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Photo by Catherine Guidry
Once the vows have been shared and the "I dos" have been said, a wedding ceremony comes to a close. But for most couples, that’s when the real celebration starts. Your reception serves as the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with your family and dear friends, along with raising a glass
to celebrate.
With planning the reception come plenty of details to check off the list, from the caterer to the signature cocktail to escort cards. Among those important details are also your reception tables and all the choices you have in decorating them. Creating a focal point, whether you’re planning long family-style tables or spread-out rounds, creates such a beautiful setting, and of course, your centerpieces are at the center of that decision.
Whether you’re looking for stunning floral arrangements, greenery, candles, or something entirely unique, there’s a centerpiece design to suit every aesthetic. Read on for 48 of our favorite ideas to get the inspiration flowing.
Celebrate With Cherry Blossoms
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PHOTO BY CARMEN SANTORELLI
Cherry blossoms capture attention with their stunning beauty, and this look pulls it off flawlessly. Consider displaying tall vases filled with long branches of cherry blossoms for a beautiful look.
Rock Colorful Tapers
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PHOTO BY FLORA & FAUNA
Even the slightest change can elevate your centerpieces. Swap out a traditional white taper candle for a beautiful bright hue to take your table display to a whole new level.
Set Up Wooden Lanterns
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Photo by Hailey Ayson Photography
Add light to your tables with lanterns. We love the look of warm wood lanterns paired with a few blooms for a rustic-meets-refined centerpiece.
Fall for Tall Florals
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Photo by Chi Chi Ari
Hoping for a floral display with a bit of added interest? Opt for a mixture of short arrangements paired with tall pillars to make a statement.
Punctuate With Pink Peonies
Photo by Mango Studios
Springtime wedding? Peonies are definitely the go-to for many. We adore the classic, romantic look of a vase jam-packed with pretty peonies adding a verve of color along an elegant tablescape.
Embrace a Minimal Look
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PHOTO BY STEPHANIE VELEZ
Stick to the idea of floral vases, but opt for minimal blooms. This combination of pampas grass, ranunculus, and roses adds texture and a hint of color without going overboard.
Top the Table With Topiaries
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PHOTO BY LAUREN GABRIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Not interested in vases of flowers? There's plenty of other choices. Displaying mini topiaries is such a great way to add greenery for a garden vibe while keeping centerpieces minimal.
Create a Succulent Display
Photo by Alicia Lucia Photography
Hoping for something out of the box? Ditch the idea of traditional centerpieces and embrace succulents. Pair a terracotta plate with moss and succulents for a unique look.
Channel a Nautical Vibe
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Photo by Cora Jane Photo Co.
Going overboard with nautical wedding details can be all too easy, but not with this look. A simple ivory knot creates the perfect addition to a centerpiece for a nautical nod. Plus, it can hold the table number as well.
Add a Touch of Whimsy
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Photo by Dearheart Photos
Big floral arrangements are certainly no longer the only centerpiece option. We love the look of a line of bud vases spanning the length of a long table, with just a few long-stemmed whimsical wildflowers for a pop of color.
Pair Low Florals and High Stems
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Photo by Dana Fernandez Photography
Hoping for something with plenty of texture that will capture attention? Pair lush, bold blooms with tall branches for added interest.
Make a Tropical Statement
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Photo by Everence Photo
Take your centerpieces to the tropics. This big, bold centerpiece idea features lush palm leaves and greenery in tall clear vases for a look that really packs a punch.
Play With Pinecones
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Photo by Dani Nicole Photography
Don't be afraid to bring a little bit of nature indoors with you, especially if you're having a winter wedding. These candleholders with small white votives and pinecones are such a great touch to a wintry table.
Incorporate Plenty of Greenery
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Photo by Holly Clark Photography
Is there such a thing as too much greenery? We don't think so. This display of tall greenery pillars truly commands attention in a romantic way.
Light It Up
Photo by Love Life Images
A fairy-tale wedding calls for plenty of fairy lights and your centerpieces are a great place to incorporate them. Fill lanterns with dainty lights for a lovely ethereal look.
Get Creative With Potted Trees
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Photo by Lisa Poggi
Embracing a summer vibe? Summer is all about citrus and your centerpieces can be, too. Add a mini citrus tree to each table for a sweet statement.
Set Up Terrariums
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Photo by Melissa Habegger
Have you ever seen a more adorable terrarium? With rose-gold edges paired with tiny succulents, this setup is the perfect display for a desert-inspired or boho wedding.
Display Big Candelabras
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PHOTO BY BRANCO PRATA
While candles are a beautiful touch to any table, you may consider kicking things up a notch. Select oversized candelabras for an injection of old-world romance.
Keep It Simple With Baby's Breath
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PHOTO BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA
Baby's breath is the underdog of the floral world, but we're seeing it included in weddings more and more. Embrace the humble simplicity of this beautiful bud by making it the main component of your centerpiece.
Make It Tropical and Bright
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Photo by Yes Love
Don't be afraid to embrace color! This tropical display is definitely eye-catching, with a mixture of hibiscus, torch lily, ginger, and palm leaves.
Pick Autumnal Apples
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Photo by Cassidy Carson photography
Planning a fall wedding? This is the perfect fit for a rustic aesthetic. Pair lush greenery with fresh apples and bright veggies to embrace the season.
Get Personal With Trinkets
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PHOTO BY CALEB JOHN HILL
Want something entirely unique? Bring items from home into the mix. One couple opted to incorporate trinkets from their personal collection on each table to serve as a mix-and-match centerpiece option.
