Wedding Centerpiece Ideas to Think Outside the Vase
In this article we show you some gorgeous wedding centerpiece ideas that aren’t the typical vase + flowers. These ideas are all very DIY-friendly as well as budget-friendly. Although many of them are shown with flowers, they would work just as well without!
A couple of our favorites would have to be the birdcage idea as well as the terrarium centerpieces.
If you missed our post on non-floral bouquets, then don’t forget to check it out too.
Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
1. Wooden Lantern
by GFTWoodcraft
This wooden lantern by popular Etsy seller GFTWoodcraft is a great starter piece for any centerpeice arrangement. Looking for something simple, rustic, and country-esque? Add a cylinder candle and a sunflower or two! Want to add some sparkle to an outdoor reception? Incorporate some fairy lights! Looking for something upscale and dramatic? Pick any floral arrangement your heart desires and have it flow out around the lantern and drape over the table. The possibilities are endless!
2. Berry Branch
Perfect for a winter wedding, having red berry branches at the heart of your centerpiece arrangement is a great way to add a pop of color to a snow-white affair! Traditionally a symbol of happiness, bounty, and future blessings, these will not only have your tables looking timeless and romantic but they’ll be setting the perfect tone for a lifetime of love and joy. What could be better? If red isn’t quite your thing, check out the other color options available and see if they’re a better fit for your color scheme!
3. Geometric Terrarium
by VallariDecor
Simple, classic, and surprisingly affordable, a geometric terrarium is the perfect pick for anyone who wants their wedding to have some modern flair without veering too far off-course from the softness of your more traditional floral arrangements. You can really have some fun with this one! Add some fairy lights, a succulent, or even a photo of the bride and groom! Whatever you choose, you will have the control to make the design completely one-of-a-kind!
4. Velvet Pumpkins
If you are having a fall wedding then let me introduce you to what I can bet will be your new favorite pieces of wedding decor! These handmade velvet pumpkins can be displayed in a variety of fun and interesting ways. Have one at each table with accompanying leaves or other pieces of autumnal décor or pick a few and have them be at the heart of each table, either way you’ll be sure to have the cutest centerpieces of the year!
5. Flower Box
by Etsy: TinyHouseDecor
A birch wood floral box may just be the exact flower and vase alternative you’ve been looking for! While reminiscent of your more traditional floral arrangements, the wooden box gives it a warmer, more homey feeling than your more extravagant vase and candle centerpieces, making it perfect for smaller, more intimate ceremonies. Totally eye-catching without being over-indulgent or showy!
6. Beer Growler
by Kappstudio
These personalized beer growlers by SpottedDogCompany are just plain FUN and are perfect for an outdoor reception! While the idea of having a big beer jug at your guest’s table may seem a bit crass at first, the beautiful engravings really soften their aesthetic, making them look less masculine and more rustic and romantic.
Fill them with some flowers and turn them into really unique vases or leave the tops off, provide your guests with some pens and pieces of paper, and instruct your loved ones to fill it with words of wisdom or well wishes for your new life together!
7. Book Stack
If you and your partner are book lovers then we picked this one out just for you! First, we just love how the table numbers are incorporated into the design of the centerpiece, so that your intricate arrangement doesn’t have to be broken up by a random piece of paper or numbered laminate. Second, we just love the color scheme! The warm tones give off an immediate warm and welcoming feel. Finally, we adore how easily these are to dress up! Head down to your local second-hand store, buy up their old books, and place the table number on top of a small book stack. If you don’t want the tables to be too busy, just add a little piece of lace or single rose!
8. Vintage Spools of Thread
by Etsy: ShopJunket
This may seem a bit out of the box but bear with us! Utilizing old spools of thread for your centerpiece arrangements can be a really unique and inexpensive way to add a bit of color and personality to your wedding day décor! You can go a few different ways with this. First, you can get your DIY on, hot glue them into a specific design, and then use the holes of the spools to hold flowers, feathers, etc. If you’re looking for something with a little less hassle, you can simply fill a vase or small fish bowl with your wedding colors. Either way, we recommend looking for vintage, wooden spools, like this batch we found by ShopJunket!
