Flowers are a beautiful part of any wedding. But when it comes to creative divine centerpieces for your reception, they are by no means the only option. These are some ideas on how to design fabulous non-floral centerpieces.

Think about the theme and style of your wedding when you begin planning your reception décor. This can be a great jumping off point when you are looking to design centerpieces that are out of the ordinary. For instance, are you having a beach wedding? Do you love nature? Are you a disco fanatic? Defining your personal style will help you to choose the special elements that you can use to make your centerpieces.

Natural materials work beautifully to create centerpieces for many different styles of weddings. You would be amazed what can be done with branches, twigs, rocks, and moss. For an evening reception, tall centerpieces created from white birch branches look dramatic with tiny candlelit lanterns suspended from them. This is a gorgeous effect for a Winter Wonderland theme wedding with the addition of hanging teardrop crystals to capture the light just like crystal bridal jewelry. A more casual effect can be created by using tiny lanterns in a variety of colors.

Candles also work wonderfully as centerpieces for beach weddings. A hurricane lantern with one large candle in it is the perfect base. Add your own personal touches to give the centerpieces style and interest. You can create a tablescape by pouring sand around the lantern and scattering seashells in it for a natural look. Driftwood place cards would be a great tie in to this type of centerpiece. A more upscale beach design would feature the hurricane lantern with faux red coral accents. Silver starfish ornaments could be tied to the napkins and double as the wedding favors.

For brides who love the latest in hip modern design, you can go even farther with your non-floral centerpieces. Imagine the spectacular effects that could be created using interesting elements like colorful l.e.d. lights and plexiglass boxes. The lights can be placed in the base of the clear boxes to cast a glow onto another material in the box, or they can be used on their own in the plexiglass for the ultimate in minimalist chic. Experiment with varying heights, colors, and materials to get the perfect one-of-a-kind centerpieces.

Your centerpieces do not even have to sit on the tables. Consider hanging something special from above instead. It will keep your tables clear and uncluttered while still making your venue stylish and beautiful. You can rent very unique long chandeliers to suspend as your centerpieces which will also cast a romantic glow onto your space. If you are the creative type, you can even handcraft your own suspended centerpieces using found materials.

Lighting is another great alternative to floral centerpieces. One lovely idea is to set a gorgeous lamp on each table. There are so many styles from which to choose that there is one that will fit in with any wedding style. This can be a great solution if you are hoping to create ambiance in a venue that does not allow the open flame of a candle. The most versatile type of lamp to use is one with a clear base. If your wedding is very formal, you can fill it with glittering strands of crystal in your wedding colors, which will look stunning with your bridal jewelry, or use Christmas ornaments for a winter reception.

There is no end to the possibilities once you let go of the concept that centerpieces must have flowers. From the very simple to the very ornate, there are infinite options for non-floral centerpieces. These unique creations can be a great way to make your reception stand out from the crowd.

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget’s experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Crystal bridal jewelry always looks fabulous.

Ivory Pearl and Clear Crystal Wedding Jewelry Set $80.99 Ivory pearl & Clear crystal wedding jewelry set

Darice 35745, Knife and Server Set, Faux Crystal $3.75 Victoria Lynn Wedding: Cake Knife and Server Set. This gorgeous set is perfect for engraving and keeping as a memento or passing on from generation to generation. This knife and server set features stainless steal blades, matching clear faux crystal handles and measure (knife)13x 1″ and 11″ x 2in….

Libbey Vina Stemless Red-Wine Glasses (16.5oz/Set of 4) $13.99 Serve drinks while entertaining guests with these stemless wine glasses by Libbey. These sets of four wine glasses are made of clear glass& are perfectly shaped to accommodate red wine. Glass….

Lenox Opal Innocence Flute Pair $27.49 The stem of each flute bears the flowing Opal Innocence leaf motif. The pair of flutes, along with a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, makes a most appreciated gift for the bride and groom. Height: 9 1/2 inches. Stems crafted of silver plated metal. Bowls made of Lenox crystal. View Stem Detail…

Crystal Lily Blossom String Lights, Indoor-Outdoor, Clear White Each of the 35 lights on this 9 foot light set have a clear, two layer lily blossom that emits a warm white light. The strands are green with lights spaced every 4 inches with a 3 inch lead on each end. These strands are UL listed for indoor and outdoor use. Designed so that you can connect multiple strands end-to-end….

Brilliant on a White Background – 24W x 18H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…