GUEST TABLES
When deciding on Floral Guest Table Centerpieces, keep in mind that the Reception is the place where the Wedding Theme is brought to itʼs full weight. It is this presentation which has been setup that will greet You and your Guests upon arrival at the Reception site. Centerpieces and the Table-scape for Guest Tables will be influenced by Wedding Theme, table sizes, site restrictions and Your budget.
When deciding on Floral Guest Table Centerpieces, keep in mind that the Reception is the place where the Wedding Theme is brought to itʼs full weight. It is this presentation which has been setup that will greet You and your Guests upon arrival at the Reception site. Centerpieces and the Table-scape for Guest Tables will be influenced by Wedding Theme, table sizes, site restrictions and Your budget.
Table Numbers and Reserve signs can be incorporated in to Your Wedding Theme. This necessary part of a table-scape has under gone great changes. Today’s Do It Yourself Bride is designing and making them herself using small frames, wine bottles, wooden plaques, books, candles, the lists is endless. Retailers have also found new designs in the growing field of decoration for Guests Tables. New to the mix is the chalk board, Brides are using this gem in centerpieces and on the table. To name a few places. Hand made or store bought this little item can make a big impact on the Guest Table. Even the Centerpiece can become the Table Number. At right, the Bride hand covered mason jars in lace, added numbers and flame less votive. When Bridal party arrived at Reception the Bridesmaids used their bouquets to complete the centerpiece. This advance planning helped cut the cost on her over all total for centerpieces. Instead of Table Numbers Brides are naming the tables with Destinations. Golf courses, European cities, States, familiar streets in their city, airports, train stations. You get the idea. A fantastic way to immerse the Event with the Wedding Theme. Reserve signs at times seem useless when not having assigned seating. You are having the Guests seat themselves with no pre planning. But you Do need them. If for only for the one or two tables close to the Head Table for Family and close Friends. Many Wedding stores and craft shops sell pre made Reserved signs. You can up grade them by adding Your own name and date with a print out from Your computer in any color to match the Wedding. Or make them yourself from business card stock. Centerpiece Arrangements of fresh or silk flowers can be placed in to three categories; 1. Container Arrangements- These are arrangements that are made in or on a container in a floral or dried foam. These containers include trays, dishes, saucers, bowls, baskets, urns, pots. Also includes candle, votive and hurricane holders, compotes (for potted plants), pedestal and bi- level structures Books have become very trendy to use as a Centerpiece with or with out flowers. Many of these designs will use a container with floral foam or several vases to arrange the flowers. 2. Vase Arrangements- These are made in vases; flower stems in water or other medium. Includes all tall vases, bud vases, ivy bowls, bubble bowls, floating candle or flowers, brandy sniffers (with candle or flowers). 3. Scattered Flowers & Ribbons- These arrangements are composed of cut flowers and greens laid on tables with little or no water source. Many times augmented with candles, votive, ribbons, tulle, runners and other decorations. Mirrors can be an eye-opening addition to any Centerpiece. When adding a platter mirror you give the illusion of depth and space. Enhancing the overall appearance of the table and the whole room. Round mirrors range from 4” to 18” in diameter, square mirrors are 8-10-14". Both are 1/8 " thick. Always handle platter mirrors with caution. They are glass and can break. Large size mirrors will need support when lifting and transferring them. When working with mirrors, have cleaner and paper towels handy to clean any fingerprints off surface from assembly. There is also a line of mirrored finished vases and containers for Wedding use. The shiny finish adds a real sophisticated look to the Wedding Theme. Along with platters for placing under arrangements, There are bud, cylinder and heart vases, umbrella and centerpiece containers. For Ceremony use there are also mirrored pedestals. One recent addition to the Guest Table Centerpiece line is to use a single-layer cake or cupcakes. This innovation can help combine costs of cake and table decorations into one total. The size of each cake should be the same and will depend on Guest count.
