Guests taking centerpieces

[meBonidie2be]

 

 

Originally Posted by jmastr05 

 

Obviously everyone is different, as proven by this thread. I think that the moral of this story is that you won't be able to predict how each individual person invited to your AHR will react. So I suppose the way that you will end up the happiest at the end is to assume the worst (everyone is a greedy little center piece monger who will snatch up those suckers in a heartbeat) and plan accordingly.

 

lmao good advice thanks

 

 

[meBonidie2be]

 

 

Originally Posted by Melissa727 

 

I was in the same spot as you. I have been to many weddings where the centerpieces were given away via a fun little game or something. And I have also been to weddings where there was no mention of guests keeping the centerpieces and there were still those people (usually great aunts or friends of parents) who just helped themselves to the centerpieces. You could see them heading for the door all shifty eyed with a palm tree sticking out of their purse!  I have even been to weddings where the old ladies would almost have a fist fight over who got the centerpiece when they weren't even told that anyone could have it. Crazy I tell ya!

 

Anyway, I originally thought about DIY'g my centerpieces to make it more sentimental but then, like you, I worried that all the hard work & thought that I had put into them would either be broken or walked off with. With that in mind I decided to bite the bullet and go to a florist to make centerpieces. I will be adding my own touches to the table w/the escort cards (I am attaching small sugar starfish to each escort card), cake table, & memory table (pictures of our grandparents & video/slideshow of our wedding). I figure this way I can give away the centerpieces that I purchased from the florist in some type of game & still not lose anything that I am sentimentally attached to. Hope this helps!

 

It does, thank you! Wow i have never seen ppl fight over centerpieces. Thats insane. But hopefully my DIY centerpieces WILL be so awesome ppl want to fight over them at the end of the night.

 

[jmastr05]

It IS always the old ladies, isn't it!

 

Originally Posted by Melissa727 

I was in the same spot as you. I have been to many weddings where the centerpieces were given away via a fun little game or something. And I have also been to weddings where there was no mention of guests keeping the centerpieces and there were still those people (usually great aunts or friends of parents) who just helped themselves to the centerpieces. You could see them heading for the door all shifty eyed with a palm tree sticking out of their purse!  I have even been to weddings where the old ladies would almost have a fist fight over who got the centerpiece when they weren't even told that anyone could have it. Crazy I tell ya!

 

Anyway, I originally thought about DIY'g my centerpieces to make it more sentimental but then, like you, I worried that all the hard work & thought that I had put into them would either be broken or walked off with. With that in mind I decided to bite the bullet and go to a florist to make centerpieces. I will be adding my own touches to the table w/the escort cards (I am attaching small sugar starfish to each escort card), cake table, & memory table (pictures of our grandparents & video/slideshow of our wedding). I figure this way I can give away the centerpieces that I purchased from the florist in some type of game & still not lose anything that I am sentimentally attached to. Hope this helps!

 

[kymish]

i agree with thomasjsgirl  if u really wanna use them just put them at the head table !! that way ur wedding party can help keep ur keepables safe !
 

Originally Posted by Thomasjsgirl 

It's a given that centrepieces go home with guests, after all, what are you going to do with multiples of the same arrangement? If you have very special pieces, then it's probably best to keep them on your head table where your girls can make sure they're gathered up at the end of the night, and leave your not so special pieces on the guest tables.

 

[meBonidie2be]

What if we do not have a wedding party? Our sweetheart table will be on the dance floor because of the layout of the venue. (it is a raised platform)

Still think my special beach items would be safe on our table?

[charitydawn]

I gotta say.. I have never been to a wedding where people took the centre peices.. it never occured to me that people would even think of taking them.. I know there are a few of our table decorations for the away wedding I am planning on keeping and getting engraved for a memory for a few people but there are other things that I would not think of anyone to take them.. hmmmm this may change my ahr centre peice ideas now lol

[pfeiffla]

I've honestly never heard of people just taking the centerpieces from a wedding.  I guess I would either put out little favors that say, "for you to take" or some neat poem and that may deter them from taking your centerpieces then!  You could also have someone clear the centerpieces after they've been enjoyed and before everyone gets drunk
 

Originally Posted by meBonidie2be 

I really appreciate all your feedback ladies. I wasn't sure if it was a given that ppl take the centerpieces. I guess I won't be able to use all the cool things i have from the beach. I have a feeling there will be alot of drunk ppl toward the end of the night and no matter where those items are they could come up missing. Thanks for the advice!

 

[bride6262]

i am with you girls...i have never been to a wedding where people take the centre pieces....i guess i assume they are rented cause from what i know from workingin a venue that did weddings every weekend most of the time the vases etc are rented by the bride and groom and not theirs to give away

[cdc150]

Why don't you have the venue clear the center pieces when they clear dessert?  By then most people are on the dance floor anyway.  That way they are out of the way and you can take them home with you at the end of the night, with a less chance of poeple stealing them. 

[belledame]

How about getting a few of your close folks to gather the center pieces after dinner/reception?