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Any wedding-blog-savvy bride knows that branches as centerpieces in weddings are hot stuff right now. I don’t really care so much about the trend factor as I do the fact that them being popular means they may not be as unique as I would like.
Manzanita branches may not ring a bell to anyone else, but in wedding world, manzanita are part of bridal vocab. These are the top branch contenders featured in centerpieces. Dripping with crystals, delicately hung votives and ornately decorated with flowers, these babies know how to make a statement. So why my concern and pending debate? Well, I worry that they have been overdone and that using them pulls me into the trend making my wedding less unique than the next. (That and a friend used branches in her centerpieces last fall.) To try to avoid this and to give our wedding its own identity I have thought long and hard about other possibilities. In come another option…
Grapewood Branches:
I don’t know about you, but I think they look pretty darn gnarly! And they would fit in perfectly with our vineyard wedding. I have a vision of making them into a beauteous centerpieces decorated with flowers, grapes, votives and maybe even some blingy crystals. Unfortunately, since they aren’t used nearly as much as Manzanitas I haven’t been able to come across any photos that share my exact vision. Here are a few images featuring grapewood centerpieces.
I love the rustic, yet elegant feel this centerpiece gives off.
Source: Saveoncrafts.com
I like that this one features the branches in their upright position, giving them a “tree-like” effect. I think it would look just perfect if it were placed in a moss-covered pot and its branches were draped in strings of iridescent crystals.
Source: Saveoncrafts.com
And, here are a few horizontal ideas (not my cup of tea, but an example nonetheless).
source: hostessblog.com
source: hostessblog.com
And here is another upright style that I adore (though I am not 100% sure it’s actually grapewood)
Source: huckleberrykaren.blogspot.com
Okay, so again you may ask “Why the debate?” Well, there are some cons with the grapewood route:
Don’t you worry, there are some pros:
And, just for kicks, here’s a great example of the notorious, yet lovely manzanita centerpiece:
(source)
What do you think? Is being unique worth the price difference? Which do you prefer?
I love the authenticity of grapevine branches, but i wouldnt do it for the price. A branch is a branch. I wouldnt pay double for what the guests wont notice at all.
I love the grapewood with the orange flowers. I find it much more interesting that the other kind, but that’s me. The question is, how tall is it? I just worry about folks being able to see around it if you are having rounds.
Also, where are you looking for branches. Have you tried looking at blooms and branches or nettleton hollow? If you need to do a mockup, B&B has a 18 inch grapewood for $15, and $10 shipping or a 24 inch for $19 and $11 shipping. I think nettleton hollow it’s around $24 for a single branch…
http://www.bloomsandbranches.com/index.html
http://www.nettletonhollow.com/index.html
I love the grapewood with the orange flowers. I find it much more interesting that the other kind, but that’s me. The question is, how tall is it? I just worry about folks being able to see around it if you are having rounds.
Also, where are you looking for branches. Have you tried looking at blooms and branches or nettleton hollow? If you need to do a mockup, B&B has a 18 inch grapewood for $15, and $10 shipping or a 24 inch for $19 and $11 shipping. I think nettleton hollow it’s around $24 for a single branch…
Love the grapevine with the vineyard wedding. They are very expensive, but they’re pretty. We’re going the cheap route and using branches from the backyard set in cement and covered in moss. Gotta budget my dress in somehow.
Guests won’t know the difference at all. They will just see branches. Not worth it.
My thoughts are that you have to remember just because we, as brides, know their popularity, our guests more than likely will not as they are not ogling over centerpieces lol. I’m using birch branches that I got for $0.99 a bunch at Michaels after Christmas sale. I spray painted them white and am pairing the with flowers, green twig balls and cylinder vases. To me the trick is making the centerpiece your own. I’m yet to see one identical to mine and I’ve used branches! lol
I don’t think it’s worth it just o be different if you like the look of the more popular manzinita. Alternatively, do you know anyone with grape vines or could you get some branches from the vineyard? I remember my mom’s friend making grapevine wreaths when I was a kid and she got them off of back yard vines which I believe grow back rather quickly between seasons. Maybe you can just get some one to do a bit of pruning for you (unfortunately I don’t think the season ends until end of September so it may be cutting it close).
I like the idea of the grapewood, but not for “uniqueness” sake. It’s still a decorated branch.
I’m with Miss Pashmina. I love the grapevine branches, but not enough to pay double for them. 
From your post I just learned branches are popular. (i was thinking about them and now I have more ideas, thank you) I think both types are beautiful.
i love, love, love manzanita. I was quoted $150 per CP and with 25 CPs that was wayyy too much money(budget $2000 for CPs and Flowers). Plus with real Swarovski crystals which I intend to hang from the branches - it’s just nuts. So I am going to make them myself and have my florist transport them!
I don’t think you should write off manzanita just because they are popular in bridal world. Us bloggers are so used to seeing all of this, but your guests don’t read wedding blogs all day, and they will think whatever you do to be unique and beautiful.
That being said, if you truly like the grapewood more and are comfortable with the price difference then I say go for it. Just make sure you are upgrading for the right reasons.
A thought, if you have any vineyards in your area, you should ask them if they have any, grape vines die, and they have to trim the dead wood.
@lolo7835: The pricing was off B&B..thanks for the tip though!
@ktisthatbees: thanks for the advice! Bridal brain often gets the best of me!
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Mrs. Locket, Ithaca, NY Age and Occupation: 25, Research Technician Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, former Banker hoping to become an Officer of the Law Engagement Date: June 15, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heron Hill Winery About Me: I am a little bit of everything all rolled into one: A girly gal with rough edges---I love to get dolled up just as much as I enjoy throwing on some sneaks to toss a ball with Mr. Locket. My love for crafting and creating is quite apparent and I've been referred to as a Wonder Woman/Martha Stewart/Stepford Wife hybrid (yup, I'll take that as a compliment). I adore sewing, photography, sculpture, good eats (mmm tapas), baking, snugging and oh, pretty much everything in between (there's not much I dislike). I am super excited to be planning our vineyard wedding and couldn't be happier to be marrying Mr. Locket. We are a quirky, fun-loving couple residing in our college town with our two pups Maple and Molly. We love to go on hikes, visit our local dog park and to bask in the beauty of many of the local falls and gorges. We are an indecisive pair, but together we somehow manage to make up our minds (it's the easy stuff that's tricky).
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