Ideas for Floral Reception Centerpieces

Floral centerpieces may be a common decorative choice, but there's a good reason -- nothing offers the visual and scented appeal of an attractive floral arrangement. Adding centerpieces helps pull together a wedding reception's theme as well as provides visual interest to each table. While creating floral bouquets is the obvious centerpiece choice, you can do more with flowers than just bunch them together in a vase.

Mandarin Orchids

Delicate orchid-covered branches and bright mandarin oranges combine well to create an oriental-looking floral centerpiece for a spring wedding. Fill a medium-size, clear glass vase with five small oranges and cold water. Slide two long branches covered with white orchids into the vase. Place the elegant centerpiece in the middle of each table, and break off one orchid to set at the base of the vase as an accent.

Country Bouquet

Rustic plants and flowers in a ceramic pitcher bring a country feel to a wedding reception. Select large ceramic pitchers in assorted colors and styles so each table's centerpiece has a different look. Arrange a large bouquet of lavender, daisies, sunflowers, wheat, broad leaves and pussy willow branches. Slide a flared bouquet into each pitcher, and place on the table.

Fancy Rose Bouquet

Combine assorted roses in a golden vase to create a large, fancy floral centerpiece with a romantic style. Clean a large, urn-shaped, gold-hued vase for each centerpiece. Arrange rounded bouquet with red roses, pink roses, yellow roses, cream rosebuds, ivy, ferns and baby's breath. Slide the large bouquet into the vase, adding more ivy and fern as needed to create an overflowing look. The key is to keep the bouquet packed with flowers and plants that seem to burst out from the vase.

Bud Table Runner

Place several flowers down the middle of a table like a table runner to create an easy and sophisticated centerpiece for a wedding reception. Select enough small bud vases, clear and frosted, to create a line done the middle of each table. Choose two or three flowers alternate between, such as pink Gerbera daisies and yellow tulips. Slide a single flower in each vase and position on the table, alternating between daisy and carnation. Space the vases at least 4 in. apart to keep the centerpiece from appearing cluttered.

Modern Daisy Box

Floral foam and fresh daisies are all you need to create a wedding reception centerpiece with a crisp, clean, modern edge. Cut or purchase a 1-by-1-ft block of green floral foam, and soak in water as directed by packaging. Cut the stem short on each daisy. Dab the back of the flower with white glue, and slide the stem stub into the foam. Cover the entire block with daisies, and place on the table.