Choose The Unexpected For Your Wedding Reception Centerpieces

The centerpieces on your wedding reception tables are the crowning touch to your wedding decorations. Traditionally, wedding reception tables are decorated with floral centerpieces, but these days the center spot is just as likely to be taken by mirrors, candles, glass bowls and water and even miniature fountains and waterfalls.

If you're looking for a unique, non-traditional wedding reception table centerpiece to accent your wedding decorations, we've collected a handful of beautiful, romantic, whimsical and fun ideas.

One of the most creative wedding reception centerpieces we've found are a clever combination of centerpiece and wedding favor. Candy-filled clear plastic tubes are topped with feathery ribbon flowers, and arranged in a vase. Special additions, choice of color, and the variety of candy chosen all combine to create a completely unique, versatile idea for decorating your wedding reception tables - and sending your guests home with an unusual wedding favor.

For a spectacular centerpiece, start with a footed crystal punch or trifle bowl. Circle the base of the bowl with a floral or greenery garland that twines up the stem and ends with a single silk flower in a dramatic color. Cut an 18-inch length of wire-edged ribbon in a glimmery version of the wedding party colors and arrange it in loops and whorls in the bottom of the bowl. Hold it in place with a few drops of waterproof rubber cement or glue. Add a few colored marbles or glass beads in a contrasting color to peek between the loops of ribbon.

On the morning of the reception, fill each bowl to within a few inches of the rim with water, pouring carefully to avoid flattening the ribbon. Float delicate candles or flower blossoms on the surface. To add the drama of light, arrange several small tea lights in glass holders around the base of the bowl so that the light from the candle flames plays through the water.

For about the price of a floral arrangement - or less - you can have a striking centerpiece that will add to the ambience of any wedding theme. Simply purchase an inexpensive, battery operated tabletop or desktop fountain to place in the center of each table. There's a wide variety of designs available for home decorating, so you can choose a design that fits the theme of your wedding decorations easily.

A simple tumble of stones with a reflecting pool makes an elegant, natural centerpiece for a classic wedding theme, or a Japanese style Asian wedding. We've seen dolphins and fairy castles, teddy bears, angels and lovely landscapes, as well as more classic designs like seashells and bowls that spill into one another.

If you're looking for wedding reception table decoration ideas, and unusual wedding reception centerpieces, look through home decorating magazines and architectural style magazines. Don't ignore unlikely sources like furniture catalogs - you'd be surprised how many photos of room settings include table centerpieces.