I imagine that in this spectacular community more than one of you have children who’ve gotten married. Or have planned parties.
Hint.
My job for my daughter’s wedding is to sort out the centerpieces for dinner. I’m thinking you know from tabletops and you might tell me about any great ideas you’ve implemented or come across in your beautiful lives.
Here’s what we’re thinking:
- The venue is right on the water, on a the outskirts of a working harbor, in a very quiet bay. So, neither beachy nor wild coastal cliffs, more like the Wianno Yacht club in the 1960s-but California. Dinner is on a lawn near very green trees. In other words, for the most part, the surroundings are the decor and nothing fussy, fancy, or produced for social media required. Humor and/or warmth a plus.
- Now consider round tables seating 10 people, with small centerpieces to allow for family style service
- We do want a little table embellishment, and for people to be able to find their seats.
- Our other aesthetic/practical stakes in the ground:
- The chairs are classic white folding chairs. Tablecloths and china are also white (although tablecloths could possibly be ivory or beige-sh, might have a texture to them i.e. what they call “Panama” fabric. I considered buying hotel linens but realized that was ridiculous. As my daughter said, “Nobody remembers their napkins.”
- Tables will mostly likely be candle-less, as any candles would have to be in glass hurricanes, and in any case it won’t get dark until dinner’s over. Market lights will be strung overhead, to light dusk as it falls, or twinkle through the fog, depending.
- We’ll use 12-inch circle mirrors to anchor the flowers and table numbers. LITERALLY anchor; it can get quite breezy and nobody wants a vase emptying into their laps, no matter how beautiful its contents. Nor should the table numbers launch themselves into the air only to conk a beloved friend or family member in the noggin. My mother said “noggin” a lot. Weddings bring the ancestors to mind, do they not?
- We’ll reuse the collection of 20 various florist vases I’ve received over the past decades and never recycled. Might also include an etched glass vase from my father’s family’s Park Avenue apartment, or one in cut crystal I got as a wedding present in the 1980s, for fun and a little insouciance because it’s hard to abandon one’s culture altogether.
- We’re thinking a single variety of flower for centerpieces. All white, or maybe with yellow or orange centers. Maybe even no greenery. Chamomile? Stock? Probably not roses? This is a mid-September wedding, which counts as Golden Summer, But Also Maybe Totally Fogged In And Using Heaters Summer in Northern California.
Here are some related images (if you think I’m going to call them “inspo” we haven’t met:
I am all ears. All wedding-soaked, joyful anticipation, lying awake at night imagining tablecloths ears. Any thoughts or links welcome.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. May we all get to plan some kind of celebration for those we love deeply. I am very aware of this good fortune.
40 Responses
I like all the photos you posted here. I know you mentioned using just one type of flower. You might experiment beforehand using several types of white flowers for more interest. I would not rule out the use of some greenery–just a touch. Set up some mock tables at home and decide which you like best–white tablecloths or the beige that you mention. What a wonderful dinner this is going to be! Any menu ideas yet?
I will definitely need to experiment with actual flowers! And mock tablecloths. The menu is chosen from a few options provided by the venue, so, all of that is taken care of! Thank you:)
I agree with Susan D. both in the idea of using several types of white flowers and some greenery. It’ll add interest and some texture. I also like the “vases” low, like the above photos, and I do love the square white one in the first photo. Looks beach-y and adds interest.
I am just going to have to get some flowers in my hot little hands. What do you think about table numbers? Anything great you’ve ever run into?
For a few weddings I did, I had a visual seating plan (from above) done, and numbers on the plan, so that there were no numbers on the table, as I felt that was a bit “corporate”. I had the seating plan on a small easel by the table cards or whatever they’re called. If you want numbers on the table, I’d maybe gather some decent sized beach rocks (not huge) and paint the number in white on it and lean it against the centerpiece.
Ooh, I love the idea of painted beach rocks!
What are the bride/groom’s preferences for color and style/mood? I’ve seen a range of flowers used, from formal to native/natural, it depends on the feeling you/they want to convey. But I like what you showed…
The bride and I are both thinking white, or white with colored centers. The ceremony decorations will be lots of greenery, and very native/natural in style. For the tables, thinking a little more structured. Thank you!
In my home I prefer all-white flowers, or all-greenery (silver dollar eucalyptus) arrangements, with a white Phalaenopsis usually in the mix somewhere. White and green are beautiful, calming, serene. The green gives the white something to shine against. I am thirding what Susan D. and KSL said above. I love the idea of understated, low white and green centerpieces, which maybe look as though they are spilling onto the center of the table, with their containers hidden underneath. I think the setting, with the twinkle lights moving and glowing as the evening comes on, will be at the center of everyone’s attention.
