Alternatives to flower centerpieces

[Sare79]

I had a meeting with my florist the other day and don't think I will be able to afford the centerpieces I really want. I don't want to go cheap on the centerpieces with cheaper flowers when my bouquet and my girls bouquets look quite classy.
My mom had an idea- to use cat grass in the bottom and plant a single pink rose in the center with a water holder thing in the grass holding the rose. The rose will bloom above the top of the vase. We will then tie a pink ribbon around, covering the dirt.
I'm not totally convinced it is *the* way to go. Does anyone have any suggestions for non flower or 1 single flower centerpieces? Pictures are appreciated. :)

These are the vases I have(16 of them):
http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/29071_PE103261_S4.jpg

These are the candle holders we have to surround the vases with:
http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/31525_PE056890_S3.jpg

[maplekitty]

Hey Sare...this is what a friend of mine did at her wedding. This would also work witha single pink garden rose submersed in water? And some black pebbles at the bottom of the vase...that would look really fab!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d628b3127cce930f953a9c5d00000025118AauWbVwzZOf

[Sare79]

Joel and I were just looking at that and we both like that idea. Is that a floating candle?
I also saw these cool candles at IKEA:
http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/16945_PE101288_S3.jpg but I don't know if it's a good idea to ram a candle into a vase. ;)

[sublime311]

http://www.superweddings.com/decor/cylindercenterpieces.jpg

http://www.superweddings.com/decor/glasscylinders2.jpg

A floating flower head like this would be really lovely:
http://www.chateauatforestpark.com/images/reception_hall_purple_glass_centerpiece-118.jpg

http://www.chateauatforestpark.com/images/clearvase022centerpiece.jpg

[LeslieandPaul]

Marbles or glass beads would look really cool. Or seeds which is a cheaper alternative (popcorn kernels would be good!)

[BethElena]

Sare - your mom's idea sounds neat! I also like all the floating candle ideas....especially the first one that sublime posted. (i'm jealous..our venue won't allow open flames :))

[Larissa]

We are doing something similar to this:
http://www.chateauatforestpark.com/images/reception_hall_purple_glass_centerpiece-118.jpg

We have the tealight holders that you have (from IKEA, right?) and a shallow bowl from IKEA and we are floating a single gardenia in the bowl with 3 tealights around it.

The bag of 100 tealights was $3.99
Tealights are $0.50 each
Bowls ("motto" from IKEA) are $0.99 each
Flowers are being ordered online at www.freshroses.com

So that means we will be spending about $7-$7.50 on each centerpiece (gardenia are expensive).

All candles looks quite nice as well! Are you guys allowed to have open flames or do they have to be covered?

[Asha]

before committing to candles ask your reception site about their rules regarding candles.

one of my friends had a simple, beautiful arrangement at her wedding. she had one hydrangea floating in a glass bowl.

[Larissa]

This is pretty, and doesn't look as though it would be that expensive (but it's still flowers):
http://a444.g.akamai.net/7/444/703/20010813204714/www.marthastewart.com/images/content/goodthing/wed_win00_float_4_m.jpg

http://images.theknot.com/Galleries/Centerpieces/TDG015m.jpg

I'm sure that I've seen something else interesting, but for all my looking on the internet I can't seem to find it. It involved vases about like what you currently have as well.

[Sunshine]

What are your colors, are you against fruits or veggies as centerpices?
I found this and thought it was neat...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y62/MeAndMike/centerpiece.jpg
http://www.mmpartyrentals.com/images/20''%20Trumpet%20Vase.jpg

You could also use that gel stuff.....my GF did that for her wedding, and had a floating candle sit on top, your vases are pretty big tho, might not look the best... (This stuff...)
http://www.foreverforever.com/SmallerImages/W0754_055lr.jpg

Just some ideas, GL:D

[Sare79]

Our colours are pink and black and silver. Mostly pink, though.
Here are some I like from the centerpieces thread on the other site:
http://images.snapfish.com/34468%3B%3B923232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D999%3D74% 3A%3DXROQDF%3E23239%3C46%3B6%3B62ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34468%3B%3B923232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D999%3D74% 3A%3DXROQDF%3E23239%3C46%3B6%3B63ot1lsi
http://images.snapfish.com/34468%3B%3B923232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E233%3B%3D999%3D74% 3A%3DXROQDF%3E23239%3C46%3B6%3B64ot1lsi

[greenbunny]

I went to a wedding this weekend with wrought iron candelabras on mirrors:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/agreenbunny/x.jpg

[framboise]

I don't have a picture, but at my cousin's wedding last year, she did something similar to this picture that someone already posted:

http://www.superweddings.com/decor/cylindercenterpieces.jpg

She had some greenery & pinecones (winter wedding in Minnesota so totally appropriate) around the base of the vases & other small candles in tiny holders similar to the ones you said you already have. However, the main thing that I wanted to mention was that for some extra "oomph", she used carbonated water in the vases so there were little tiny bubbles under the candles.