Ideas for Event Centerpieces

Centerpieces can add beauty and elegance to an event, whether it's a corporate conference, wedding or holiday party. Centerpieces can also serve a practical purpose while bringing a sense of fun and whimsy to the table. When choosing a centerpiece, take into consideration the event's theme, colors and your guests. Does this Spark an idea?

Floral Centerpieces

Flowers create colorful, traditional centerpieces for any event. With a little imagination, you can bring originality and freshness to this classic centerpiece choice. Instead of having a vase full of pretty flowers in the center of each table, hang a wreath or bouquet of flowers from the ceiling with invisible wire. Hang the flower arrangement just above your guests' heads. If you hang it too low, the guests won't be able to see their dining companions. Using food coloring, dye the water in the vase to match the color of the flowers, the wedding colors or your event's color scheme. If you are worried that your flowers will wilt, use silk flowers.

Candle Centerpieces

Candle centerpieces bring a sense of intimacy and romance to a table. For a simple but effective candle centerpiece, place decorative paper lanterns in the center of each table. If you're worried about creating a fire hazard, use battery-operated candles. You can also cut out names or shapes in the paper lanterns to create a flickering light pattern on the table. Simple and elegant --- though potentially expensive --- set a candelabra at each table. Adorn these candleholders with flowers or garland if you'd like. Candles in wine or decorative bottles also make romantic centerpieces. Mix water and fire by using floating candles as a centerpiece. Fill a shallow bowl with water. Dye the water to match the event's colors or add rose petals. Then place your floating candles in the water. Floating candles come in a variety of shapes such as hearts, flowers, leaves and snowflakes.

Food Centerpieces

An alternative to your traditional centerpieces, food centerpieces bring an air of freshness and innovation to an event. For causal summer events, turn a watermelon into a fun centerpiece by carving it into a basket and filling the basket with bite-size pieces of watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and other fruit. It looks pretty and fun and also feeds your guests. For a food centerpiece that is more for appearance than consumption, build a fruit tree centerpiece using a Styrofoam cone and toothpicks. Cut up pieces of apples, pears and figs. Using the toothpicks, attach them to the cone in a design of your choice. Use under-ripe fruit so it stays on the toothpick. If you want to add a little romance to your event, such as a Valentine's Day party or wedding, arrange chocolate flowers in a vase for your centerpiece.