25 Wedding Centrepiece Ideas to Wow Your Guests
Who knew there were so many ways to dress your tables? These wedding centrepieces offer something for every style and budget
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Your table décor will undoubtedly play a key part in the look and feel of your day, so to help you set the scene for the perfect party, we’ve compiled some of our favourite wedding centrepiece ideas to inspire your tabletops.
Whether you choose vases overflowing with flowers, runners adorned with greenery or something different altogether, beautiful wedding centrepieces can come in many different forms. Much like how wedding table set-ups now come in all shapes, sizes and formats, there’s no set rules when it comes to your tabletop décor either.
While most couples will choose to have a floral element, there’s nothing that says you have to include flowers in your wedding table decorations. This could be your opportunity to get creative with everything from lanterns and candles to vintage glassware and books. You might even be able to save on the budget by using items you already own.
Whether you’re hosting an elegant celebration in the countryside, gathering with friends under canvas or partying in a chic hotel ballroom, we’ve got wedding centrepieces that work for every type of reception. And if you're looking for more decor ideas, check out our guide to serpentine wedding tables.
Wedding Centrepiece Ideas: 25 Wedding Centrepieces For Every Reception Style
Add these gorgeous tablescape ideas to your wedding moodboard, stat!
1. Wine Bottles
Though this this example by wedding stationer Love From Lydia Alice is shown in a rustic aesthetic, using wine bottles for your table plan and doubling them up as wedding centrepieces can work for almost any style of day.
Work with your stationer to create a label design that works with your theme or colour scheme – and don’t forget the style of bottles play a huge part, too. You might even want to swap wine bottles for something like a whiskey bottle if that’s more significant to your relationship.
2. Fruit
One of the most underrated ways to dress your tables (in our humble opinion), fresh fruits combined with flowers or trailing foliage make a great addition to your wedding centrepieces, as shown here by Ambience Venue Styling.
The best thing? There’s a fruit for every wedding style and season – lemons look gorgeous for summer weddings between April and July, especially if you love the Mediterranean look, while oranges and pomegranates add a pop of colour to winter weddings.
3. Potted Herbs
Want inspiration for wedding centrepieces with candles? This example from The Tythe Barn is divine. Pots filled with fragrant herbs such as mint, thyme, sage and lavender will not only stimulate the senses, but the natural, organic vibe is easy on the eye too. Finish with tall candles in complementing colours to add interest and drama.
4. Disco Balls
Whether its Studio 54 or Saturday Night Fever, there’s something so wonderfully celebratory, joyful and iconic about disco balls – and they make great way to display your wedding flower centrepieces, as proven here by Chobham Flowers.
Keep your blooms bright for maximum impact; think hot-pink roses, dahlias, ranunculi and even a touch of pink pampas grass.
5. Pampas Grass
For rustic wedding centrepieces with a touch of glam, pampas grass offers a wild and laidback look that still feels luxe.
We love how the 70s favourite has been reimagined into a cool and contemporary display on tall box stilts here at Bunny Hill Weddings in Yorkshire – the height not only adds interest to tables but allows guests to see and chat to one another with ease. Tie in a neutral colour palette with wood chairs, natural linens and touches of gold.
6. Assorted Glassware
From jam jars to antique glass bottles to empties of your favourite tipple, filling a selection of curated glassware with blooms always looks chic – and much more expensive than it actually costs if you choose to collect your own glassware.
This also makes a great, simple-to-style option if you’re looking for DIY wedding table centrepieces. Take your lead from this styling at Grand Hotel Gosforth Park and choose budget-friendly flowers and foliage such as gypsophila and eucalyptus.
7. Tropical Leaves
Planning a botanical-themed day, getting married in a gorgeous glasshouse or garden venue, or just want to lean into tropical décor for your tables? We love this look styled by Caribou Events which features oversized monstera leaves.
8. Wooden Crates
Looking for alternative ways to display your wedding flower centrepieces? How about a wooden crate or box on each table? This colourful example from Into The Wilderness features cottage-garden inspired blooms and herbs for a homegrown feel.
You could even personalise each box with your names, wedding date or wedding table names.
9. White Feathers
This stylish tablescape at Marshwood Manor in Dorset features such simple elements individually but they all look great together. White feathers make a great alternative to flowers, especially when paired with other natural elements and neutral tones, included linens, rattan place settings and antique gold candlesticks.
Consider this vibe if you’re looking for autumn wedding centrepieces!
