Inexpensive Wedding Centerpieces - 3 Dozen Roses Per Table!!

Let's assume that you are going to use 44 roses per table and some greens. From our previous article, ‘Wedding Flowers Under $1,000 - Roses' we know the cost is going to be $37.40 for the roses and $6.66 for the greens per table. For this centerpiece, we are going to use bear grass as the green.

The next most expensive part of your centerpiece is going to be the vase or the container you put the roses in. You can shop around for a vase that fits your theme or personality, we offer a 4 ” x 4 ” x 4 ” square vase for $7 each upon request. Let's assume you buy the vase from us so we can quantify the cost for this article.

We suggest wrapping each vase with a 1” thick satin ribbon that coordinates with your wedding colors and complements (rather than matches) the rose color(s) you have chosen. Affix the ribbon to the vase with super glue, making sure that the glue is used on the part of the vase that will not directly face your guests. Another way to further decorate the vase is to glue crystals to the ribbon (do this before gluing the ribbon to the vase). The crystals can also be used to hide glue marks where the ribbon is affixed to the vase. You can also affix the ribbon to the vase with a simple bow.

The simplest way to arrange your flowers is very similar to making a nosegay bouquet. Use your floral tape to make a tick-tac-toe grid over the top of the vase (use the same grid over and over again as you make multiple arrangements). Using the center hole to hold the bouquet, start adding your roses. When you are satisfied with the shape and placement of your roses, start adding the bear grass.

Begin by cutting the grass to a length that is just long enough to bend over the top of the centerpiece, thus creating a ‘cage' for the roses. In order to maintain control over the shape and position of the bear grass, cut a length of floral wire about 12” long (you will have to adjust the height depending on how long your rose stems are). Leaving about ½” to the tip, pierce each end of the bear grass with a separate piece of wire. Pull the wire into 2 equal lengths and twist the pieces together, take care not to rip the bear grass.

Create the ‘cage' by inserting one end of the bear grass just inside the outer edge of the arrangement (do not insert at the far edge as your guests should see roses all along the far edge). Bend the other end of the bear grass over the top of the roses and insert it at the opposite edge of the arrangement. Repeat this process several times, until you are satisfied with the look of the cage.

If the floral wire is hard to work with or the bear grass keeps ripping, you can try to create cage without it, depending on the original length of the bear grass; it may or may not be easier.

Now that you're done creating your arrangement, lift it out of the vase using both hands. Transfer the bouquet to one hand, directly under the base of the flower heads secure the arrangement with a twist tie or piece of twine. Cut all of the stems to a matching length.

Depending on your desired look you can leave the stems fanned out, or you can also bind the bottom for a more finished look.

Finish off the centerpiece by adding 3 votives around the rose arrangement.

Let's review the cost for each centerpiece:

Roses: $37.40
Bear Grass: $6.66
4x4x4 Vase: $7.00
Ribbon:$.33 (estimating 3 centerpieces from each roll of ribbon)
Silver Plated Love Votive Holders & Candles: $10.50 ($3.50 each)

Total Cost Per Table: $61.56

Total cost for bouquets & centerpieces $1067.45!!!!