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I don't think there is a rule when it comes to this. There are always some guests, (usually older women) who want to take the centerpieces home but at the end of the day they belong to you and no one expects that they will be given away. I've been to weddings and other events where the centerpieces are blatantly given away with some game or putting a sticker under one place setting at each table. But I've also been to weddings were the centerpieces were rented and no one seemed to mind that they couldn't take them home.
My advice is either ask some of your friends and family to be look outs at the end of the event to keep an eye out for anyone trying to take them, (this could be a job for your DOC as well). Also you could put tiny cards/stickers under the centerpieces that says something like "rented. please do no take with you". you can put that on the table under the centerpiece so if someone was to lift it up they would see it.
I have not ever seen this happen but I have heard rumors of people doing this. Personally I would never do it! I like the idea of putting a note under the centerpiece so that people would not walk off with them. I would also put the word out among family and friends to not let any centerpieces walk off.
I have never seen this happen, but I've heard of it. I definitely do not think your guests will be expecting it.
I wanted to add that this may be a regional thing because I've seen this happen, (to some degree) at every wedding I've been to. I've even been to weddings were the hosts or parents would push me to take the huge centerpieces.
The only time I saw it happen was when the bride had DIYed them and wanted everyone to take them. At the end of the night she was literally pushing them into people's arms saying "oh, are you leaving, here take a centerpiece! You already have one? Well take two!" lol. But yeah, just try to spread the word and no one will take them. Renting vases and stuff is common enough that people will understand. And get your mom on your side asap! Because if she tells people that they're ok to take she'll undercut the whole thing.
I know a lot of people who give away floral centerpieces because most couples wouldn't want a whole bunch of centerpieces kicking around their house as they head off for a honeymoon. That way someone gets to keep enjoying the flowers for a while. A lot of people incorporate it into a game - like the centerpiece goes to the person with the next birthday or the person with a sticker under their plate, but sometimes it's considered a free for all. I've never heard of someone taking a non-floral centerpiece and seeing as people are going away from the typical floral centerpiece I would assume less people would just up and grab them.
To avoid it completely I would say they're rented - like meowkers said - put something under them so if someone picks it up they see a RENTED sign. And keep people on the look out for someone trying to walk off with it.
Whoa, I would never say it is a rule that people take the centerpieces! I would never expect that. And anyhow I doubt it will be some kind of free-for-all after the wedding. After all, if you have 10 people at a table, who's to say which person gets to take it? I have seen them given away before but I have never known of anyone expecting to take it. I wouldn't worry about this much -- unless as someone said, it is a regional thing that I don't know anything about. But I still don't understand how it would be determined who takes it without you giving it to them. I'd be surprised if someone just snatched it.
at our wedding, people asked first before taking centerpieces. for me, i had no idea what to do with them and had spent all that money on flowers so i was glad to have them go to good use. but i'm sure if i said no it wouldn't have been an issue.
If they have flowers maybe you could give them to people to use while the flowers are in them and alive and just ask that they be returned or something. I've never seen where they were giving away or people were taking the centerpieces, but I've heard of it on the bee. I don't thinkk people are really expecting to be able to take them home and just tell your mom that you'd like to keep them/sell them whatever. Don't let her undermine you on this one.
I was bridesmaid in a wedding last October and those of us who stayed after to help clean took home some of the centerpieces (they were potted and lovely), but mostly because the bride's mother was shoving them in our hands. She had no idea about what to do with 30 centerpieces. However, she made a big deal about it - otherwise I would have never had thought about taking them with me. I would say spread the word around your immediate family that they're not going home with people and those who stay after will make sure that they're all left.
I'd have favors, even if it were something like homemade cookies. Anything! Anything to keep these people from taking the centerpieces.
When I married my ex, I have some cousins who walked off with my very large expensive centerpieces. They took FOUR. It made my sister yell at them. She lost it.
Seriously, if it were you, I'd have the dj or entertainment actually address this and say "the centerpieces are just that and are not to be removed by the way. But do get a favor when you leave."
I'd have a tag under them that says rented. return on Sunday or something like that. Something as a further deterrant.
Some guests think a wedding is their free-for-all and it's something I'm not too fond of.
Thank you so much for your responses. :) I think the note under each centerpiece is a great way to inform my guests that they are not for the taking. It's funny, I checked with my aunt and my FI's mom and they too said that guests usually take the centerpieces. Maybe it's a generational thing?? I dunno. I've only been to a handful of wedding and have never experienced this myself. Hopefully they will be satisfied with their chocolate favors.
I've seen that happen at weddings- people taking centerpieces. Floral ones make sense somewhat, but non floral ones? I've always wondered what they do with them when they get home? Of course they look lovely at the wedding, but does it look at good on your own dining room table?
I think it's a cultural thing as well. I know here in texas, at most Hispanic weddings and 15th birthday parties taking the centerpiece is common and almost expected, at least that has been my experience at them.
wow i'm surprised so many of you haven't heard of guests taking the centerpieces! at every wedding i've ever been to people have taken the gorgeous centerpieces. the bride and groom don't want them and what the hell would they do with 20 centerpieces anyway lol majority of the time their relatives go around encouraging guests to take them. sooo with that said, i believe the same tactic can work for you. have your mom dad sister whomever (close relatives/friends) say that you'd like to keep the centerpieces since you have other plans for their use. i'm pretty sure, judging by the types of centerpieces not too many people will be able to take them anyway since they're branches and will be awkward for them to carry out. good luck!
it is cultural. in puerto rican weddings you are expected to take the centerpieces. i had never been in a puerto rican wedding were you cant take the centerpieces. that been said i think that putting a little note under the centerpieces and have people on your family watching out it can help. good luck
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We're paying for our wedding ourselves and are looking to cut costs. We recently purchased beautiful branch centerpieces and plan to sell them after our event. My mother says it's customary for guests to take the centerpieces after the event. (News to me.) We are also giving out favors, so they're not leaving empty handed. Is there any way to keep them from taking our centerpieces without being tacky??