10. Moss
Another statement design spotted at Marshwood Manor – and a great option if you’re planning on having serpentine tables or one long table for guests to dine around – a runner made of moss, grasses and flowers is pretty, earthy and perfectly suited to a woodland-inspired celebration.
Make your table resemble the forest floor with colourful wildflowers.
11. Vintage Records
Calling all music lovers! We love the idea of having vintage records tucked within your wedding table decorations to showcase your table names, as spotted at Pratis Barns in Fife.
12. Succulents
Great for weddings with an organic vibe or mint colour scheme, stylish succulents look great year round, but offer a particularly pretty earthy palette in the colder months. We love these terrarium centrepieces, styled by Keshira Creative Events. Not only can they be a great DIY option (if you’re particularly green fingered, that is) but they make great take-home gifts for members of the wedding party, too.
13. Hanging Flowers
Overhead floral installations are a great alternative to traditional wedding centrepieces. Bright and bold displays like these at Kingdom in Tonbridge, Kent, are a great example of flipping the script. Hanging flowers add drama and give you more space on the tables for food and drink – it’s a win-win.
14. Cakes
Wedding table centrepieces don’t come much simpler – or delicious – than a delectable single-tiered cake. Place matching or complementing cakes on each table for guests to slice and serve themselves for dessert – it makes a great alternative to a traditional tiered wedding cake and sweet-toothed guests will love it! This example from a wedding at Mount Pleasant Eco Park is so cool.
15. Art Deco
Hello, 1920s wedding theme!
Vases for centrepieces at a wedding don’t come glitzier than these tall styles at Bath’s Historic Venues – fill them with a plume of white feathers for maximum Gatsby vibes. Complement this theme with a monochrome colour scheme or add a pop of bold colour for a modern twist.
16. Foraged Greenery
This table at Bower in the Woods may be one of the most unique wedding centrepiece ideas we’ve ever seen – which is wild considering just how simple it is! The East Sussex venue has incorporated foraged ferns (though you could use faux foliage here) to create a forest-floor-inspired tablescape.
For even more of an organic feel, add texture with dried seed heads, such as lotus heads, poppy heads, scabiosa and dried wood lily pods.
17. Log Slices
The OG of rustic wedding centrepieces, log slices are a great way to display an assortment of trinkets, as shown here at wedding venue Morley Hayes. Use logs or trunks of varying sizes and heights for impact, and pair with natural elements such as hessian-wrapped glassware, candles and seed pods.
If you want to add more dried flowers into your wedding centrepieces, making striking shapes with ferns, meadow grasses and a variety of wildflowers in muted shades and russet tones.
18. Raised Centrepieces
One of the most opulent and luxurious wedding table decoration ideas we’ve seen, this extravagant centrepiece styled by Caribou Events features raised floral installations and tall candelabra on a mirrored tabletop for even more glitz.
This wedding centrepiece idea would look right at home in a glam hotel ballroom or equally opulent wedding venue.
19. Sharing Boards
Sharing platters make for some of the most delicious, celebratory meals to feed a crowd, not to mention a great way to encourage chatter between guests at the table, so why not incorporate them as simple wedding centrepieces instead of a more traditional option?
Your venue or catering team can still make them look beautiful, as the team at Bunny Hill Weddings has done here, so they illicit plenty of "oooh!"s as your guests take to their seats.
20. Bud Vases
An oldie but a classic, bud vases make the best DIY wedding reception centrepieces because they’re so straightforward to assemble if you have an eye for design. Some can be filled with single large-headed blooms like colourful dahlias and roses, while others could include meadow grasses and smaller buds.
We love this colourful example from the talented So Blooming Beautiful Designs – try to gather an assortment of miniature vessels for a striking look.
21. Drinks Buckets
This drinks trolley at Fortnum & Mason got us thinking about how cool it would be to have a drinks bucket at the centre of each table – they especially make great centrepieces for round wedding tables. Not only does it mean guests won’t need to go anywhere for their top-ups, but it also adds a social element.
22. Pumpkins
Nothing says autumn wedding centrepieces like pumpkins – they’re the best way to make a seasonal statement. Use larger gourds as vessels to display flowers or pile smaller varieties high on log slices like this example from Make My Day Venue Dressers and intersperse with pine cones, tealights and crisp autumn leaves.
23. Mirrors
Mirrored centrepieces are a classic wedding table decoration, but don’t underestimate them! If the centrepieces for your wedding tables are on the simple side, they’re a great way to give the illusion that there is more going on. We love this example from Intercontinental Edinburgh The George, which beautifully reflects the candlelight.
