inexpensive wedding centerpiece ideas
Inexpensive wedding centerpiece ideas is what every bride on a budget scours the internet for. Cheap compote containers are available in both thrift and dollar stores and can be made to look very elegant. This tutorial is devoted to showing you how to design in these dishes. All you need is a few floral products.
Keep in mind that not every table has to be identical. Finding similar containers can keep a theme consistent and give your wallet a break. I've found many elegant compote bowls at Goodwill and Dollar stores for very little investment. You can be creative and assemble your own compote dish . . . I'll show you how easy it is to do.
An elevated centerpiece give both eye appeal and adds a very classy look to any reception decor.
To create a centerpiece like this one, you'll need the following hard goods and fresh flowers:
- 1 compote stand or acrylic riser or clear plate/candlestick (described below)
- White Florist Clay
- 2 stems green amaranthus
- 1 Yellow LA Hybrid Lily
- 1 orange calla lily
- 1 orange freesia
- 1 orange rose
- 1 orange alstroemeria
- Red Viburnum Berry
- 2 galax leaves or 2 lemon Salal leaves
- 1 maiden hair fern or 1 leather leaf fern
Any type of flat top risers or compote glass plates can work for this type of flower designing. Clear acrylic risers are inexpensive and give a nice lift to your Iglu centerpieces.
Oasis Iglus make designing these styles of centerpieces quick and easy. They come in two different sizes, Regular and Grande. They work very well on compote dishes that have a flattened top.
The florist foam cage needs to be firmly attached to the container, so you can use florist clay.
This versatile product is used by florists in many of their projects. It bonds well to glass and holds even if moisture is present. The piece can later be pried loose so the glassware can be used again and again.
Simply apply a flatted piece of the clay to the bottom of your Oasis Iglu.
Then press the Oasis Iglu firmly to the top of the compote dish.
What if your compote has a deep dish on top? You don't want green foam showing through the pretty glass. You can block brick foam inside an inexpensive silver or gold finished bowl and then drop it down into your compote'
The mirror like finish reflects light so you only see the pretty container - not green foam or cage. For designing this way, you can buy Oasis brick foam and cut into pieces to fit your dishes. Just be sure the foam rises above the lip of the container so you can insert greenery and flowers from the sides.
Add a ring of the floral clay to the bottom of the compote dish and press the silver bowl down firmly into the glass bottom so it adheres firmly to the glass.
Now you don't see green foam through the container (because the cheap silver bowl is reflecting the light) and your flowers can be inserted from the sides and the top of the foam. Be sure and use waterproof tape to securely fasten the green florist foam into the silver bowl before securing the silver bowl into the compote dish.
Another idea is to create your own compote plate and riser. Simply use an inexpensive candlestick and a clear glass dessert plate.
Place a piece of florist clay around the top rim of the candlestick holder. Pulling the clay a bit makes it sticky. Center the clear plate over the candlestick holder and press down firmly. The flattened clay makes a strong seal between the two glass items.
Now you can either attach an Grande Iglu or half of an Oasis 6" Sphere. (If using the sphere ball, secure with Oasis Clear Tape.) The plate must be dry for the clear tape to secure. Pull the tape taut and overlap the edge of the plate. Criss cross more tape until the water saturated sphere is firmly attached to the plate.
Always float soak any Oasis Foam in water that has been treated with Crystal Clear Flower Food. (Please don't skip the florist products . . . they really aren't that expensive and extend the life of your wedding flowers).
Set plate on candlestick as explained above. Cut foam ball in half and secure to plate with waterproof tape. Arrange flowers and foliage. Spray entire arrangement with Clear Crowning Glory®, making sure to completely coat the fronts and backs of the flowers. Refrigerate until delivery.
(Florist tip: I like to create the floral designs at home in the silver bowls or the flat plate and wait to attach the plates to the candlesticks at the reception hall. This makes delivery SO much easier! Flower arrangements don't topple over and it just takes a few minutes to set up the centerpieces at the wedding reception venue!)
