- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
A couple months ago I did not even know what a manzanita branch was. Now I’m OBSESSED with them. I drive down the road and see fallen branches and think, ‘Can I turn that into a manzanita branch centerpiece?’ We all know the answer to that… no. But it does not stop me from really thinking about it. While we are at the park with our dog, Mr. Fro Yo is searching for walking sticks and other things to whip cactus with, and I’m looking for manzanita branches. It’s sad really, but they are so expensive I can’t even begin to think how much it would cost to have an arrangement on every table. And then after the wedding, what am I going to do with 16 manzanita centerpieces? Maybe I can settle and have them on one table? I don’t know, but I must have them somewhere. Look how gorgeous they are:
And another with just some manzanita elements:
I Googled “manzanita centerpiece wedding” and this wonderful tutorial came up with what looked like just three “ingredients”.
Now I’m starting to get brave, except the problem is one of the “ingredients” is plaster, and there aren’t just three steps. This will not be easy. What the heck, why was I born with ZERO crafting ability? I can dream things up, but just can’t execute them. Sigh…
Have you attempted your own manzanita branch centerpieces? Do you have any tutorials or tips to share?
no i haven’t. i gave up on the manzanita branches and decided to just look for branchy branches instead. i figure i can collect enough for free and still have it look really good! plus, after the wedding, i won’t have to worry about what to do with them
How glamours these look! I didn’t know they were called manzanita branches so that is good to know. I will have to look at that tutorial ASAP!
You can totally do this and make your own. Here are some crafty ideas.
Spray paint the branches to match your scheme, white, metallic, etc.
Setting the branches within the plaster is super easy, just remember to plug any holes at the bottom of your vase/pot.
Once they’re set, you can use faux flowers, candles, lights to decorate. I think the cost of manzanite centerpieces would be pretty competitive compared to flowers.
Once your wedding is over you can sell them, give them to friends/family for decor or donate them.
Do it!!
@Clover: Thanks for your encouragement! I’m definitely incorporating them in the wedding. I love them too much not to.
I am doing them for my October wedding.
I bought 2 smaller branches per centerpiece from Save on Crafts…(sandblasted ones), bamboo boxes from Ikea for $2.00 a piece and used plaster of paris to cement them into the box. I have a florist filling the top with flowers and I have made 4 hanging votives per tree, and tied satin ribbon around the middle of the box.
Good luck!
i just started my manzanita centerpieces and after an unfortunate plaster incident (let’s just say, i am glad it cleans up easy!) I changed the logitics a little and secured the branches in floral foam, then filled in the excess space with (are you ready?) PINTO BEANS! Heh, they match my colors, were affordable (offset the cost of my order to bloomsandbranches - which wasn’t SUPER high, but high enough for me to scrimp elsewhere) and even the FI was impressed by the simple ‘ingredients.’
hmm..that above comment was from me, but i guess it wasn’t logged in complete!
http://www.save-on-crafts.com has some VERY affordable ones! You could do half the tables with teh branches and the other half with flowers/lanterns/whatever it is you decide to do. I went to a wedding recently that did this and it was beautiful. Alternatively, you could do a grand one on the seating card table at the entrance
@krissycake: Wow great idea! Good job being resourceful!!
btw - the plaster of paris sounds much scarier than it is. I’ve worked with it many times, its quite easy, and you cna cover the exposed plaster in the base with anything - those pinto beans suggested, moss, river stones, crystals, etc
@Miss Frozen Yogurt: thanks! i wish you good luck in your manzanita journey as well! i know what it’s like to be smitten with centerpieces, lol!
@KellyV: I’m definitely going to bookmark that page. Lots of good info! Thanks for sharing!
I remember when i was in the same place as you. The day i fell in love with the manzanita was the day my family/friends thought i was officially crazy. The bulk price quote that i got for each manzanita branch was $40 (CDN). That doesn’t include shipping and any decorations that i came up with. Sadly, we don’t have Save on Crafts here, i can order online, but the shipping would have killed me. Then my cheap side started talking too loud and made me look for any kind of branch that resembles the manzanita. That wasn’t a good idea. I became obsessed with “branches” for a while although i didn’t pick/collect any of them, i was just “studying” them. Then thankgoodnessmy common sense kicked in. I finally admited to myself that YES i can have and decorate all the manzanita branches, but it won’t be good logistics wise. They might get damaged en route to the venue. And my guests might fall in love with them too, BUT i’m pretty sure they wouldn’t wanna take some “branches” home. In the end, i had tropical flowers instead which i totally fell in love with and was really unique 
My thoughts on this… first, love the manzanita branches, too. Secondly, maybe you can stick to just an escort card table for this? Third, I couldn’t relate to you more when you say “why was I born with ZERO crafting ability? I can dream things up, but just can’t execute them. Sigh…” I say the same exact thing!
Check the Nettleton Hollow blog (http://www.nettletonhollow.com/blog-page.html) for a pretty decent how-to for manzanita centerpieces.
@Ms. Shabby Chic: Aww, isn’t it hard?? Thankfully I found a very crafty (and sweet) florist who gets my vision!
@Pelikila: I love Nettleton Hollow! Great stuff!
I was also going to mention maybe, since they seem to be so expensive, you could have one on the escort card or gift table. That way you can have the beatiful branches without breaking the bank.
i love the look of manzanita branches! hope you find good prices to buy them
I had 3 of them for decor on my wedding. Very simple. I just used a clear vase (decorated it with red ribbon), put some river rocks to hold the tree. Then I added dahlias and hanging votives. Now, I have one of them on display in my living room. I love manzanita trees too!
I am planning to use manzanita branches on our escort card table and maybe a couple others and the bar. Manzanita grows in the mountains and foothills around me, so I was able to get a branch for free by cutting it myself. I’ve been drying it in my mother’s garden shed, and it looks great! If I remember correctly, manzanita also grows in parts of Texas.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Frozen Yogurt, Dallas Age and Occupation: 28, Special Projects Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity Trader Engagement Date: March 19, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Marie Gabrielle, Dallas About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Latest Gallery Pics