So we found out this week that we are expecting a baby. An accident/surprise, but we're happy about it. I'm 7 weeks and due 5 months before the wedding (thank God, as I just picked up my wedding dress too, so time to fit back into it hopefully!)
Because of this, I'm re-visiting the wedding budget for anything that we can cut costs on or that isn't essential and I've come to centrepieces. I had a very specific centrepiece that I wanted for the tables, which is essentially a vintage looking hot air balloon with flowers in the basket but the quotes I'm getting are around £400 - £450 for these and I was trying to think of the weddings that I've been to and what they had for table decorations and honestly, I have no idea. I thought my uncle had nothing so I asked my mum and she said no, he had little bowls of sweets on the table. When I looked, they actually just had bunches of balloons.
So, as something that isn't particularly memorable (or hasn't been, for me) at other weddings, is it necessary? Do you think you would notice if you went to a wedding where there weren't centrepieces? Our venue is basically windows on 3 sides out onto the Norfolk broads so it's beautiful to look at and I'm just not convinced it's worth spending close to £500 on flowers and balloons? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated xx
CommentAuthorMrs M Wade
Firstly big congratulations to you. I don't think centre pieces are a necessity at all. Everyone will be focused on you and your hubby and not the centre pieces. Yes they look nice but it's not a must for a wedding in my opinion xx
Became Mrs Wade 06/08/2016
CommentAuthorGlitterfairy
Huge congratulations to you,
As for table decorations, if it's something you are happy to forgo then do it.
Our wedding day - 6 October 2012
CommentAuthorInDreamland
Congratulations!
For table decorations its entirely up to you, you could just buy some cheap sprinkles, or one wedding I went to had fish bowls filled with r0535 or qu@11ty 5tr33t. Cheap but looked great x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorCarolH81
COngratulations, I think table decorations set of the tables and stop them looking dull! You could have small centre pieces and use scatter crystals to make the tables look colourful, You don't need to spend a lot of money on them, Save up Jam Jars and decorate them yourselfs. x
Centrepieces aren't an essential but I do think something in the middle would be nice even if it was just candles. But I have had this pinned on p!nterest for months and I'm wondering if it was something you could recreate cheaply yourself if you still wanted hot air balloons. You could get balloons and string from a party place and use those nets that fruit like oranges come in and then just a plant pot weighed down with sand. But its your choice and it probably wont make a hoot of difference if there was a centrepiece or not as everyone will be focussed on you and your new family unit. X
CommentAuthorBecci93
We've just bought lots of the tall cocktail glasses and things and we intend to just sparkle them up with crystals or pearls and feathers g. .. Maybe plant an orchid in one and maybe floating candles in another.. You don't have to have them but most people have something ... Have a look at what you can maybe design yourself they don't need to be expensive even if you only spend &100 you could probably get fish bowls and floating candles :)
CommentAuthorMichelleC961
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Hi, huge congrats on the baby news :-) no I don't think table decorations are necessary or at least expensive one's, have you though about a centre piece of sweets to combine a decoration and favours in one with a little note in the centre for the favour? This cutting down heavily on 2 wedding expenses in one go :-)
Something like this that you can make cheaply
CommentAuthorBecci93
That's a lovely idea Michelle and is on fashion .. We have shops selling them but like you say should be fairly easy and cheap to make yourself especially with marshmallows and things!!
CommentAuthorStephanieM158
congratulations hun!!
Met 2004
Engaged 2014
Getting Married 2016
CommentAuthorclair
I don't think centre pieces are really essential. But you don't have to spend the Earth on them this is what ours looked like andy the only cost us about £5 each! X
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Started going out with my Gorgeous man 7/11/2010
Got engaged on the 21/9/2013
became mrs Thornton on the 2/8/2015
our wedding day was the best day ever :)!
CommentAuthorprincesspixie
congratulations on the baby news thats fab... i don't think you need them at all and would definitely not spend that much on them you can get some really nice centrepieces at very reasonable prices try places like the r@nge or dun3lm xx
Officially married my best friend 2/5/2015 (secretly)
Big wedding 18/06/2016
CommentAuthorMyranny
Thanks ladies :) That hot air balloon there is the one I've had on my pinterest, getting quotes for too! :) I hadn't even thought of making it myself, I suppose it wouldn't actually be that hard.
I think I might have a go with my mum making one of those balloons and see what the cost ends up being for one. I've found a tutorial but it's with ribbon which doesn't look as nice but it wouldn't be hard to swap it I guess.
I like the idea of the sweet trees too, but we weren't planning to do favours. If the balloons don't work out though, I think that would be a relatively cheap option. Good shout, Michelle :)
Does anyone know much about flowers and how far in advance it would be okay to pop them in the bottom? I'm thinking probably baby's breath and some gerberas. xx
CommentAuthorKirstyR386
Yeh have a go a see what they turn out like, especially if its what you want and can do them for a fraction of the cost. I think real flowers may only last a day or two if they are cut and put in oasis or whatever. What about growing pots of your own flowers like pansies etc and using them as a base? Or you could look for artificial flowers. There are some really good ones nowadays. x