How to Make Centerpieces for a Fall Wedding

Instead of traditional and expensive flowers, incorporate candles, colorful fall leaves and other unconventional materials into your fall wedding centerpieces. Be a budget-minded autumn bride and use these fun, fabulous ideas that are sure to sweep your reception guests off their feet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dried grasses and wheat
• Floral tape
• Scissors
• Satin ribbon
• Bowls
• Floating candles
• Garnishes
• Pumpkins
• Gold paint
• Ribbon
• Autumn leaves
• Gold platters

Celebrate Harvest’s Bounty

1. Gather about fifteen stalks of dried grasses and wheat for each centerpiece. Wrap floral tape that matches your ribbon around the bundle about 4 inches below the grain pods. Make about six bunches.
2. Hold one bundle between your thumb and forefinger at an angle. Add bundles as you form a spiral shape with the stalks. Secure the spiral with more floral tape.
3. Make sure the stalks are even at the bottom so the centerpieces can stand up. If necessary, trim the bottom of the arrangement with sharp scissors.
4. Wrap a piece of wide satin ribbon that coordinates with your wedding colors in a large bow around the stalks.

Light Up the Night

5. Fill an equal number of small bowls and large bowls with water.
6. Float one tealight candle in small bowls and three tealight candles in larger bowls.
7. Place a small bowl and a large bowl diagonally to each other in the center of each table. Lay a sprig of bittersweet, a cluster of berries, a few autumn leaves or other garnish between and around the bowls to complete the centerpieces.

Paint a Pumpkin

8. Paint each pumpkin, including the stem, gold. Allow them to dry thoroughly.
9. Tie a ribbon in your wedding colors in a bow around each pumpkin’s stem.
10. Scatter real or artificial autumn leaves on a gold platter or charger. Set a pumpkin on top of the leaves. Place one arrangement in the center of each table.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all candles are created equal, so be sure to buy floating candles or your centerpieces will sink.
• Bear in mind that pumpkins can rot in as little as two weeks, so consider this when you schedule time to make your centerpieces. Pumpkins last longer if you keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Alternatively, use artificial pumpkins for these centerpieces.