How much did your branch centerpieces cost?

I want very simple centerpieces at my wedding that basically look like this (I'm undecided on the crystals), with votive candles on the table to add warmth. How much would something like this cost me? I'm on a really tight floral budget.





http://www.flowerchat.com/photopost/show...

How much did your branch centerpieces cost?
You can make these yourself. Could probably be done for around $70 - $80 each if you shop wisely.





Branches - 8 - 10 or more, depending on the size of the vase


Vase - shop Wal-Mart, and off price stores to find the best price


Ribbon around top of vase - watch sales and look for coupons for fabric stores, Michaels or Hobby Lobby type stores


Crystals - about 20 - 25 per centerpiece You can use old earrings you pick up at flee markets, garage sales, resale shops. These don't have to be identical as long as they are all the same clear glass. Here are some options from OTC, but by the time you buy these individually, they will add up quickly.


http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...


http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...


http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...


VOTIVE %26amp; CUP - less than $1 each http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...


These might be safer and easier to attach to the branches: http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicati...


Rocks - probably least expensive at Wal-Mart in the floral department or at the craft store
Reply:about $75 to $170
Reply:Cut your own branches. You might be able to rent the vases for less than you can buy them.
Reply:Im doing this too but man, it can be expensive. Here's what you do:


go on a walk with your fiancee to find the branches. Look for ones with LOTS of branchy off-shoots. Take them home and paint them (or leave them natural) you can paint them black, white, silver, whatever. use spray paint. go to this website for crystals: www.gspncrystal.com you can buy them for $6 per yard and you can also buy single drop crystals in any color. No minimum order!! When you are done painting the branches, wrap wire around the bottom to keep them in place. You will need a fdew branches per tree. You can also hot glue flowers to the branches. I used about 3 yards per tree so thats $18 per tree. Put them in a pretty, tall vase. For the votives, buy plain glass votive holders with a lip on them. You can get them at michaels for $1. Wrap wire around the lip and hang them in the tree. You can use manzanita branches for these things but they are EXPENSIVE!!!! you can email me at bluegurl1700@yahoo.com for any questions, good luck!!! ps the crystals on this site are real crystal. dont use plastic, they will just look like....plastic!!
Reply:If there is a forest near you, it wont cost you anything but a Saturday spent searching!


For the vases, compare prices in stores and renting from your florist. If you buy them, how much can you sell them for?


If you dont use the crystals, you could use a little glue + glitter to (sparingly) add sparkle to some of the branches.


I think those are really cool centrepieces.
Reply:if you have a forest around you nothing.


you can even contact your local parks department or a few tree trimmers and ask for them to keep long branches for you.


if you wanted to add sparkle w/o the crystals hanging down... try the project pages of save-on-crafts.com they have crystallized branches.


you just take craft glue and coat the branches... sprinkle on chunky plastic glitter and let dry. the candle light will catch on them.


i think it's $4 a bag and the bag does a lot of branches.





depending on when you are getting married... you can shop after christmas sales when ornaments and decorations are on clearance. you might be able to get the sparklely crystals or other dangly decor for the branches





oh the vases... you can get them at walmart for about $10 each. or post on craigslist that you are looking for vases and someone might have left overs. they don't have to all match. that would add to the uniqueness of the look.