DIY Project: Flower Centerpieces and Napkin Set

On your wedding day, stay budget friendly by adding a few personalized details to basic white rentals. Stick with floor-length white linens, white or wooden chairs, white dishes, and simple glassware. Add your own colorful vintage napkins and bright seasonal flowers and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind look that’s recession friendly!

Step # 1: Colorful Vintage Napkins
An entire table filled with vintage florals can be overwhelming. Try cutting a vintage tablecloth into napkins for a one-of-a-kind touch.

You’ll need:

1 pressed standard round or square tablecloth (makes 8 napkins). Very readily available from $5-20 at antique and thrift stores or eBay. If you are buying for multiple tables, feel free to mix patterns, just stay in the same color family.
Scissors
Pins
A sewing machine or serger
A cloth napkin

Instructions:
Use a pre-made napkin as a pattern. Pin it to the pressed vintage cloth and cut around the pattern. Hem the edges with a sewing machine or serger. For more vintage charm, add thrifted or borrowed vintage utensils at each placesetting.

Step # 2 Bright Seasonal Flowers

Choose seasonal flowers based on the predominant colors of your vintage napkins. Try using just one variety in 2- 3 colors for the best impact.

You’ll need:

15-30 stems of seasonal flowers  (ranunculus shown) available from growers, florists, or grocery stores ($15-30)
3 Mix and match white dishes. Think outside the box. We've seen used toothbrush holders with the top removed. It works best if you use one large, one medium and one small. Make sure they are all of a low height. ($1-10)
Scissors or clippers

Start your arrangement by removing the greens from the flowers. Place the stems in the vase and make sure the blossoms are resting on the edge of the container. In between the blossoms, add greens. There is no need for floral foam because the stems will create a grid. Build your arrangement from the edge to the center and add buds so they sit a little less than an inch above your arrangement.  Use every part of the flowers to make your dollar stretch.

Step # 3 Flowery Favors

For an extra punch, add blossoms at each placesetting for guests to bring home.

You’ll need:

1 white egg cup or small container, available at kitchen shops or IKEA. ($1-$5)
2 stems of bright seasonal flowers (ranunculus shown) ($.50-$2)
Cut two blossoms at slightly different lengths and one piece of greenery. Arrange in container and set at each place-setting.

Total cost of this table for 8 was $45 including flowers, napkins + favors! Enjoy!