40 Rustic Wedding Centerpieces to Inspire Your Design

The word “rustic” means something a little different to everyone. Some couples might picture a western-inspired celebration on a ranch, while others see an intimate get together on a farm. One person imagines an enchanted forest setting with boho details, while another envisions a formal event at French country estate.

One thing everyone can agree on is there’s nothing quite so lovely as a beautiful table filled with family and friends, and to that end, we’ve found centerpiece ideas for every style. From simple garlands of greenery to show-stopping installations, traditional floral arrangements to out-of-the-box designs—some are even edible!—read on to find a rustic wedding centerpiece that feels just right for your vision.

01 of 40

Opt for Olive Branches

<p>table with garland</p> — Photo by Emmy Lowe Photography; Planning & Floral Design by Megan Proby of The 12th Table

For a simple-yet-chic design that works in almost every setting, opt for an abundant runner of olive leaves, accented with white tapers, like the arrangement at this couple’s forest fête. Flower girls also wore crowns of olive leaves and carried hearts shaped from the branches down the aisle, too.

02 of 40

Add Clouds of Grass

This bride felt strongly about forgoing linens on the tables for a chic, rustic look. They were topped with single blooms in vases and various types of candle holders and candelabras, while the installation of dried grasses made a real statement up above.

03 of 40

Include Fresh Foods

reception table garland — Photo by Cassidy Carson Photography; Planning by Fête Nashville; Floral Design by Enchanted Florist

You’ve only to visit a farmer’s market to know how beautiful a display of fresh produce can be, and fruits and veggies can also add appeal to your celebration’s centerpieces. This runner, created for this couple’s elegant farm wedding, included artichokes, pomegranates, and apples nestled against a garland of cabbage and lettuces.

04 of 40

Wow With Wildflowers

timeless southern wedding, sunflower rehearsal dinner seating — Photo by Patricia Lyons Photography; Planning by Easton Events; Floral Design by The Vine

Arrangements of wildflowers like daisies, chamomile, and sunflowers add a cheerful, charming touch and are especially well suited for casual, summery celebrations. This couple’s welcome party featured wooden tables laid with pots of wildflowers, rattan chargers, and blue-and-white linens.

05 of 40

Light the Way

dinner table — Photo by Aaron Delesie; Planning by Easton Events; Floral Design by Mindy Rice

Lanterns can take a tablescape in either a casual or formal direction depending on the lanterns shape and style. This couple’s welcome party featured picnic tables set old-fashioned lanterns that evoked the Old West alongside napkins tied to look like bandanas, cheerful flowers, and ceramic fish—a nod to the event’s creekside setting. Guests tried activities like archery and ax-throwing early in the evening and gathered around a campfire for s’mores making after dinner.

06 of 40

Run With Velvet

<p>Wedding reception tables</p> — Photo by Les Amis Photo; Planning by The Wedding Care; Design by Framberry; Floral Design by Nina e I Fiori

Velvet is having a moment and, when paired with the right rustic touches, can fit seamlessly into a pastoral scheme. This couple's romantic outdoor celebration at a country estate in Italy included family-style tables set with velvet runners, antique candlesticks, figs, and pomegranates, as well as arrangements of dahlias, roses, and chocolate cosmos.

07 of 40

Create a Fruitful Moment

apple centerpiece — Photo by Anni Graham; Planning by Danielle Gibson Events; Floral Design by The Apple Farm

For a simple-yet-chic arrangement, pick a vessel that evokes the style of your celebration and fill it with fresh fruit. This couple, who married on a California farm in late summer, opted for apples, but the concept works well with lemons, peaches, oranges, or pears, too.

08 of 40

Think Small

wildflower centerpieces — Photo by Kristin Sweeting Photography; Planning by Dahlia Events & Design

An arrangement made from many small vases and mini-bottles allows each stem to stand out, is a simple DIY, and allows for flexible groupings around other decor elements like table numbers. For their Colorado wedding, this couple created clusters of pink, white, and blue blooms housed in bud vases and wine bottles.

