Table Talk with Colin Cowie

Wedding planner Colin Cowie shares his tips for creating eye-catching wedding flower centerpieces without spending a lot of money.

I chatted with wedding expert Colin Cowie, who recently launched his new Colin Cowie Flowers division, on how to keep the cost of your wedding flowers centerpieces down during these tough economic times.


Q: What are some tips for keeping the cost of table arrangements down?

A: What’s interesting is that wedding centerpieces are not just about flower arrangements anymore (where things can get costly); instead, it might be a combination of objects on the table. What we’re seeing now in stores are these interesting organic bowl shapes with tiny openings at the top. Sometimes it's less expensive to buy 20 of those than trying to fill a big-mouthed container with fresh flowers. Instead, you find the right color and put a single blossom in there. You put it with a leaf on the bottom and add three or four interesting candles. It feels more personal with the use of different elements.

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Get more great ideas in Colin Cowie's latest book on wedding style.

If you’re working with a limited budget, keep it simple—very clean and not fussy. Pick one thing you like and do tons of it—masses of one kind of flower, in something like glass, that reflects light. Use lots of candles everywhere, perhaps in clear glass votives. Or perhaps votive candles covered with green leaves or the skeletons of leaves to cast a soft light.


Q: What flower trends can we expect to see for the fall?

A: In terms of flowers, we’re heading toward shades of deep reds or burgundies. In the autumn, black magic roses—which are actually a deep, dark burgundy—work well with the wonderful browns. There’s the gorgeous chocolate brown rose called Leonidas. And this is also the time of the year where we get fall and autumnal chrysanthemums and spidermums. You might also use those green orchids with the lovely aubergine with the red dots on the inside—the St. Bailey orchid. You can also incorporate fruits, vegetables and autumnal things for centerpieces.

In the fall, it’s all about the harvest so try apples and pears. Big bowls of apples and pears are a fun and inexpensive way to create beautiful wedding centerpieces. I also love the idea of adding apples, pears, clementines, oranges and even grapes to the wedding centerpiece flower arrangements at this time of the year for a splash of rich color. If you want to make it more traditional, you can bring in elements of gold. Then you can really dress it up wonderfully.

Also for fall, the bouquets are getting looser and more organic with flowers that cascade naturally from the bouquet. The look is more Dutch still life, incorporating twigs and vines and dried elements, as a reference to the maturing season. To make a wedding bouquet more personal—and in keeping with the trend of adornment—you might add sparkling jewels or rhinestones or pieces of amber.


For more information, visit colincowie.com.