9. Wheat Stems
by Daisydiytime
Traditionally symbolic of abundance, life, and fertility, naturally dried wheat stems are would make a great addition to any centerpiece. Particularly fitting for an outdoor or barn wedding, these will add the perfect amount of country to your rustically themed day!
10. Pampas Grass
One of our more versatile additions to this list, these beautiful stems of pampas grass will fit into nearly any wedding day theme and are guaranteed to look just perfect on your reception tables! Their large feathered plumes and natural pink hue make them a great fit for the more extravagant, opulent party; however, their neutral tone means that in small amounts, they will look right at home at any outdoor garden wedding.
11. Gumball Machines
by CAROUSEL
Sure to set your wedding day apart from the rest, these gumball machines are guaranteed to be a people pleaser! Place one at every table and fill it with an easy to share treats so your guests can have a little something to snack on while they’re waiting for their meal. And if your eyes really lit up when you saw this pick, why not center the whole arrangement around it?! And some brightly colored flowers or even small jars of cookies and candy and give your reception tables a truly sweet theme!
12. Paper Airplanes
by Etsy: TaylorSomae
Not only will these paper airplanes look absolutely adorable when added to your centerpiece arrangements, they are a great way to incorporate a fun activity and really engage your guests. Set up a vintage suitcase at the front of your reception venue and instruct your guests to take an airplane from their table, write down their favorite bit of marital advice, and have them drop it into the suitcase! Then, you can promise to take their words of wisdom wherever you go. Or they can simply be used to send the happy couple off at the end of the night.
13. Stackable Candles
Wedding favors are a great way to show your appreciation to your guests and the perfect opportunity to give them something in return for all of the support they have given you and your partner, however, that wedding favor table can be a bit of a nightmare if not done right! One easy way around this is to just add your wedding favors to each table, incorporating them into your centerpiece arrangement. These mini mason jar candles are the perfect pick if you choose this route! Stack them up and add some large, white candles, faux pearls, or the flowers of your choice and voilà! Two birds, one stone.
14. Wood Slices
Stack them up to create some height, fill them with candles and flowers, or use them as place settings; the possibilities are endless. However, that warm, homey, and rustic feeling they bring to your reception will always be the same!
15. Wooden Frame
These rustic white washed frames are a great choice for your centerpiece simply because they create a whole world of possibilities! You can use them to highlight each table number, to display a favorite love poem, a quick itinerary for the night, or even a photo of the happy couple!
16. Wine Bottles with Custom Labels
Because there is nothing better than a piece of décor that not only looks great but also helps your guests get tipsy! Just pick a favorite wine and add these adorable custom labels by Etsy seller PapersWithLove. We just love the idea of your guests popping the cork, sharing the bottle, and loosening up while they talk about how beautiful the ceremony was!
17. Vintage Milk Bottles
Perfect for a rustic barn wedding, these white milk bottles are amazingly sweet and versatile! Add some fresh flowers for the perfect pop of color or some eucalyptus for a more natural vibe and you’ll have created the perfect centerpiece!
18. Succulents
by Juicykits
Not only are succulents super trendy at the moment, they are easy to take care of and small enough to be totally unintrusive in any space. Create a romantic desert scene on each table and tell your guests they are free to take one home! You’ll be giving a living reminder of your big day that will last for years to come!
19. Birdcage
These rose gold birdcages by OpenVintageShutters will open up a whole new world of possibilities for your reception tables! Looking for something traditional and romantic? Add some large white candles and a carefully curated flower arrangement! If you and your partner love books find some miniature editions and stack them inside! If you really want to run with the bird cage idea, add a miniature tree with a couple of love bird figurines! Whatever you decide to do, this vintage, story book look will add the perfect fairy-tale element your guests won’t be able to forget!
