How to choose your wedding centerpieces
Looks, budget and guest comfort
Centerpieces play a big role in the atmosphere of your reception. They add colour, height and a touch of elegance to your décor.
But a centerpiece shouldn’t only look good in a photo: it also has to suit the size of the tables, the meal service and your guests’ comfort.
1. Fresh or artificial flowers?
Fresh flowers are loved for their freshness, scent and look. They can be a significant expense, though, especially for large arrangements or specific varieties.
Fresh doesn’t automatically mean better quality. Freshness, variety, origin and storage all affect how flowers look and hold up. Flowers from big-box stores, such as Costco, can be affordable, but their quality varies from one shipment to the next. Check their condition and durability before using them for an event.
High-end artificial flowers are another option: they allow large, consistent and reusable arrangements. Their quality, like their price, can also vary a lot.
Our tip: compare the look, quality, volume and total budget rather than choosing based on the type of flower alone.
2. How tall should your centerpieces be?
Height affects the atmosphere as much as your guests’ ability to talk comfortably.
| Type | Approximate height | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.5 to 1 ft | An intimate feel and a clear view |
| Medium | 1 to 2 ft | A stronger decorative effect, while checking visibility |
| Tall | 2.5 to 3.5 ft | Adding grandeur to a room, with flowers above eye level |
| Very tall | 4 ft and more | A spectacular effect, if the ceiling and stability allow it |
Tall arrangements create a sense of grandeur, especially in rooms with high ceilings. But the taller the stand, the more flowers you sometimes need to keep balanced proportions. That can increase the cost.
Low arrangements encourage a friendly atmosphere and conversation. For large weddings, especially over 20 tables, alternating tall and low arrangements can create visual rhythm and dress the whole room better, without repeating the same décor everywhere.
3. Don’t block your guests’ view
A floral arrangement can be stunning, but if it sits right at face level, it can stop guests from seeing and talking to each other.
Picture a table of eight or ten where everyone has to lean to see the person across from them: the décor quickly gets in the way.
Our recommendation: choose arrangements low enough to keep the view clear, or tall ones with slim stands and flowers placed above eye level. Very full medium-height arrangements are often the most awkward.
4. How will the meal be served?
At some receptions, dishes are served individually. At others, especially traditional or family-style meals, several dishes are placed in the centre of the table to share.
In that case, a large floral arrangement may take the dishes’ spot and have to be moved as soon as the meal starts.
Our tip: choose compact or easy-to-move arrangements, and leave the space needed for service. It would be a shame to invest in décor that gets removed before anyone enjoys it.
5. Rectangular tables: watch out for lack of space
Long tables decorated with flowers and candles look beautiful on Pinterest. In practice, some rectangular tables are narrow. Once plates, glasses, cutlery and napkins are set, there is sometimes very little room left for arrangements.
Flowers can then crowd the plates, get in the way of service or be moved by guests.
Our recommendation: double the tables when possible
Placing two tables side by side can create a wider surface, with a central area for flowers and candles. You still need to check the available space, the venue’s capacity, the stability of the setup and the walkways.
If that setup isn’t possible, go for small, spaced-out arrangements or lighter décor. A beautiful inspiration photo doesn’t guarantee a practical setup for a real reception.
6. What affects the price of centerpieces?
Two arrangements that look similar in a photo can require very different budgets. Here are the main factors:
- Type and quality of flowers: fresh flowers, seasonal or imported varieties, standard or high-end artificial flowers.
- Quantity and volume: a dense, full arrangement needs more flowers, greenery and work.
- Height: tall stands can cost more to rent and need bigger arrangements to keep nice proportions.
- Number of tables: the total budget depends on how many centerpieces are needed, even when the unit price seems affordable.
- Accessories: vases, candelabras, candles, stands and custom elements can change the bill.
- Labour: design, assembly, preparation, setup and teardown.
- Logistics: transport, handling, venue access, setup times and equipment pickup.
To keep your budget in check: you can mix tall and low centerpieces, limit costly varieties, choose arrangements in proportion with the tables and reuse some accessories when possible.
7. The right choice: décor that is as practical as it is elegant
At Wedding Decor Montreal, we favour centerpieces that are elegant, well proportioned and suited to how your reception unfolds. Our goal isn’t just to offer a photogenic product, but to let you and your guests enjoy your wedding comfortably.
To prepare your project, tell us the number of tables, their shape, the type of meal service, the style you want and your budget.