Changing the pace again, I'll be talking about centerpieces. The traditional centerpiece is usually big flowers of one or two colors maybe with some baby's breath. This is obviously overdone by now, making people long for different flowers, flower lengths, colors or something completely different from flowers altogether. This is truly an area of originality for bride (and maybe the groom) to let their design skills shine. As with other aspects of the wedding, there is a return to old-fashioned beauty, intricate elegance and a down-to-earth feel.
Most centerpieces nowadays are not simply flowers. They usually incorporate one or several other elements, depending on the motif of the wedding. If it is an outside evening wedding, the centerpiece could involve a lantern for an old-fashioned yet elegant charm. With white roses, it could truly add sophistication to the wedding. If the wedding has a more natural ambiance, then maybe a bird's nest, bird's house, or branches tastefully laid out with wildflowers. For a whimsical approach, consider many other elements such as several colors of ribbon, and perhaps some candy with bright colorful arrangements. My favorite unique centerpiece was a group of tiny green roses (which I've never seen before) with four tall feathers encircling it. Now that took some creativity to come up with and even more to tie it into the wedding motif!
Some newer centerpiece designs don't involve flowers at all. Some give the illusion, which can be very original and fit the couples' personality. I've seen this usually done by using paper, yarn or feathers. Another major trend emerging is simply using fruit for the centerpiece, especially for summer weddings. The blending of yellow lemons and green limes works splendidly for warm summer affairs. It's an original and much cheaper option. For a more festive wedding, a beautiful idea is porcelain eggs of many bright varying colors a nest or straw box/container. The last huge centerpiece trend that you see at debatably most weddings now are small trees. They're especially prevalent when made of metal and painted white (white for weddings ;)). It's cute fad, but is becoming quickly overdone. I advise that it is better to avoid this for a more original idea.
No matter which centerpiece you choose, the size of it will almost certainly differ from the traditional size. Think about the old photographs of the table centerpieces from your parents' or grandparents' wedding. They were probably an array of several flowers or roses with baby's breath that were a good height in the usual vase. In the modern day, that customary set up is out the window. Yes, some over-the-top weddings opt for the massive almost-baby-tree size flower arrangement, but the trend presently is a more quaint display. Along with simple and unique features (yarn, ribbon, feathers, etc), and a sundry of unexpected flowers, the arrangement size has shrunk substantially. There is an abundance of charm in antique, simple flower arrangements.
Use this area of your wedding to let your personality and true design for your wedding shine :) It is one single thing that you can point at and say 'this is our wedding motif'. And just like every other element of your wedding, have fun with it!
