35 DIY Wedding Centerpieces for Any Aesthetic

Colorful Flower Decor Next to Small Candle and Table Number at Reception Table — Photo by Mason Neufeld Photography

When planning a wedding, the goal of many to-be-weds is to create an affair that feels authentic and personal. One of the best ways to infuse a bit of personality into your celebration? Opting for DIY decorations. While there are many different opportunities throughout your décor to express your creativity, pulling together your own centerpieces—typically the focal point of your reception—is a surefire way to make a lasting impression on your guests. Plus, since outsourcing these assortments can add up, including DIY wedding centerpieces may help keep costs down, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere or hold a budget-friendly fête.

Whether you’re taking the reigns on every big-day decoration or you’re intending on supplementing rentals with handcrafted pieces, handling the centerpieces yourself will put a personal spin on your celebration, making your wedding truly one of a kind. As long as you have the time and energy to dedicate toward DIY wedding centerpieces, any couple can follow this creativity-forward route. While it’s certainly a plus, you don’t have to be a crafty pair to execute this project; handmade decorations are only one of the many options. You can also compose your own floral arrangements, repurpose pieces of décor from your home, feature family heirlooms, and so much more.

Looking for inspiration for your DIY wedding centerpieces? Here are 35 beautiful ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

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Source Your Favorite Flower

White Flower Decor in Beige Vases in Front of All White Table Setting at Wedding Reception — Photo by Danilo & Sharon

Instead of tapping a florist to source and arrange your big-day blooms, a more cost-effective, DIY-friendly option is taking on the task yourself. Purchase your favorite flower or a mix (up to four different kinds) from a floral shop or grocery store, and make simple arrangements showcasing each bud. To save a little extra money, select in-season options, like bundles of hydrangeas for the summer (which is what Aurea Floral Studio compiled for this organic-inspired Ibiza affair).

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Spotlight Ceramics

Kenzie and Jake's centerpieces with beige taper candles, single-stem flowers in boho cases, and stones — Photo by Kaylee Chelsea Photography

Have ceramics lying around your house? If they fit your vision and color scheme, add them to the center of your reception tablescape. Not only will you remove a step from your to-do list (ordering rentals), but you'll also welcome an artistic, sculptural edge to your affair. For example, these beige-toned vases in multiple shapes and sizes helped Details, Darling execute the couple's earthy vision for their Santa Barbara nuptials, which neutral taper candles and stone coasters helped reinforce.

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Create Ambiance With Lamps

Table Setting at Wedding Reception With Lamps and Bud Vases — Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

Including lamps (like Southern House Events set up for these New York-inspired nuptials in an art museum) on your reception tables is a chic, homey idea for DIY wedding centerpieces. Plus, the creative opportunities are endless: Reuse at-home pieces, borrow ones from loved ones, or thrift secondhand items. To give your decorations even more of a unique edge, spray-paint the lampshades or press flowers on them.

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Embrace Taper Candles

Outdoor Wedding Reception Table Covered in Beige Linens With Rainbow Taper Candles — Photo by Michelle Scott

Whether you’re pairing them with other décor pieces or letting them stand on their own, taper candles will surely enhance any wedding look. If you're throwing a colorful bash, try rainbow varieties (like Dash Event Company planned for this mid-century modern soirée in Arizona). Just be sure to place them on neutral linens to avoid a cluttered setup.

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Look to Linen

Wedding Reception Tables With White Gauze Runners, White Plates, Candles, and Bud Vases — Photo by Shannon Yen Photography

To add some texture to your tablescape, consider adding a linen runner. Line the center of your table with a gauzy piece of fabric to welcome depth and dimension. For minimalist DIY wedding centerpieces, include a few white candles and bud vases, too (like SAMKOMA pieced together for Dancing With the Stars pro Koko Iwasaki's wedding).

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Illuminate Lanterns

Black Wedding Reception Table With Black Lantern and Black Glassware — Photo by Jenny Quicksall

Lanterns can serve as the ideal centerpiece at any type of wedding—and they don't require much effort to pull off. Source metal-rimmed lanterns and place votive candles inside each before setting them on your reception tables. For modern affairs, such as former NBA star Derek Fisher's fête, with planning by Kelly Patrice, select black edges with coordinating chargers and glassware. Let these DIY wedding centerpieces stand on their own or add a few floral arrangements.

