Centerpiece woes =\ (PIP)

AurorasEnvy · December 2011

So I came up with this idea for a the main part of my centerpiece - white Eiffel vases, crystal swag, and a floral bouquet - with a light down in the vases.

I ordered the vases and the crystals awhile ago, and was happy with how they look together.

I decided to save some money and ordered birch flowers from an etsy seller back at the end of July. I ordered 21 centerpieces, so I figured it would take awhile...but I just received them today. Or I should say some of them, because I only received 18.

I love the colors and think they look beautiful...but they were supposed to be 10-11 inches in diameter, but they are really about 8 inches in diameter. Smaller than I wanted. Disappointing.

The vases are handblown and have slight variations in the width of the opening. The bouquets are handmade and have slight variations in the width of the bouquet stem. Most of the bouquets fit really well in the vases, but some of them are too thick to go down all the way and protrude about an inch above the vase opening.

The opening in the crystal pieces is WAY too small to accomodate the size of the stem (basically, the vase is the "bottom" piece, the crystal piece is the "middle" piece, and the bouquet is the "top" piece).

Just very blah...I was really excited to receive the bouquets, but definitely not what I expected. It was totally my fault for not thinking about the bouquet fitting into the other 2 pieces, but the size/missing centerpiece issue sucks.

I do have a laboratory handpiece that I have from dental school that I can use to grind the hole bigger in the crystal piece, but obviously I would prefer not have to do this, but it doesn't look like I have any other choice (except to just not use them).

What do you ladies think? Does the size of the bouquet look okay? It is going to look okay if some of the bouquets don't sit 100% inside the vases? I guess it doesn't matter, as I've already invested too much money to change my mind! Vent vent vent...

(NOTE: Yes, that is a bathroom that they are sitting in - our guest bathroom that never gets used. I started setting all of them up in a spare bedroom, but the carpet wasn't steady enough, and I ended up knocking about 6-7 of them over in a domino effect. Luckily I didn't break any of them, crush any bouquets, and didn't have a heart attack, but after that they got moved to the closest room with hard floors!)

some of the centerpieces, without the crystal part

you can see how some fit 100%, and some don't

ugh...wish the bouquet fit through the hole in the crystal piece! When I am done, the bouquet should be sitting directly on top of it.

you can see how big the stem is compared to the hole in the crystal piece.

Wah wah. It could be worse, I suppose!

clarkek1 · December 2011

I love them!! You could always take a ribbon (your choice of color) and wrap it around the base of the flowers and down the vase and throw a curl in there...... Honestly no one will be checking out each table measurements on the flowers. I think you have a beautiful centerpieces!!!! So jealous

gpapale1 · December 2011

I really like them, although I think the proportions are a little weird. I know you really love the eiffel tower vases, but would you consider doing the same style vase in a shorter height? I think that might look a little better. I LOVE those bouquets, though! They are so pretty!

mandi921vh · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_centerpiece-woes-pip?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:29267263-a136-44d6-92b3-c4a63d798e42Post:63f84101-a44f-42af-8c1d-9ca68dc24c59">Re: Centerpiece woes =\ (PIP)</a>:
[QUOTE]I really like them, although I think the proportions are a little weird. I know you really love the eiffel tower vases, <strong>but would you consider doing the same style vase in a shorter height? </strong>I think that might look a little better. I LOVE those bouquets, though! They are so pretty!
Posted by gpapale1[/QUOTE]

<div>I was thinking this too. I also love your bouquets!</div>

MsAmeera25 · December 2011

Quick Question...Did you specify the diameter when you placed the order? Honestly I think they are too small to be a tall centerpiece, I think they should have been a tad bit fuller....

I don't dislike them but I don't love them either, if they were fuller they would have been perfect, the proportion is a bit strange.

With that being said are you able to be refunded for any portion of the order as they are too small and some are missing???

IMO I almost feel like a flared rim or a cylinder would help make it a little more proportional...

Something like this but closer to the taller one...

justanotherbride · December 2011

I'm with MsAmeera25, I hope you are getting compensated for the missing bouquets. I love the Eiffel tower vases and the bouquets, but not together. They look too small. Is it possible to return the vases for another option? If not, I think they look okay and I doubt any of your quests will comment, if they do they are mean. The only reason I feel it is okay to comment is because you asked!

I had troubles just getting my single flowers from accentsandpetals and I was disappointed with how small they were. I think she does good work, just needs to work on communicating all the details.

kimberlykh · December 2011

I absolutely love those bouquets. The colors are so vibrant. I agree with PPs, they may look fuller in a shorter vase if that is an option. If not, I wouldn't worry.

