Designing your centerpieces requires careful consideration since your guests will be looking at these arrangements for a whole four hours. As the bride-to-be, I desperately wanted my own flowers to be unique, modern, romantic and —most importantly —blend in with the overall vision of our wedding day.
Michael and I finally decided on our florist and arrangements this past May. Although I am keeping our floral design under wraps until July 2012, I am thrilled to share some helpful advice I learned along the way.
Inspiration First
I highly recommend creating an inspiration board to provide your florist with a clear idea of your
thoughts and expectations. I spent hours snipping images of centerpieces I loved from wedding blogs and websites. Then I compiled everything and printed a hard copy of the document to take with me when interviewing potential florists. That way, I had photos to explain what I was looking for in my modern, romantic centerpieces.
Not sure where to start? Check out David Tutera's guide to choosing seasonal flowers based on your wedding month. Consider your favorite colors, films, even items of clothing—your florist will be able to draw upon those preferences to come up with a unique floral concept.
Once you have a vision in mind, here's how to select the best florist that will bring it to life. Hint: Don't just visit vendors with the best-looking websites!
Mix It Up by Thinking in Threes
Although we ultimately went in another direction, I found the above image to be awe-inspiring. I love
the look of using three vases of varying heights on each table. Rather than buying vases, consider renting some from your florist (just make sure no one runs off with them once the wedding is over!) or start collecting vessels at thrift store shops and yard sales.
Another great way to mix up your décor is to select a mix of high and low arrangements for your tables. This breaks up the monotony of the space and allow you to incorporate your favorite blossoms without blowing your budget.
The Power of One
If you're dead-set on floral centerpieces but can't swing the cost, then consider using one flower in bulk. Bonus: These high-drama blooms are anything but basic.
Work with your florist to determine which type of flower would work best for your venue, season and overall feel. Avoid florals that have a strong scent, since they'll be magnified tenfold.
Consider incorporating this idea into your bouquet or those of your bridesmaids as well. Check out these beautiful arrangements made entirely out of roses!
Consider the Whole Picture
Lighting, linens, chargers, and candles may seem like minor details, but they really bring the "Wow" factor to your wedding. Learn more about how to create dazzling reception décor here.
Also consider these whimsical wedding paper details to add personality and meaning to your tablescape.
Crista asks: What do your centerpieces look like?
—Crista Camerlengo
*Disclaimer: I grabbed these photos when I first got engaged months ago. If you know the original sources, please leave a comment and I'm happy to insert them as photo credits. Thanks!
Crista Camerlengo is a real bride and the co-founder of Style She Wrote, who will tie the knot in July 2012 with Michael, her fiancé of six years. This chic NYC couple describes their wedding style as “modern romance"—fitting for a pair who had their first date at a quaint seaport and became engaged in the same spot, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. This fashion-forward blogger loves to infuse her traditional taste with unexpected contemporary accents.
