How to Make an Asian Wedding Centerpiece

Whether your wedding is an elegant evening affair with many guests or a quaint afternoon celebration with only a few close friends, an Asian theme will enhance the simplicity and beauty of your decorations. By incorporating Asian design techniques and using readily available items, you can create a beautiful centerpiece to grace the serving table and individual ones for each guest table.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cherry blossoms (on branches)
• Asian happiness candles
• Vertical clear glass vases
• Asian paper fans
• Take-out boxes and chopsticks

1. Keep it simple. Traditional Asian design centers on graceful lines and minimalism. A simple white background with one or two hues in the same color spectrum is a good choice. Consider the cherry blossom motive so popular in Asian decorating. Only the branches and flowers are visible and they are widespread and scant in number. Skip additional foliage in a floral centerpiece for an authentic Asian feel.

2. Adorn each guest table with a large Asian "happiness" candle to light during the reception and provide coasters that double as favors with the word "love," printed in Asian lettering that matches your wedding colors.

3. Arrange a floral centerpiece that is simple, yet elegant, with tall crystal-clear vases sporting a single cherry blossom branch from which the leaves are absent. Use clear marbles mixed with a handful of colored marbles in the bottom to hold the branch securely and fill with a little water.

4. Add paper fans to your cherry blossom centerpiece by arranging the fans, both opened and closed around the base of the vase.

5. Create a lighthearted Asian atmosphere at an afternoon wedding reception with Chinese "take-out" boxes. Contact your favorite Asian restaurant well in advance to order the boxes and arrange them in a cleverly-stacked design, using chopsticks to embellish the centerpiece.

6. Consider arranging sake cups, stacked on bamboo matting, with chopsticks and silver fortune cookies for a centerpiece that guests will appreciated during the reception and as a keepsake of your wedding.