At the time for Bride and Groom to cut the Wedding Cake, each table of Guests will cut at the same time. Great for smaller Weddings and Reception sites with limited room for Cake Table placement. Placing cake on low raiser or decorated cake plate will give a more dramatic effect. Add a cake knife with ribbons to complete the Centerpiece. Silk and Fresh Flower Arrangements- The Container for your Centerpiece says a lot about the Wedding Theme. Baskets can give a casual/ outdoor feeling, where a high luster bowl or mirror container can create a more formal, modern feel. Tall vase arrangements can help fill the space between table and ceiling. Extra items on the table like candles, favors, table numbers, napkins, glassware, plates, silverware, even the tablecloth can enhance the over all Theme. There are paper mache containers for arrangements in which the container is hidden by the flowers and greens. These can be inexpensive containers when doing multiple tables, either round or banquet tables. They can be cut to any size and sprayed any color you choose. You can also find them in recycled paper, in 9 and 11 inch sizes. For a full lists of sizes see a Floral Supply company in your area. A new innovation is umbrella pots- two half circles complete a ring around the pole for out door Weddings. A four foot length of ivy or greens makes a finishing touch twining down the umbrella pole. Pedestal containers help to lift the arrangement off the table making it appear larger. This also helps when table space is at a premium. The high luster container is a classy touch to any Wedding Theme. The gold or silver can act as a Wedding color and help tie other decorations together. Placing arrangements on pillars or other stands like a tall vase will achieve the same. They help fill a room with flowers at eye level as the Guests enter. Round tables in high ceiling Reception sites can support the pedestal design system. It is a design to create a tall arrangement at the top with a smaller arrangement at the bottom and still allow conversation across the table. Arranged in a series of clear pedestals or columns with fresh flower arrangements and votive candles. Saucers range from 6” to 15”diameter; pedestals range 14”, 21”, & 31” tall; columns are 21” & 31”. Pedestal arms or rim pads for votive candles and holders. You can use any combination of saucers, columns or pedestals to create your own look. Most rectangular banquet tables, 30 inches X 6 or 8 feet, require a oval or long and low arrangement. It should be 20”-24” up to 36”, depending on table length. The arrangement is usually placed in the center of the table. Votive or tea candles, open flame or flame less are always a good idea for decorating. Try using 3 to 5 on both sides of the arrangement. Runners of any kind will increase the visual size of the arrangement. An option for placement can be on the end of the table using a cascade style with a ribbon runner. This is good for tight halls where tables are set ends around an open center. Here the Bridesmaids used their bouquets to complete each arrangement as it faced the dance floor. At right, a twist to the idea of the end arrangement. We used the Guest Tables and the Centerpiece to create an aisle for the Ceremony. The Guests watched from their seats. The succulent favors, placed on a burlap runner, were flanked with votive candles and became the Centerpiece. Other options for banquet tables include using several smaller containers or 3 to 6 bud vases with ribbon to fill the table. The addition of scattered flowers and candles, runners of tulle or lace, linen or burlap can enhance the overall total look and customize it to Your Wedding Theme. |
Basket arrangements do well on banquet tables, as long as they are kept to about 14” in height and about 36 inches in length with flowers. Single round arrangements can get lost by themselves, but a series of three or more can make a beautiful show with ribbon or tulle runner. Clustered in center or spread out. A mass showing of pillar and votive candles is another table filler and romantic Wedding Theme. Very popular. With little to no flowers used. |
Many times halls will line 2 or 3 six foot tables thus making a 12 ft to 18 foot long tables. These long tables can get expensive to fully decorate when there are 10 or more to decorate. Try using one long and low centerpiece in the middle of half the tables, with gathered tulle, scattered flowers and votive candles running from the arrangement. This will help make the arrangement appear longer. For the other tables use tulle or fabric runners with scattered flowers and greens down the centers in a coordinating color. You can use Your Wedding favors to help decorate the table.
Instead of 2 tables in a line, try a square. You can seat 10-12 people and avoid the long table. Mix in with round tables for a unique set up. Decorate it with a large container of flowers, or potted blooming plants. Pillar candles with scattered flowers. Your Reception site representative should be able to give you alternative seating designs which will work with in your
Wedding count.
When having Families with young children at the Reception, consider a Childʼs Table or room, if available. Decorated with a basket or container of toys (crayons, coloring books, games) for the children to play with during the Reception. Pick one or two adults to sit there and keep the kids busy. This helps let the Parents enjoy your Reception and keeps the children occupied having fun. Balloons add a whimsical touch to any arrangement. Used in clusters of odd numbers (3,5,7) in white or Wedding colors to coordinate with arrangements. Balloon Bouquets are as popular as centerpieces. A few of the drawbacks being; the latex balloons last only 4 - 6 hours, depending on heat or cold. Cool air conditioning can condense the helium with in the balloon shrinking it in size and making it heavy so they drop. Air filled balloons do not float and need support of wire or sticks. Mylar balloons last much longer than latex, but can be more expensive. Many places have restrictions on balloons for release or use. Always check with Reception site for details. |
Recent times have produced a new centerpiece container, that of the Decorated Paper Bag. Those bags with a rectangle shape make it a natural for long banquet tables, works well with round tables too. The bags come in solid colors or with beautiful illustrations of angles, flowers, wedding scenes, just about anything you can think of. These can make your Wedding Theme pop-out at your Guest. A larger amount of fresh flowers can be added in a small vase or floral foam in a container.
