What to do with centerpieces?

ajroark

Is it tradition to give the centerpieces to someone sitting at the table? How do you decide who gets one? Is it random or do you pick someone special (i.e. grandma)? If this isn't tradition, do I just keep them?

nikkilain

I have never seen people give them away unless you just don't want the hassle of finding something to do with them when you get home.

Some brides take them all home and sell them and some brides at the end of the reception just give everyone a free-for-all to take whatever they want.

Beachy730

It's up to you.  If you have a tradition in your family, you could follow that.  We had floral centerpieces, and had 2 different styles.  The taller ones had an arrangement that could be taken home and saved, but the other style was a single floating flower.  Towards the end of the reception my mom started giving them out to some people as they left if they wanted one.  She knew our young friends heading to the bars wouldn't want them, but she gave them to some aunts, her friends, and H's family.  

ETA: And it completely depends on what type of centerpices you hace.  If they are floral, I usually see them given away.  If they are lanterns or candles not usually.

ajroark

It's not a tradition in my family (but then again, I've only been to 2 weddings). My FMIL said that you usually place a paper cut-out of a star under someone's chair and whoever has the star gets to take the centerpiece home. But, I was wondering how this worked with assigned seating since won't I look like I'm playing favorites? I don't even know what my centerpieces are going to be yet. I want flowers, but they're so expensive.

Beachy730

I've seen things like that done at showers, but never weddings.  I definitely wouldn't even be worrying about it until after you decide on what your centerpieces are.  You may end up doing some where you rent them and can't give them out, or just want to keep them yourself.  

Your FMIL, as well as many other people, are going to have TONNNSS of unwarranted advice between now and your wedding.  Learn as quickly as you can to smile and say "thanks, I'll keep that in mind," and change the subject.  

mandms08

Consider donating them to a local nursing home.

MilitaryBride2Be

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_centerpieces-37?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:8d099422-48d4-493a-a5d0-4a5e5f4232e4Post:25f451db-049b-4606-a88e-9f873991a857">Re: What to do with centerpieces?</a>:
[QUOTE]Consider donating them to a local nursing home.
Posted by mandms08[/QUOTE]


I looked at doing that. I'm having a ton of candles in tall glass cylinders. I plan on selling the glass vases but since I have over 150 of them I thought I'd save a few, put carnations or other flowers in them and bring them to a local nursing home. I'm calling ahead first though and seeing if they'd be interested (not all are because of allergies etc)

dparisi

Having been to more weddings than I can count-all methods of things have been done.  Penny under the dish.  Paper under the chair. Birthday closest to the wedding date, pass the dollar. Heck, one wedding we did a type of rock, paper scissors, just for the record, this weas really weird.

If you do not want them back, just ask one of your aunts or friend, or someone to let every table know and the tablemates can decide who gets it. 

Sue-n-Kevin

We were thinking of putting something on the bottom of the place setting, saying "you may take the centerpiece and candles home, or allow someone else at your table to do so if you are not interested". I bought everything on the cheap (silver bowls from local florist going out of business for $5 each), and while I might make a mint from re-selling everything to local brides, I can't be bothered.

Bonzo2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_centerpieces-37?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:8d099422-48d4-493a-a5d0-4a5e5f4232e4Post:25f451db-049b-4606-a88e-9f873991a857">Re: What to do with centerpieces?</a>:
[QUOTE]Consider donating them to a local nursing home.
Posted by mandms08[/QUOTE]

This is my favorite idea, if it's something that a nursing home might like. A hospital is another nice possibility. But definitely call ahead, to make sure they're ok with flowers/whatever the centerpiece is, and because you want to have someone expecting them rather than just taking a poor nurse by surprise with 10 vases of flowers! I've also heard of, but never seen done, brides coordinating with the wedding the day before/after at the venue to share centerpieces or other decorations. You split the cost that way, and have less stuff to deal with after! But, no idea how the logistics work out with that. Might be tricky to do.

shannon2510

i  was thinking about keeping atleast one, and then the other ones someone can take whichever guest want them can take them. for memories and keepsakes!!!!

mariegra

I love the idea about donating them to a nursing home!