specially but the final is great too. Very original.
this is awesome. i love it! i love the price even better!!!
I LOVE #3, the flowers in the teapot is soooo cool!
Very original . . . and the whole set-up looks just beautiful. I think your final version (#4) is definitely the winner!
love it! Very modern, chic and original.
Very unique! I love them 
I love the final version!
The beans are a really unique way to add texture to the bottom of the tray and pull in some good rich color. I personally like the balance created by the large silk Ranunculus - so yay for making it more chic on the cheap!
You will find out soon enough that it pains me more than you can imagine to not have real flowers in my centerpieces, but I did have to weigh my options and this one seems most practical
@bettyturbo - from Pier1, they had several different colors, all very pretty!
@sassygirl - we are doing Asian flare bbq with outsourced ‘real’ Chinese food, but all will be buffet style so the centerpieces will stay
@Charmi - I had considered using votives for their longer burn time, but the teacup simply won’t accommodate anything bigger than the tealights without looking weird. Great suggestion though!
I love it, but I might use something besides red candles to break up the color, but that’s just me. Great job!
love it! one of the most creative centerpieces I’ve seen!
Very unique and beautiful! The cost effective factor is an extra bonus! Will you use the same tea set on every table, or different ones?
That is so original — very awesome!
Do you know if the tea sets are still available? i am looking for one for my tea ceremony but not too expensive.
miss green tea, you’re a genius! this centerpieces look so lovely and creative. i like the final product. i don’t think it needs any changes at all.
Really great. I would use the flowers in the teapot idea though. I think it is a great touch.
wow! those are fabulous! i like the off-center ranunculus, but i also have a thing for ranunculus…
WELCOME to the boards! What a great post - such creativity!
Seeing you use red beans just opened up a whole new world of options that I hadn’t considered! Hmmm…. I’m picturing rock salt…
@kbok: I believe Le Gourmet Chef still carries them but I don’t remember what the regular price was. The teapot is actually quite small. For use in a tea ceremony I suggest finding something on Amazon, Pier1, & Cost Plus. Prices range usually from $25 to $50 per set. For a nice teaset you can keep, I think that’s not too bad.
@Erin: ooo rock salt, you can certainly do something cool with that texture!
@yeehaa: Sorry, the first reply above was actually for you. Can you tell I’m new?!?!
What about the cost of the tray?
@smkarl: I was lucky that the tray came with the tea set (see link ‘these ceramic tea sets’ above pic of version #1).
[...] I began thinking about having a second centerpiece when I couldn’t find any more tea sets from the first trial, pictured below, on [...]
this great!! unique, affordable and overall stunning! congrats!
[...] and hopefully also serve as ice breakers for guests. The table name cards will sit next to the centerpieces like [...]
Mrs. Green Tea, Sacramento
Age and Occupation: 30, Tea Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Coffee Critic
Engagement Date: November 17, 2006
Wedding Date: August 23, 2008
Blogging Since: June 10, 2008
Venue: Vineyard on the Delta
About Me: I'm just your average obsessive compulsive, arts & crafts loving, funky-on-the-inside/boring-on-the-outside girl, who dares to say 'Hey! I can make that!' Nerdy professional by day, goofy won-ton by night. The won-ton sometimes comes out during the day when I'm fed the dollar breakfast at Ikea. Since our engagement, wedding planning has put me on high alert for bargains and I've been pushing my nimble fingers through callous building experiments!
very unique — i reminds me a bit of a chinese version of mrs. lovebug’s teapot/book centerpieces. great score on all the deals! you can even send guests home with the tea pots and cups/votive holders if you like and just save one set for yourselves!