I agree with everything you’ve said! Some of the centerpieces will be in tallish vases though, so I’ll have to see how that works with what flowers. Simple, but a little fun I’m thinking.
Before chiming in, I need the answer to this question: what does “sort out the centerpieces” mean? That you will source the flowers, you will make the centerpieces, you will deliver them, you will re-adjust them from wobbling askew on the way over to venue, then place them on the tables, yourself?
Excellent questions! I will source the flowers, and put the arrangements together in their vases at the flower wholesale two nights before the wedding. Planning to use clear glass marbles in the base to weight the vases and add a little texture, and I hope keep the flowers generally in place? Maybe I’ll need chicken wire? They will stay one night at the wholesaler. I am also sourcing the mirrors and the table numbers. The afternoon before the wedding we will drop off the vases, the mirrors, and the table numbers (which we may have to affix to the mirrors) and leave them at the venue. I haven’t quite figured out how the flowers in vases will be transported to the venue, but I’m guessing I’ll ask a family member with a big car/truck/SUV. Then the venue staff will assemble the centerpieces and put them on the tables when the time comes. Am I nuts?
No, you’re not nuts, crazy, mad or bonkers – you’re in love. But if you do feel overcome by anxiety as the event draws near, here’s a Plan B for your Panic File. Now don’t throw up when I say it’s a lovely FTD offering that comes in three sizes. Think of it: all done and delivered at the end of one phone call. I like the middle size “Deluxe” for your event. Am I nuts?
https://www.ftd.com/product/alluring-elegance-bouquet-prd-nae?cid=ftdseo&prid=ftdseo
I love this. In my back pocket. No throwing up, applauding. I’d even do the basic one, because it’s so low and simple. And inexpensive!
My daughter-in-law used an ikebana style of flower arrangements as centerpieces. She chose bright colors but you can use all white too. The arrangements had a minimalist feeling, which made them absolutely breathtaking.
That sounds amazing!
Daughter got married last July, on a budget. I was also in charge of centerpieces, with a green & white theme, for 10 round tables in a mountain setting surrounded by aspen trees. Flowers ended up what we found at Trader Joe’s the day before: eucalyptus branches, small cream roses, other whit-ish flowers, for a grand total budget of $80.00 (we used small vases). I made the small arrangements the evening before with a couple of friends, in our airbnb, with some additional ornamental grass clippings from the backyard. The bride was happy and we all have fun memories :) Nearly everything turned perfect and the things that were not… no-one cared!
This is probably the vibe I’m aiming for. Not the same flowers, but with the same flowers aren’t the important thing here feeling?
My younger daughter’s wedding was on the beach but the reception was at a distance (Chatham Bars Inn) but outside under cover. Table decor was casual, utilizing air plants in glass vases and simple blooms in small individual vases. She didn’t use a florist, instead a friend arranged it and the vases were small bottles we already had. Have fun with it!
That looks like wonderful place for a wedding. The ultimate beach wedding, and there really is something about friends doing the flowers on the tables, where friends sit in circles and share food, that I really like.
Our Trader Joe’s always has empty wine boxes by the exit door. With their cardboard separators, they are great for transporting vases and flowers and other fragile things.
I love the greenery spilling out onto the tablecloths in the 2nd picture. ~ skye
Excellent tip on the wine boxes! I am mulling over what greenery if any…maybe spilling over ivy
I think a bit of greenery and a variety of white flowers are simple and can elevate the tablescape…lots of options are available in September. Weddings are such fun to plan…
XO
I look forward to finding out what September brings!
This past fall at my nephew’s wedding the centerpieces were removed by the caterers for the family style service. I did the flowers are was surprised by this. They did replace the centerpieces once dinner was over. Just a tip to be aware of.
Your ideas are beautiful.
Oh, yes, good point! They did talk about taking the centerpieces away, which adds to the need for compactness, but are also looking at larger tables. It’ll depend on the final guest count. I’m glad I’ve got you to bounce things off in advance!
Everyone is rife with wonderful ideas here that I wholeheartedly agree with. My daughter spent hours contemplating these very topics for her April wedding last year. We were able to bring her decor pieces to the venue the night before for the florist to assemble. She loved seeing her vision for it all come to life after a year of planning.
