We have kind of a hodge podge of stuff for you today, which is sometimes the best way to do it. A little something for everyone. First up, some really simple, but gorgeous centerpiece ideas that Calluna Events put together…

There is something so organically beautiful about the simplicity of these flowers. They are gorgeous enough to suit any wedding style and they are easy enough to do yourself! Here are some tips from Heather at Calluna Events…

These centerpieces can be as inexpensive (think carnations) or expensive (think orchids) as you want to make them. The only other cost is your vase which you can usually rent from a florist or purchase from a craft store such as Michaels. Flowers can be purchase in bulk from your local florist ahead of time. Once you get the flowers you just need to “process” them which just means to trim the excess leaves, thorns and bad stems off, cut the flowers stems down to the size that looks best for vase and plop them in. This is typically called “chop & plop” in the floral world.

So fun, so pretty! Oh and check out the new Calluna Events blog…filled with eye candy!

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Post tags: Calluna Events, Centerpieces, Flowers, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planners & Designers

all images by Impressions Photography

Whether you want to use this as inspiration for your florist or event designer OR you want to tackle it yourself, this centerpiece is perfect for a chic, outdoor affair…lots of red wine, really good food and of course, candles everywhere!

Flowers
Red Tulips, Flamenco Roses (Yellow with Red ends), Forever Young Roses (Solid Red), and Yellow Sweetheart Roses
Retail Tulips $6-$20, Roses $20-$45

Materials
Linen: Copper crinkle taffeta
Charger: Gold weave design (acrylic)
Plate: Green with brown edges
Goblet: Green hue
Napkin: Brown cotton
Menu: 5×7 self printed on cardstock
Vessels: 3-4 Green ceramic pots with lids

Instructions & Notes from Kelly

This is a great way to pull off an eclectic wedding that still remains elegant because you’re using the continuity of the same flowers from table to table.  You can use different vessels and sizes to save on costs.  This centerpiece is good for 72″ round tables, square tables or Royal tables (double banquets).  I like the idea of different style vessels because you can keep them for use in your home after the wedding.  The number of flowers you use is going to vary depending on the size of your vessel, so keep that in mind.

If you’re working with roses it is imperative that you buy them at least a day before the wedding to give them some time to open.  Trim them under warm running water and store them in a cool place. *Note: You’ll have to clean the roses of their leaves before they go in the water so that they don’t go bad quickly.

I went to my local housewares closeout store (Homegoods) and found 15 of these pots in varying sizes.  They ranged from $4-$20 each.  I also found the chargers at a closeout shop on sale for $1!

I took 3 different sized pots and filled with water (and flower food).   I always placed the tulips in the highest container because they spread and drape well over the roses.  This makes the centerpiece look more lush.  Plus, Tulips have leaves that drape as well- again, making the centerpiece seem fuller.

I pushed the containers together and then filled in the area between them with just a few rose blooms.  This is what I found had the biggest “wow” effect.  Use the roses for this- they last the longest without water. Make sure you cut the stems short enough to not stick out the other side of your centerpiece.  But also leave them long enough for someone to grab and take home at the end of the night.

To add another layer of texture, I also used some of the lids at the bottom of the centerpiece and placed them at angles so that there would be just enough room to stuff a bloom or 2 in. I always feel like you get the biggest bang for your buck by adding color with linens.  If a full tablecloth is out of your budget, consider a runner.

* * *

Thank you so much, Kelly! Love, love, love! For those of you that are looking to take on your own flowers, for something like this to happen, you have to be open to working with chargers that you find at area closeout shops, flea markets or on ebay. And of course, vessels that coordinate. Then, you can use these tips and general guidelines to create your own unique look!

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Post tags: Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Flowers, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Centerpieces, DIY Projects, Wedding Decor, Wedding Details, Wedding Flowers

photography by Bryan Ambrose

photographs provided by Jessica’s Country Flowers

And one more gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous example of Jessica’s awesome weddings …

photography by Charles and Jennifer Maring

Jessica’s Country Flowers, a super-talented, highly recommended Little Black Book Vendor!

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Post tags: Brian Ambrose, Calla Lilly Bouquet, Charles Maring, Church Pews, Color Palette Pink, Color Palette Pink Green, Color Palette Pink Peach, Hanging Votives, Jessica's Country Flowers, Orchids, Roses, Wedding Bouquets, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Bouquets, Centerpieces, Little Black Book Blog, Wedding Flowers

One way to really trim your budget is to hop on the teeny-tiny vases trend. Tons of perfect little containers, whether they are clear, white or fabulously colored, filled with small bunches of your favorite stems.

