Wedding Centerpieces: 14 Stunning DIY Ideas You Can Make for Under 20 Dollars
Wedding centerpieces can quietly eat a huge part of a wedding budget, but they do not have to. Some of the prettiest tables we have ever seen were made by the couple and their friends at the kitchen table, for less than twenty dollars each. One simple DIY centerpiece video has been watched about 18 million times on YouTube, which tells you how many people are looking for smart, beautiful ideas that do not cost a fortune. Below you will find fourteen easy designs, from pearl filled vases to gold painted branches and glowing floating flowers. We used battery LED lights instead of candles everywhere, since they are safer near greenery and paper. Grab a notebook, because spring weddings come fast..
The Long Table Look Behind the Best Wedding Centerpieces
This dreamy long table proves you do not need a florist to wow your guests. A runner of fresh eucalyptus, tall glass cylinders filled with pearls and white roses, and a few bud vases repeated down the table look rich and romantic. Weave tiny battery fairy lights through the greenery and the whole table glows at sunset. Because each element is simple, friends can help put it together the morning of the wedding. Repeating the same few pieces is the secret to a polished look. Would you go all white or add a soft color..
You will need: Glass cylinder vases, faux pearls, white roses, small bud vases, fresh eucalyptus, battery fairy lights.
How to make it: 1. Lay eucalyptus down the center of the table, overlapping the stems. 2. Space the cylinders and bud vases evenly along the runner. 3. Weave battery fairy lights through the greenery and switch them on before guests arrive.
Pearl and Water Bead Wedding Centerpieces
Pearls and clear water beads make even a plain glass cylinder look luxurious. Pour a layer into the bottom, add water and float one big white hydrangea or rose on top. Water beads swell overnight, so start them the day before. Craft store pearls are inexpensive and can be reused for the next party. Each vase can come in well under twenty dollars, especially if you buy cylinders in bulk. It is simple, elegant and very hard to mess up. Would you float a hydrangea or a rose?
You will need: A glass cylinder vase, loose faux pearls, clear water beads, water, one large white flower.
How to make it: 1. Soak the water beads overnight. 2. Layer pearls and water beads in the bottom of the vase and add water. 3. Float a single flower head on top just before the reception.
Floating Flowers Lit With Waterproof LED Lights
Glowing water looks magical in the evening, and you can get the effect safely with waterproof LED discs instead of floating candles. Drop one light into the bottom of each cylinder, fill with water and float rose petals or a gardenia on top. Group three heights together for a centerpiece that looks custom. The lights run for hours on small batteries and stay cool to the touch. Wedding centerpieces like this look stunning in photos once the sun goes down. Which flower would you float?
You will need: Three glass cylinders in different heights, waterproof LED disc lights, water, rose petals or gardenias, a little greenery.
How to make it: 1. Switch on the LED discs and place one in each vase. 2. Fill the vases with water. 3. Float petals or one flower on top and tuck greenery around the base.
Wood Slice Base With Bud Vases
For a barn or garden wedding, a thick tree slice makes the perfect natural base. Set three small glass bud vases on top with white spray roses, baby’s breath and olive sprigs, then tuck a little moss around them. It is warm and rustic but still elegant, which is why rustic wedding centerpieces like this never go out of style. Wood slices are often sold in packs, and bud vases are some of the cheapest glass you can buy. Ask friends with trees for free slices too. Would this style fit your venue?
You will need: A large wood slice, three small glass bud vases, white spray roses, baby’s breath, olive or eucalyptus sprigs, preserved moss.
How to make it: 1. Clean and dry the wood slice. 2. Fill the bud vases with water and flowers. 3. Arrange them on the slice and tuck moss around the base.
Giant Tissue Paper Flower Wedding Centerpieces
Big paper flowers make a huge impact for the price of a few packs of tissue paper. Fold the sheets accordion style, tie the middle and gently pull the layers apart into a fluffy bloom. Blush, ivory and peach look soft and romantic together. Cluster them on a sweetheart table or along the front of the head table. They will not wilt, so you can make them weeks ahead. Wedding centerpieces this bold usually cost a fortune. Which colors would you choose?
You will need: Tissue paper in three colors, scissors, thin floral wire, a few greenery stems.
How to make it: 1. Stack eight to ten sheets and fold them accordion style. 2. Wrap wire around the middle and round the ends with scissors. 3. Fan out the sides and gently lift each layer into a flower.
Lantern With Fairy Lights and Greenery
A simple glass lantern becomes the star of the table when you fill it with a coil of warm battery fairy lights. Surround the base with a ring of greenery and a few white spray roses and it glows beautifully as the evening goes on. Lanterns can be reused for home decor after the wedding, so they are a smart buy. Look for them at thrift stores to stay well under budget. It gives you all the warmth of candlelight with none of the worry. Where would you place yours?
You will need: A glass lantern, battery fairy lights, fresh greenery, white spray roses, floral tape.
How to make it: 1. Coil the fairy lights inside the lantern and switch them on. 2. Make a ring of greenery around the base. 3. Tuck in roses and keep the lights tucked out of sight.
Book Stack for Literary Couples
If you met at a library or simply love reading, a stack of vintage books makes a personal centerpiece. Pick hardcovers in soft colors, stack two or three on each table and top them with a small bowl of flowers. Add a pair of old reading glasses or a ribbon bookmark for charm. Thrift stores sell old books for a dollar or two. Guests always love finding a story at their table. Wedding centerpieces with a personal touch like this are the ones people remember. Which books would you use?
