Reception Centerpiece dilemma

I would say yes $100 each for rented centerpieces is a bit much. You could probably get centerpieces with flowers for that rate, so you can probably find something you like just as much but cheaper.

Are you a DIY bride? Is this something you can recreate?

And No branches are not a winter item. I think they can go either way.

I think you could recreate something like this for half the price. Hobby Lobby has tall glass vases- most of the time they are 50% so you could pay like $18 for the vase, the flowers and branches are also most of the time 50% off. For anything that is not on sale for 50% you can to the website and print off a 40% off coupon. I say give it a try, with a vision and the right materials, you would be surprised @ what you could create. An added bonus it will be extra special because you DIY'd it.

Thanks for your input ladies. I have so many visions in my mind. I am just not sure which one I want to go with yet! As for do it yourself I don't know if I can create something that I am looking for on my own. But to keep the cost down it might be worth a shot.

Have you asked the florist if she can do something similar but with a smaller price tag? You could do half of your tables with the big, showy centerpiece and half with a smaller, less expensive version. You would get the same general look at a much lower price.

Good point. I am just not a fan of the low centerpieces. But maybe half and half might not be so bad!

That's a lot! You can honestly do it for a lot less. Shop around for vases and depending on the branches, I'm sure you can get them somewhere else or get them from your backyard. LOL! The crystals, you can probably get on eBay. Don't fork out that much for renting centerpieces.

I think that is a fair price for what you are getting. I am doing something very similar but substitute fabric flowers for the florescent beads and will be paying around the same price. I'm sure I can do it myself for cheaper but I don't DIY. And no, branches are not just for winter weddings. They can be, and are, used year round.

This is what we are getting.

Jenai...I loved the taller look as well ... I had 10 tables total...7 tables had lower, smaller and simple centerpieces and 3 of the tables had taller centerpieces (curly willow branches) with attached flowers...I paide roughly $55 per tall center piece and $40 for the smaller ones with flowers.

I think $100 is a bit too much for rental and I know you could probably do it for a much better budget friendly DIY piece.

Here's a pic of the vase we're considering (minus the pomanders that are hanging from it). I really appreciate everyone's advice. Thanks!

If you are crafty at all why not DIY? I have tall and short centerpieces. My tall ones are Eiffel Tower vases (on sale at Michael's for 9.99) with a few orchid sprays and dancing pearls but you could just as easily substitute curly willow branches and beads.

Jenai...you could totally do this yourself.

Vases 6 for $14 a piece

Branches $9 each

Gold Spray Paint - $7

8 pounds of Clear Glass Rock $12

Hanging Crystals 10 for $32

You'll average about $62 each centerpiece if you made them on your own...verses the $100 to rent.

then, you could potentially try and sell your centerpieces once you're finished for some money back

@Linda ... Curly Willow Branches are very flimsy and don't hold much on them. If you put something on them, it should be pretty lightweight.

Tall centerpieces are beautiful, but I want my guests to be able to see one another across the table... What we are doing are martini glasses (3 per table - from dollar tree) and they will be at different heights, clear water beads and blue waterproof led lights... It's so simple but it makes the water beads look like shimmering diamonds.. I'm not a big flower person either.

@ Cavan ur centerpieces look fabulous. @ Cydney you make it sound so easy..u wanna make them for me?? Lol...ill have do some research for the best price thanks all for ur input thus far!

I totally understand your situation. Seriously keep checking craigslist. I found mine yesterday! $25 per centerpiece. I got 16. They are gorgeous!! But I do like the idea of only doing a few tables tall and the rest short. It adds dimension to the room. Here are the ones I got.

You should definitely make this a DIY project if you have the patience. Check out Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Craigslist and the Dollar Tree. For $100 you can get enough to cover all the tables you plan on reserving. Good luck!

I had the same dilemma. I had to have tall (REALLY TALL) centerpieces but couldnt afford the price tag. At first I wanted the ostrich feather ones, but that was way to expensive even to DIY. So I made branch ones myself!! I had 25 tables and made 15 Tall and the other tables had small candle centerpieces...

COST

Large vases (mine ranged 3-4ft tall) I got them at HomeGoods for $9.99 each.

I cut branches from some woods near my house and spray painted them dark brown. FREE and 6 cans of spray paint at $3.49 each

I didnt hang crystals but I bought 2 fake Hydrangea buncghes in Burnt orange and cut the flowers off and attached them to the branches. $2.50 a bunch.

I bought water pearls to fill the vases up with online. I ended up spending about $50 for enough to fill up all 15 vases.

I bought floralytes online also to light up the vases and those were about $30.

CONTD

Optional item is I wanted to buy silk Hydrangeas to go around the rim of the vases but it would have taken 5 per vase and at $3 each that got a little expensive so I didnt do that.

I can post a pic when I get home. I am actually using one in my home as decor.

Here you can see them in the distance. You could make them a lot fuller by adding more branches but I didnt want that look. Mine had little burnt orange flowers everywhere...

I will take pics of my one at home... it has the hydrangeas also that make it look even nicer!!

Mrs Montoya...I'm interested in seeing these centerpieces too!! Can't wait to see them!