| Most centrepieces are mostly, if not entirely, | | | | tones. Lights and glitter really set off this look. |
| comprised of traditional flowers. Many people | | | | Cultural - Take inspiration from your own |
| however, make the mistake of regarding flower | | | | background. With an Irish background you may |
| centrepieces as the only option. Instead why not | | | | consider using elements such as greens |
| go for something a little more inventive and | | | | shamrocks (a bit predictable but always festive), |
| unique. There are thousands of potentially amazing | | | | the heraldic harp, Celtic cross, Celtic love knot, |
| centrepieces out there, and here are my top 5 | | | | and the Claddaugh. Oriental style themes could |
| show stopping centrepieces. 5. Water: Water adds | | | | use red and black colours (for luck), Shoji lanterns, |
| an elemental, fluid, feeling to the table. It has | | | | black or white pebbles and, of course, chop sticks. |
| connotations with new life and the cleansing of | | | | Beach theme- While it does sound rather tacky, |
| the body from sin. Marriage is the beginning of a | | | | this can be done in a variety of ways. The |
| new life so they merge perfectly. Water works | | | | restrained way generally involves quite muted |
| well when combined with flowers (particularly | | | | colours such as blues etc, pebbles or shells, sand |
| submerged gerbera I find), with floating candles or | | | | and maybe even faux beach debris. It all sounds a |
| with a waterfall type effect. 4. Candles: Candles | | | | bit much but, when done well, can look amazing. |
| are deeply symbolic, connected with the idea of | | | | Now, if you're planning on a more outgoing take |
| the light and warmth of love. They add a certain | | | | on the beach theme why not go all out with |
| intimacy and conjure the idea of romance. Fire | | | | brightly coloured shells and maybe even a tiny |
| also has connotations with purification and new | | | | fake palm tree or two.... tacky yes, but definitely |
| life, perfect for a wedding as you begin your new | | | | different and memorable. 1.Photos: Photos can be |
| lives together. It is practical for the candle to be | | | | a great way to make everyone feel involved, |
| covered (particularly if there are children at the | | | | particularly in smaller weddings. A place setting |
| wedding), perhaps in a stylish votive holder or be | | | | with a photo on (or a baby photo if you're feeling |
| original with an old fashioned style lantern. 3. | | | | cruel!) makes the extra effort. A great idea is to |
| Crystals: Crystals have links with good luck and | | | | leave disposable cameras on the tables and |
| healing so are a good omen at a wedding. More | | | | develop the pictures later. A variant on this is to |
| than that they provide an interesting and different | | | | get Polaroid cameras with somewhere to stick |
| centrepiece which encourages people to touch | | | | the resulting photos in the centre of the table. It's |
| and interact with it. Weddings with a lot of children | | | | great to get people chatting, particularly if |
| are a great chance to use crystals, children love | | | | respective families haven't met before. It also |
| them and can often be encouraged to sit playing | | | | leaves you with a great keepsake. What's |
| quietly (well....quieter) during speeches and toasts. | | | | important to remember is that these can all be |
| 2. Themed Centrepieces: Themes don't have to | | | | combined in any number of variations. Photos |
| be all encompassing - little hints of a theme can | | | | obviously go great with anything (except water!) |
| work well without overloading the senses. Use an | | | | while candles add to any number of themes |
| objective friend or a wedding planner to make | | | | (especially Oriental). But the important thing is, |
| sure you don't get lost in the theme or it can end | | | | when everyone is giving you ideas, take other |
| up looking massively overdone. Examples of | | | | peoples thoughts on board but ultimately be led |
| themes are: Seasons - For Autumn using leaves | | | | by your own vision....and don't be afraid to |
| and pine cones look great, especially with leaf | | | | experiment! |
| shaped confetti scattered around the table. This | | | | Sarah McCormack works for Simply Wedding |
| looks great and is environmentally friendly. You | | | | Planners, a site helping UK couples to find |
| can also 'spice it up' a little with glitter. For winter, | | | | reputable local wedding planners. |
| its pure whites teamed with clear crystals and icy | | | | |