09 of 40

Bring the Outdoors In

<p>table runner</p> — Photo by Madeline Broderick; Floral Design by Splints & Daisies

Even a small pop of green on the table adds a natural element to an indoor venue. For their wedding in a Pennsylvania warehouse, this couple topped crisp white linens with a subtle runner of greenery.

10 of 40

Add an Old World Touch

<p>Place Setting</p> — Photo by Ryan Ray; Planning by Love This Day Events

One way to instantly add a touch of romance to a table setting is with antique brass candlesticks. They’re affordable, easy to source from most antique shops and, if you buy instead of rent them, make a wonderful memento from the day. For their relaxed reception in Colorado, this couple paired candlesticks with a cheesecloth runner, an affordable-yet-attractive alternative to linens.

11 of 40

Embrace Abundance

<p>wedding reception table</p> — Photo by Natalie Watson Photography; Venue and Coordination by RT Lodge; Floral Design by Colby West Design

While a simple garland of greenery is elegant on its own, there’s something to be said for a show-stopping table runner, too. For this couple’s wedding in the mountains of Tennessee, the floral designer created lush arrangements of butterfly ranunculus, hellebores, astilbe, parrots tulips, clematis, scabiosa, and white iris, accented by pillar candles and mercury glass votives.

12 of 40

Offer a Bite to Eat

<p>tablescape</p> — Photo by Addison Jones; Planning by Auburn and Ivory; Catering by Two Caterers; Floral Design by Bear Roots Floral

For a rustic touch friends and family will appreciate (because who doesn’t love an edible arrangement?) include a charcuterie or bread and butter board on reception tables as guests are seated, like this couple did.

13 of 40

Customize a Cloche

<p>Greenery in cloche</p> — Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography; Floral design by Jenn Sanchez Designs

Glass cloches instantly create a design-forward moment, even with the simplest of flowers, and can even double as favors. This couple incorporated green-and-white blooms throughout their celebration’s decor for an elevated reception.

14 of 40

Display Wine Bottles

tablescape long farm tables — Photo by Kate Headley; Floral Design by Sweet Root Village

A beautiful bottle of wine not only complements the meal—it can also complement your table setting. Leaving bottles of wine on the table works especially well for relaxed, family-style receptions so guests can refill their own glasses. For their wedding at the bride’s family home, this couple set bottles among a runner of eucalyptus and white taper candles housed in antique brass candlesticks.

15 of 40

Employ Eucalyptus

<p>Table setting</p> — Photo by Miguel Cunha; Floral Design by Bloom Flores & Eventos

Eucalyptus is a staple of the “rustic-chic” look thanks to its simple beauty, heartiness, and versatility. For their reception at a Portuguese monastery, this couple included bunches of eucalyptus as centerpieces, and garlands of the greenery also graced the cake table and archways throughout the property.

16 of 40

Try Terracotta Vessels

centerpiece — Photo by Natalie Watson; Floral Design by Flora

The rich red-brown hue of terra cotta adds a natural, Old World touch to any arrangement. For their wedding in the mountains of North Carolina, this couple employed the earthenware throughout their day, including arrangements on reception tables.

17 of 40

Add Baby's Breath

Tablescape — Photo by Cinzia Bruschini; Floral Design by Florum

A long, green garland gets a romantic upgrade when bunches of baby’s breath are added alongside elevated votives. The humble white bloom also decorated the wedding aisle at this chic celebration in Florence.

18 of 40

Plan for a Pergola

For a show-stopping table every time, add interest both on and above the table. This couple’s celebration in the Tuscan countryside featured a long wooden table lined with flowers in bright pastel hues while eucalyptus and lanterns with gold accents hung from a wooden pergola.

19 of 40

Make Candlesticks Modern

<p>Reception dinner place setting</p> — Photo by Tec Petaja; Planning by Jessica Sloane; Floral Design by Vintage Florals

If you love the look of tapers—but don’t want your table to skew antique or Old Worldly—opt for wood candleholders in contemporary shapes. For their reception tables, this couple used nude tapers and mango wood chargers that matched and added a runner of spirea branches.

