Here’s How to Get Beautiful Wedding Centerpieces on a Budget

We love saving money while also getting a great product. That's why finding wedding centerpieces on a budget is one of our favorite topics to discuss. That's right, chic wedding centerpieces aren't out of your reach just because you have a tight budget. Get the table decor you want without breaking the bank by checking out the low-cost wedding centerpiece ideas below. Plus, get tips on where to shop, how to save and how to budget for the inexpensive centerpieces that'll stand out.

Everything you should know about wedding centerpieces on a budget: Ideas | Where to Find Them | How to Save | How to Budget

Wedding Table Centerpieces Ideas on a Budget

To get the best wedding centerpiece ideas on a budget, we spoke with decor experts who are the best kind of know-it-alls. Below are seven inexpensive wedding decorations they recommend for your centerpiece selection.

Pillar Candles

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"A trio of pillar candles in hurricanes is an inexpensive way to add a romantic, candlelit approach to your centerpieces. It might take a bit more legwork to purchase and transport the candles yourself, but you'll get a full table of candlelight at an affordable price," Michelle Edgemont, experienced florist, event designer and owner of Michelle Edgemont Design, says. Wondering how you should decorate candle wedding centerpieces on a budget? We suggest adding some greenery or flowers at the foot of the candles for a hint of elegance.

Lanterns

"Lanterns can be a great way to take up space without needing a large centerpiece budget. They can be filled with flowers or candles," Michelle Maslowski, an accomplished floral designer and owner of One of a Kind Events, says. There are lots of lantern options to choose from, but one of our favorites are oil lanterns. These are great rustic wedding centerpieces on a budget and have a unique and vintage look we love.

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Picture Frames

Holly Gray, a second-generation wedding planner and owner of Anything But Gray Events, says picture frames are another way to get centerpieces for a wedding on a budget. "Add framed photos of yourselves or images with you and the guests that'll be sitting at that table as a centerpiece. It's a low-cost and sentimental way to not only showcase your love story but make your guest feel special too."

Wine Bottles

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Looking for some DIY wedding centerpieces? "For the wine drinkers, save your wine bottles and fill them with flowers or fairy lights for the middle of tables. Just don't forget to sanitize the bottles," Maslowski says.

Bud Vases

Maslowski suggests couples in need of floral wedding centerpieces on a budget look at small vessels for their blooms. "Bud vases are a simple and elegant look for centerpieces. You can fill the center of the table with three to five bud vases to create a full look with less floral product."

Small Cutting Cakes

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For couples on the hunt for unique wedding centerpieces on a budget, Gray has just the thing for you. "A trend I've been seeing is small cutting cakes on each table (as opposed to a larger wedding cake). It takes the place of a centerpiece and is something your guests can enjoy after their meal."

Books

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"Head to your local used bookstore or thrift store to collect books to use as your centerpiece. Perhaps you chose them based on a theme, color story or childhood books that were important to you. Have a book for every guest at the table for them to take home at the end of the night. This way, your centerpiece also doubles as a useful favor," Gray says.

Where to Find Affordable Wedding Centerpieces

Now that you have some ideas for wedding centerpieces on a budget, you need to find stores to buy them. Below are places you can find affordable wedding centerpieces that won't break the bank.

• The Knot Vendor Marketplace: Here you can find a decor vendor that'll fit your design needs and your budget. Use the helpful filter to choose which decorations and accents you want to focus on, the company's distance from your wedding site, which kind of lighting you need, award winners and the diversity of the business. Don't forget to look at the real reviews from couples once you've found a few pros you like to ensure you book the best person for your wedding. By the way, you can always use The Knot Vendor Marketplace in addition to the retailers below.
• Etsy: Want to support small businesses? Then try Etsy for budget-friendly wedding centerpieces. You'll find thousands of sellers offering unique and handmade items at the click of a button.
• Amazon: If you need your centerpieces fast, Amazon is your best bet. The site has a large variety of inexpensive decor items that can ship to you quickly. Just remember to look at the customer reviews because not every pillar candle has the same quality.
• Facebook Marketplace: This online source is full of newlyweds trying to unload their decor from their celebration, so why not take advantage? Get deals on everything from bud vases to table runners by searching for items in your local area. (Beware of scams: We suggest avoiding sellers who's Facebook profile was made recently, who don't have clear pictures of the product or sound robotic during correspondence.)
• Thrift Stores: Wedding centerpieces on a budget and thrift stores go hand in hand. You can find lots of treasures at secondhand stores for super low prices. Plus, lots of thrift stores have special deal days, like 50% off all yellow stickered items on Wednesday, so you can get even more savings.

