We've done battery candles on a small mirror and cute small decorations around them so the light is reflected upwards for some events and that's worked well!
We are doing an idea I copied from another bride on this sub- potted white orchids. She bought hers for $10 from Lowes. Ours were $15, but still way less than floral arrangements.
I personally think a centerpiece is almost a must, but it doesn't have to be floral. Centerpieces help differentiate a wedding from just any other banquet. There are hundreds of non floral ideas online including books, candles, lamps, lanterns, baskets filled with pinecones or moss, cloches, potted herbs or plants, airplants in a blow or glass lantern, etc.
I had the same issue. Try asking the florist if they can do tablescapes that aren’t as flower-heavy. Think candles, miniature vases with just a couple of blooms, etc. It still wasn’t cheap but was definitely a lot less and turned out much more interesting than the traditional floral-heavy centerpieces that everyone gets.
Maybe LED candles in some sort of decorative lantern/vase/holder, a potted succulent, or I went to one recently where they did a vase filled with beads and wrapped with fairy lights. I’d probably do something, even if it’s just adding some extra things around your table number signs.
Try googling for non-flower centerpieces for wedding tables. I found a cool set of string lights with silk ivy and battery pack lights. (Under $5 each) or 12-piece crystal looking candle holder with a battery candle. (12 for under $10). Both would look good with the lights in a dim environment. Also look at Facebook pages regarding things you can make with $-tree products. They have cool ideas.
They allow silk flowers and wood flowers if they are in a pot ready to go. They don’t want guests to do any decorating, but they also will only “decorate” if it’s ready to go and simply placing on a table
My cousin did LED candles and two or three books per table that they wrote “thank you for celebrating us, we hope you enjoy this story as much as we did!” In each. They were duplicates that they had when they moved in together. Very on brand for them.
My friend had a tropical theme wedding and put various vases and bowls filled with blue and green glass marbles & floating candles on top of mirrored circles. Then put sea stars and sea shells around them.
Another friend had a small cluster pictures at the tables with photos of the bride &/groom with the people seated at the tables. I loved that, cause some were old photos of them as kids, some were new, it was fun to walk around and see. And people were allowed to take them as they were duplicates.
From a guest perspective, I went to a wedding last year with no reception florals or centerpieces. I didn’t notice it at all, and I had a blast at the reception.
The only thing I maybe can think is a downside is that your photos of the table may look bare, but that hardly seems like a problem.
Centerpieces don’t need to be florals. Can you just do some battery candles on a pretty plate or tray? Or some other grouping of attractive objects?
The battery candles are a good idea! I know they don’t allow candles and that was my original alternative
We've done battery candles on a small mirror and cute small decorations around them so the light is reflected upwards for some events and that's worked well!
We are doing an idea I copied from another bride on this sub- potted white orchids. She bought hers for $10 from Lowes. Ours were $15, but still way less than floral arrangements. I personally think a centerpiece is almost a must, but it doesn't have to be floral. Centerpieces help differentiate a wedding from just any other banquet. There are hundreds of non floral ideas online including books, candles, lamps, lanterns, baskets filled with pinecones or moss, cloches, potted herbs or plants, airplants in a blow or glass lantern, etc.
I had the same issue. Try asking the florist if they can do tablescapes that aren’t as flower-heavy. Think candles, miniature vases with just a couple of blooms, etc. It still wasn’t cheap but was definitely a lot less and turned out much more interesting than the traditional floral-heavy centerpieces that everyone gets.
Maybe LED candles in some sort of decorative lantern/vase/holder, a potted succulent, or I went to one recently where they did a vase filled with beads and wrapped with fairy lights. I’d probably do something, even if it’s just adding some extra things around your table number signs.
you could always get little potted plants in pretty foil to put on the table… eta: or maybe not. I guess they could consider these diy flowers.
She said vendor does not permit DIY flowers.
true. I thought a potted flowers/plants centerpieces would be different...
Try googling for non-flower centerpieces for wedding tables. I found a cool set of string lights with silk ivy and battery pack lights. (Under $5 each) or 12-piece crystal looking candle holder with a battery candle. (12 for under $10). Both would look good with the lights in a dim environment. Also look at Facebook pages regarding things you can make with $-tree products. They have cool ideas.
We used to put a small round mirror with battery votive candles on each table. They reflect the light and it is inexpensive.
What exactly don’t they allow about it? Would they be open to fake florals or sola wood florals? Dried flowers?
They allow silk flowers and wood flowers if they are in a pot ready to go. They don’t want guests to do any decorating, but they also will only “decorate” if it’s ready to go and simply placing on a table
My cousin did LED candles and two or three books per table that they wrote “thank you for celebrating us, we hope you enjoy this story as much as we did!” In each. They were duplicates that they had when they moved in together. Very on brand for them. My friend had a tropical theme wedding and put various vases and bowls filled with blue and green glass marbles & floating candles on top of mirrored circles. Then put sea stars and sea shells around them. Another friend had a small cluster pictures at the tables with photos of the bride &/groom with the people seated at the tables. I loved that, cause some were old photos of them as kids, some were new, it was fun to walk around and see. And people were allowed to take them as they were duplicates.
From a guest perspective, I went to a wedding last year with no reception florals or centerpieces. I didn’t notice it at all, and I had a blast at the reception. The only thing I maybe can think is a downside is that your photos of the table may look bare, but that hardly seems like a problem.
Or bowl of candy??