You will need: Two or three vintage hardcover books, a small bowl or compote, white ranunculus or roses, a ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Stack the books with the largest on the bottom. 2. Set a small bowl of flowers on top. 3. Add a ribbon or an old pair of glasses for a finishing touch.
Eucalyptus Garland Runner
A loose eucalyptus garland down the length of a table is one of the most popular wedding looks, and it is easy to make yourself. Buy eucalyptus by the bunch, overlap the stems and let them spill naturally over the edges. It smells wonderful and looks lush in every photo. You can add bud vases or lanterns along the runner for more height. Making it the morning of the wedding keeps it fresh. Have you ever worked with fresh eucalyptus?
You will need: Several bunches of fresh eucalyptus, floral wire or twine, sharp scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut the eucalyptus into stems about 12 inches long. 2. Lay them down the table, overlapping each one in the same direction. 3. Secure the stems lightly with wire and let the ends trail.
Mirror Tile Base With a Gold Bowl
Mirror tiles under a centerpiece bounce light around the table and make everything sparkle. Lay a square mirror tile or a few small ones under a gold footed bowl of white roses and the reflection doubles the flowers. Mirror tiles are inexpensive and can become wall decor later, like the ideas in our mirror and wall decor hacks. Wedding centerpieces with mirrors look glamorous in a ballroom. Would you use one big mirror or many small tiles?
You will need: Square mirror tiles, a gold footed bowl, floral foam, white roses, greenery.
How to make it: 1. Place the mirror tile in the center of the table. 2. Soak floral foam and set it in the bowl. 3. Arrange roses and greenery low and wide so they reflect in the mirror.
Spray Painted Gold Branch Wedding Centerpieces
Bare branches from the yard become an elegant centerpiece with a coat of gold spray paint. Stand them in a tall white vase and hang a few crystal drops or tiny paper flowers from the twigs. The height draws the eye up and keeps guests able to see each other across the table. It costs very little, especially if your branches are free. Spray outdoors on a still day and let them dry overnight. Would you choose gold, silver or white?
You will need: Bare branches, gold spray paint, a tall vase, pebbles or sand for weight, crystal drops, fishing line.
How to make it: 1. Spray the branches outdoors and let them dry overnight. 2. Weight the vase with pebbles and arrange the branches. 3. Hang crystals with fishing line and add greenery at the base.
Mini Succulent Favors in a Row
Little succulents in white gift boxes double as decor and favors. Line them down the center of the table and invite each guest to take one home at the end of the night. They are cheap when bought in trays, and they keep growing as a sweet reminder of your day. Add a tiny tag with your names or wedding date. It is a centerpiece that disappears in the best way. Do you think your guests would take one home?
You will need: Small succulents, small white gift boxes or pots, tiny tags, twine, a pen.
How to make it: 1. Place each succulent in a box or pot. 2. Tie on a small tag with twine. 3. Line them down the table or around a larger centerpiece.
Lace Wrapped Glass Vase
A band of vintage lace around a glass vase adds instant romance, especially for a garden or vintage themed wedding. Use a hurricane vase or tall cylinder, wrap the lace around the middle and tie it off with a thin satin ribbon. Fill it with white roses and eucalyptus for a soft, natural bouquet. Lace trim is cheap by the yard, and you can even use pieces from a family heirloom. Wedding centerpieces with a story feel extra special. Do you have any old lace in the family?
You will need: A glass hurricane vase or cylinder, lace trim, satin ribbon, double sided tape, white roses, eucalyptus.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the lace around the vase and secure the end with tape. 2. Tie a thin ribbon bow over the seam. 3. Fill with water and arrange the roses and eucalyptus.
Table Number in a Photo Frame
Gold photo frames on small easels make table numbers look polished and cost very little. Print or hand letter each number on cream card, slide it into the frame and set it beside a small vase of sweet peas. After the wedding, the frames can hold your favorite wedding photos. Thrift stores often have mismatched gold frames for a dollar or two, which look charming together. It is an easy job for a crafty bridesmaid. Would you use numbers or name each table?
You will need: Small gold photo frames, mini easels, cream cardstock, a printer or calligraphy pen, small bud vases.
How to make it: 1. Print or letter the table numbers on cardstock. 2. Trim them to fit and slide them into the frames. 3. Set each frame on an easel next to a bud vase.
Dried Flower and Pampas Wedding Centerpieces
Dried flowers and pampas grass are perfect for budget couples, because you can make every centerpiece weeks ahead. Mix pampas plumes, bunny tails and dried grasses in a rustic clay vase for a soft, boho look. They never wilt and they look beautiful in natural light. If you want the full guide to the budget trend, this 18 million view DIY wedding centerpiece video is a great place to start. Wedding centerpieces made from dried flowers also make lovely keepsakes. Would you keep one after the big day?
You will need: Pampas grass, bunny tails, dried grasses and flowers, a clay or ceramic vase, hairspray to reduce shedding.
How to make it: 1. Shake the pampas gently outdoors and mist with hairspray. 2. Add the tallest pampas plumes to the vase first. 3. Fill in with smaller dried stems, turning the vase as you go.