Clockwise from Top Left: Image by Rebecca Thuss, glass vases by Ooh Events, hurricane vases on Brides.com, medicine jar vases on Brides.com, purple hued florals in tiny white vases by Brides.com, tarnished silver vases on Jamali Gardens

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Post tags: Brides.com, Centerpieces, Flowers, Jamali Gardens, Ooh Events, Rebecca Thuss, Tiny Vases, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Top Row Left to Right: boxes by Artfool and Bride.com / Center Row: by Farmer Julie / Bottom Row Left to Right: Michelle Rago and Rebecca Thuss

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Post tags: Artfool, Brides.com, Centerpieces, Farmer Julie, Flowers, Michelle Rago, Rebecca Thuss, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers

Flowers Clockwise from Top Left: Gold vase via Nicolette Camille, blue vases photographed by Courtney of Flush Designs via OnceWed.com, small white vases by Artfool, dark green vases by Artfool, red vase by Artfool, mason jar florals by Jonathan Canlas

Plus, if you can find inexpensive vases, this is a great way to make your flowers go even further, bringing more color and more variety to your style. Jamali Garden, IKEA, Target and Pearl River are all great places to find affordable vessels for your centerpieces.

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Post tags: Artfool, Centerpieces, Flowers, Flush Designs, Jonathan Canlas, Nicolette Camille, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

All flowers by Blue Moon Events…lovely!

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Post tags: Blue Moon Events, Centerpieces, Flowers, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers, White Palette
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

LOVE. These were sent to me by the oh-so-talented Caroline of Events by Caroline!

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Post tags: Centerpieces, Events by Caroline, Limes, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Flowers

Which was exactly the case today. I am still playing catch-up from being away and real weddings are starting to pile up in my inbox. So many gorgeous real weddings, so many incredible ideas. As I was looking through them this morning, I started seeing some really fun, totally unique ideas for centerpieces so I thought that rather than post another real wedding, I could post some new and interesting ideas for flowers! Sound good?

Here is the first, sent to us by Alyssa, from her real wedding that took place in Wisconsin…

photographs by Kelly Brown

Alyssa collected tea tins from antique shops and the pearl river website, then had her florist, Dawn of Appleblossom, design arrangements using in season blooms. The end result is simply lovely!

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Post tags: Centerpieces, Wedding Centerpieces, Wedding Flowers
Post categories: Wedding Favors & Gifts

Katie and Mario were married in October at the Lounsbury House in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

from Katie and Mario’s  wedding website …Ladies & Gentlemen, gals and lads, don your fancy garb and come witness Mario the Magician and his lovely assistant, Kathryn Elizabeth, as they perform their greatest feat yet!

What better inspiration for a fun and stylish wedding than magic!

Their wedding website is filled with LOTS of info on vintage clothing trends from different eras as well as a great list of all their wedding vendors.

Mario is a full-time magician and has published a book/kit, Magic Card Tricks, available from Barnes and Noble, but if you visit their website, you can get a signed copy! How cute are these guys!!

Many-many-many thanks to our great LBB friends, Daria and Andy Bishop for sending us Katie and Mario’s so-fun wedding! To see a slideshow of this great wedding, click here!

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Post tags: bouquet, Bridesmaids Dresses, Connecticut, Daria Bishop Photograpy, Mario The Magician, Vintage Chic, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Real Weddings, Vintage Chic

The bride and her best friend drove around to boutiques and thrift stores looking for antique and vintage jars and vases for her centerpieces. It was important to her to re-use instead of buying new. All of her flowers were also from an organic farm and were from sustainable flower crops. LOVE it.

And by the way, L’amour de Vie has the cutest website so if you are in need of a little pick-me-up, definitely check it out!

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Post tags: Antique Jars, L'amour de Vie Weddings, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Wedding Details

The centerpieces were peonies (local, in season) set in dishes of moss and bluestone rocks from the property where the wedding took place in upstate NY. The bride and groom are both writers and wanted a personal touch on each table. They bought numerous copies of their favorite books (used of course!) and bundled them with ribbon to go on each table. Guests were encouraged to take home any books they wanted. Too cute.

If you are in need of some serious inspiration, check out Lori’s site!

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Post tags: Lori O'Toole, Photography & Videography, Wedding Centerpieces
Post categories: Wedding Details, Wedding Photography