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Go Bold With Color

Colorful Table Decor With Striped Taper Candles and Blue Glasses at Wedding Reception — Photo by Perry Vaile

Make a vibrant statement with colorful DIY wedding centerpieces. Wrap each table in printed linens before topping it off with locally sourced flowers and colored glassware. With a mix of dazzling hues (like the royal blue, violet, marigold, pink, and coral shades that Grit & Grace painted this couple's carnival-themed wedding in Virginia in), your guests will be instantly enthralled.

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Feature a Fruit Bowl

DIY wedding reception centerpiece with fresh fruit in a glass bowl — Photo by Angela Zion

Fruit is a naturally beautiful addition to any table: These fruity accents imbue color, height, and texture. Consider filling large glass bowls with peaches, oranges, and cherries for a sunset-inspired color scheme. Or, look to any other pieces of fruit that match your specific color palette.

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Stick to Single Stems

custom leather menus top wooden chargers for a masculine dinner reception with red and yellow florals and candles — Photo by K.R. Moreno Photography

Not interested in full floral arrangements? Find your favorite stems and place them in bud vases. These anemones, tulips, and ranunculus, which Ines & Marie arranged by color for this duo's dinner party reception in Maine, still added a vivacious splash without going overboard. This is such a fun look for a garden-inspired or casual wedding. To pull this off, all you'll need to do is find vases you love, trim the stems, place one in each vase, and dress up the tables.

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Scatter Vases

White Table Setting Decor at Reception With White Vases and Flowers — Photo by Kelley Williams Photography

Mixing multiple sizes and styles of vases will immediately give your reception tables a bohemian feel. For an elegant, monochromatic iteration, stuff white blooms in multi-sized white vases (which Pocketful of Plans and Seascape Flowers collaborated with one another to produce for this neutral wedding in California). With all-white DIY wedding centerpieces, your tablescape will spew sophistication.

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Highlight Votive Candles

curve dining table with a lot of candles in the center — Photo by Alba Rose Photography

Dining at a serpentine table lined with votive candles is one of the most romantic ways to celebrate your marriage (evidenced by this candlelit soirée in Virginia that B Astonished Events planned)—and it's a DIY-forward choice. For these DIY wedding centerpieces, use upcycled jars or flea-market finds. To go the extra mile, you can even make your own votives from scratch.

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Repurpose Hardback Books

vintage books as centerpieces — Photo by Michelle Shiers Photography

If you're a literature-loving couple, you probably have shelves filled with books that you've already read. Instead of collecting dust, these books will look beautiful on display at your wedding, especially a vintage or a literary-themed celebration (like the one that Center of Attention Events planned). Share your love of reading with your loved ones by stacking these hardbacks on top of one another.

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Opt for an Organic Material

Wooden lantern centerpieces and candles on greenery runner — Photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie

Wooden lanterns are DIY wedding centerpieces that are perfect for organic or rustic nuptials, like this Vincent van Gogh-inspired affair in Lake Genova, with planning by Michigan Avenue Events. While you can definitely scour thrift stores for these decorative items, you can also try a hand at woodworking—or enlist a skilled loved one to take on the project.

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Adorn With Heirloom China

place setting with hand-tied blue chiffon ribbons — Photo by Jenny Fu Studio

If your family has been passing down heirloom pieces for generations, consider using them in your wedding centerpieces. Not only will you save time and money, but you'll also infuse your nuptials with a sense of connection, history, and sentimentality. Pieces of china, like these chinoiserie-style vases that Colin Cowie Lifestyle assorted for this quintessential New York City extravaganza, will add a charming touch to your affair.

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Combine Elements

White Rose and Emerald Green Taper Candle Decor at Reception — Photo by Silent Capture

Create your own DIY wedding centerpieces by mixing various elements. For one idea, try painting plain taper candles in a color of your choosing. Then, plant single-stem flowers that you personally sourced in vintage vases. For a unique composition, arrange the colorful candles in various heights and encircle them with bud vases (such was the setup at this Gatsby-inspired soirée on Long Island, which Happy Happening Design delivered).

