| The beach setting you selected is absolutely perfect. | | | | small amount of sand on a table and place one of the |
| Now your goal is to create a ceremony and | | | | buckets into the sand. Fill it about one-quarter of the |
| reception that will be beautiful occasions where your | | | | way up with colored sand. Set a small votive candle |
| loved ones can gather together to share in your | | | | into the sand in the bucket. Arrange starfish, sea |
| happiness. | | | | shells, sand dollars and seahorses around the outside |
| It is essential to choose the right centerpieces since | | | | of the bucket. Light the candle and you will have a |
| these will serve as the focal point of tables at your | | | | stunning beach wedding centerpiece that was easy |
| wedding. Beach centerpieces should be striking and | | | | to make. You can even add a further playful little |
| natural-looking. They should blend seamlessly with the | | | | touch by placing a few miniature rakes on the table. |
| beach theme. | | | | Your guests can then have their own serene little |
| There are four primary materials typically used for | | | | Zen garden. |
| wedding beach centerpieces: glass, sand, flowers and | | | | Centerpiece Do's and Don'ts: You might want some |
| sea shells. These can be interchanged and can | | | | additional tips if your reception will be outdoors, |
| provide an almost endless number of beautiful | | | | immediately following the wedding. Beach sun can wilt |
| designs that are also practical. | | | | flowers very quickly on a hot summer day, and |
| Here are a few tips on how to create eye-catching | | | | those gentle beach breezes can sometimes become |
| centerpieces. | | | | gusts that can blow out your candles at the wrong |
| Candles in Vases: This is the easiest design to make. | | | | moment. |
| Your starting point is a small transparent glass vase | | | | Fortunately, you can avoid this with some planning. If |
| of the type sometimes used to protect candles from | | | | your centerpieces use candles, ensure that they are |
| the wind. Fill the vase about one-third full with colored | | | | well shielded. You can use something as simple as a |
| sand, then put a candle on top of the sand. Put | | | | small juice glass to serve this purpose. |
| flower leis and sea shells around the vase and light | | | | As for flowers, you want to select varieties that will |
| the candle. The result is an easy but classic | | | | hold up well in high heat and direct sunlight. Calla lilies, |
| centerpiece for the tables at your wedding. Beach | | | | antherium, ginger and birds of paradise serve this |
| centerpieces of this type are inexpensive and fun to | | | | purpose well. Normally, an experienced florist will be |
| create, and they are pleasing to the eye. | | | | able to help you strike the perfect balance of beauty |
| Tropical Flowers: To create a centerpiece that blends | | | | and longevity. |
| perfectly with beach surroundings, choose a larger | | | | Before you buy, tell the florist that you plan to use |
| vase heavily textured with a sandy, rocky surface. | | | | the flowers at an outdoor beach wedding. Ask them |
| Balance the muted tone of the vase by filling it with | | | | to give you one flower to test. Put the flower in a |
| zesty red antherium, hibiscus and birds of paradise | | | | vase and place it in the general area where the |
| flowers. Surround the flowers with palm or banana | | | | reception will take place. Keep an eye on the flower |
| leaves. Add a few large shells and you have an | | | | for a few hours to see how well it holds up. If it |
| elegant, "beachy" centerpiece to complement your | | | | stays fresh-looking, you've got a winner. |
| reception. | | | | Beach centerpieces that reflect your personal style |
| Beach Buckets: for a more playful centerpiece, find | | | | can be created inexpensively by using these tips to |
| some small, brightly colored sand buckets of the kind | | | | blend the best flowers with sea shells, sand and glass. |
| that are designed for toddlers to play with. Arrange a | | | | |