I took to the Twitter-verse yesterday afternoon looking for suggestions for easy-to-make tropical centerpieces for my friend’s upcoming bridal shower.  I couldn’t believe how many helpful, amazing suggestions I received!  One helpful tweeter recommended purchasing tall, clear vases and submerging bright colored orchids and some grass in water.  For a final beach-esque touch, she suggested adding some stones or seashells to the bottom.  Another faithful follower directed us to her website, the Lazy Bride’s Blog, where’s she’s posted some gorgeous ideas using pineapples and watermelons!

I also found a few ideas on my own that were both stunning and fairly easy to reproduce on a budget. Check out the images below and please share any ideas you might have in the comments section or through twitter @WeddingPaprDiva!

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Starfish in vase from DC NearlyWeds; Palm fronds centerpiece; Goldfish in Vase from Wedding on a Dime; Table setting from Emilie Inc. Photography; Sandy centerpieces from The Bridal Blog; Palm leaves centerpiece with lanterns from Beach Theme Weddings; Beach centerpiece from Handmade by Allison.

It’s happened to everyone:  You are attending the wedding of a friend that you know through work, your spouse or even a networking group.  Because you aren’t extremely close with this couple, you are seated at the “random” table, with all of the other people that don’t really know anyone else.  An awkward round of introductions happens and then silence prevails until the drinks start flowing.

I have the perfect solution to wedding seating chart awkwardness, and the best part?  It’s a DIY project that will cost you next to nothing!  These Topic Table Conversation Place Cards will get your guests laughing and chatting in no time:

What You’ll Need:

Computer Printable Place Cards (enough so each guest gets one!)

Your own creative mind

A computer and a printer

Instructions:

The idea is simple.  Simply buy your printable place cards and follow the instructions for running them through your home printer.  The creative part comes in with what’s actually on the cards!  Instead of just printing your guests name and table number, why not add challenging or thought provoking questions to get your guests chatting?  Some examples:

• If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?  Why?
• If you had to choose one meal to eat over and over for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• If you could re-do your wedding, what would you change?  What would you keep the same?

What guests will be talking up a storm in no time!

As I was passing through the office last week, I noticed a huge, red see-throughish ball of string the size of an exercise stability ball in our creative department.  It immediately caught my eye-I have a strange love for anything geometric with a mess of lines and squiggles running through it- and I had to ask where it came from.  It was clearly perfect for a variety of wedding styles; Hang it from the ceiling and you’ll have a unique wedding decoration.  String it to a hanging lamp cord and you have an amazing lantern.  I can even imagine it in some very modern, edgy wedding photos being held by the bride and groom.  Without further ado, I present:

String Theory Pendant Lamps  (courtesy of ReadyMade)

You’ll need:

• Round Balloons
• Crochet Thread (color of your choice)
• Fabric stiffner
• Hanging Lamp cord and socket
• Light bulbs
• Ceiling Hooks
• Takeout container lids (optional)
• Scissors
• Drop Cloth
• Bowl
• Rubber Gloves
• Foam Brush
• Clothespin
• Needle

Start by blowing up a balloon to the desired size of your ball.  Begin wrapping the crochet string around the inflated balloon, adding the fabric stiffener as you go along.  Wrap until your ball has the desired transparency and amount of string.  Let the ball dry overnight, then pop the balloon and pull it out through a hole in the string.  Add all the hardware and hang.  Voila!  An amazing wedding decoration for any budget!

For more detailed instructions, visit the original post at ReadyMade.