The Building Blocks of Fabulous Wedding Centerpieces Part 2

Now you have sorted out the guts of your wedding centerpieces, it is time to decide on what to put them in.

Next: Read The Building Blocks of Fabulous Centerpieces Part 3.� multilayered satin ribbonsYARD PERK This California native produces purple blooms that butterflies go crazy for; find it at native-plant nurseries.� blooms arranged into pomanders or spheresWhen it comes to containers, there is a wide choice available to you. Be creative & think outside of the box, particularly if want something different or quirky. Stick with plain & simple for a modern, contemporary look or choose something elegant & luxurious for a traditional & stately feel. Here is a list of some of the most popular choices.336 pages� raffia� berry sprays/garlands� gel beadsYou are perhaps looking at your glass containers & thinking they look too bare, but add in a piece of pretty satin ribbon, tied around the vase & knotted in place, & Voila! Perfection is reached! Here are some other ideas for snappy container wrappers.� clear glass cylindersYARD PERK Prized for its silver foliage, the plant sprouts yellow flowers, which beneficial insects love.� colored water, underwater lighting� vegetables (gourds, succulents): submerged� callas, bear grass, sword grass: submerged & twirled in bubble glass� wooden crates� square vases, square bowls2010You may have noticed from your initial research, that some designers will add extra elements to the containers themselves. You will probably have seen glass vases lined with wheat grass or perhaps a layer of pretty crystal stones. Water it would seem is not sufficient & you have to add an extra bit of wow with some killer filler! Take a look at these for inspiration.� vase gems with underwater lighting� maple or oak leaves, roses, orchids, gerbers: submerged entirely in water (aka �drowning rose�)� photo cubesKiller Container Fillers� vase gems, clearYARD PERK Flowering basil attracts good bugs (some believe rodents hate the smell of it too). Plant it next to tomatoes to improve taste.� eiffel (tower) or trumpet vases� ivy([c]2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)This is the important part. You have your guts, you have your containers, now how do you marry the two together? The way in which you do this will say as much about your style as your choice of guts in the first place. Again, here are some popular treatments for you to pick from.� coffee beans, candy corn, dried indian corn, popcorn, dried peas, lentils (keep dry)Hardcover� bubble bowls (�fish bowls�), ivy bowls, hurricane lampsSnappy Container Wrappers� flowers, nosegays� block of floral foam wrapped in sword grass or hosta leaves (placed in square jars)Court, Doreen.� flowers, wired to topiaries� bear grass$34.50� citrus fruit, arranged cut side out� vase gems, bright striking colorsDouble-duty plants� silver mint julep cups� gift boxes, hat boxes� oversized martini or wine glassesIllustrated with color and b&w photos and maps, this 8.25x11.25" botanical reference and identification guide covers those species most frequently grown and cultivated in the region, as well as species that are closely related to them. Species descriptions include the characteristics of the species and their distribution in southern Africa. Entries are in sections on succulent plant species from eight families: mesembryanthemaceae, portulacaceae, crassulaceae, geraniaceae, euphorbiaceae, passifloraceae, apocynaceae, and asphodelaceae. A glossary is included. The book was originally published in 1981 and revised in 2000. This third edition is expanded to take into account recent taxonomic advances and the discovery of new species, and now includes a bibliography. Court has lectured in plant taxonomy at Rhodes University, South Africa. Balkema is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group.

Next: Read The Building Blocks of Fabulous Centerpieces Part 3.

Author: Georgina Clatworthy