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

Can you just have the FH have the conversation with his family then?

P.S. Don't count on knowing who took them. The end of the reception is usually hectic, you're tired and happy, and you won't be paying attention to who's sneaking out with the CPs.

WOW! I have never heard about this eaither. I really hope no one just runs off with ours! I mean we only have 16 tables so 16 centerpieces, What makes the one guest per table think they are the special one and they get the centerpiece and the other 9 people at the table are out of luck. To me I would think if there isnt enough for everyone then its obviously not to take.

I have seen this done in another country. Even then I about had a heart attack! They took them as soon as they sat down and yes some went right to the cars. I have heard that they have the DJ make an announcement. I am thinking about putting a sticker on the stuff that says you will be charged $100 for removing this item from the venue. I am all for the tackler. I actually think I will put it on the website, hummm how to word this? I know some people who were charged for table cloths because guests poured the wax out of the holders on them and made pictures like a smiley face. Are people pigs? I can not imagine going to a dinner and writing a note on the table cloth much less making a candle wax picture smiley. It was adults that did this and not drunk either.

Our centerpieces are antiques, there will be heck to pay if they go missing.

I have seen this at almost every wedding I've been to. If they weren't just taken then the DJ played a game to give away the centerpieces. I live in Texas so not sure if it is more common here but I've seen it multiple times.

Yes, people do...and it is rude! Many weddings will give the centerpieces to someone at each table, maybe with a marker under a chair or placemat, but I have seen people scarf up numerous ones from several tables for themselves. Ugh! Really?! Was at an event once (not a wedding) where the woman sitting next to me helped herself to the centerpiece and got stopped at the door for taking it. Too funny!

I have had the talk with FH's family numerous times. They keep telling me it is b/c they are "mexican" and that is what they do. I have been to all kinds of weddings including Hispanics and never seen this before. I asked them how they would feel if I came over to their house and liked the bowl on their table and just took it home with me. They all think it is so funny, but it really makes me angry and is causing me major anxiety over it.

Yes, I have seen this at many weddings. Mostly they wait until it's a polite time to leave or until the party is over, but sometimes there was no announcement made that it was ok to take the centerpiece. I went to one wedding where the bride (a good friend) made it known to her friends and family before the wedding that there were enough parts to her centerpieces for each guest to take one home as favors. There was a beautiful orchid plant, two lanterns, and a few other things. One of my table mates rudely said, "No one else wants these, right? I'll take them!" and grabbed up everything. He was even stopped BY THE BRIDE on his way to the car to put them away during the reception, but he laughed it off. People can be really rude. I suggest you have the DJ make an announcement and have the staff be on the lookout for people who try to do this.

I was given one as thank you for serving present. I couldn't imagine taking something that someone had worked hard on or to pay for.

Oh I've heard of this tradition too! Maybe it's a regional thing ?

I am wondering what region is the region for theft from a wedding? I don't think I have ever been to a wedding in this country where the stuff is removed by guests.

My FH and I was reading this post and FH suggested renting merchandise sensor where you tag the items that you don't want people to take and have a sensor in the doorway so when when they go through it the buzzer goes off, caught them red handed, this is so stupid people would do this of taking stuff, our centerpieces are also provided by the venue so I'm gonna ask them if this happens in their venue and if so what should we do...

I've heard of it, but I'm hoping it won't happen at my wedding. I'm not having flowers, but candlesticks with pumpkins on them, and I plan on keeping the pumpkins for future Halloweens. If it was flowers, I'd have no issues if they took the flowers, but vases are costly and nobody should just take them.

Northeastern PA - Pennsylvania Dutch/Eastern European family and friends ... and yup they walk. Quickly. Even ones that you just know will never be used/appreciated by the taker.

I think it's more to do with the "I got something for nothing and you didn't" competitive attitude

We are planning on giving the centerpieces with flowers to people who helped with showers, planning, clean up and any other things like that and the other centerpieces are already spoken for/promised to another bride. So nothing is going to be making its way out the door without permission or there is going to be a bridezilla on the loose

I've seen it in my family. Guests would take the whole thing at the end of the night unless the dj said to leave the vases (rentals). Most people would just pick some flowers and take them home for their own table, which I think is nice. The flowers aren't dead yet and won't end up in the trash so soon.

Haha Megan I can see you in your dress chasing people in the parking lot.

I can see kids picking up the confetti type stuff. Rose petals, sparkles etc. I can not see anyone taking glass home be it vase or candle holder. I have been to weddings where there is 10 personalized votive holders per table. I did not want one but others did and were suppose to take them.

I was at a reception once and I said the centerpieces are pretty, a lady near me said don't steal them they are rented. I cracked up. I said oh I did not know a compliment meant I was going to steal them.

I have never heard of such a thing and have certainly never witnessed it. that absolutely blows my mind that this happens - seriously.

I second the northeast PA comment, I've heard that it is a common thing to do there. I'm hoping all of my family from there leaves the vases as they are going to be borrowed from a friend!

@theLuckiest: Where your gift table is concerned, why not do what im planning and put it within sight of the head table? Surely someone will always be sitting there and be able to see the table. I know my dad wont dance other than with me, so im putting him in charge of keeping an eye on it if necessary. If everyone shows up without a boxed gift, we will just move the card box to the head table.