How to Save Money on Wedding Centerpieces

There are so many ways to save money on a wedding and one of them is thinking strategically about your decor. Keep reading to learn the top tips wedding experts have for keeping your wedding centerpiece costs low.

Use What You Already Have

"The easiest way to save money on wedding centerpieces is to lean into what you already have. Look through your house or apartment and see what you might be able to use for a container, candles and glassware. The more you fill the table with items you already have, the less you have to spend on additional florals and decor," Maslowski says.

Repurpose Ceremony Flowers

"Bridesmaid bouquets can be placed on the head table and, if constructed properly, aisle florals can be placed on tables during the cocktail hour. Getting a second use from flowers can usually save a bit of money for the reception," Maslowski says.

Use Thrifted Items

Going to the thrift store is one of the best ways to save money on your centerpieces. "There are so many second-hand wedding Facebook groups and Craigslist posts of couples looking to sell their gently used wedding items. If you're willing to think outside the box and get creative, the sky's the limit. Plus, you're being sustainable in the process," Gray says.

Borrow Decor From Newlywed Friends

Daisy Bower, passionate customer experience manager at Bellevue Lighting, says borrowing from your friends is another option for those looking for wedding centerpieces on a budget. "If you have recently married friends, they might have leftover decor items and are praying for a wedding to come around to give the decor another life."

Try Different Centerpiece Sizes

"Have 1/3 of your tables with a big centerpiece, 1/3 with something small and the other 1/3 with candles. This creates a more varied and beautiful room, still gets you a few of the bigger centerpieces and saves you thousands of dollars," Edgemont says.

Go to Local Flower Shops

"Check out local fresh flower markets. Start prioritizing the floral decor that's crucial to your event design, and think about changing your design to work with flowers in season during your wedding," Bower says.

Have Round Tables at Your Reception

Edgemont recommends to-be-weds pick round tables to save money on centerpieces. "I know everyone wants romantic, super long tables. But hear me out: Long tables have more square footage down the center to decorate. It's actually more expensive to decorate a long table with centerpieces than it is round tables."

Skip Them

"This is a hot take from a florist, but centerpieces are not a required element of any wedding. Guests are usually at the tables for a short period of time during the reception. So if money is tight, fill the space with beautiful glasses and china for the meal and skip the centerpieces. It will give you more money for the flowers you want in other areas," Maslowski says.

How to Budget for Wedding Centerpieces

You might be wondering if there's a certain amount you should set aside in your wedding budget for your centerpieces. The good news is that there isn't––it all depends on your wants and needs. "Many couples have different priorities for their wedding budget, and usually centerpieces aren't high on that list. If that's the case, couples can spend a few dollars on the centerpieces and save their money for other priorities. For couples that value flowers as part of their overall wedding memories, then more money can be devoted to them. For an average centerpiece, a budget of $55 to $95 per table can usually get you a lovely tablescape. More lush, short floral arrangements or tall, show-stopping floral arrangements tend to be on the higher side, running from $175 per table up to several hundred dollars," Maslowski says. "That being said, a couple could also pop a few bud vases on their table as their centerpiece, and it's going to be fine. At the end of the day, and I say this as someone who makes money as a florist, you'll still be married and start a life together no matter how much money you spent on your centerpieces," Edgemont says. Keeping those numbers in mind, use our free budget tool to get educated about how to work these centerpiece prices into your wedding budget.