Cost-saving wedding centerpieces

Written by By Karen Deer St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Do-it-yourself wedding centerpieces are one of the easiest ways to save on your reception costs.

Lynn Jawitz, floral designer, event coordinator and owner of Florisan LLC in New York, says oversized centerpieces "are so last year."

For too long, brides with giant centerpieces risked having guests get so annoyed with the visual obstruction that they ditched the offending flowers to the floor.

Today's bride has more choices such as glass cylinders, odd-shaped vases and floating candles for beauty and drama. And once the bride has decided on a color and theme for her centerpieces, wedding rentals may be the way to go for vases.

"We can help any bride plan the reception of her dreams," says Lea Kwapis, owner of Grand Rental Station in Fairview Heights, Mo.

Most brides have an idea of what they are looking for in terms of decor but become overwhelmed at the thought of purchasing many of these items.

"This is where we come in," says Kwapis. "We rent tables linens ... sparkling glass centerpieces, vases, candelabras, backdrops, champagne and chocolate fountains, china, glassware and silver cake stands as well."

Kwapis and Tracee Finnell, rental consultant at Grand Rental Station, designed these wedding centerpieces.

CANDY CENTERPIECE

($15 for supplies, $2 for hurricane vase rental, $1 for cylinder vase rental)

1 wide glass cylinder (about 7 inches tall and 3 inches wide)

3 large bags of peanut M&M's (choose themed colors)

5 large silk roses (or flowers of your choice)

3 large green leaves

Floral tape

Step 1 — Place a 7-inch glass cylinder inside the hurricane vase. Fill area only between hurricane and cylinder with candy.

Step 2 — Cut five large bloom roses so the stem is about 6 inches long. Assemble the flowers into a small bouquet, securing together with floral tape.

Step 3 — Insert bouquet inside cylinder, filling any void with large green leaves.

LIMES AND TANGERINES

($25 for supplies, $5 for vase rental)

1 24-inch cylinder glass vase

2 bags of small limes (plastic or fresh)

1 bag of small tangerines (plastic or fresh)

3 silk stems of Dancing Lady orchids

1 large forsythia branch

Ribbon for accent

Double stick tape/hot glue

Step 1 — Fill base with one bag limes

Step 2 — Fill vase with one bag of tangerines

Step 3 — Fill the vase with the rest of the limes

Step 4 — Insert forsythia branch and Dancing Lady orchids into vase

Step 5 — Measure and cut ribbon to wrap around the top of vase, secure with double stick tape or hot glue

Tip — If using fresh flowers and fruit, add water after vase is complete

BUTTERFLY VASE

($13 for supplies, $7 for vase rental)

1 clear flared mouth glass vase (approximately 28 inches tall)

1 large bag of glass stones, any color

1 hydrangea flower head (silk or fresh), any color

1 three-branched birch stem (silk or fresh)

3 multicolored butterfly accessories with wire stems

Step 1 — Place glass stones into bottom of vase.

Step 2 — Cut the silk hydrangea flower head from the stem, leaving approximately a 1- to 2-inch stem. (If using fresh flowers, add water before placing flower head in vase.) Nest the stem in the center of the beads.

Step 3 — Place one butterfly directly on bloom, using the wired stem on the butterfly as an anchor.

Step 4 — Trim from the bottom of either three individual birch branches or one branch that has three extensions to fit inside of the vase. Bend one of the three stems to house a wired butterfly in the center of the design. The remaining two stems will be vertical. Place branch(es) by nesting stem through hydrangea and into glass beads.

Step 5 — Attach third wired butterfly to the tip of one of the two vertical branches and set into place.

Note — For added sparkle, the vase can also be placed on top of a mirrored tile (available for rent).

BLOCK VASE WITH SILK ROSES

($15 for supplies, $7 for vase rental)

1 block vase

1 bag clear beads

3 white silk roses

Green floral tape

Step 1 — Fill vase with beads

Step 2 — Determine the height of your rose. You will need at least 2-3 inches of space on top. If using multiple roses, make sure all roses are varying in height

Step 3 — Once you've determined the height of your roses, cut roses to height and secure with green floral tape

Step 4 — Nestle secured roses in beads

These DIY looks are designed by the Lifestyle staff, with the help of Kwapis and Finnell:

MARTINI GLASS

1 martini glass ($1) at Dollar Tree

1 Gerber daisy ($6.99 for a bunch of nine flowers) at Hobby Lobby

1 candle ($3.99) at Hobby Lobby

2 mini Martini glasses (1.95 each) at Crate & Barrel, 1 The Boulevard

Crystal dazzlers ($4.99 for approximately 100 crystals) at Hobby Lobby

Step 1 — Turn the martini glass upside down and place a Gerber daisy flower head under it. Place candle on stem base.

Step 2 — Add crystal dazzlers into the mini martini glasses. Place a mini martini glass on each side of the martini glass.

DECORATIVE MARBLES