Centerpiece Ideas For Outdoor Wedding Decorating

Don't limit your ideas when it comes to centerpieces for your guest tables. Nature has a bounty of supplies that are perfect for your outdoor wedding decorations. If you are unable to gather your decor from nature, your local craft, thrift, or department store will have plenty of ideas and items ready for your use. Don't forget about renting certain items such as glassware or lighting, either. Check all resources for the best deals.

Search local outlets, shops, garage sales, or party supply stores for items such as:

Large Vases or Containers

Look for groups of items that "belong" together. For example, clear glass vases of the same approximate weight and size, silver containers with similar qualities, clay pots, ice buckets, etc.

Fill with fresh flowers. Blooms can be purchased from your local florist, or gathered from an appropriate area (by permission or permit if necessary.) When decorating with wildflowers, keep in mind that many do not have the most pleasant aroma!

Skip the flowers and fill with long, lean tree branches. You can leave them bare for a modern, sleek style or adorn as you wish, with lights, ribbon, or other decorations. Very tall branches can be dramatic, and fill the visual space of high tent ceilings, but be sure the vases are weighted appropriately so they don't tip.

Imagine the rich color and fragrance of pine boughs! Fill vases and decorate as you see fit. Use judgment as to not make the vases "too full" and fussy.

Fill clear glass containers with additional decorations. Think polished stones, colorful autumn leaves, sand and seashells, rounds cut from a birch log, silk floral blooms, sweet smelling hay - the possibilities are endless. Use complementary items to give the vases height - for example, a few long stalks of seagrass from the vase of sand and seashells.

Don't limit your thrifty searching to simple containers that will hold floral arrangements. Browse the discount stores, bargain basements, and flea markets for other groups of unique items that will please your guests with their beauty and originality.

Find Groups of Possibilities

One main thing to consider when putting together a collaboration of items - how do they look as a group? All pieces should be of a similar color, weight, design, material, etc. Once you get into the idea, you'll find the ideas and possibilities are virtually endless!

Old birdcages. Use unadorned for a modern look, or intertwine ivy, grasses, or flowers between the wires. If the cage is large enough, a small potted plant, vase of flowers, or bowl of floating blooms would look beautiful inside. Often, "antique" birdcages are a bit too expensive for this use. Look for modern reproductions at craft supply or discount stores.

Silver (or silver-plate) trays. These trays can be found in plenty at thrift and secondhand shops. They are gorgeous when used as a "base" for the rest of your centerpiece. Place them in the center of the table under a vase of roses or a candleholder, and sprinkle with petals, glass beads, or polished stones. Simple, low-cost, and elegant. Many shapes and sizes are available; use round for a round table, or rectangles for a squared table. When searching for the trays, also keep an eye out for smaller dishes (also plentiful) that can be used for candies, favors, or other additions to the tables.

Wrapped gifts. Find an assortment of small sizes of boxes. Visit a party supply store or craft shop to find beautiful wrapping paper and ribbons. Wrap up the boxes in complementary colors, tie with ribbons, and arrange / stack on the tables for a fuss-free, low-cost centerpiece. For the paper and ties, get shades of one or two colors to match your wedding palette. Stay away from patterns, or use a minimum of a muted pattern, to keep a clean, simplistic look. For a more natural flare, use twine or raffia instead of expensive ribbons, and adorn with leaves or small flowers. When putting the finished look together, be sure to create some height with the packages and to place them on various levels.

Large bowls, filled with floating blooms and candles. Search for beautiful "bowls," including pottery, ceramics, glass, metal, or plastic. Distressed metal bowls or buckets with floating daisy heads or sunflowers and white candles would be perfect for a rustic setting, like a farm or field. Dime-a-dozen large plastic bowls might fit a fun "beach party" or picnic setting, and they can be found in virtually any color, plus fun variations such as clear, frosted, or pearlescent.

Create a display of nature's artwork! Arrange a grouping of natural elements from the area where you are to be married. Gather stones, leaves, pinecones, flowers, or whatever else you find beautiful and interesting. Pull your "sculptures" together with store-found items, such as platters, glassware, or candles. Try to create a perfect combination of elements by using something beautiful and modern to balance out the natural and rustic.