Let's figure it out: Centerpieces

This is the first installment of "Let's figure it out" is all about wedding centerpieces. This has kind of been at the bottom of my priority list for a few reasons:

1. My reception location provides generic centerpieces (mirror with votive candles or a small white vase with fresh flowers of my choice).
2. Do people really care and remember centerpieces? I've been to a lot of weddings the past 2 years and I can remember one of the centerpieces
3. They can't be that time consuming to create, right?

I recently had a craft night with my bridesmaids and the topic of centerpieces came up. I knew I wanted to use cut wine bottles (recycled from my friend Kate's wedding) and have the table number/name somewhere on the centerpiece. We started playing around with one of the cut bottles and an empty bottle we had to see what looked best, and it was a LOT more difficult that I thought. There is a fine line between too minimal and way too much, and just adding small things like ribbon and lights made drastic changes to the look of the whole thing.

I am a wannabe DIY diva, so I have lots of ideas and I tend to like everything I see on pinterest but my execution of my ideas rarely go as planned. One of my bridesmaids has taught me the mantra of "Less is more." because it is really easy to get carried away with the lights, flowers and glitter.

My advice to to start with the largest part of your centerpiece, for me that would be the wine bottles, and consider the following:

1. Does it go with your theme and/or color scheme?
2. Does it hinder conversation at the table? (My personal pet peeve)
3. Does it look lazy? (ie: Sprinkling confetti on each table)
4. How much would it be for all of the tables?
5. Can it be duplicated?

Then build out from the largest part. A good centerpiece compliments the reception location, doesn't take up a large portion of the table, sparks instead of hinders conversation and is symmetrical. While creating my centerpieces, we experimented with varying heights, lights, ribbon, tulle and LED candles. When we finally thought we had something, I went to take a picture for my fiance and I realized that it we created something with a beautiful front, and a unappealing back.

The last thing to consider with centerpieces is who will be putting them up for you. Some people are able to put up their own based on when they have access to their reception site, but others are not that lucky. Pick out people you trust and take pictures of your completed centerpieces and leave instructions if there are extra steps (ie pulling out the battery tabs in the LED tea lights). I cannot brag about my reception site (Alpine Banquets, in Darien IL) enough, they actually will set up the centerpieces for you so that way no one needs to stress about the set up of the banquet hall.

And as always remember to give yourself plenty of time and plenty of supplies when crafting. I made bags for my bridesmaids when I asked them, and I am embarrassed by how many times I had to go back to Michael's to get more supplies.

I am always trying to make my wedding planning more fun, so I held a girls/craft night for my bridesmaids where we made shirts, worked on save the dates and played around with centerpiece set ups. We had a ton of fun and got a ton done. No one said you have to do this all alone.

--the southside bride

How to find CHEAP decorations

Instead of thinking of the early bird getting the worm, start thinking the more I save now the more I can spend on my honeymoon. I have told everyone in my life that I would need at least 16 months to plan the perfect budgeted wedding. There are simple staples to a beautiful wedding, that really can be pricey if you don't by them while they're just getting done being popular.

(as a side note, I do not own any of the pictures below)

December-January
I wanted to put December at the top of the list because after Christmas, the BEST wedding clearance begins.

White String Ligths

During the summer- $12/box
Clearance- $3/box
White string lights can be used as beautiful accent pieces for behind the bridal party, against the walls, surrounding the cake table and really wherever you see fit. Always get 5 more boxes than you think you need, you never know when a strand will malfunction or you might misjudge the space of the location.

Power Strips

During the summer- $16.88
Clearance- $4.00

From lights to speakers and everything in between, no one ever plans on their location having a limited amount of outlets and running out that day might be something that is truly impossible or mildly expensive.

Ornaments

During the summer- 10/box
Clearance- 1.99/box
Ornaments are no longer only winter staples, but small pieces of artwork that can even match summer color schemes. I personally recommend solid colors in your color scheme to add to either glass vases or just as accents for the centerpieces. I recently saw someone who threaded blue glass balls through hanging sting lights behind the wedding party and it really was a beautiful touch. Also getting glass stars to hang everywhere is something else to think about.

February
Hearts, hearts and more hearts. Looking for that romantic red wedding, start shopping right after valentine's day.

Heart Shaped Candles

During the Summer- $8/dozen
Clearance- $0.50/piece
Really, heart shaped ANYTHING can be found after the holidays. Heart shaped candles are my personal favorite because they are simple and easy centerpieces. Another is plain heart shaped picture frames are an adorable centerpiece that adds a more personal touch.

Romantic Card stock

During the summer-$3.99
Clearance-$0.89
If you are a bride that wants to DIY our save the date/invites/thank yous, the prettiest card stock goes on clearance after valentine's day. Again, since the holiday is getting trendy, you can really find any color not just shades of red, silver and gold.

March/April

St. Patrick's Day, Easter and Earth day may not seem like the best holidays to find great wedding finds, but if you are a themed wedding dreamer, you will be surprised.

