Last month we featured the top five photos of tall wedding reception centerpieces. Each photo displayed one unique quality that made those tall centerpieces fun for any reception. This month we're switching it up ever so slightly by bringing you the opposite. Now it's time to give you some ideas for short and medium floral centerpieces for your wedding reception! When you're discussing your wedding reception centerpieces with your florist, keep these photos in mind (or take a print-out of your favorites with you!)

*marching band fanfare*

#5 — Give It A Whirl: Contemporary Centerpiece

This is a beautiful centerpiece perfect for a contemporary wedding reception. It's elegant, fun, stylish, sleek and sophisticated. In other words, the perfect decorations for the modern bride! These flowers have all of the components of a great wedding reception centerpiece. You have height with the foliage. You have color with the cool red roses. Plus, your eye is drawn to the cool angles formed by the grasses used to create width. Beautiful and intricate!

This contemporary wedding reception centerpiece was created by Ginkgo Floral Design, a flower shop in Toronto, Ontario specializing in wedding flowers.

#4 — Another Whirlwind Wedding Reception: Centerpiece of Elegance

This is a very beautiful and elegant centerpiece which is why it's making the top 5 wedding reception centerpiece list this month. This is a picturesque centerpiece made using just three components:  a small round vase, a single orchid (similar flowers will work), and a few shoots of long grass. The way they mesh together so beautifully makes it hard to imagine the careful creation of the centerpiece. Definitely a favorite!

This beautiful photo of a contemporary centerpiece in a round vase was submitted by The Enchanted Florist, a flower shop in Mount Vernon Washington specializing in wedding flowers.

#3 — Come Together To Reflect:  Mirrored Centerpieces in Square Vases

The mirror at the bottom of these centerpieces make it perfect for a classy wedding reception. Light shimmers and bounces off of the mirrors and the square vases of the centerpieces for a beautiful and eye-catching appearance. The flowers in each centerpiece complement each other masterfully. Candles add a great touch whether lit or not. Tiny glass crystals (glass rocks will do also) add extra shimmer and sparkle. After all, what's a girl without her accessories?

This centerpiece on a mirror base photo was submitted by Perfect Presentations, a wedding coordinator and florist in Tulsa Oklahoma.

#2 — Take A Dive: Poolside Table Centerpiece For An Outdoor Reception

Time for a dip? Not yet! First guests have to stop and enjoy the way the table centerpieces play off of the floating flower arrangements at this wedding reception. Centerpieces like these are beautiful because they really pop against a black tablecloth plus they look great with all of the other decorations. If you're in the mood for an outdoor wedding reception, consider centerpieces like these that have stand-out and blend-in appeal.

This poolside table centerpiece photo was submitted by Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts, a wedding florist in Tampa Florida.

#1 — These Two Lips Long To Kiss You: Contemporary Tulip Reception Centerpiece

When you think of contemporary centerpieces for a wedding reception, this is one that quickly comes to mind. Red tulips form the bulk of the centerpiece (or at least the most eye-catching part). Their stems are swirled around in the standing vase along with some long grass shoots. Add a little water and you have yourself the #1 table centerpiece for the month! This arrangement is great for any wedding reception because red is the color of passionate love. Red tulips? … it's just like whispering sweet nothings in someone's ear.

This contemporary tulip centerpiece photo was submitted by Nanz & Kraft Florists Inc., a wedding florist in Louisville Kentucky.

Don't feel left out! When you're talking with your florist about the flowers for your wedding reception, consider taking tips from the flowers in these photos. This month we are taking a look at tall floral centerpieces that are perfect for any reception anywhere. There are tips for personalizing tall centerpieces for your wedding reception as well as nifty ideas for your florist. Unique is the key and these arrangements are definitely that! When you need ideas check out these great wedding reception flower photos!

*tribal drum rhythyms*

#5 — Simple Calla Lily Centerpiece

Want something quick and simple with all the elegance of a time-consuming arrangement? Try calla lilies arranged together in a tall rectangular vase! Whether a wide rectangular vase or something more square, calla lilies enhance the shape of the vase. Calla lilies also add the height needed to attract the eye. Unique vases paired with beautiful and classic flowers like calla lilies are an excellent addition to the wedding reception flowers.

This calla lily centerpiece was submitted by Kings Creek Flowers, a florist in Miami Florida specializing in wedding flowers.

#4 — Tall Centerpiece With LED Eiffel Tower Base

If you're looking for unique, this is the way to go. This tall centerpiece features roses coming out of an L.E.D. base in the shape of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This kind of centerpiece is great for themed wedding receptions or wedding receptions modeled after the enduring sensuousness that Parisians are famous for.

Even if the Eiffel Tower isn't your thing, the idea of a vase in the shape of something important to you or a famous landmark is something worth discussing with your florist.

This Eiffel Tower centerpiece was submitted by Perfect Presentations, wedding consultant and wedding florist in Tulsa Oklahoma.

