Discover wedding centerpiece ideas that wow guests and fit any budget! From creative floral alternatives to DIY decorations, find stylish and memorable centerpiece inspirations to personalize your wedding and enhance your reception design.
Ordinary to Extraordinary
Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
Make your wedding centerpieces unique by using seasonal fruits like apples or lemons in tall vases, topped with a few fresh flowers, instead of costly bouquets. Stack vintage books for a literary touch, or use antique clocks and lanterns for vintage-themed weddings. Add crystals or hanging gems for subtle sparkle, and mix coastal trinkets with flowers for nautical themes—creating memorable and personalized décor.
Love the height of dramatic floral centerpieces but hate the cost? This bright alternative offers the best of both worlds. Fill the base of a high vase with apples or another seasonal fruit, and fill only the very top with local buds.
Photo: Captured Photography By Jenny on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
Literary-loving couples can't go wrong with seasoned vintage novels in place of floral centerpieces. Stack your favorite titles or gorgeous bound volumes for a simple yet meaningful display.
Photo: Tres Sugar on Equally Wed via Lover.ly
Clocks and sand-timers are so detailed and elegant, your guests won't miss flowers. Bundle them together with a few other antiques for an understated vintage display.
Photo: Canvas and Canopy Designs
No wedding is complete without a little bling! Dress up classic floral arrangements by adding a fray of crystals or gems that hang from the tops of stunning centerpieces down to the table.
Photo: Captured Photography By Jenny on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
The simplicity of this wooden monogram, surrounded by a few flowering plants, is made for a more casual affair.
Photo: Traci Griffin on Snippet and Ink via Lover.ly
Consider a centerpiece comprised of a few small flowers and one or two beachy trinkets — lanterns, telescopes, or small buoys say "seaside" without being over-the-top.
Photo: Alea Lovely Fine Art Photography
This crowd-pleaser mixes lush greens with bright lemons for an almost-floral display that is sure to brighten your reception space — without blowing the budget. Get the look by spiking lemons into place, or consider using full lemon trees dressed up with additional greenery.
Photo: Dia Rao Photography on Inspired by This via Lover.ly
One key element to the perfect centerpiece that brides often overlook? The vase! Punch up a timeless floral arrangement by alternating clear and brightly-hued vases.
Photo: dear wesleyann on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
Elegant Centerpieces with Candles
All Lit Up
Candlelight creates a warm and romantic wedding atmosphere. Arrange different types of candles—like pillars, tea lights, and votives—along tables for depth and interest. Use mirrored trays or hurricane glasses to amplify the glow. Group small candle clusters with simple flowers or greenery for an intimate, budget-friendly look. Candle centerpieces suit many themes, making your tables stylish and memorable.
A glowing array of candles in various shapes and sizes of mason jars creates a dreamy ambiance in your reception space. For a more toned-down version of this idea, opt for small clusters of candles instead of a table-spanning display.
Photo: Society Bride via Lover.ly
Wrought-iron candle trees add height and visual interest to tables but are significantly more cost-effective than flowers. Not ready to give up on flowers all together? Replace some candles with small buds for an elegant touch.
Photo: Honey Heart Photography
Floating candles suspended over bright limes become a simple and tasteful centerpiece. Choose fruit that complements your color scheme, and fill various-sized vases for mismatched perfection.
Photo: Kellie Kano Photography on The Brides Cafe via Lover.ly
These detailed hurriance glasses, filled with bright pillar candles and candlesticks, illuminate tablescapes with an elegant glow. Try different sizes and heights for an eye-catching display.
Photo: Carrie Wildes Photography
Floral Fun
Creative Flower Arrangements
Couples can update floral centerpieces by adding aesthetic accents like cotton sprigs, wheat, or succulents for texture and savings. Using local or in-season flowers makes centerpieces unique and budget-friendly. Try potted orchids with seashells or lanterns, which can also be guest gifts. Multi-tiered planters and metallic numbers add a modern touch.
Consider adding a few non-floral elements to your centerpieces; these fluffy cotton sprigs look beautiful paired with small flowers, like baby's breath and wheat.
Photo: Sunday Romance Photography on Bridal Musings via Lover.ly
Having a destination wedding? Research which flowers are local to the area — they will be much more cost-effective than flying in a non-native array, and guests will love the originality of a tropical pick. For this Hawaiian wedding, the couple found flamingo flowers that added visual interest and color.
Photo: Steve Steinhardt on Inspired by This via Lover.ly
This single orchid, surrounded by seashells and delicate lanterns, is chic enough to stand on its own. Bonus: The potted plants make excellent party favors or thank-you gifts for attendants.
Photo: Minerva Photography
Metallic table numbers tucked in planted succulents make knockout DIY centerpieces for a rustic or outdoor wedding. Bonus: Succulents can be planted weeks in advance, meaning you won't have to worry about prepping your centerpieces in the days leading up to your wedding.
Photo: Yes, Please on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly
Instead of a traditional vase, place your flowers in a multi-tiered vessel, like this one made of bamboo stalks.
Photo: Apresh Chavda on Maharani Weddings via Lover.ly
Whimsical Fun
Budget-Friendly DIY Centerpieces
Add a playful touch to your reception with whimsical centerpieces such as bold vases filled with colorful pinwheels or paper flowers. Scatter ride tickets and sweets around flowers for a fun, carnival feel. Use DIY items like crayons and streamers at kids’ tables to include younger guests and add color. These creative, budget-friendly ideas make your wedding tables joyful and memorable.
This carnival-themed wedding used ride tickets and candy, paired with simple bright flowers, to create memorable centerpieces.
Photo: Iliana Morton Photography
Fill bright vases with handmade pinwheels for an easy DIY that is sure to liven up your reception. Mix and match several patterned papers for an eye-catching centerpiece.
Photo: AJH Photography on Every Last Detail via Lover.ly
This carnival-themed wedding used ride tickets and candy, paired with simple bright flowers, to create memorable centerpieces.
Photo: Iliana Morton Photography
This non-floral centerpiece, complete with crayons and streamers, is perfect for the kids' table — but the grown-ups will love it, too! Guests of all ages will be channeling their inner child when they see this fun display.
Photo: Sugar and Soul Photograph
Seasonal Ideas
Holiday and seasonal table decoration ideas
Using seasonal elements makes wedding centerpieces unique and memorable. For autumn, use heirloom tomatoes, local greenery, or decorate with faux leaves, acorns, and candles for a cozy feel. In winter, fill glass vases with colorful ornaments for festive cheer. Spring and summer centerpieces can feature bright flowers or fruit filled with wildflowers, keeping decor vibrant and budget-friendly. Seasonal decorations make each table stylish and suited to your wedding day.
Pop heirloom tomatoes and local greenery into a decorative basket for a lovely fall centerpiece.
Photo: Anna Costa on Santa Barbara Chic via Lover.ly
For a classic fall wedding, faux leafs and acorns with bright white candles make an amazing accompaniment to a dark-hued runner.
Photo: Donnell Probst Photography
No fall wedding is complete without a few gourds. Dress them up by hollowing the centers and filling them with seasonal flowers.
Photo: Society Bride via Lover.ly
Hosting a winter wedding? Fill vases with ornaments that coordinate with your wedding color palette. These bright red baubles are eye-catching and add a hint of seasonal fun. They are a cost-effective way to add holiday cheer to your reception space.
Photo: Debra Gulbas Photography
