Last Thursday night we wrapped up our Savvy Bride Workshop featuring DIY Centerpieces and it was a HUGE success!  We had nearly 50 brides, mothers, best friends, and even future-grooms turn out - nearly every seat was taken.  The delectable Chez Bryce french bistro provided some amazing french hors d'oeuvres like little cheese puffs that were light as marshmallows, mini omelets, and pureed carrot & coriander on bruschetta slices.  Cups & Cakes by Amy provided adorable mini cupcakes in creative new flavors like pistachio, pumpkin, and chocolate mint!  She brought mismatched cake plates used to display the cupcakes at each guest table, and they looked so charming!!  We also featured some beautiful hand-beaded cake server sets and toasting flutes provided by Lola Grace Designs - very artistic, personalized and unique.

I recently came across a new linen overlay that literally changes color depending on what color underlay is on the table - I just knew I had to use it for this event.  Isn't it a cool effect??  When I pointed this out during the workshop, some guests didn't believe me!  It wasn't until they picked up the overlay from two different tables that they finally realized they were the same linens.

We featured 5 unique centerpieces at this workshop, each under $40 in total cost (many as low as $25) which is a huge savings considering most centerpieces from a florist would easily cost $80 and up!  The first centerpiece was created to suit a Black, White & Hot Pink color scheme.  It might be difficult to create traditional floral centerpiece for this color scheme because not many flowers come in a natural black color.  So I created a branch centerpiece with branches spray-painted black with suspended black and clear crystals and little pink flower heads.  The result was fabulous.  This would also make a beautiful escort card display piece at the entrance of the reception venue, with escort cards suspended from the branches.  Or perhaps a fun "wishing tree" interactive element for guests, with blank hanging-cards ready to be hand-written with sentiments from guests with their "wishes for the couple's future" - at the end of the night the bride and groom would have a tree adorned with tokens of love from all of their guests.

The second centerpiece was nicknamed "The Fishbowl Centerpiece" and featured a floral wreath cradling a glass fishbowl.  This centerpiece could be executed a few different ways - for this event we decided to have a gorgeous ruby-colored Betta fish swimming around in the fishbowl, but you could easily swap the fish out for a few floating candles.  To better light the interior of the fishbowl, you can insert a small waterproof LED light under the pebbles in the bottom of the bowl.

The third centerpiece also doubled as favors for the guests at the table.  It consisted of multiple bud vases fiilled with fresh flowers of varying texture and height.  To make a real statement with few flowers, try using all of the same type of flower (such as all roses) in different colors to compliment your theme, or using only a single color, but with multiple type of flowers.  In addition, each vase was accessorized with place cards hung from the necks of the bud vases - this way guests knew where they were sitting at the table, as well as which vase was their favor to take home.  This same effect could be created by using mini potted plants clustered together as the centerpiece as well!

The fourth centerpiece was called "The Zen Centerpiece," with a simple wooden bowl filled with sand, river rocks, and a cluster of candles.  We paired it with fortune-cookie-folded napkins, chopsticks, and muted colored linens to complete the look.

The final centerpiece featured a trio of orchid stems submerged in vases of varying heights.  This is a very chic, expensive look that can be acheived on a smaller budget if done correctly.  The orchid stems were anchored with white rocks, and floating candles luminated each vase.  Other multi-headed floral stems would work nicely in this centerpiece if orchids are not available or are out of budget - for instance, snapdragons, freshia, and larkspur would be lovely.

Guests left the workshop with step-by-step worksheets on how to recreate these looks at home.  Do-It-Yourself projects are a great resource for saving money for your wedding, but only if it's a feasible project that doesn't require too much time, money or skills.  While even the craftiest bride shouldn't take on DIY bridesmaids dresses or a DIY multi-tiered wedding cake, there are other DIY projects that are economical options like stationery, favors, and gift items.  The Savvy Bride Workshop Series will continue on a seasonal basis, and will feature more and more educational seminars like these topics.  For more information, or questions about our services, please contact us!!