How To: Make Your Own Centerpieces

One way to keep wedding costs from ballooning out of control is to make your own centerpieces. Whether you opt for grocery store flowers arranged creatively, or planter boxes of herbs, there are tons of options out there — and plenty of Internet resources for gathering ideas and instructions.

The first step is to figure out what you want to make. A good place to start is a website like Pinterest, where you can search for DIY wedding centerpieces and collect ideas. The Knot also has a useful article showcasing a range of different ideas you can craft yourself.

Consider using recycled materials to keep things cheap. You can buy mismatched flowerpots or vases at a local thrift store, or save glass jars and aluminum cans to use as planters or vases.

And go for cheap plants, if plants are your thing. Herbs and succulents bought in bulk are cheap, as are grocery store flower arrangements or loose flowers. You’ll save a lot of money by going to a hardware store or grocery rather than buying from a specialty retailer like a high-end flower shop.

You can also buy gently used wedding centerpiece materials online and then sell them after your wedding. Sites like Recycle Your Wedding, Wedding Bee and Wedding Recycle are a few places to start.