Table centrepieces

Many brides spend hours deciding on their table decorations. Flowers are the obvious choice. These are the arrangements guests will have the most opportunity to study. Budget is a serious consideration, especially if you have a large number of guests and  therefore tables: if you overspend on each on the total amount could well exceed your flower budget. Remeber the more complicated the arrangement, the more it wil cost. Think of your favourite flowers, your bouquet, the style and colour scheme of the room, the lightning, the time of the day and year and how formal or informal the event wil be. again, look through magazines and on websites. So assess what styles you are drawn to and how appropriate and/or affordable they will be.

Each table could be the same, the top or main table could be more elaborate, or each table could have a different arrangement. Keep the centrepieces similar in style and size and have them either low or high for cross-table conversation. Vegetables, fresh or sugared fruits, pebbles, feathers, beads, coloured gel, candles can all be incorporated within the table arrangements. Simple pot plant are also an option. Tables can also be edged with flowers or foliage, garlands and be woven through chairbacks, and blooms can be placed on napkins.

If you want to give the flower arrangements away at the end of the evening, but you have to return the containers or vases, then ask you florist to use plastic containers within the decorative ones. If you are planning to give guests the table flowers or other arrangements, than make a list of recipients and perhaps leave them a not on their chair.  Other ideas could include giving them them to the youngest or oldest seated at each table, to  the person with the nearest birthday or the couple with the nearest wedding anniversary. You could also consider giving them  to a local hospice or home for the elderly.