How to Make a Beach Wedding Centerpiece

Whether you're holding your wedding reception on the beach or want to evoke the breezy feel in a regular reception hall, use simple decorations to capture the feel of the coast. Follow these steps to create simple centerpieces that will add illumination and beauty to the room.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• White pillar candles
• Plate
• Raffia or jute
• Shells
• Embellished buckets
• Flowers, votive candles or shovel and sand
• Shallow bowl and water
• Floating candles
• Lanterns and tea lights
• Printed tags

1. Go simple, but elegant by arranging 3 white pillar candles on a plate that coordinates with the table linens. Tie a length of natural-colored raffia or jute around them and embellish the knot with shells or dried starfish or sand dollars (see Resources below).

2. Create a rustic beach look with small metal buckets adorned with beach-related shapes. Use them to hold a simple flower arrangement, a votive candle or a cute metal shovel, an assortment of shells and sand.

3. Let the light reflect off the water by using floating candles. Fill a shallow, wide bowl half full of water and float a few candles on the surface along with simple flowers like lilies or gardenias. Find candles in beach-related shapes like shells to further the theme.

4. Buy several miniature metal lanterns for each table and arrange them around a tall bouquet. Use raffia to hang a tag on each lamp's handle with the date, bride and groom's name and a short quote about love, marriage or the beach. Fill the lanterns with lit tea lights to illuminate the table during dinner. After the event, invite the guests to take them home as party favors.

Resources

• Embellish with dried sand dollars and other shells.
• Buckets with beach motifs can hold flowers or candles.
• Floating candles can illuminate and add to the theme.
• Lanterns lend a resort-like feel.