You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your wedding tables look beautiful. Bud vases are simple, affordable and charming. With a few flowers and candles, you can make your tables feel full and romantic without going over budget. Here’s how to pull it all together with this DIY wedding centerpiece.
Step 1: Gather Your Bud Vases
The beauty of bud vases lies in their variety. Begin your collection by combing through thrift shops, dollar stores and marketplace. These places often have hidden gems that add unique character. If you’re planning for a larger wedding, consider checking with wholesale vendors. Many offer great prices if you can meet their minimum order quantities, making it a cost-effective way to stock up.
Step 2: Plan Your Table Layout
A common design mistake is using only one size or height for centerpieces. For a table to feel visually full and layered, you want variety. Adding in taper candlesticks among the vases adds vertical interest and a soft glow that feels both romantic and timeless. Brass, black, or clear holders can each set a different tone, so choose based on your overall vibe.
Related: Tablescaping 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Setting the Perfect Dinner Table
Step 3: Choose Your Flowers
Buying flowers that are in season will help stretch your budget. Seasonal blooms are usually more affordable and easier to find.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of in-season flowers to look out for:
Spring
- Tulips
- Ranunculus
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Sweet peas
- Anemones
Summer
- Zinnias
- Dahlias
- Cosmos
- Snapdragons
- Sunflowers
- Queen Anne’s Lace
Fall
- Mums
- Marigolds
- Asters
- Amaranthus
- Celosia
- Dahlias
Winter
- Carnations
- Paperwhites
- Evergreens (great as fillers)
- Hellebores
- Roses (available year-round)
- Eucalyptus (great texture and smell!)
Realted: How to Make Stunning Bouquets From Grocery Store Flowers
You can get a mix from a local flower farm, farmer’s market, or even a grocery store. If you’re buying a lot, wholesale flower markets or bulk floral websites are worth checking out.
Choose a palette that reflects your wedding mood and spread those colors evenly throughout each table. You want the whole table to feel harmonious, not like each vase is competing for attention.
Step 4: Create Balance With Color
You don’t need massive floral arrangements to make a statement. In fact, a single stem in a small vase can be surprisingly impactful. When filling your bud vases, the trick is mixing textures and sizes. Pair something big and bold with something soft and wispy. Add a little greenery or even some dried pieces to keep things interesting.
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Step 5: Set Up & Style
Start by placing your vases and taper candles on the table, moving them around until the spacing feels right. Then add your flowers one at a time, mixing up the heights, textures, and colors as you go. Step back now and then to make sure everything looks balanced from different angles. Don’t overthink it — it’s all about creating something that feels full, easy, and a little bit playful.
What makes this approach so special is how personal it can feel. Each vase can be a tiny reflection of your style. With a bit of time and creativity, DIY bud vase centerpieces can look effortlessly elegant and one-of-a-kind, just like your love story.
