Making your own centerpieces?

[rescuerangers]

We just got our bill for the floral and decorations from Rose and I told my DF: "Imagine the highest amount you could possibly imagine and multiply it by 10!"

They want to charge us $75 each for glass bowls that will contain marbles and flowers. So my question is: did anyone make/is anyone making their own centerpieces? Does Disney charge you to set these up? Any ideas or pictures for inspiration?

Our reception will be at the Living Seas.

Thanks!

 

[RangerPooh]

We made our own for our DLR wedding. The sticker shock for what we were looking at was way too much. So we instead we made our own. We took a clear glass plate, a bag of river rocks, and 3 candles of different heights. I had a family member set them up for us as everything was individually bagged and ready to go. Disney will do this but for a set up/take down fee. I think it was somewhere between $25-$50. In the end our centerpieces cost somewhere between $5-$8 each.

I'll have to search around to see if I ahve a picture somewhere.

 

[KT27]

We made our own...mirrored tiles (bought at IKEA) with glass bowls (bought at IKEA), filled with crystals (Micheal's) & water, added a floating candle (Yankee Candles). My florist set them up (I shipped them to her) and added rose petals. We also had 4 tealights/holders around the centerpieces. We made 8 they cost about $20 per centerpiece. My florist charges 1/2 hr labor ($50) to set them up. A few of my guests took them home & set them up! Big money saver & very easy to do yourself!

 

[JJClemson]

I am making my own centerpieces as well. Actually I am not, but my artsy mother is. My SM told us there would be a set up fee or we could set them up ourselves the morning of the wedding. We're going to see how much the set up fee is and then decide if we'll do it ourselves.

 

[Luvndisney]

i am pretty sure you can make your own at the LS but please ask your planner to make certain. In park receptions are different than other locations.

They will charge you to set things up but just estimate for yourself to see if its going to be less money for you.

Another options if you can not make them is to ask them for other options.

We did a similar set-up to what you are describing with flowers and seaglass and I admit it was pricey.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thank you so much for posting this!! I'm getting a little annoyed because we want to do our own and our questions about what is/is not allowed are not getting answered because we are 'supposed' to wait until we meet with floral at our PS before we decide to make our own because they can 'make some really great cheap things.' However, I feel that their idea of 'cheap' and my idea of 'cheap' are very different! Sounds like we will be making our own if they charge $75 just for the glass bowls!!!!!

 

[rescuerangers]

In looking at the price sheet again, it looks like I misunderstood, the glass bowls are $10 (to RENT) and the flowers that go within them will be $75 (which will wilt within a few days and won't be salvagable). Some other highlights...

To RENT 38 white folding chairs (our ceremony is at Epcot) = $370

Flower petals in small bags to toss at us while we are leaving = $114

Napkins = $80

I wish they had given us an approximation of these costs at our planning session. Now we have to figure it all out from the beginning. To spend almost $3000 on just floral & decorations seems so outrageous considering we are only having 38 guests.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks for the update! Still, $85 for bowls with flowers seems much higher than it would be to do something yourself. We are going for our PS in January, so I am SO grateful to have this information in my pocket for when we go and they try to talk up all the options

 

[rescuerangers]

So as I mentioned, our reception is at the Living Seas. After practically passing out due to the idea of spending $675 on flowers for centerpieces, we e-mailed the floral manager to tell her that we were considering making our own centerpieces, and for her to confirm the price of the setup fee (we were estimating $50). She tells us that if we are going to make our own, that WE will have to set them up.

Now, our wedding is at 9 a.m. I don't think anyone is going to want to get to the Living Seas at 8 to set up centerpieces. I'm not sure if this is the wrong information, or if that is the rule at in-park locations. She did send us some pictures of cheaper centerpieces that they could provide, however, they looked... shall I say it... cheap. I could make something better looking for even less money. The truth is I don't have the time to focus on making centerpieces (only 47 days left!) but I am trying to save DF's family money (they are paying for floral).

We had also mentioned that we didn't care to spend $10/chair to get white instead of black. We can get the black chairs for free, but will have to rent shepherds' hooks (?) for part of the decoration. Of course they cost a considerable amount as well... UGH... they really like to nickel and dime you...

I said, "What's next, a White Dress tax?"

 

[pooh98378]

I have a somewhat related question. I really like the Cinderella carriage centerpiece on the wishbook. However, it says that it is over $100! My question is: does anyone know if you get to keep this centerpiece, or is it a "rental" as well? Thanks!

 

[ExCPKate]

Personally, I don't see what the big deal is about centerpieces. I can't tell you a single wedding that I've been to where I left raving about the centerpieces. Or can even remember what a single one looked like! One of my girlfriends did do small, plain round cakes on a pedestal on each table. They were each different flavors, and it encouraged people to mingle seeking different flavors from different tables. Cute idea and hardly cost her anything! Save the $75/table and use it on your honeymoon

 

[StephSFL]

I have a somewhat related question. I really like the Cinderella carriage centerpiece on the wishbook. However, it says that it is over $100! My question is: does anyone know if you get to keep this centerpiece, or is it a "rental" as well? Thanks!

It's a rental! Crazy, huh? With such a high price tag you would think you could keep them!
I have to agree, the coach center piece is adorable!

 

[SRUAlmn]

She tells us that if we are going to make our own, that WE will have to set them up.

:

I was told the same thing about a family member having to set everything up and our reception is in the Napa Room of the CG so I don't think it's just for park locations. We are considering doing the cake thing too, but it's being 'discouraged' by our EM because of the amount of cake we will end up having. I still think it would be cool! Let us know what you end up doing

 

[cryssi]

we wanted to make our own centerpieces to save $$, but with our in-park reception, a $100/table floral allotment was already factored into our mandatory entertainment costs (no choice). (DLR wedding)

 

[StephSFL]

we wanted to make our own centerpieces to save $$, but with our in-park reception, a $100/table floral allotment was already factored into our mandatory entertainment costs (no choice). (DLR wedding)

This the first time I ever heard of the $100 floral allotment. What does it pertain to? I am sure I will be over that with just linens, but where would I find out about this?

 

[cryssi]

it was for the centerpieces...and it was because our reception was in california adventure...not sure about WDW weddings though...