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Add an Artistic Touch

lamp centerpiece with illustration of Amalfi Coast on lampshade — Photo by Julia Wade

Any lamp will make a stunning addition to your tablescape, but to up the ante, add a hand-painted illustration. If you're adept at art, source a variety of lamps before decorating them with an original design that coordinates with your aesthetic or setting; it's the ultra-personal option.

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Integrate Burlap

burlap centerpiece runner — PHOTO BY KAREN HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

For a touch of texture down the center of your reception tablescape, add a runner composed of burlap. You can find this coarse, woven material at a craft store. Once you have it on hand, cut the fabric into a length that fits the length of your tables. Then, add candles or a few sprigs of greenery to embellish it.

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Arrange Dried Foliage

Green Ribbed Vase With Hare's Tall Grass and Dried Palm Leaves — Photo by Sergio Sorrentino

Transform your reception tables with DIY wedding centerpieces that feature dried plants. Gather dehydrated foliage from your local craft store or shop online for preserved blooms that match your aesthetic. At this this colorful celebration in Sicily, arrangements of hare's tail grass and dried palms by Luana Aloi infused each table with texture and color and transported guests to the tropics.

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Show Off Succulents

succulent centerpiece with blue taper candles candles — photo by emily nicole

Succulents are compatible with so many different wedding aesthetics. Not to mention, given the array of sizes available, you can either include a subtle touch or make them the primary point of focus. Head to your local nursery or plant store to find ones that fit your vision before placing them in the middle of each round table, like the succulents by Kate Foley Designs at this watercolor-inspired event in Dallas.

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Layer Eucalyptus

garland of eucalyptus and silver lanterns on printed runner — Photo by ELEVEN11 PHOTOGRAPHY

Eucalyptus is one of the most popular types of greenery at weddings for a reason: The fragrant plant is easy to find at floral shops and grocery stores, and you can buy large quantities for a reasonable price. Not to mention, the garlands are very versatile, suitable for rustic, boho, or even modern nuptials. Use eucalyptus to create an abundant garland down the middle of your table for a natural focal point.

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Welcome a Colorful Pop

White Flower Decor on Top of Light Blue Fabric on Wedding Reception Tbale — Photo by Aubrey & Brandon

If you're going for a traditional, neutral-toned tablescape, don't be afraid to embrace a pop of color via your DIY wedding centerpieces. A colorful runner, like this dusty blue piece of fabric that Emily Ventura arranged for this old Hollywood-inspired soirée, will bring vitality and vigor to white linens and flowers. Find fabric of your choosing at a craft store, and trim the material to fit the dimensions of your tables.

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Construct a Floral Cloche

DIY wedding centerpiece of floral cloche with moss and ferns — Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography

To really embrace the crafty nature of DIY projects, build stunning floral displays in glass cloches. Source the cloches, along with moss, greenery, and blooms, and get as creative as you'd like. A glass-domed cloche with ferns, huechera, and alliums will beautifully befit a botanical celebration.

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Concentrate on Citrus

Citrus centerpieces with white candles and colorful flowers on wooden table — Photo by Tida Svy

For boisterous celebrations, focus on DIY wedding centerpieces that are brimming with vibrancy. Citrus fruits, with their bright, punchy tones, will do just that. You can easily buy oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and other varieties from a nearby grocery store for an affordable cost. Plus, these fruity accents require minimal preparation if you feature them whole, but you can also cut them in halves to show off their texture.

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Aim for a Single Garland

Heather and Kelly's tablscapes with white taper candles, greenery table runner, and neutral linens — Photo by Jess Golden

Aiming for simplicity? All you need is a single garland of greenery to make a subtle statement, like the foliage by Petal Society for this modern event in Houston. To start, spread a linen down the center before layering it with the vine. To further enhance the setup, add taper candles and metallic vases.

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Reimagine Wine Bottles

Single Stem Standouts in Glass Wine Bases on Wooden Reception Table — Photo by Branco Prata

In the months leading up to your big day, consider setting aside empty wine bottles to place on your tables. With this idea, you won't have to purchase or organize any extra materials: All you'll need to do is remove the label from each bottle. Showcasing the transparent glass material (like the items that Evoke Design & Creative arranged) will look ethereal, but you can always add custom-made illustrations.