For the tastiest combo of blooms, mix latte and creamy toffee blends of roses. Add touches of dusky pink and gold for the coolest palette.
24. Gyp Clouds
Who says floral wedding centrepieces can’t be simple? We adore these light-as-air gypsophila clouds created by Chobham Flowers, which would look great interspersed with tealights. Choose gypsophila in a range of complementing colours for a bold look.
25. Books
Planning a literary themed day? We love nothing more than couples who incorporate things they love into their wedding centrepieces, including their favourite novels.
Books make great decorations for tables at a wedding – use them to add height to small floral displays as well as showcase the names of your tables, as seen here at London wedding venue The Dickens Inn.
Wedding Centrepieces FAQ
While choosing wedding decorations can feel like a mammoth task – there’s so much choice, after all – the truth is, they can be whatever you want them to be. Below, we answer some of your most commonly asked questions about wedding centrepieces, including how to create cheap wedding centrepieces on a budget.
What do you put on tables at weddings?
It’s entirely up to you how you style your tables, but décor elements you might want to consider include:
- Centrepieces: As the name suggests, these are the central displays on each table
- Place settings: Even the plates, cutlery and charger plates you choose can add impact. Plus you can add extra items, such as a sprig of herbs
- Linens: Napkins, tablecloths and decorative table runners
- Stationery: The place cards, menus – plus any table names or numbers
- Favours: Not essential, but you may choose to include a small gift at each place setting
Should all wedding tables have the same centrepiece?
Not if you don’t want them to! Mismatched wedding centrepieces can look very chic, whether you’re mixing up the colours or the height. It’s perhaps a good idea to include one small common element in each centrepiece if you can, to ensure your mismatched look still looks polished – this can be as simple as having the same candle at the base of each one or using the same vessels but different flowers.
What are the best vases for wedding centrepieces?
The best vases for wedding centrepieces depend on the style of arrangement you’ve chosen – are you planning something luxe and opulent to fill a high-ceilinged space? Tall vases and flowers draped around candelabra may be best. Want to decorate the trestle tables in a tipi or a long table in the private room of a restaurant? Try bud vases or an eclectic collection of vintage glassware.
What candles work best for wedding table decorations?
Candles are a great way to create atmosphere and add interest to your centrepieces, so try candles of varying heights. Mix tall candlesticks and candelabra with smaller tea lights to draw the eye inwards. Note that some venues don’t allow naked flames, so you may have to look at flameless LED options. Always check before you order!
Can I use artificial flowers in my centrepieces?
You can totally use artificial flowers in your wedding centrepieces – for a ‘I can’t believe it’s not real!’ moment, choose seasonally inspired displays to make them that bit more convincing. Plus, they’ll be able to be kept long after the big day.
How tall should wedding centrepieces be?
The height of your wedding centrepieces needs to be carefully considered – keep them either above or below eye level to ensure your guests are able to chat across the table freely without any obstructions.
Low centrepieces (approx. 12 inches or lower) are especially great if you want to encourage a more intimate atmosphere, while those who prefer taller styles should generally keep them above 24 inches with a narrow or transparent base that allows guests to see across the table and each other.
Your table size will also be a huge decider – larger tables, of course, allow for larger centrepieces, while those with more limited space should avoid overloading it by sticking to simpler and more compact arrangements.
How can I decorate wedding tables on a budget?
There are plenty of ways to decorate your tables, even if you’re sticking to a strict budget. Candle centrepieces for a wedding are one of the most affordable and effective ways to create atmosphere – and they look really striking en masse, too. Buy candles or tea lights in bulk from budget stores such as IKEA and choose styles of varying heights to add interest.
If you love flowers but find your budget can’t stretch to masses of blooms, choose a few large-headed flowers to feature in your arrangements – think dahlias, garden roses, hydrangea or even peonies – to add a pop of colour, and fill the rest of your arrangements with more affordable foliage and herbs.
Potted plants and succulents also look effective – your florist will be able to guide you on the flowers that are in season, and which work within your budget.
Another stellar tip is to reuse some of your ceremony décor – and even your bouquets – to decorate your tables. Just make sure your florist and wedding coordinator know this is the plan, so they can set everything up for you before you and your guests sit down for dinner.
Want even more ways to wow your guests? Be inspired by some of our favourite unique ways to elevate your wedding day.
