Potted flowers/plants as centerpieces?

I am not a DIY person, but I hate the thought of paying way too much for flowers that are going to just wilt and die. Mom has nixed the idea of fake flowers. My thought was: It can't be too hard to stick a potted rosebush in a nice looking pot? Is this madness? Some of my friends seem to think so. My reception is in early June in a ballroom at a 1900s B&B, 120-140 people, seated dinner. Also looking at doing a Bouqs package, but wary of that and I still think it's pretty expensive.