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Not for a wedding, but I have used regular branches for a centerpiece. I picked ones that had many small branches towards the tip. I sprayed them one set black (another time white) then added small silk flowers.
ETA this is not my centerpiece but very similar. I just put an ad on craigslist asking for free branches from anyone pruning their trees.
It's really very simple to do. Fill your container with plaster of paris, insert branch(spray painted or not) , let set, attach silk flowers.
There is one challenge with these centerpieces though- you need a fair bit of storage space to make these ahead of time.
We used regular tree branches from our backyard to make our centerpieces. I don't have pictures of them here, but I did receive compliments on them. They were just tree branches set in concrete, covered in floral moss, and ribbon on the bottom.
My only suggestion would be to use 'green' branches --not in colour [necessarily], but rather, young, healthy growth and not dried out old branches as the thin branches can become quite brittle when dry.
I haven't used branches as wedding centerpieces, but I have done other projects with them.
@missmouse29: did you have to cut your branches the day you used them? Or were you able to cut them a few days before hand?
I have made these up weeks ahead with no problem.
The PP is correct though, you do need to be careful not to break the tips.
Starting with cutting your own green growing branches certainly wouldn't hurt, but I have also taken cuttings off large tree limbs in a pile of pruning with no problems.
@julies1949: great, thanks for your help! I am out of my comfort zone in DIYing anything :)
I'm going to be using tree branches for my centerpieces... glad to know others do it too!
We made a wish tree for my sister's baby shower. After a big rainstorm drove around and picked up the branches that had broken off of trees till we found the perfect one. Spray painted it white and put it in a put with some sand. Turned out to be over 6 feet tall! My sister loved it so much she put it in her house as decor. :)
@baletrina: and it held up after it had dried out? I want to make mine pretty far in advance if I can
@HappilyEverAfter54: It usually takes branches a few months to dry out, unless in direct sun and heat... you should be okay.
Just spent the afternoon at the park and all the leafless branches got me wondering about using hand-picked branches for the centerpieces.
in the northeast, all the trees are dormant right now. in a few months, they'll be full of buds/leaves. whens the right time to prune the branches and set aside?? Concerned about becoming brittle and "dying" (is this possible?) I would be spray painting them, too.
I'll be using branches for mine too. I can't bring myself to pay for what's free.
@sbourgeous: when are you going to start collecting them? waiting until next fall?
Hmm... I'm thinking sometime in October. It's not like they're going to disappear though, so getting them super early isn't really a necessity. I might even wait until November, but it depends if it's started snowing by then or not.
We are moving into a house with a grapefruit tree in the back yard! how lucky am I that I picked my colors as Blues, Yellows, and Oranges... uh grapefruits are yellow:) and i plan on using some of the greenery from the trees as well, for my centerpieces...
I also have a few other trees in my yard that yes, I will us branches from:) Great Idea, and extremely easy on the budget:)
I asked my aunt (who is an awesome gardner) about branches and she told me to cut them off a tree before the buds appear. So I cut mine in May ( I live way up north :)). Then she said to hang them upside down to dry out so they wouldn't become decayed, mushy, bug infested or too brittle. So far it has worked perfectly!! I'm getting married Sat so I will post a pic when I can!
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I would love to use manzanita branches but they are a little out of my budget:( I was wondering if anyone has used regular branches and has gotten good results? Thanks so much for your time, I appreciate it!! (Please upload a pic if you did, thanks)