Hello!

I have been contemplating writing about this very topic for some time, and I believe that my only deterrent to doing so is that I have been talking about this very issue with my clients enough to prevent it from ending up in print.  Too bad, tall centerpieces – today is the day of reckoning.

Here are some of my personal beliefs which are the premise for my argument against tall centerpieces:

  • I love eye-popping centerpieces
  • I love drama in centerpieces design
  • I love reasonably priced centerpieces
  • I love enormous centerpieces which are used for non-guest tables (tables where guests are not assigned or will not be sitting)

If you have ever been to a wedding reception being held at a hotel, it is likely that you have walked into the reception area to find enormous floral pieces, enormous candelabra, or more candlelight then you can imagine.  In fact, I have never attended a wedding reception where one of these three décor conditions has not existed which means that these ideas are very, very popular with brides and decorators alike.

If you have ever been to a wedding reception anywhere, it is likely that you have sat down at a table only to find that any chance of getting-to-know the people seated across the table was eliminated by an enormous floral piece, an enormous candelabra, or more candlelight then you can stand to look through.

I propose three new rules for incorporating centerpieces into a table’s design:

  1. Do not create a column. Just as an interior designer will shout that you should never create a column (which breaks-up energy and disrupt the general flow of a room), as an event designer I am shouting that you should never create a column in the center of a table (which will break-up energy and disrupt the general flow of table conversation).
  2. Comfort first. If you are contemplating placing a lot of decor or a large [décor] piece in the center of a guest table, perhaps first consider the comfort of your guests.  If you have ever sat at a table that is crowded; if you have ever not had room for, have spilled, or have seen others spill a glass full of liquid; if you have ever wished aloud that a room attendant or server would notice how much removing empty plates from the table would enhance your experience; then you do, in fact, already know how much a crowded table can repress your experience.
  3. Alternative décor materials to save $$. Floral of any type – fresh, silk, dried – is both pricey and temporary.  What if [gasp] you could use materials which could be reused in the decor of your home?  What if [gasp] you were not relegated to selling or donating your event decor?

    Use materials that are not floral. (“Like what?” you ask?)  Instead of choosing a centerpiece idea that almost everyone else has used (literally!), consider incorporating one of the centerpiece decor ideas listed below:

    IMPORTANT: The items that I have chosen to represent as possible ideas are not in any way the best price I could find.  (In fact, some of these items are way too expensive.)  But, my hope for you is that you use this list as inspiration and then do your own research in regards to purchase and pricing.

    • metals – use in long strips, curled strips, sheets…LOTS of uses!
    • vines and sticks – can be used alongside vases
    • vases (without floral!): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • candlesticks: idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • [decorative] serving trays (Note: do an online search for “serving trays” and you will be shocked and amazed): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • “drowned” décor (Note: the link shows floral, but you can do this with anything…fruit (whole or sliced), coins, beads, rocks, sticks…): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • tiles (you can use these outdoors in your garden when you’re finished!): idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • [tabletop] sculpture: idea 1, idea 2, idea 3
    • bowls: idea 1, idea 2, idea 3

If you have any questions about these ideas feel free to reach me at studio@enterlaruche.com

Best,
Alisha Forrester Scott, Owner
La Ruche. event design studio.
http://www.enterlaruche.com

La Ruche Event Planning Services

La Ruche Event Planning Services

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