AurorasEnvy · December 2011

I ordered the vases online probably about 6 months ago, so I doubt I'd be able to return them. I went with the 24" because I wanted the full part of the centerpiece on top to be tall enough so that when people sit at the tables they can still see the people across from them (a problem I've read about a lot on TK with people who had tall centerpieces that weren't *quite" tall enough). The room also has a vaulted ceiling, so I felt a little taller would be better.

I had the vases before I ordered the flowers, and the bouquets WERE advertised as being 10-11" in diameter - which would have been perfect, because I "mocked" it up with the vases before I ordered to see if I'd be satisfied with the fullness. I could tell immediately that the bouquets weren't as big as she said they'd be, I measured and they are barely 8" in diameter. I think the extra 2-3" would have made a big difference in the proportion, which I agree that I don't love. Maybe if I can get the crystal pieces to fit on it will help, I don't know.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the lady. At very minimum I want the extra 3 centerpieces I paid for.

It just sucks because I've invested a lot already into them, and even though I did all my homework to mock up the sizes it still hasn't turned out. Ugh. I guess I still have plenty of time to figure out what I am going to do...

classykat22 · December 2011

I agree with PP's that the proportions are a bit off but, I also think had she delivered what you had ordered, it would have looked like you envisioned. I am almost wondering if you would be able to send the bouquets back to her, with a request to make them the diameter she advertised, and also request at that time, that she make the stems thinner. You didn't get the product you ordered...she should offer to redo it or refund you what you paid so you can get something else going ASAP, imo. GL

MsAmeera25 · December 2011

Agree with PP she needs to refund you for them or redo them, they are not as promised. You should be able to send them back and have her send them to you fuller at no additional charges.

gpapale1 · December 2011

Just a thought...could you take off the twine around the stems and replace it with floral tape? I know it would be a lot of work, but I think that would help with the bouquets fitting into the vases. Also, what about supplementing the bottom of the flowers with some type of beaded "collar"? I'm picturing something like this:

You could layer them around the bottom of the bouquets to make them a little fuller. This would bring in the crystal bling you want, while at the same time filling out the diameter so they work with your current vases.

I'm not sure if you'll like this idea, but I'm trying to figure out ways for you to make what you have work!

AurorasEnvy · December 2011

Gabby - that is a good idea! It never occured to me that I could add something else underneath to make it fuller, something crystaly or even something like baby's breath/regular floral filler, or even some leaves or something.

I briefly looked at taking the rope/twine off the stem, but from what I can tell that is what is holding everything together. I might look into it and see if I can at least replace it with something a little thinner, like ribbon.

My mom is actually coming up on Saturday to see me at work, and then we are going to see my altered dress! She is pretty crafty, so I'm going to see if she has any suggestions, too.

Thanks for your concern =] It kind of sucks now, but in the end I know it will work out either way. In the big picture, I'm sure we'll have a great time at our wedding and in the end we will still be married, with or withoutmy ideal centerpieces.

Nevertheless....I'll keep you updated!

gpapale1 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_may-2012-weddings_centerpiece-woes-pip?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:f0ca0bc1-9255-4120-8042-b40e7f3e99c5Discussion:29267263-a136-44d6-92b3-c4a63d798e42Post:0d791216-8938-4e12-a045-274165315ca7">Re: Centerpiece woes =\ (PIP)</a>:
[QUOTE]Gabby - that is a good idea! It never occured to me that I could add something else underneath to make it fuller, something crystaly or even something like baby's breath/regular floral filler, or even some leaves or something. I briefly looked at taking the rope/twine off the stem, but from what I can tell that is what is holding everything together. I might look into it and see if I can at least replace it with something a little thinner, like ribbon. My mom is actually coming up on Saturday to see me at work, and then we are going to see my altered dress! She is pretty crafty, so I'm going to see if she has any suggestions, too. Thanks for your concern =] It kind of sucks now, but in the end I know it will work out either way. In the big picture, I'm sure we'll have a great time at our wedding and in the end we will still be married, with or withoutmy ideal centerpieces. Nevertheless....I'll keep you updated!
Posted by AurorasEnvy[/QUOTE]

Oh, baby's breath would look really pretty!

Maybe if you wrap with floral tape as you are taking off the twine (i.e. kind of do both at once), you'll avoid them coming apart?

Centerpiece woes =\ (PIP)

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