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For pretty much the whole time I’ve been planning a wedding (going on a whole year, now!), I’ve intended to “do” my own centerpieces by sticking a candle in a vase and calling it a day, à la this image:
(source)
Simple. To the point. And, most of all, cheap.
But the tables at my venue are really big, and one candle is really small. I considered floral collars, but wasn’t really sold on anything until I visited with a florist and saw something similar to this:
(source)
She showed me four white candles in glass vases on a table, all different sizes, set among scattered red rose petals. It was really, really beautiful. And all this could be ours(!) for the bargain basement price of $55 per table! Well, plus tax. And plus delivery. Minus actually owning anything when I’m done, because it’s all rented.
That just seemed ridiculous, so I went to work looking up candle-safe vases and pillars. There may be better deals out there, but I found three cylindrical glass vases (5″x12″, 3.5″x10″, and 3.25″x7.5″), and three ivory pillar candles (2.8″x8″, 6″, and 4″) for about $27 per table, inclusive of tax and shipping. I estimate the rose petals at $5 per table (or less; since that is what the florist wanted to charge me, I bet I can get them myself for less money), putting my centerpieces at roughly 50% of the cost of the florist’s identical centerpieces. Score!
So, my remaining items are to find a good source for fresh rose petals in the right color (and I haven’t decided what color that is yet), and to pick up a few more vases. My bridesmaids are scattered throughout a few tables, and I’d like to set one empty vase for each of them to set down their bouquets. Maybe I’ll decorate the vase with a ribbon around it somewhere with each girl’s name on it? I’m also planning to pick up some smaller ones to make centerpieces for the tall cocktail tables that will be set around the dance floor, which will give it a slightly different decorative feel than the dinner area.
Are you assembling your own centerpieces? How much do you estimate you’re saving over having the same centerpieces done by a florist?
That’s very pretty. It will give a nice glow to the room, too!
We scored six dozen roses in reds/oranges at a local produce place for $30. Check your local wholesalers. Those roses were enough to lightly cover an aisle, our 13 tables, plus sweetheart table and a bar that was probably about 20ft around. Lightly cover, but still. I used my little brother as slave labor the day before, refrigerated the bag and dropped it off at my location the day of.
Finding a specific color might make it harder especially if you’re looking for a specific pink or purple…Good luck!
Good job! Sounds like it won’t be too difficult to put together. I’m still trying to figure out what to get to make our centerpieces.
Love that 2nd picture! Can’t wait to see your interpretation of it. I’m not DIY-ing my own centerpieces because I’m sooo not crafty!
We did our own centerpieces and saved a bundle! I bought large vases/glass containers from Marshall’s and TJ Maxx for between $5 and $9 each (spent $82). Then, I purchased one case of lemons and one case of limes through my venue’s food providor ($107). I used small metal wire and printed the table numbers myself. Plus some small ribbon, the total for centerpieces for 13 tables was $207. The florist quoted me $640 to do the same!
That is a really beautiful look! So romantic and it’ll make a big impact without anyone knowing you didn’t break the bank!
Go to the Flower Market in downtown LA. They sell huge packs of fresh petals! Plus, they have LOTS of vases…just keep hunting until you find the best price (and don’t be afraid to haggle). I suck at that last part, but my now-hubby was brilliant at it. Because of that, our centerpieces were one DIY project that actually ended up costing less than leaving it to the professionals. (I know DIY is supposed to save you a few bucks, but my crafty trial and errors often cost me more. However, I did have the pride of knowing, “I made that!” in the end. lol.)
This will be so gorgeous–chic and simple! May I recommend buying soy wax candles instead of paraffin? (Not sure what you were planning on doing.) Anyway, soy are a bit more expensive, but they don’t produce icky soot–better for the environment and for your guests’ resperatory systems!
Either way, it will look beautiful!
good job! i’m sure you’ll be able to pull it off. i plan on doing nonfloral centerpieces so there won’t be a need to call in a florist. yay!
Very pretty! I like that the petals tightly surround the vases in a thick blanket of petals, rather then randomly sprinkled around!!
Love your inspiration picture, that will look so pretty with the petals! And props to another DIY centerpiece bride! 
when I first read your florist quote, I thought - “oh no! she can do better!!” then I kept reading! YAY!
your inspiration photo is gorgeous!
breaking down roses into rose petals is soooo easy. contrary to what i used to think, you don’t have to break each petal off one at a time.
-get yourself some wholesale roses (i. love. costco.)
-pick off any of the outside petals that are yucky
-break the whole rose off the stem (with a very satisfying snap)
-gently pull apart the petals by sticking your finger in the hole in the bottom center and pulling outward
-throw away the very small petals from the inside
-store in tupperware or something in a fridge!
you could probably do enough petals for all the tables in 2-3 hours if you have a helper or two.
My mother insists on floral centerpieces. I insist on anything but …
I’ll probably end up with flowers. At least my Aunt is a florist! And since I work with her durin the holidays, I have a good idea of what I might like if flowers are forced upon me!
Your centerpieces sound really nice and romantic!
Fabulous! I am making my own centerpieces as well; I found my vases in different sizes ranging from $4-$8…plus baby’s breath and some small bird figurines…we’ll be able to do the tables for about $20 or less! My original florist quote was for one simple vase with 3 hydrangea stems in it for $80 a table…soooo ridiculous. Props to you for DIY’ing these!
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Mrs. Spaniel, Los Angeles Age and Occupation: 28, Law Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Psychologist Wedding Date: March 2010 Venue: Calamigos Ranch About Me: I'm a third-year law student trying to balance graduating with starting my career, keeping up a relationship, and, oh yeah, planning an Old World, multi-cultural, "mountain lodge" wedding for 180 guests! A South Asian Jewish girl getting ready to marry my handsome Catholic Dane, I'm hoping to blend our cultures in our wedding just a bit more gently than by providing samosas as appetizers and offering æbleskiver for dessert. (Although that would also be awesome.)
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