Elevated centerpieces are one of the hottest floral trends right now. Often placed on the top of a large vase or candelabra, the centerpieces are eye-catching due in large part to their size. While these types of centerpieces can indeed be beautiful, there is much waste in their design. Consider the abundance of flowers that is required in order to properly fill out such a large arrangement. Or the great deal of water that must be used in order to keep so many flowers looking fresh. To keep these arrangements sturdy, florists must use floral foam – a synthetic block of sorts – to steady the base of each centerpiece. Also, because the centerpieces are so large, guests tend to avoid carrying them home to enjoy, meaning the arrangements can end up in the trash immediately proceeding the event.
Though there are many unique, flower-free centerpiece options available, as the daughter of a florist, I’m somewhat partial to seeing flowers as the focal point of a table. One trend I currently like is low centerpieces. Unlike elevated centerpieces, which are celebrated for their extravagance, low centerpieces are celebrated for their simplicity. During your floral consultation, select a simple, yet interesting vase or container. Ask your designer to fill each container with water and a few small seashells, river rocks, glass beads or something similar that will not detract from the simplicity of the design. Then, pick out a few striking flowers, such as gerberas, anemones, tulips or peonies, which are visually appealing because of their unique colors and shapes. Tables can be decorated with a single vase, a row of vases, or a small cluster of vases. Whichever style you pick, you’ll be adding more green to your event in a few ways. You’ll save materials, such as floral foam and excess flowers, from reaching landfills and increase the chances of your guests taking home centerpieces to enjoy for several days as opposed to just one celebrated afternoon or evening. But perhaps the best part is the money you’ll save. Depending on your specific florist and the flowers selected, elevated centerpieces can cost upwards of $100 each, while low centerpieces can be created for as little as $50 each.