20 of 40

Go Green

<p>reception</p> — Photo by James x Schulze; Planning by Calluna Events; Floral Design by Bare Root Flora

There’s something magical about moss. The vivid green plant adds an enchanted element to the forest floor and trees, and can do the same for your reception tables. This couple included a moss runner in their design scheme, punctuated with low arrangements of colorful blooms and white taper candles in glass hurricanes.

21 of 40

Create a Paper Trail

candles — Photo by James x Schulze; Planning by Bluebird Productions; Floral Design by Mindy Rice; Art by Karina Puente

This Aspen, Colorado wedding was filled with unique ideas including the use of paper, in this case, designed in the papel picado-style, as a runner for reception tables. Wooden vases and chargers added to the natural look, while dahlias, roses, and ranunculus added vivid pops of color.

22 of 40

Prop Up a Paper Product

menu cards — Photo by Olivia Rae James; Planning by Lacy Geary; Floral Design by Amy Osaba; Paper Products by Paper Birch Design

So much thought goes into creating the paper elements of a wedding, so why not put your efforts on display? This couple showcased their table names, inspired by their favorite places in Charleston, in dark wood cardholders. The design also included a memory from each spot. Cards were displayed alongside garden-inspired centerpieces of roses, sweetpeas, and greenery. This idea works well with a table number or a menu, too.

23 of 40

Play With Texture

blush rose centerpiece — Photo by Ryan Ray Photography; Planning by Calder Clark; Floral Design by Blossom Events

Using a variety of textures adds a lot of interest to a tablescape. Take a cue from this couple’s modern fall wedding in Charleston, which mixed custom pecan velvet runners with gray tapers, dark marble candleholders, and clay pots. Centerpieces were created from hellebores, scabiosa, smokebush, and greenery.

24 of 40

Look to Lavender

<p>lavender</p> — Photo by Laura Gordon; Planning by Easton Events; Floral Design by Beehive Events

For a centerpiece that evokes a summer meadow and is beautifully fragrant, look no further than lavender. This couple included boxes of the flower, escort cards tucked into stems, at their wedding at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Virginia.

25 of 40

Try Tin

“Wedding worthy” may not be the first thing you think of when you hear “tin,” but this sturdy, light-weight metal can be transformed for special occasions when paired with abundant florals or upscale accents. Case in point: This couple’s wedding in Tennessee, where guests were welcomed to the reception space with two large galvanized urns brimming with baby’s breath.

26 of 40

Elevate Your Greenery

<p>Greenery Centerpiece</p> — Photo by Heather Payne Photography; Planning by Jessica Sloane; Floral Design by Zimmerman Events

For an unexpected way to incorporate rustic greenery and add height to your table design, opt for an elegant holder that elevates arrangements above the rest of the table. This couple’s reception at the groom’s family farm featured family-style tables decorated with bunches of eucalyptus raised on gold frames.

27 of 40

Incorporate Fresh Fruit

For a seasonal runner that’s beautiful and unfussy, mix fruit like apples, pears, and figs with greenery like olive branches and eucalyptus, then add tapers and votives for a romantic, candlelit touch. This couple’s boho-chic wine country reception also featured mini bottles of olive oil as favors, placed beside stoneware plates and amber goblets.

28 of 40

Check It Out

<p>table decor</p> — Photo by Olivia Ray James; Planning by Gregory Blake Sams

For a casual welcome party or rehearsal dinner, nothing feels more welcoming than a classic checked tablecloth. For their weekend-long celebration at a North Carolina camp, this couple hosted a cookout where guests dined on a shrimp boil at long tables decorated with camping lanterns and bright yellow blooms.

29 of 40

Dress Your Tent Poles

<p>tent details</p> — Photo by Katie Grant; Floral Design by Ivy Floral Design

If you’re planning a tented reception, poles can pull double duty as dramatic centerpieces. This couple’s Sperry tent included vertical arrangements of dried ferns and roses.

