Ideas for a Non-Flower Centerpiece

• Noel Hendrickson/Lifesize/Getty Images

  Create a professional look to your table settings without spending a ton of money on pricey floral arrangements. Depending on the overall look you wish to achieve, creating a centerpiece from non-floral items is a cinch. From candles to vases to wedding favors, the possibilities are endless!

Candles

• Floating candles create an attractive display when placed in a shallow decorative bowl. bougies flottantes image by Magalice from Fotolia.com

  Candles are a simple and in most cases inexpensive way to romanticize your tables. There are so many options to choose from; picking a style that you like should be a relatively effortless thing to do. A simple three tier design is all that's needed to create an alluring centerpiece.

Vase

• A candle in a cylinder vase with some stones or gems as the base, will create an elegant display. blue vase image by Roy Simon from Fotolia.com

  Along with candles, the possibilities for utilizing a vase as your centerpiece are endless. It's all in picking out what you would like in the vase. For a more inexpensive idea, a tall skinny vase with a few tree branches coming out the top will add simple, rustic elegance to your tables.

  A more vibrant look can be obtained by using a balloon like vase and place some fake fruit inside. Your local dollar store or craft store should have a plentiful selection to choose from, at a low cost as well. You could also use materials like seashells, stones, coffee beans, or berries to name a few.

Seasonal

• Pine cones are very decorative and quite inexpensive. Spray them with a bit of colored glitter or fake snow. Silver and gold pine cones on white image by styxe.ru from Fotolia.com

  No matter what time of the year you are having an event you can always incorporate a season. If you are having a spring time event, use a simple plant (such as a garden herb) as your centerpiece in a nice Terra cotta pot. For a summer event, a tall vase topped off with colorful feathers will give the appearance of a palm tree. A simple idea for fall can be achieved by piling a couple of ornamental pumpkins or gourds. For a winter display using garland or placing a few pieces of eucalyptus or pine tree branches in a vase will do just fine.

Nontraditional/Personal

• For a nontraditional centerpiece, use lanterns to create a warm, rustic effect. For something a little more personal, a photo cube is a cute way of developing closeness with your guests.

  Your wedding favors will also work very well as your centerpiece. Your guests will enjoy it and you will be able to save money in only having to purchase one of out the two wedding items!