Centerpiece Etiquette

ladyamanuet

I am making the centerpieces myself – and while I don’t care if the flowers are there when the night ends, I am planning on using the bases and other décor in our new house. At almost every wedding I have been to I have seen guests take centerpieces home with them – I’ve even seen guests fight over taking one home!  Is this common practice? If so, how can I politely let my guests know that my reception décor is not an additional wedding favor?  I am giving out bottles of wine for favors, so it's not like I'm being "skimpy". TIA!

tlv204

I kind of like the idea of flowers being given away but saying the other stuff belongs to the venue.

I've never taken a centerpiece before unless it was offered to me, but I have heard of this happening to others so I don't think it's all that rare. I don't think anyone took any of mine, but it was a bunch of different bud vases and small candle holders, so if people took a few I wouldn't have noticed.

sucrets4

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_centerpiece-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d0f2e238-b60d-4060-8ff2-ed14fc41846fPost:dfdbb288-de39-42b0-b73e-5f466fbe7384">Re: Centerpiece Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]At every wedding I've ever been to, and at every wedding anyone I know has been to the centerpieces were given away... so I understand where your worry comes from. However I've never seen/heard of guests just taking them. I would just do what a PP suggested and ask your venue coordinator to watch out for any guests walking away with centerpieces.
Posted by angiebear11[/QUOTE]

This, because we're from the same area.  But the DJ usually is in charge of setting the whole thing up and making an announcement, so that's my suggestion. 

goheels05

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_centerpiece-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d0f2e238-b60d-4060-8ff2-ed14fc41846fPost:be34e3ba-1e8d-41c8-b95f-82f5d1ae3683">Re: Centerpiece Etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]Can you place them on one of these on each table?
Posted by BecW2be[/QUOTE]


win

Krysti21

You could also put a small note saying that the centerpieces are going to be used in your new home or something like that so that people know not to take them.

futurepivko

The note under the centerpiece is a great idea. I would also have the DJ/brand  make an announcement, in the beginning when everyone is settled in, and also toward the end.

rrkenney

Another suggestion I've seen is to have paper to wrap the flowers in so people get the hint that they can take the flowers but not the container.

ndzenowski

People take centerpieces? I've never heard of such a thing! My vases are all rented through the florist, I hope no one takes anything! 

amandaswisher1

I'm really worried about ths too. I'm using a lantern and multiple small bud vases with flowers as centerpieces for each table. Since the items are easy to carry, I'm expecting some guests to think they're able to take them home. I hate the idea of having the DJ make an announcement but I'm not sure what other way to get the point across. I don't think I could put a Post-It on each item without it looking really obvious.