#3 – Full Floral Centerpiece With Lights Inside The Vase

Anything that draws attention to the centerpiece itself is a winner. Unique ways to light the design are key to getting a quick glance in the direction of the flowers. ("Oohs" and "ahhhs" to follow) This unique floral centerpiece features a simple frosted vase with a few string lights on the inside. They glow almost like fireflies in the twilight sky in this photo. The full, massive appearance of the flowers at the top of the centerpiece really pulls the arrangement together in a fun way.

This lighted vase centerpiece was submitted by Always In Bloom, a talented florist in Knoxville Tennessee specializing in wedding flowers.

#2 — River Rocks and Beautiful Flowers Square Centerpieces

These centerpieces feature three key components for a truly beautiful and unique centerpiece for any wedding reception. First, the vases are a break from traditional round or cylindrical vases used in many arrangements. Square and rectangular vases add a hint of something more classy but not classic, stylish and not dated.

Another great appeal of the tall centerpiece is that the vase is lined with river rocks. This breaks up the look of simply flowers in a vase. Plus, the color contrast works splendidly with the orchids inside the vase. Finally, the flowers themselves are gorgeous and appealing to the eye with their stunning green color.

This tall centerpiece in a rectangular vase was submitted by Monday Morning Flower & Balloon Co., a florist in Princeton New Jersey.

#1 – Orchids Floating In Water Centerpiece

You can count on floating flowers centerpieces to get a great reaction at the wedding reception. These are so unique and up-and-coming that many brides are discovering their "awe" factor thanks to local florists who specialize in contemporary floral centerpieces. This beautiful centerpiece features orchids under water with a floating candle on top. Clear glass rocks at the bottom sparkle and shimmer for a complete look

This beautiful floating centerpiece was submitted by Apple Blossoms Floral Design & Gifts, a wedding florist in Tampa Florida.

I love citrus! Lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines—they all say warm breezes, freshness and a fun way to decorate your wedding reception. Whether your reception is elegant and elaborate with large, lavish floral centerpieces or simple and modern with small, compact floral arrangements, this is a great idea to incorporate. Using one or several varieties of citrus—let’s say oranges and tangerines—place whole or sliced fruit in your centerpiece containers, depending on the size of the containers. Fill with water, then place your flowers, ribbon and other embellishments in the vases. The look is stunning!

I recently used this idea for a bridal shower where the young bride’s main wedding colors were tangerine and turquoise. I used small clear vases, added orange slices, orange Gerbera daisies, and turquoise ribbon. They looked fresh and youthful on the white tablecloths, and the votive candles on each side added a beautiful elegance to the arrangements. They also added a pleasant orange fragrance to the air.

This idea works well no matter what your color choices. The natural, organic beauty of the citrus fruit adds a unique twist to the floral arrangements that can be carried into the food trays, as well. Adding a slice or wedge of citrus on each tray, and adding slices of citrus to crystal pitchers of ice water helps to carry through the citrus theme at your wedding reception.

A special thanks to Inspired Floral Design, a Bradford RI florist and Carolina MediaStar Photography, a Fayetteville NC photographer for sharing this wonderful example of a citrus floral arrangement.

I always find things that are done differently than the standard so interesting and exciting. Weddings in particular usually have a pretty standard decorating regiment: flowers, candles, centerpieces and ice sculptures. Though using these items to decorate for wedding festivities can be beautiful, quite frankly, it just gets a little boring sometimes. I went to a wedding a few weekends ago that blew me away. Not with the elaboration or amount of money that was spent, but by the unique beauty of the atmosphere that was created for this ceremony.

There was not a flower in the place except for the ones the bride and her bridesmaids were holding. Read the rest of Who Else Wants Unique Wedding Decoration Ideas? »

The Center of Attention In Party Decorations

Unique Centerpieces for all Occasions

Tired of the same boring, round centerpiece with dull, lackluster flowers used for every occasion? Bump up the creativity and excitement with a unique centerpiece by using bright, energetic colors and distinctive personal touches. Vast, striking, stargazer lilies accented with silver tinge embraced by a sleek glass vase is a quite modern centerpiece that is full of life and a perfect for any occasion. A beautiful, vibrant table centerpiece is the focal point of the room and can capture the attention of guests within moments of arrival. Themed centerpieces, regardless of the occasion, bring decoration and conversation to the party setting in a matter of minutes. With simple assembly in minimal time, these unique centerpieces will give you amazing table decorations without running down the clock.

Wedding Centerpieces

There are so many ways to create a beautiful wedding centerpiece. Utilizing vibrant colors and personalized touches in unique wedding centerpieces is a great way for the wedding hosts to make their festivities distinctive and memorable. Soft, lush, floral centerpieces are always appropriate for weddings and can incorporate any color scheme or flowers the wedding party desires. Spring, summer, winter, or fall, floral arrangements can be created using any kind of flowers the bride and groom choose.

Floral centerpieces can also incorporate candles into the arrangement, creating a romantic glow Read the rest of Unique Table Centerpieces »

Reception Decorations Trends
The focus of wedding reception decorations in 2008 is intimate elegance with a carefree and natural flow. Brides are increasingly incorporating nature into the receptions, often moving the celebration outdoors. There are several ways that this year’s brides are enjoying the festivities. The following are tips for following the bridal reception trends popular in 2008. Read the rest of 2008 Wedding Reception Decorations Trends Tips »