They can be filled with shredded cellophane, mylar or crinkled tissue paper in a variety of colors to match the Wedding Theme. Be sure to have some spilling on to the table.
Make a elegant design with Roses by placing them on water pics. They are then held up by the shredded material, or use a caged floral foam for more variety in flowers. By making small slits in the side of the bag you can add the flowers from the sides for more dimension. You may also add printed ribbons or confetti cards with Bride, Groom and date or a handwritten Thank You.
Round tables normally use one large to medium bag, but with the variety of sizes and colors you can create a centerpiece with several size bags. You may consider the small bags as favors filled with almonds, candy, or potpourri as part of the Centerpiece.
They can be filled with shredded cellophane, mylar or crinkled tissue paper in a variety of colors to match the Wedding Theme. Be sure to have some spilling on to the table.
Make a elegant design with Roses by placing them on water pics. They are then held up by the shredded material, or use a caged floral foam for more variety in flowers. By making small slits in the side of the bag you can add the flowers from the sides for more dimension. You may also add printed ribbons or confetti cards with Bride, Groom and date or a handwritten Thank You.
Round tables normally use one large to medium bag, but with the variety of sizes and colors you can create a centerpiece with several size bags. You may consider the small bags as favors filled with almonds, candy, or potpourri as part of the Centerpiece.
Potted Plants and Topiary;
Potted plants can bring the garden to the table. They can be used as several small plants arranged in a basket/container, or a single pot with a lovely plant wrapped in festive Wedding colors. Blooming plants can be an inexpensive centerpiece or accents for the Casual, Formal or Informal Wedding. Most people will think of African Violets, Miniature Roses, or Chrysanthemums, plants available most times of the year. However, other blooming plants like Gardenias, Narcissus, Jasmine can be seasonal. Orchids, like the Phalenopsis, are favorites and are available year round now. Check with your local florist or wholesaler to see if these plants are available for Your Wedding date. Several of the blooming plants mentioned will have a fragrance which can cause havoc for those with allergies. Take this in to consideration when ordering blooming plants and flowers for Your centerpieces. Green plants can also be used as the centerpiece. Either in combination with blooming plants or alone. Cut fresh flowers on water pics can be added for more color and show. Many varieties of ferns can be used for this design. A new trend in vogue are succulents in or as the Centerpiece. This idea really pops when combined with succulents in the Bouquets and Personal Flowers. There are several advantages for using live plants. One is that they will hold up well in the heat, accept for ferns. They do not need to be kept under refrigeration like a floral centerpiece. Their long lasting qualities make their life after the Wedding a lasting reminder of Your Wedding Day to the Guest or Friend who receives the plant. Grouped together in large baskets, blooming and green plants make an excellent standing or floor arrangements at the Ceremony. They can convey a garden-like Theme to the Wedding. Their reuse at the Reception is the same as floral pieces. Topiary designing is characterized by the clipping, training or trimming of shrubs, plants or trees in to decorative shapes such as animals or geometric designs. This practice of design is a wonderful way to use potted plants in the Wedding. Their use as decorations can be wide spread in both Ceremony and Reception. For centerpiece use you should choose plants in the 4” to 6” pot sizes. They do come in 8” or 10” pots but that may be too large for a Guest Tables, unless that is what you want. You will find wreaths, hearts, candelabras, balls, squares, cones, and more. The varieties of the plant itʼs self will also vary. Ivy is the most popular, either in green or variegated (white and green).
You can keep the plant in is original pot wrapped in foil or slipped in to a basket or other container. You may also transplant the plant in to another container with other plants like a dish garden. Decorate with coordination Wedding flowers and ribbons. The Guest Tables are not the only place put these gems. Food tables are great places for this plant display when coordinating with Guest Tables or brought over for reuse from Ceremony.Mirrors are an excellent addition to this Centerpiece. By making the plant appear larger through itʼs reflection on the mirror surface. |
Blooming vines like Jasmine and Stephanotises that are wound into wreaths make lovely Centerpieces. These types need little more adornment that ribbons and possibly Babyʼs Breath. However, other green topiaries can use ribbons, tulle, candles and Wedding flowers.
These flowers can be arranged into bouquet holders, the handle shoved in to the soil. Scattered flower heads can be glued, with a floral glue, in to plant for more show along with Baby's Breath or other small filler flower.