Let's Talk Centerpieces-When Did You Start Working on Yours?

Last week I started checking out goodwills for various glass pieces (vases, jars, etc). I'm going to continue shopping for interesting pieces, and I need to find frames too. It's going to be an ongoing process.

I'm estimating. I haven't paid more than $1 for anything and if there's some that don't get used, oh well.

I have been working on my centre pieces very slowly (painting is required) since October. I was inspired at that point and they are almost done as of this past weekend.

my idea was to use spring as the inspiration for the centerpiece and I am using terracotta pots. Got them at the dollar store two for $1. got some acrylic paint and painted a "spring" scene on them. I am going to throw some silk flowers in them with beads around those to finish them off. (pic included of the completed pot)

Mine can't be bought til Fall, I'm doing pumpkins and the florist is putting the flowers in for us.

We're estimating...but we're doing a fairly inexpensive centerpiece and a few of the things we buy in bulk anyway, so I'm not too worried about it

It only took me a a couple of nights to make mine - maybe 5, 6 hours tops. I waited until I got my RSVP's back.

I had friends and coworkers collect wine bottles for me 2-3 months before the wedding too.

Steph and Spicydeene-Cute centerpieces!

Thanks for the feedback so far, ladies. It's always good to hear how everyone is doing things.

I'm lucky. My FI's family is HUGE, and they have had several weddings over the past couple of years. I have access to 14 24" eiffel tower vases, which I'm super excited about! I'll get to use them instead of buying them. We'll use 12 of those, and then 12 of something else, that I'm not sure of yet.

That centerpiece is adorable @Spicydeene! Love yours too @Steph

Because I was mainly using silks I was able to start my centerpieces way early (about 9 months before the wedding) which was good as I ended up with some silks that were only available during the hollidays. If I had waited I would have had to go a different route. We were also fairlly certain how many guests we would end up so I knew how many tables, etc. I did make a couple extra just in case. It also gave me time to buy the vases I would need which helped spread the cost out.

I am estimating but only have so many tables. We are making a cake for each table - so the plan is to use the cakeplate as the centerpiece as well.

I am still in teh thought process of what to put on them during the ceremony since it is all at the same site, but something small is the plan.

The first pictures is what it will look like during the ceremony (maybe some baby's breath or something small on the plate) and then later we sill put the cake on the plate (pic #2 is what the cake with somewhat look like).

Forgot to say... since it is a smelly and glittery project... I am going to wait till spring so I can do it in the garage.

My moh is coming to visit me in july exactly one year before our wedding to start working on my diy stuff. at that point we are going to tour my venue again and make final arragements as to what we are going to do.

Mine are done.. I did them early with the max amount of tables I will have. (I loooove my centerpieces.)

We're doing lots and lots of paper flowers so my FMIL and I have already started on those. Everything else (vases, twigs, candles) can be assembled two or three days before.

Love all of the pics!

Linda E-Beautiful!

Marie C-Date twin! I love the idea of cakes on every table. A friend of mine did the same thing with cheesecake. It went over really well.

I've been planning my centerpieces for awhile now, but only just starting to work on them now. Of course I have a freakin year to do them lol. And my table count is at most 5 tables - that sounds pathetic to have that little....

So if I end up with an extra one, it's not like I spent over the hill for it. 5 is a simple easy amount, plus B&G table piece.

There's only a little I can do right now though, cuz the silk flowers I'm using (Iris) only come out in fall collections from Michaels. So more towards summer I will be doing shopping.

Once i came up with a concept (about 3 months after getting emganed) my mom started collecting ceramic vases from garage sales, etc. We spray painted them white. I order my flowers (I did a cluster of carnations) about 2 months prior to my wedding. My mom and I arranged the flowers the Thursday before my saturday wedding. The nice thing about carnations is they are HARDY! You can see my centerpieces here http://happinessiscreating.com/my-wedding/. Let me know if you have any questions.

I started like... a year ago, once I was settled on. Started browsing ideas, and buying things here and there. I've had all the supplies to make them for months now, and I'm STILL not done.... with only 40 something days left. I stalled for awhile haha. I need to get on that..

Not early enough! I'm working on them every night and so is my MOH! I would suggest doing them 4-5 months out...that's when you have some down time in your planning.

You should look at your guest list to get an estimate. How many people are really going to show up? And that will give you your bottom line minimum for number of vases or whatnot. If you are going to do the work yourself and depending on how elaborate it is going to be, about 5-6 months out is a good idea to start . Keep mindful of other planned activities like wedding shower, holidays, and bachelorette and bachelor parties.