30 of 40

Add Natural Elements

<p>table numbers</p> — Photo by Paige Jones Photography; Planning by Bash Please; Floral Design by Marigold; Paper Products by Amber Moon Design

Table numbers can play a big part in your centerpiece, and incorporating elements of nature—pressed leaves, ferns, or flowers—is an easy way to bring a touch of the outdoors in. This couple’s California wedding included framed table numbers accented with feathers.

31 of 40

Say Cheese

<p>charcuterie board</p> — Photo by Braedon Flynn; Planned by Alison Bryan Destinations; Charcuterie Boards by Lady & Larder

Grazing tables have become a favorite feature for foodie couples, but you don’t have to have a whole separate station. Instead, consider working the concept into your centerpiece design, as this couple did at California’s Sunstone Villa. It’s a great way to showcase local produce and—bonus!—guests can nibble as they like between courses.

32 of 40

Fall for Foliage

fall tablescape — Courtesy of Casa de Perrin

Pressed leaves and ferns in a variety of hues create an unforgettable (and utterly photogenic) table runner that’s especially well suited to fall weddings. Wooden chargers and wood-handled flatware add to the natural look.

33 of 40

Get Inspired by Your Surroundings

<p>greenery centerpieces</p> — Photo by Holly Clark; Planning & Floral Design by Lake Como Wedding Planner

An easy jumping-off point for both your centerpieces and your event’s overall floral design is to look to the natural surroundings of your venue for inspiration. Inspired by the gardens of the Lake Como villa where they married, this couple created romantic tables set with lush greenery, both elevated on light-wood frames and arranged in glass vases.

34 of 40

Work Peach Into Your Palette

<p>place settings</p> — Photo by Jeremiah & Rachel Photography; Planning & Floral Design by Greenwood Event s

Peach might just be the perfect color for a centerpiece flower. It’s a versatile hue that pairs well with a variety of others, it’s warm and subtle, and works for every season. This couple’s Montana ranch wedding featured arrangements with peach roses and dahlias, paired with local fall foliage.

35 of 40

Add Botanical Artwork

<p>Dinner table place setting</p> — Photo by Clark Brewer Photography; Planning by Wit and Wiley; Paper Products by Ben Kendall

Whether you use vintage prints or original artwork, botanical drawings are an easy way to tie nature into your table design. For their wedding in Santa Barbara, this couple incorporated butterfly drawings on table numbers and place cards.

36 of 40

Hang Greenery Garlands

For their tented reception on a Michigan farm, this couple decorated long farm tables with a variety of arrangements including centerpieces housed in ceramic vases. Above, garlands ran from either side of the tent while the tops of the poles were decorated with abundant arrangements of greenery and flowers.

37 of 40

Stay Small

<p>place setting wedding menu</p> — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography; Floral Design by Jenny Moss

Centerpieces don’t have to be big to make a big impact. Take it from this couple who decorated tables for their wedding in a 14th-century French chateau with petite arrangements of peonies, dahlias, and roses spaced out along farm tables.

38 of 40

Embrace Daisies

<p>Wedding reception tablescape</p> — Photo by Alex Bramall; Planning by Firefly Events; Floral Design by Saipua

Wildflowers don’t always feel downhome. Mix them with roses, dahlias, and pretty patterned china and daisies will look downright dapper (take it from this couple, who celebrated at Brush Creek Ranch).

39 of 40

Add Interest with Tiles

For stylish centerpieces that are simple enough to DIY, mix glass bud vases with candlesticks and votives, then add the kicker—ceramic tiles—which add interest with pattern and color. You can even have them custom painted for your day. This couple incorporated them into the design for their wedding in the countryside of North Carolina.

40 of 40

Incorporate Mini Trees

On their own or as part of a grouping, dwarf fruit trees add instant charm to a table (and can also be replanted by guests or by you as a memento from the day). This couple used orange trees for the tables at their welcome dinner. Other varieties include lemon, apple, and pear.

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