Weddingbee Blog

Earlier this year, when we had so many days on the Wedding Countdown Calendar that I think it was in the 400 range, we met with a florist. She was a lovely gal, and I could see that she was quite talented. I told her what we wanted, which included bouquets, flowers for the guys, and centerpieces for around 10 tables (simple centerpieces: tightly packed white carnations in low glass holders). Easy peasy, right? Well, not so much.

We got her quote back, and the amount she was charging — for the centerpieces alone — was over our budget. We’re talking in the $150 range for a single centerpiece. Now, I understand that when you hire certain vendors you’re hiring their expertise, their skill, their artistry, and that floral design is no different. But I also understand that if I’m paying in that price range, I want a little more than just carnations. They were supposed to be a money-saver! Suffice to say that this vendor was out.

In the meantime, I hatched a plan to cut some of our floral budget — I axed the floral centerpieces for the tables. Some might find this shocking, but I didn’t really have an attachment to floral centerpieces to begin with. Between 10-12 tables for guests and 3 tables for our wedding party/ourselves, we’re talking about 15 tables, potentially. And that’s a lot of money for arrangements that are just going to die. So, instead, I came up with an alternative idea for our centerpieces. Candy.

Mr. French Fries and I love candy — so much so that we have some in our house at all times (which can make watching what you eat a bit of a challenge!). We’re constantly cruising the candy aisle at Walgreens — him looking for Snaps, me looking for Junior Mints. Also, when we started dating, Mr. French Fries brought me a different type of candy every single time we went out on a date. (He obviously figured out early on that I not only have one sweet tooth, I have a mouth comprised solely of sweet teeth!) Since candy has had a place in our relationship from the beginning, we were originally going to do a candy buffet at the wedding.

Instead, however, we will twist the idea bit, and turn each candy jar into a centerpiece for each table. I’m not talking about a little candy dish – I’m talking about large apothecary jars, each with a specific candy that Mr. Fries and I love at each table. Something like this:

Image: Parrott Design Studio, courtesy Weddingbee PRO

Everyone’s escort cards will have the name of a specific candy on them, directing people to their assigned table (e.g. M&Ms, Snickers, and Starburst). I’d also love to put a sign under each candy explaining which one of us likes it, and if there’s any special significance. For example, I remember Mr. French Fries bringing me soup, a US Weekly, and some Junior Mints in our first month of dating when I was at home sick.

There will also be a sign on everyone’s tables directing them to mix & mingle by trying the candies at all of the other tables, and glassine bags at everyone’s place setting so they can take some home with them. This will also be everyone’s favor, so I hope people really do walk around and try all of the different candies!

I love that we’re doing something somewhat unique for our centerpieces, and something that is significant to us. I know that some people think that the candy buffet “trend” is overdone, but I’m trying to keep in mind that most of our guests don’t cruise wedding blogs all day long, so they probably haven’t seen the candy buffet idea yet.

Are there any other unique/non-floral wedding centerpieces that you’ve seen and liked?