Do guests really take the Centerpieces? & Is it tacky if...

Some do, yes. I don't, because I don't like flowers (and even if it's not flowers, it's weird to me.) But some folks do. If you are renting anything or otherwise wish to keep your centerpieces, start spreading the word now and hope for the best.

At one wedding, the DJ did a game to determine who got the centerpiece. That helped control the random looting.

I would have the dj or someone announce that the CP are infact just rentals and cannot be remvoved from the table

Yes. Someone took the bride's bouquet off the sweetheart table at a wedding I went to.

That is just rude. Unless specifically stated, they shouldn't just be grabbing stuff willy nilly and keeping it. Kind of selfish. You can have the DJ make an announcement, your idea of putting tags on the items, having a designated tackler stationed at the doors, etc.

I have never heard of such a thing.

At my first wedding centerpieces were left in tact. I know because I had to pack them away at the end of the night.

At showers, I've seen games played where you win the centerpiece, but never at a wedding.

For ours guests will be taking the centerpieces. They are baskets with fresh flowers in them though, so they will end up dying anyways. Plus, FH and I live out of state and since we are flying to and from the wedding we can't really keep much to begin with so we would be letting guests take them off our hands either way. We plan to have our DJ play some sort of game to let people win them.

I had not seen (probably because I was not paying attention) that before our wedding either. But then all the CPs were gone before I blinked. Maybe that's a compliment, haha? I don't think it's rude, it's just something many people seem to be used to.

Anyway, have somebody announce it and yes, put a little note on the table.

I've never witnessed first hand but yes apparently they do. Preston Bailey had a guest take a seven foot candlelabra!

http://blog.prestonbailey.com/2012/03/08/how-to-tell-guests-they-cant-take-everything-home/

I have never seen this in real life & only heard about this online. I think it's rude, like really rude! All of mine were there at the end of the night. I didn't need any warnings. Is this maybe geographical? I'm in SoCal if that makes any difference.

Designated tackler, LOL that made me laugh. I could just imagine that!LOL i would have the EMCEE make an announcement.

Not sure if it is geographical or not. FSIL even sent me a text that she was taking a CP from a 2 y/o birthday party. Who does that!?! We are using CP that we are going to be able to reuse (Pagoda Houses ) for our backyards. Even if they were vases/flowers, I am not sure why guests think they can just take things. I can not believe that someone would take the bouquet off the sweetheart table.

I think I've seen it, but think it's super tacky to take something from a wedding that isn't a party favor. In addition to a note and/or property of venue sticker, I would have your BM's/MOH, other family members who understand they can't be taken, to spread the word as well that the CP's are not to be removed.

Some people, I swear!

Ugh yes, it can happen. I have seen it and do not get it. Why would people assume you can steal something? I have heard some people have their djs make an announcement to not take them. As tacky as that is, you can do that. My DOC is watching them for us because I want to resell mine. I would totally confront someone too if I saw that at my wedding. Talk about rude.

Ours didn't get taken -- we had ornaments in a bowl that guests signed as our "guest book." So I guess that's why they stayed. But they weren't super fancy, and wouldn't really be useful outside of Christmas time, so I assumed no one really wanted them (hell, we threw out most of them, too.)

I've actually seen guests claim the centerpiece right off the table during dinner and take it to their car for safe keeping. I never understood just taking the centerpieces, but I see it happen more often than not

I would make sure it's mentioned that the centre pieces aren't yours, they belong to the venue... at the beginning of the night and also at the end of the night. as there are a few "drunk people" who like to cause some stuff...

OMG. If one half of the family thinks it's okay, and the other doesn't, train your family now to put their foot down if they see it happening. My mom has said I need to get someone to watch the gift table for me (so nothing grows legs and walks away)...if the centerpieces are valuable enough maybe it would be a good thing to bring an extra person to the wedding just so they can police the crowd if you think your family will be too busy with other things.

I do like the idea of the frame...just remember only one person at the table is probably going to be able to read it, and the people on the opposite side won't even see it probably. The gentle reminder as an announcement is a good idea, as long as you have a good clear sound system. Otherwise people may get confused and think the dj is saying that it is okay to take them. Good luck!

Oh my good ness! i have never herd of that! i didn't have center pieces. nor will i this time. i just put there favors on the table...

Like I said I have never seen anyone do this before either, but FH's ENTIRE family thinks that this is acceptable and just thinks it is the funniest thing that this makes me mad to no end.

If someone tries this they will be receiving a bill. That's a a promise! As long as i knew who it was! If they are uncouth enough to try it I am uncouth enough to acknowledge it! I mean really! Do these people go to restaurants and take home their silverware bc it's nice, or a lamp, or a bread bowl? It bothers me on so many levels! I've never seen it happen in real life though! Thankfully!