Do-It-Yourself Wedding Centerpieces From Mason Jars

Canning jars make creative centerpieces.

Mason jar centerpieces add a hint of Southern charm to your wedding. While a black tie formal wedding isn’t a good fit for centerpieces made with Mason jars, a rustic wedding or simple outdoor reception is perfect. Flower bouquets, a few large flowers or floating blooms can be used in a Mason jar centerpiece. If you’re looking for a romantic feel with the centerpieces, consider using votive candles in the jars. Ribbons allow you to incorporate your wedding colors into the centerpieces.

Things You'll Need

• Mason jars
• Flowers
• Branches
• Ferns
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Candles
• Sand
• Seashell or starfish

Instructions

Flowers

1. Fill Mason jars halfway with water to keep the flowers fresh.

2. Trim the flowers to the finished height and place in the Mason jars. Flowers such as hydrangea, gerbera daisies, peonies and wildflowers are beautiful or you can evoke a nature feel by using fern leaves and branches.

3. Tie a ribbon in your wedding colors on the jar’s mouth if using a few flowers or around the flower stems if you have a full bouquet.

Candles

1. Place a votive candle at the bottom of each Mason jar. You may want to use a couple of jars for centerpieces at each table if you are having an evening reception. As an alternative, fill the jars halfway with water and use floating candles.

2. Tie a medium width ribbon into a bow on the mouth of the jar.

3. Light the candles just before the reception to make them last.

Beach

1. Add two inches of clean sand (available at most craft stores) to the bottom of each Mason jar.

2. Stand a medium sized seashell or starfish up on top of the sand inside the jar.

3. Tie a wide band ribbon around the mouth of the Mason jar to finish the centerpiece.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to enhance the rustic country feel even more, use raffia instead of ribbon.

• Try setting the jars on a wood platform or a burlap table runner.

• Instead of water, fill jars with coffee beans and stick the flower stems into the coffee beans.

• Using candles will make the Mason jars hot to the touch so let them cool before trying to remove the candle.

References

• “Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration:’ Colin Cowie; 2008
• “The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook: More Than 1,000 Cakes, Centerpieces, Bouquets, Dresses, Decorations, and Ideas for the Perfect Day”; Carley Roney et al; 2010
• “The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day”; Mindy Weiss et al; 2008
• “Your Wedding, Your Way: Break with Tradition and Create a One-of-a-Kind Celebration You'll Never Forget!”; Sharon Naylor; 2009
• “Knack Wedding Flowers: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Ideas for Bouquets, Ceremony Decor, and Reception Centerpieces (Knack: Make It easy)”; Sharon Naylor et al; 2009