When planning a wedding, couples usually become well-versed in the latest trends in dresses, flowers, food, cakes, and more. For 2011, the anti-trend is trendy, and we see this particularly clearly with centerpieces, where couples are expressing their individual styles and tastes. Instead of traditional, large floral wedding centerpieces, many 2010 weddings featured short stems and more modest displays. What does 2011 have in store for trendy brides and grooms?
Current wedding trends focus on asymmetrical, avant-garde, and very creative elements, and centerpieces are the perfect way to express individuality. Large floral centerpieces are undoubtedly beautiful, but they can become impersonal and overused. Instead, centerpiece trends are moving towards more personal displays. A fresh, fun-loving, sunny couple may opt, for example, to use squared glass containers in different sizes with cubes of fresh melon and pineapple. With slices of lime, lemon, and orange, and maybe a few bright yellow calla lilies, you have a wonderful, vibrant centerpiece. Here are some other trends worth considering:
Fruit
Fruit is the new flower! In addition to the lovely centerpiece idea above, you can also place whole fruit, such as green or red apples, in elegant glass vases, galvanized buckets, and baskets. Your choice of container can help you set the mood. Good choices include lemons, apples, mini orange pumpkins or gourds (perfect for fall weddings), kumquats, limes, cherries, and cranberries. To add a splash of elegance, place a large bloom or a few smaller blooms in the vase or container.
You can also make beautiful edible candy bouquets. You can use fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, and parsley for accent. Or try placing wedding cookies at each table for a yummy centerpiece.
Vegetables are also making a strong statement in 2011. Incorporating asparagus, artichokes, eggplant, and other gorgeous veggies is a great way to add a hearty, earthy element to a wedding. Great for country weddings – or for health conscious couples.
Floating candles
These can be an incredibly elegant choice. Classic floating candle centerpieces feature a shallow dish with a handful of floating candles. Today, you can find a variety of great designs. Try using slim glass vases, very similar to drinking glasses. Place colorful blossoms in the glass and fill about 2/3 of the vase with water. Over this, place a floating candle. This shows off the flowers to their best advantage and adds the lovely ambiance of light.
You can also try taller, squared vases or a display with various sizes. The key is to think beyond the usual floating candle display and use your imagination. Colored candles, interesting vases, innovative displays…there is no limit to what you can create.
Regional displays
More couples are designing centerpieces that tie in to their geographical area. A couple from the coast, for instance, may opt for a glass container filled with natural or colored sand. Into this is placed palm fronds or sea grass, small shells, and starfish. A southwestern couple may have an attractive cactus display in clay pots.
Personal tastes
A couple who met in a bookstore may use stacks of books in lieu of a traditional centerpiece; a nature-loving couple may opt for a display of elegant branches and wheatgrass; a fun couple may have glass bowls with a pair of goldfish. There are no “wrongs” when it comes to centerpieces today.
More Centerpiece Ideas:
- Calla Lily Centerpiece & Bouquet Ideas
- Winter Wedding Flower & Centerpiece Suggestions
- Pink Wedding Flowers