Green Galore

During the summer- $15
Clearance- $5

If you are having a traditional Irish Wedding or if your using green as your main color, head to stores the week after St. Pat's to find the most amazing card stock, tablecloths, green vases, and really anything green your heart desires. I really love simple color accents, like green vases holding the flowers at the tables or green cupcake wrappers or green to go boxes. It makes such a strong color seem a lot less overbearing.

Gold Coins

During the Summer-$5.99/100 ct box
Clearance-$2.99/ 100 ct box

You and Your Sweetie are all set for a fun Vegas themed wedding, but are shocked at the prices for poker chips. A box of these gold coins are an fun and flashy way to work that theme into your tables, AND if you go for the chocolate ones, I am sure you're guests will love you for it.

Baskets

During the Summer-19.98
Clearance- 3.00
Now this one is actually something you can find cheap year round while garbage hunting/Estate Sailing/garage sailing, BUT if you want all the same baskets at each table, after the Easter season is your best chance. I have recently started filling wicker baskets with flowers and attaching little garden charms and giving them as gifts and they really are VERY simple and VERY cheap. Plus you'll need a cute basket for your flower girl.

Think Green

Seeds are always cheep year round, but a lot of organic and nature friendly products tend to be pumped out during the week of Earth day. A lot of retailers give away free trees or seedlings, so if you are looking at a wedding around the 22nd of April, you could easy score some great deals on 'watch our love grow' plants.

MaySome people say that the real start of the wedding season is in May, but what I find to be great about May is the amount of LAST years wedding stuff that goes on clearance in local stores during May.

Go to Walmart

Regular Price- $15.00

Clearance- $5.00

Now I know there are a few people that might think they are too good for walmart, but do you really need to spend more than 10 dollars on a tiny pillow that will only be used once? Will people really judge you on the quality of your guest book paper? Head to your local walmart and you will be shocked at the amount of wedding supplies they have on sale right now.

Memorial Day Outdoor Sales

Regular Price $4/pack of 2
Clearance- $4/pack of 5

Memorial Day is marked as the start of the summer season, and beside grilling tools, all outdoor accessories will be around 20% off or more during that three day weekend. I am a sucker for an outdoor wedding with these paper lanterns strung up around the reception site. But everything from bug scaring tiki lights, citronella candles, to American flags will be on sale this weekend.

June/July

A mix of post prom season dresses and jewelry and fun stars and strips after the 4^th make up some great bridal savings for you!

Bridesmaid dresses

Regular Price-$100
Clearance- $39

The new trend is to just pick a color and let your bridesmaids choose the dress style that fits them best. A lot of brides are even working patterns into their wedding party's dresses and tuxes. I have been getting more and more impressed with the quality of prom dresses, and last year when I was looking around for fun I started to notice that the range of sizes for similar dresses which would perfectly match my colors.

Jewelery

Regular Price-$50
Clearance-$20
You want that bling bling but have more important things to use your budget on? Or are you looking for nice gifts for your wedding party? Beautiful Post prom jewelery and tiara's will be on sale in a lot of prom specialty shops and department stores.

August/September

The end of Summer means clearance on some of the greatest summer themed wedding items

Flip Flops Galore

From getting flip flops for post wedding fun, flip flop shaped candles, to flip flop shaped paper. Flip flops are fun and trendy and CHEAP during August and September. Something cute I would consider is instead of name tags, glam up some cheap flip flops with the names of your guests and you instantly have their gift and their seat marked. If you don’t want to hunt down people's shoe sizes, consider doing it just for your wedding party.

Tiki time

Leis, candles, palm trees in all sizes will go on clearance during these months too. Little Palm trees are my person favorite to create a fun summer vibe at a wedding. A lot of bright island colors will be going on sale during this time too, so if you are looking to be bold, head to the stores now!

Out By The Sea

Off Season- $2.99
Clearance- $1.50
Now I stand by what I've said before in blogs, anyone who spends money on seashells are truly wasting their money. It doesn't matter if you don't live by a beach, nearly every family has someone who has a bag full of seashells from a trip they look before in their homes. (I am that person in my family). If you somehow dont know someone, post an ad on craigslist, you'll find someone. But for seashell shaped candles, little light houses and starfish, the end of summer is the perfect time to stock up because they will never be that cheap again.

October/November

Bubble bubble toil and trouble, start shopping now or you'll have to pay double!

Fog/Bubble Machines

Off Season-$55
Clearance $15
If you want that misty romantic fog during your first dance, or to be surrounded by a sea of bubbles, head to your local Halloween store the day after Halloween to get amazing deals on these fun machines. Just be sure your location allows those things (some places have particle detectors as well as smoke detectors that can be set off by the fog)

Fall-ing in Love

If your colors are in the brown and gold hues, this is your time to look for all of your accents, like tablecloths, ribbon, card stock, plates, and much more.

Black Friday

Regular Price-$50
Clearance-$19.99

I have been celebrating black Friday my entire life and it really is my favorite holiday. Take this time to get great gifts for your wedding party that will really rock their world. Or if you want more practical things, hit up Joanna fabrics or Michael to get their amazing door buster deals.

If you have a lot of time to plan your wedding really use all of the year to your advantage!

Happy Shopping!
The Southside Bride