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Turn to Texture

dried floral centerpieces in white modern vases on linen runner — PHOTO BY HAILLEY HOWARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether you're planning a beach bash or a boho-chic party, neutrals make for an apt palette. Since you won't need to worry about bold hues competing with one another in a monochromatic design, you can focus on texture instead. Place a ruched linen down the middle of the table before adding in dried florals in ceramic vases.

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Play With Pine

pine leaves, pine cones, and candles on white linen runner — PHOTO BY KATHRIN KROK

If you're saying "I do" in the winter, especially during the holiday season, incorporate DIY items that channel the season. Pine boughs and pinecones that you found lying around your yard will welcome a festive flair when scattered down the length of your tables. Interspersed with glowing candles, your DIY wedding centerpieces will create a cozy spread that will shield you from the cold.

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Consider Cacti

cacti centerpieces in terracotta vases on wooden wedding reception table outside — Photo by Marcos Sanchez

Cacti are a must for bohemian or desert fêtes. And if you're hoping to spearhead your own centerpieces, they're also easy to do yourself. Source small cacti and clay pots for your tablescape. Then, pair them with a variety of candles for a whimsical look.

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Plant Potted Trees

DIY Wedding Centerpiece With Potted Citrus Trees on White Linens — Photo by Lisa Poggi

Tall wedding centerpieces will take any tablescape to the next level. To focus on height, plant small trees in terracotta pots. Ones that bear citrus fruit will add an additional layer of color, texture, and nature to your DIY wedding centerpieces. We love this option for outdoor bashes or Italian-inspired soirées. While these verdant plants will certainly stand out solo, you can also integrate orange candles and blooms to match.

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Choose a Botanical Runner

Julia and Jake's tables lined with taper candles and olive branches — Photo by Lisa Poggi

Whether you're planning a botanical affair or hoping to execute a minimalist setup, combine different types of greenery. Ferns, eucalyptus, and olive leaves are all strong candidates for your DIY wedding centerpieces. Throwing white blossoms and taper candles into the mix will help enhance the timeless look you're going for.

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Wow With Wildflowers

wildflower centerpiece on white linens in tented reception space — PHOTO BY HAYLEY BAXTER PHOTOGRAPHY

While you can always browse your neighborhood flower shop for a multitude of big-day blooms, if you want a garden-fresh look, look to wildflowers. Hand-pick your own arrangements, whether it's from your own garden or in a wild meadow. Chopping off the stems yourself will cut costs and enliven any tablescape, especially at a garden soirée.

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Build a Terrarium

DIY wedding reception centerpiece featuring terrarium with succulent — Photo by Anastasiia Photography

If you're throwing a desert affair, cacti and succulents are probably some of the decorations that first come to mind. But, for an attention-grabbing variation that will set your celebration apart, house these plants in terrariums. Glass-enclosed arrangements will spotlight your centerpieces and create dimension. For a multipurpose idea, use the structures to showcase your table numbers, too.

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Include Olive Branches

Tall Acrylic Centerpiece With Olive Branches on Reception Table — PHOTO BY ANN & KAM PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMA

For DIY wedding centerpieces full of volume and height, opt for olive branches. Scour your local floral shop or grocery store for these prolific plants and use them to fill tall acrylic vases (bonus points if these vessels are also DIY-friendly). You can even purchase faux varieties on Etsy or Amazon and reuse them in your newlywed home after the reception.

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Incorporate Slabs of Wood

wood charger centerpieces — PHOTO BY ELSA EILEEN PHOTOGRAPHY

To bring a rustic touch to your celebration, incorporate slabs of wood into your centerpieces. If you're handy, cut your own. Otherwise, find them at a craft store or Etsy. You can then use these organic accents to display other DIY decorations with a pared-back feel, like repurposed wine bottles or secondhand vases.

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Try Fairy Lights

gold lantern centerpiece with string lights inside — Photo by Love Life Images

Hoping to bring a little magic to your reception tables? Fairy lights will do the trick. For storybook-worthy centerpieces, collect terrariums or lanterns (ones with gold rims will enhance the enchanting feel). Then, fill each with battery-powered (and cordless) strings of lights.

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