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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 your reception comes plenty of details to check off the list, from the caterer to your signature cocktail to your escort cards. Among those important details is 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.
Decorate With a Floral Garland
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PHOTO BY KT MERRY
Hoping for something entirely romantic? Go for plenty of blooms! An entire garland spanning the length of the table adds such a lush touch as a gorgeous centerpiece.
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.
Display Pink Peonies
Photo by Mango Studios
Springtime wedding? Peonies are definitely the go-to for many. We love the classic, romantic look of a vase jampacked with pretty peonies, adding a hint of color along the way.
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 your 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 white knot creates the perfect addition to a centerpiece for a hint of nautical. 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 Florals and Branches
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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 put together with small white votives and pinecones are such a great touch to a winter 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 fairytale wedding calls for plenty of fairy lights, and your centerpieces are a great way to incorporate them. Fill lanterns with dainty lights for a lovely look.
Get Creative With Citrus 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 cuter 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 on any table, you may consider kicking things up a notch. Select oversized candelabras for a touch 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 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.
Embrace Autumn With 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 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 displaying tall textural centerpieces to make a 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.
Go 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 Tall 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 yellow blooms with varying stem lengths made for a truly stunning centerpiece.
Go for All-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.
Get Creative With Citrus
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Photo by Tida Svy
If you really want to make a splash, adding citrus to the mix will certainly do the trick. Mixing whole and cut citrus with candles made for a bright and stunning statement on this table.
Look to Lamps
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PHOTO BY LINDSEY HARRIS SHORTER
Planning an old-world-style wedding? 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.
Pair Lush Blooms and 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.
Embrace Plenty of Pink
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PHOTO BY MEGAN ROBINSON
Planning a desert-inspired wedding? Neutrals are a beautiful choice, but don't be afraid to add color if that's your preference. We love the way one couple put together a display of colored sand and bright succulents for a pop 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 run down your table. It will add a pop of color and serve as the most brilliant centerpiece.
Play 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 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 option 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 display, don't be afraid to mix metallics such as gold and rose gold.
Go Minimal and Modern
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PHOTO BY ROBBINS PHOTOGRAPHIC
There's no shame in sticking to a minimal setup! 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 simple addition of blueberries for a romantic touch.
Play With 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 greenery. We love the idea of adding tea lights to enhance the look!
Opt for Organic
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PHOTO BY RYAN RAY PHOTOGRAPHY
Displaying floral centerpieces is totally classic, but you can switch it up just a bit. Ask your florist to add a few long, overflowing stems to your arrangement for a less-polished look. Incorporate terracotta pots to make it look even more organic.
Display a Patterned Linen
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PHOTO BY Rebecca Yale Photography
Opting for a linen down the entire table can truly elevate its look. Consider taking it one step further with a patterned linen for an even bolder pop of color and 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 smaller ways. But don't be afraid to really make your table numbers stand out if you want to. This beautiful Himalayan salt-block number truly commands attention.