My only advice is this: delegate as much of the actual logistics as possible to others be they family, friends, and even vendors, coordinators, etc. Everyone loves being involved and helping in some way because weddings are such momentous and joyous occasions and it is fun to be in the know on details and decisions. Preserve your critical and essential MOB energy during that week so you can lavish it on your daughter as she needs it. ;)
How wonderful that your daughter had such a happy experience! I can see her delight in my mind’s eye. The only thing I’m planning to do the week of the wedding is spend Thursday afternoon, or maybe even Wednesday, putting flowers and glass marbles/pebbles into vases with water. I have imagined this as a meditative experience, something that would recharge me rather than deplete. Hoping to recruit a family member to transport them to the venue. We shall see if I need to find a plan B. Cross your fingers for me!
I second this: “Preserve your critical and essential MOB energy during that week so you can lavish it on your daughter [my edit: and on the last minute needs of the groom, groom’s family, nephews, nieces, cousins, siblings, out of town guests, husband’s family, bridal attendants, best friends, hotel concierge, venue staff, ceremony officiant] as she needs it.”
I like #2 and #4 best. Slightly undone elegance. I’m sure whatever you do will be lovely!
I’m sure you’ll figure out the flowers. My two cents is to urge you not to use white tablecloths. Go for pale warm beige ones, which most of your inspiration pictures are using. (Stay away from taupe.)
Since the chairs, dishes, and flowers are all white, you need that subtle gradation of color to add warmth.
The tablecloth color in the last photo is perfect.
Two cents noted and appreciated! Now, do you think the warmth is needed if we are surrounded by a green lawn, green trees, and the Pacific Ocean?
Yes! Still needed. White tablecloths can look cold/stark when everything else is white.
In your last photo, the beige tablecloth is pale enough to feel fresh, yet it lends the barest touch of contrast, interest, and warmth. The slight contrast elevates the plates, flowers, and chairs.
Ame. LOL.
One potential way of providing extra support for flowers/greenery in the vases might be the use of a piece of florist foam block cut to size/shape in the bottom of the vase and then surround it by the glass rocks–i.e. leave enough room on the sides for the rocks. Usually comes in pale-ish green and can be bought at craft stores or online. Just use a sharp knife to cut whatever size you deem appropriate for each vase. Will absorb and maintain water to keep flowers fresher longer. Check a search engine to see possible options. Try a sample of it under the clear glass rocks in one or more of your vases to see you like the effect. Just a thought.
I realize you don’t want to give away your vases, but at one of my children’s weddings we made the flower centerpieces using inexpensive, low, square glass vases (flowers/greenery secured with glass rocks). Prior to the reception, we arranged for a cut out heart to be taped underneath one chair seat at each table. At the end of the meal, and before dancing, an announcement was made that whoever found a heart shape under their chair was free to take the centerpiece home as a gift from the happy couple. Saved having to collect ten+ flower arrangements at the end of the evening and people seemed to appreciate the gesture.
I helped my dil plan the reception for her wedding.
A few tips based on my experience:
Make a practice tablescape. (or 6!) When the bride approves the look, photographs need to be taken.
Make a box for each table. Put everything for one table in one box. Does she want mints scattered around? Menu cards? Placecards? Everything in the box. Non perishable items can be boxed at any time before the big day. (For example, I bagged marbles for the vases as I measured them. The bride decided how full she wanted the vases.) I had boxes in my house for months, but was no last minute rush to prepare.
Ask willing family and friends to help you set up the reception tables. We descended upon the venue asap the morning of the wedding. I set up one table as an example.
No flower advice, everything above sounds glorious.
Are the seats assigned, or just the tables? Either way, if there’s room and headspace perhaps mark places with photos of the guest/s with bride/groom/both.
A few things: If the budget allows seat eight at a 60″ table. It makes for less elbow clashing and eases up room on the tables for ‘stuff’. Get help for making the centerpieces. It’s more work than you think.
Dahlias should be in season in September. Also white lisianthus. And you might think of adding a spot of color to white. I love crisp white linens.
If you put tall vases on the table, someone’s uncle, father, cranky guest will move it off. Centerpieces shouldn’t be taller than the distance from your elbow to fingertips.
Why mirrors?
Have fun!
You still have lots of time to make decisions.
With lots of options, I like the idea of setting up 3-4 mock-up tables.
When table seating is tight, it is uncomfortable.
For flowers, I like mounds of flowers arranged together at the same height. For a 60″ round table a glass bowl looks lovely. Scale is important. Consider some contrast in each arrangement.