What do you think of this centerpiece?

Question

Ok, so I pretty much am already over budget with my flowers for everything else so I decided I need table centerpieces without many flowers. Keep in mind, I have kind of a tropical/beacy theme going on. So I found this pic online that I liked but I want to tweek a little: http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/images/centerpiece_lily.jpg

I want to make the little wooden boxes myself and put a pink candle in the middle. I wanted to fill the box with sand and maybe stick seashells around it? What do you guys think? Any other suggestion on what to put in the box that would fit my theme? Or do you think the box is stupid? lol.. Let me know, I am open to all suggestions...

All my flowers are silk actually, but they are just sooo expensive just to buy one! So thats why I was trying to think of maybe something else instead of flowers...

Answer 1

I think your centerpiece idea is fabulous! I would also suggest maybe laying some curly willow branches cut down to size inside the box. You can buy them in bundles fairly cheap and just add 2-3 for a filler. Also at the orientaltrading.com you can buy teeny tiny seashells for 4.00 per pound-then mix them in with some play sand from a home improvement store. (Usually around 3.00-5.00 for a big bag.) You can also buy little starfish (real ones, not plastic ones) on that site too. Teachers in elementary schools use that site frequently so they are more than likely going to be a good company to buy from. You could also include some of the polished river rock from the Wal Mart flower section. They also have broken and polished colored glass in pink.

I would consider tucking some votives and tea lights in the sand for an added height variation.

The one fantastic thing about a breachy/tropical theme is having simplicity work to your advantage when it comes to decorating. Adding the sticks, stones, shells and sand would look great AND entertain your guests...You know they'd pe picking up the sticks to dig in the sand for treasures.

If you wanted to keep the Lily in with the centerpiece, look at the Lily's at Wal Mart. Better yet, as someone suggested-Hobby Lobby or any other craft store should have some flowers that look very realistic.

Also, if you didn't plan to light the candle, you could consider going to the link at the bottom to learn to fold napkins into different shapes. If it can be done with a napkin, it can be done with a colored fabric that has enough stiffness. They have a bird of paradise on there that would look nice.

Good Luck to you and Congrats!

Answer 2

That is a beautiful centerpiece. Your idea sounds ambitious, maybe a little too ambitious with all the other things you'll have to do. Making boxes? You better get started now. The japanese one works well because the elements are of different textures and heights, don't let your candles be the same size as the seashells. I sugest using nonscented candles, no one will want the smell of the candle mixing with the food. White or off white candles tend to be cheaper and create a beautiful soft golden glow. Burn them down a little to create a hurricane effect so when you sit at the table the flame isn't out in the open.

Answer 3

I think that is really pretty, and if you are going for the beachy thing, sand would be great.! But instead of making the boxes( kinda like a sandbox), why don't you find some square or retangular glass plates or bowls. Something that would hold the sand. You can get these pretty cheap (check out a local glass outlet (libbey glass online) and Walmart sells their glass pretty cheap.

I think that the glass would help reflect the light from the candle and make the sand sparkle!

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Try this...if the silk flowers are expensive, you are buying them in the wrong spot. You can go to Michaels, or even the Dollar General and buy some, then go to a craft store, and you can buy stuff to spray on them to make them fragrant. I will tell you what I did for my wedding. I bought small round glass bowls, put stones and sand in the bottom of them, filled them with water, and placed a silk flower to float on top of the water. Do a search for tropical or beach-themed centerpieces. Good luck!

Answer 5

I bought simple black wrought iron centerpieces with votive candles (8)in them on sale at Crate and Barrel 2--then my friend is lending me large clear glass bowl vases to go in the center.. I plan to put several large flowers--like hydrangea, freesias, etc. in them--will use shiny green leaves to line the bowls to hide the stems. But I only have 12 tables and I wanted low centerpieces so everyone can talk easily. The room is fairly dark so I want lots of light and a clean look. I plan to resell the centerpieces on eBay and recoup some of the $.

Answer 6

I think your idea is good, but keep in mind if you have small kids at the reception they will be spilling sand all over..do u have a dollar store in your area? I would look for the wicker paper plate holders, shells in a bag and smaller candles, they may even have the smaller boxes you are looking for, I would put several smaller candles and shells around it will look fuller and larger. Check out your local party supply store also, they may have larger bags of shells, or some other smaller "beachy" items that would work in your centerpiece.

Answer 7

To save money i would go and get some mirrored squares. put one on each table place a candle in the center. sprinkle some sand on the mirror around the candle and it can even be sprinkled outward toward the edges. then i would toss a few shells (ebay?) in the sand. just a light dusting of sand will do and a few small shells. This would be so pretty!

Easy, inexpensive and beautiful.

Answer 8

It's lovely. Very elegant and simple.

I love teh sea shells idea, anothe idea could be to put a little light house on the sand,. You can buy them really cheap at the dollar store,

or

tie the candle with twine (or better still nautical rope!!!) and hang sone shells, coconut sheel pieces or a life saver on the rope.

Just adding to your idea, which is faboulous.

Congratulations and good luck

Answer 9

its cute. maybe also add some tealights in holders around the box, to give the table extra glow. or also sprinkle small sea shells on the table as extra decoration. it may be too plain to have a big table with a small centerpiece, but if you have someting around it it will look more even. you could also scatter small sand dollars on the table too. that would be really cute. good luck.

Answer 10

Definitely go with shells & sand. Skip the skimpy flowers. It looks like it was just tossed together in the picture. I think your idea would be much better.