Flowers are so expensive and we knew that from the get go. We weren't exactly looking forward to picking a florist and don't even want to spend a lot of money in that field. We are considering beta fish in bowls as centerpieces instead of flowers. We would have votive candles around the bowl, alternating between clear and dark blue. We are NOT getting married at the beach though, actually at a lakeside gazebo with the reception at an old mansion on the same property. Our color is navy blue so we would opt for the blue betas, probably the males since they have the long flowy fins. A part of me thinks it may look goofy since it's not a beach theme. The other part thinks who cares, it's our money and our wedding and it will be different than the usual flower centerpiece. Ladies, what are your thoughts, I've been stressing over it and it's so silly?!?!

Personally, I would not use fish for centerpieces. People probably will not want to take them home after the wedding and take care of them.

You can use lots of votives and maybe some rose petals to adorn the tables. Roe petals are inexpensive. HTH. :0)

I have seen several weddings on wedding shows where they use fish in the centerpiece. I think it looks fun. I think it is a good idea, if you have a place to keep the fish when your done. I agree with MsGlamour that people will not want to take them home.

I dont think it matters if it is part of your theme or not, you should do what you want, and if you like the idea of fish, then go with the fish.

I do like the idea of petals and votives, if you dont go with fish, you could still do a glass bowl with maybe one really large flower in each...with votives surrounding it....

I think it would be pretty even though its not a beach theme.

I do, however, agree with MsGlamour. What do you plan to do with the fish after? There are pleny alternatives that are low in cost. Instead of full floral arrangements try one stem submerged in a vase with votives surrounding it. Maybe add a floating candle to the top. This is a great look that's easy to DIY and very cost effective. You can probably get a stem of your favorite flower for the same price as the fish, minus the hassle.

Good Luck!

I would really be weary against using any live animal as part of your wedding day decor (dove releases, butterfly releases, fish centerpieces). Nothing says wedding like your guests staring at floating fish poo, or worse, an unfortunate fish death, while they are trying to eat and celebrate your day.

I went to a wedding with goldfish and those things went flying off the table like crazy. A low percentage would want to take them home, but if there's just one to a table, most of them should find a home. You could leave a little note saying "Take me home!" with instructions and stuff. I think they could look really cool with a modern vase, like a really tall cylinder or something with bright colored rocks at the bottom.

I did a quick search for you on Betta fish. Should you decide to use the fish, be sure to follow precautions for the safety/health of the betta. Check out these links... This one gives you great insight on the safety and things to consider when using live fish for centerpieces. Be sure to scroll all the way down...lol! http://www.healthybetta.com/articles/New%20To%20Bettas/centerpieces.htm This link shows you how to make a betta/plant centerpiece: http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com/fish-centerpiece.html I've made several arrangements like this over the years for myself and as gifts. You can make them very inexpensivley...less than $20 each. I found Walmart a great resource for the vases and the colored glass marbles.

I actually had thought about doing the same thing (except w/goldfish. But hey, beta fish, sounds even prettier!) BUT, a wedding planner told me she had had a client who did that and one of the fish died and that was like... eek, not cool! They had to fish out the dead fish in the middle of the reception. You also have to think about whether the surrounding votives are going to make the bowls thus the fish too hot. Sorry not to discourage you. But just wanted to share some feedback. Good luck!

Hope you don't take this as rude, but if I went to a wedding with fish on the tables it would scream that you were too cheap to get flowers. You can get very pretty flowers that are inexpensive or as MsGlam said, candle votives are classy and simple, but impressive. Or check out Loridecters thread about the upside down wine glasses with tall candles on the base. OR you could always do a simple flower centerpiece:


These are all orchids, but you can submerge almost any flower in water. This makes the flower look bigger and you dont realize its only one strand.

Fish? Well the first problem with beta fish is that they can't be kept together. If you're left with several, are you going to scatter your new family members around your house? If you go with fish, do goldfish because they are cheaper, can be used a "feeder" fish :(, and can be housed together if you decide to build a pond in your yard or an aquarium in you living room.

I also think votives would be cute. Even if you bought just really simple ikea 100 for $4 ones with tons of little glass votive cups for 50 cents to a dollar each. Clustering them would have a huge impact. Maybe 6-12 clustered on circular mirror in the center? Scatter some dried lavender or something else for layering? Or tulle overlay? Or burlap as loridecter had?
Just looking on ikea's website:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/39151700
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80074011
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50097995
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20114171
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/36418000
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00114167
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60118563
or one of these on each table?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/26472200

You could even add color by wrapping your "Wedding colors" around the glass votive by making ribbon bands around the glass. Maybe?