Center Me To Pieces!!

I thought the subject of this mid-month blog would be easy but I was OH SO WRONG!! I saw soooo many BAD BAD BAD centerpieces (I felt bad for brides who are looking for new ideas!!) and many, many copycat pieces and very little truly original pieces. Of course, I realize that I'm somewhat picky when it comes to centerpieces - I'm not a big fan of tall centerpieces because they a) block the view from people sitting across and b) in an outdoor setting there is also danger of them blowing over. And you have to be careful with candle centerpieces because, while many of them look good in a photo shoot (as we all know!) they do not stay lit here in Vallarta unless they are protected!!

BUT, with all that said, I did find a few centerpieces I felt worthy of note ... so here we go!!


LIGHT AND AIRY
First runner-up is this flower box, daisy display that I found at Our One Heart. I think, for a casual, fun beach wedding this would be a good option and I love the use of yellow - something we don't see too often!!

Next we have a floating candle, orchid and rock display found at California Wedding Ideas. Now, I know we've seen floating candles before, but I've never seen the combination done with orchids and rocks and I think, for Vallarta and the right bride, this could be a really, great natural centerpiece.

Not to be beaten is this driftwood, orchid centerpiece which I found from a DIY bride at the Wedding Bee. I really like it - it's simple, yet very beachy and a little elegant!

I know I said I'm not fond of tall centerpieces, but I did like this tall submerged orchid piece found at June Bug Weddings. Of course, this isn't a piece we could use on the beach, but it would be a possibility inside the right villa.

Last, but certainly not least, I absolutely love this colorful, simple yet whimsical Gerber arrangement found at Elizabeth Anne Designs. Beautiful!!

A LITTLE DARKER
I have tree branches on my mind these days for an upcoming event, so it's no accident that I bumped into these tree creations. The first is from Project Wedding and I not only like the unique centerpiece but I also really love the combination of the runner and purple flowers NOT to mention the use of the white chiavari chairs with dark seat cushions. Really nice!

The next tree concoction came from the Wedding Bee and I absolutely adore the use of branches, flowers and candles. I know it's a tall piece, but it would work for a villa wedding!!

Again, another tall piece, but truly original is this fruit/flower display at The Knot. To be honest, I would like this piece a little more if they took the purple flowers away from the top of the fruit display and just left the white branches, but, in any case, I think it's a nice piece.

Of course, my favorite is last - I love this combination of coffee beans and flowers found at Kim Vallee's Blog. I could easily see this with the use of tulips or very open roses.

FLOWERS FLOWERS FLOWERY
Two interesting floral pieces were this floral cake base and tall glass vase - I would prefer not to have this piece so tall (again!) but I did think it was different and beautiful in it's own way. This piece was found at Precious Moments Florals Events.

Monograms have still not died out (and probably won't) so here's a neat idea to incorporate the monogram into a centerpiece, found at Brides.

ORIGINAL, OUT OF THE BOX
Again with the carved fruit, but I just love utilizing it somehow ... I think this pineapple cut-out isn't quite finished for a centerpiece, but it does give some great ideas, so I included it anyway! Found at Erin Cooks.

Another version of the use of couple photos for centerpieces, but I thought this one was really well-done and there are so many different things you could incorporate into this idea, aside from photos. Found at the Wedding Bee.

And, of course, the best for last .... I love the use of the Chinese umbrellas and natural grasses and calla lilies down below - true inspiration found at Project Wedding.

Next month we have a special treat for ya'all, as Omar has been busy painting various examples of made-to-order maracas to show you just a few of the possibilities for the bride who wants something uniquely hers so be sure to tune-in!!

It's a Wrap!

I was going to talk about bouquets and then I was pulled into the fascinating world of bouquet wraps! I've always had a fascination with bridal wraps - they are like the icing on the cake or the cherry on top of the ice-cream sundae! So, without further ado, let's dig in!!

JEWELED BRIDAL WRAPS

I'm still very much into investigation mode for all things vintage for an upcoming event - so, of course, in the search I came across some fun finds! Top left we have this fun laced, dazzling affair I found at Project Wedding as well as the bouquet with a similar technique to the right. Also at Project Wedding, right below we have the beautiful jeweled accent letter and these amazing crystal accents!! The bottom row is vintage at its finest, all found at The Wedding Bee, with the flowered crystal, old bracelets turned into a fancy glittering wrap and my personal favorite in this collage, the beautiful lockets with photos to remember loved ones present only in spirit.

RIBBON AND BEAD WRAPS

Great, creative ideas such as this alternating cotton candy pink and salmon pink ribboned affair topped off with pearl accents found at Project Wedding or this alternating fuschia/pink flare found at The Wedding Bee. Down below, I love this crystalized accented bouquet found at Project Wedding as well as this amazing ribboned flower wrap. Bottom row we have a ruffled ribbon affect at The Wedding Bee as well as the yellow country wrap (love that ribbon!!), and champagne and sage wrap with pearl accents at Project Wedding.

MORE ORGANIC WRAPS

If your bride wants something a little more "au natural" there are always these options of a banana leaf wrap or this succuluent wrap, both found at The Wedding Bee.

For a more "sailor" touch, you might go with this wrap found at Project Wedding.

Or, perhaps, my personal favorite of this set, this cream/white affair with charm accent found at Style Me Pretty.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT WRAP

Cream and white ribbon with black and white beads found at Project Wedding.

Button wrap (love buttons!) found at The Wedding Bee.

And I love both the wrap and this feathery flowered idea found, of course, at Style Me Pretty.

MY FAVORITE WRAP

Of course, I saved my favorite wrap for last. I also love the bouquet in this ribbon, jeweled assembly and the additional jeweled dragonfly accents found amongst the flowers is just fabulous!! This bouquet was found at The Wedding Bee.

Mid-month we'll be exploring some different ideas for centerpieces, so stay tuned!! And, as always, if you have something you would like more research on, let me know and I'd be more than happy to oblige!