Play With Pampas Grass
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PHOTO BY ELIZABETH WELLS PHOTOGRAPHY
When it comes to adding texture and a bit of playfulness to a table, pampas grass is your best choice. Consider featuring a few bundles in tall textural centerpieces to make a dramatic statement.
Pair Lights and Greenery
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PHOTO BY ERICH MCVEY
A long, family-style reception table is entirely romantic on its own, but dressing it up with a beautiful centerpiece makes it that much better. We love the look of a long draped linen paired with simple greenery and string lights for a poetic feel.
Run Wild With Wildflowers
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PHOTO BY HAYLEY BAXTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Going for a whimsical, boho vibe? Or simply want plenty of color? Opt for a display of wildflowers with varying colors and stem lengths for a beautifully bold centerpiece.
Incorporate Flowering Branches
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PHOTO BY HEATHER KINCAID
For something truly unique, look outside the box of typical floral centerpieces. At one couple's black-and-white wedding, manzanita branches paired with orchids in tall vases certainly commanded attention.
Keep It Simple
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PHOTO BY JORDAN KEENAN PHOTOGRAPHY
For some aesthetics, simplicity is key. Pull it off flawlessly by incorporating elements that can stand on their own. A bold, gold lantern with a hint of greenery is a great way to achieve just that.
Balance Minimal and Tropical
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PHOTO BY KELLY GIARROCCO
Having a tropical wedding doesn't always have to mean bold, bright colors. Pull off a tropical centerpiece with a hint of minimalism by opting to only include white blooms and greenery.
Choose Colored Bud Vases
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Photo by Kristin Sweeting Photography
If you're planning a more casual reception, you may not be interested in going all out on centerpieces. Displaying just a few blooms in brightly colored bud vases can go a long way in dressing up a table.
Create Colorful Contrast
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PHOTO BY LARISSA CLEVELAND
Want something bold? Embrace it! This combination of red and gold blooms with varying stem lengths made for a truly stunning centerpiece.
Go for Greenery
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Photo by Kurt Boomer
For a natural look, opt for greenery only. Utilize eucalyptus to line a long table and add candlesticks for a romantic vibe.
Look to Lamps
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PHOTO BY LINDSEY HARRIS SHORTER
Keep things elegant while adding a vintage touch with lamps. This couple opted for gold lamps with white shades, but you could switch it up to match any color palette.
Mix Lush Blooms With Modern Lanterns
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PHOTO BY LYNN DUNSTON PHOTOGRAPHY
Don't want to choose between centerpiece elements? Don't! Line the table with lush arrangements and surround it with sleek lanterns for a modern-meets-romantic display.
Scatter Branches of Greenery
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PHOTO BY MADELINE BRODERICK
Planning something rustic? This no-fuss option may be the perfect fit. Ditch the idea of floral centerpieces and simply display a neutral linen with scattered branches of greenery down the table.
Say Hello to Hydrangeas
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PHOTO BY MARY NEUMANN PHOTOGRAPHY
Hydrangeas are as romantic as can be and they can certainly stand on their own. Fill vases with a lush bouquet for a beautiful garden-inspired celebration.
Prep Plenty of Pink
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PHOTO BY MEGAN ROBINSON
Neutrals are a beautiful choice, but don't be afraid to add color if that's your preference. Planning a desert-inspired wedding? We love the way one couple put together a display of colored sand and bright succulents for a verve of pink.
Wow With Hanging Greenery
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PHOTO BY MELISSA OHOLENDT PHOTOGRAPHY
There's nothing saying your centerpieces have to be on the table. Opt for a display of hanging greenery to really raise the bar. It will add a fresh perspective and serve as the most brilliant centerpiece.
Decorate With Pears
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Photo by Mike Larson
Flowers aren't the only option for centerpieces. If you want to play with fruit, look to pears for a late summer or autumn wedding. They add just the right amount of rustic warmth and whimsy.
Utilize Patterned Vases
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PHOTO BY MON SOLEIL
There's no shame in choosing a plainly colored vase or a clear glass option. But adding a patterned vase into the mix? A truly beautiful way to spice up a centerpiece display.
Mix Metallics
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PHOTO BY REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY
Adding metallics and candlelight to your reception tables can be utterly romantic. To really put together a beautiful scene, don't be afraid to mix metals such as yellow and rose gold or copper.
Go Minimal and Modern
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PHOTO BY ROBBINS PHOTOGRAPHIC
A minimal setup doesn't have to be sparse. These centerpieces mixed one tall bloom with a shorter stem for simple contrast.
Put Blueberries on Display
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Photo by David Salim
While incorporating fruit may not be a new idea for table settings by any means, it's not too often you see dainty blueberries in the mix. We love the way this vintage display is enhanced with the juicy addition of blueberries for a romantic touch.
Layer Palm Leaves
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PHOTO BY ZIBETTI PHOTO AND FILM
Want a simple setup for a tropical soirée? Utilize palm leaves and line the table with them for just a hint of freshness. We love the idea of adding tea lights to enhance the look.
Opt for Organic
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PHOTO BY RYAN RAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Decorating with floral centerpieces is totally classic, but you can switch it up just a bit. Ask your florist to add a few long, wiggly stems to the arrangement for a less-polished look. Incorporate terracotta pots to make it feel even more organic and home-grown.
Lay Down a Patterned Linen
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PHOTO BY Rebecca Yale Photography
Opting for a linen runner down the entire length of a table can truly elevate the space. Consider taking it one step further with a patterned linen for an even bolder pop of color and rich texture.
Highlight Table Numbers
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Photo by Taylor McCutchan Photography
For some, table numbers may be tucked into vases or displayed in more subtle ways. But don't hesitate to really make the table numbers stand out if you want to. This beautiful Himalayan salt-block number truly commands attention.