Centerpieces Can be floral, candelabras, something unique, a mixture of elements, or even edible.

One couple who married in the fall had apples covered in caramel and drizzled with chocolate set out on deep brown linens as part of their centerpiece display, with clear cellophane bags at each place setting so that their guests could take home a sweet reminder of their wedding to enjoy at their leisure.

Centerpieces are typically handled by your décor company or florist who may be the same or two separate companies handling different design elements. Sometimes centerpieces are created by a specialty shop. Regardless of who will be handling your centerpiece requirements, they will be asking you the same questions that would apply for floral arrangements.

If you are having a sit-down dinner, make sure that your centerpieces are low enough so that guests can see each other across the table, set on high pedestals that do not block the view from across the table, or hung from the ceiling above each table for an entirely different effect. Watch out that trailing ivy does not block the view when using high pedestals or spill all over the table top and take up excessive space.

Discuss unusual options that will fit your wedding vision and that are new and fresh. As you begin to finalize the number of guests you are planning to invite, keep an eye on the number of tables you will be requiring centerpieces for. As your count goes up and down and your table assignments change in size, it may be necessary to add or subtract centerpieces.

No matter how elegant your attire, no matter how wonderful the food or beautiful the cake, if people can’t maneuver around the space provided for the reception, they are going to be miserable and will probably leave early. (Lack of air conditioning on a hot day can make them miserable too, by the way.)

How many tables of eight will the space available to you hold? Will there be plenty of room for your guests to walk around, get to the dance floor, the bar, the buffet table, and the cake? Is there “milling around” room? Is the room you are buying exactly the room you will get?

Some ballrooms can be divided, and overzealous salespeople can and will cut your space a bit and crowd the tables up a bit so they can sell a portion of your room to another party. Be sure when you sign the contract with the reception site that you are guaranteed to get the
space you bargained for.

How much space will you need? Does the venue use round tables (preferred) or eight-foot long tables that make you feel as if you are dining in a refectory with monks or maybe onboard a submarine not conducive to relaxation and good times.  If you are using round tables, no more than eight people should be seated at each table, and there should be at least three feet of floor space between the backs of chairs at adjoining tables room to scoot the chair out, get up, walk away, and get back without having to step over people. You do not
want your guests crowded into too small a space.