The most important thing, for me, about centerpieces is that they need to provide a sense of drama. I think of creating a centerpiece like creating a piece of art on a table. Centerpieces fit into two categories: low & high.
For low centerpieces, I always like using a profusion of flowers. Use flowers that work together in the same color family, all purples or all reds for example, as opposed to too many colors in one arrangement, which can be distracting and less dramatic.
The benefit of a low centerpiece is that it enables guests to see each other across the table and allows an intimate experience. The benefit of a high centerpiece is that it serves as additional room decor and provides high drama.
Here are some tips for creating your own centerpieces:
- Think beyond flowers. In the picture above, using a tall black rod as a candleholder made the illusion that the candle was floating in the room. If you pair this with a beautiful low centerpiece, it brings a balance to the table.
- Flowers can have opposing fragrances. Be careful that the flowers you use don’t have a scent that could conflict with the food. Some examples of strong fragrant flowers are: gardenias, tuber roses, Casablanca lilies, and paper whites (narcissus). But just because you can’t use them at the table doesn’t mean you can’t use them in arrangements around the rest of the room. Certain clients request their favorite fragrances, so it’s always something we need to balance and pay attention to.
- I suggest using some low and some high centerpieces–it gives the room more of a flow across the space and it can be more cost-effective (lowers centerpieces are less expensive). The correct height of an average low centerpiece is when it’s low enough that you can see the person sitting across from you at the table. For an average high centerpiece, there are no rules (sky’s the limit).
Do you have any tips or tricks for creating a dramatic centerpieces? Please share in the comments.
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
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January 9, 2010
Dear Preston, I love you work, so elegant and amazing. Wish you always great success.Best Regards,Rowaida Flayhan
SARAH
January 9, 2010
Dear preston, i need a training to be an event designer like you. Do you train or where can i get trained to become one?Regards, SADE
Anonymous
January 10, 2010
Dear Preston,How about an event where there is only greenaryused…. I saw this done in Italy and it was breath taking… Lot's of olive branches and boxwood etc….Wheat… all in a small stone church… This was the wealthest Italian familyin Italy and there was not one flower in the church or the dinner after.. not even on the bride… She carried a shaft of wheat and olive branches…It was so simple yet beyond elegant….Love you,Melissa Lee
Tiffany
January 11, 2010
Beautiful.
Maithe Brandt
January 11, 2010
Hello Preston.I love your work.I live in Brazil and i would love to win a invitation to the launch of your book and that buying a ticket to New York and to participate this party.I'm a florist and event decorator.Kissssssss you,i wait for you.
ADRIANA N ESCOBAR S
February 24, 2010
Preston lo admiro por ser un gran diseñador floral, por ser una persona tan grande, exitoso y a la vez con esa gran humildad que lo caracteriza. me gustaria ser una diseñadora floral como ud. en que puede orientarme ud. al prespecto. lo admiro y lo aprecio. saludos.
Gloria Brown
March 29, 2010
While I enjoyed reading this post on centerpieces, it reminded me of a burning question.
Preston, how do you keep quests from walking away with the centerpeices at the end of the evening? I’ve attended a few weddings and witnessed guests walking out of the venue with a rented centerpiece. Have you ever seen this happen?
Renata Kulig
April 2, 2010
Preston, what a talent and knowledge you have!!!! I admire your work so very much and love your website. Flowers are my passion since I remember.After meeting with you at Toronto, now I found also your website and became your fan and I can’t wait for the news on it.
keep us inspired:):), and thank you for shearing.
All the best to you and your talented team
Renata
Donna Porter
April 12, 2010
Wow I am in awe of these table arrangements. Very inspiring!!
{ailish}
July 4, 2011
i agree that a mix of centerpieces should be used, many brides come to us wanting to use either all high or all low centerpieces, we like to create somethign for the eye to look at so would rather mix the two.
also we have lots of brides who are terrified of using high centerpieces as they feel they will be unable to see guests across the table from them, how can we stop this myth?