20. Apothecary Jars
by MyGiftUS
Mix and match these beautiful apothecary jars at each table and fill them with different candies or mints! Not only is it a low effort way to add some fun to your centerpiece design, your guests really will be thanking you for it!
21. Flower Pail
Not only are these personalized vintage pails completely adorable, they are also totally practical and can be used in a variety of ways. Fill them with flowers for some country décor, fill it with ice so the table can share a bottle of wine or two, or turn it into a treat filled gift basket with party favors and pre-dinner snacks!
22. Mini Chalkboards
by Etsy: PartySpin
If you are particularly proud of your penmanship (or happen to know a calligraphy master) and don’t mind a little DIY, than these adorable chalkboards may be a great pick for your centerpiece arrangement! Go ahead and add in the table numbers before the wedding but leave some chalk on each table. Once guests find their seat they can add some sweet messages for the bride and groom!
23. Wine Corks
While I was in college I moved in with my very best friend and it wasn’t long before we realized that some of our favorite moments took place while sharing a bottle of chardonnay. To honor that tradition we began saving every wine cork we popped, writing a short summary of our night and dropping it into an empty vase. When it was finally time to move on and out, we emptied the vase and took a long walk down memory lane. This got me thinking – why not incorporate it into a wedding?
Wine corks have a really great rustic aesthetic that would look amazing stacked in a clear vase or vintage milk bottle, so why not add them to your centerpiece? Throw some sharpies on the table and ask your guests to write some words of love and drop them into a communal vase at the front of the reception venue. Once the big day has ended, you can bring the jar home and read through all of your guest’s sweet messages!
24. Hoops
Simple, sleek, and totally timeless, these centerpiece hoops are a great alternative to a traditional vase. They are less clunky and have a modern edge, however, they don’t veer too far from classic arrangements, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking to create a sophisticated and timeless visual.
25. Globe
by LeMarigny
How sweet are these miniature globes?! They are a really unique addition to any centerpiece arrangement and beautifully symbolize the start of your upcoming journey!
26. Palm Spears
Palm trees are traditionally symbolic of victory, peace, and eternal life, which is no surprise once you see these strong, geometric, and shapely spears up close! These come in a variety of colors which means you can personalize your arrangements just like you would flowers, however, these bold shapes will create a completely unique look that will make your reception tables truly one of a kind!
27. Vintage Lantern
by Etsy: MenaalCrafts
Ok, ok, so we already have a lantern on this and this may be cheating, but these Moroccan style lanterns by tonidecoreshop are so beautiful that we just HAD to include them! Add a tealight and surround it with soft colored flowers and you’ll have created a romantic, Pride and Prejudice-esque, classical garden them at every table.
28. Lemon Branches
While fruits in a table’s centerpiece may seem a little out of left field, once you see these lemon branches by DarbyCreekTrading you’ll be wondering how you never thought of it before. We just love the idea of these being on every table at any outdoor garden wedding and as real as these may look, they are actually ‘forever’ lemons, which means you can get that amazing pop of color and whimsy without having to worry about food waste or pesky bugs!
29. License Plate Vase
by UniquePl8z
If you’re having a destination wedding or know that you have guests coming in from all over the country to celebrate, then you need to check out these license plate vases from Etsy seller UniquePl8z! We love the idea of juxtaposing something like a license plate with a beautifully ornate flower arrangement, as it allows for a sophisticated aesthetic that doesn’t take itself too seriously!
30. Book Page Flowers
Perfect for booklovers who are planning a small and intimate wedding, these book page roses are sweet, whimsical, and utterly romantic! The addition of the small pearl also elevate the look, taking it from a small craft to a beautiful piece of wedding décor!
We hope these centerpiece ideas get your creative juices flowing. There are so many more options out there! Wheatgrass, picture frames, spools of thread, stacks of favors, lanterns, jars of candy, and paper airplanes are just a few more that we’ve seen.
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Shawnia Cairns
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Shawnia Cairns#molongui-disabled-link
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