10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Wedding Floral Centerpieces

Planning a wedding feels exciting, but it also brings many decisions. One choice that often surprises couples? Picking the right wedding floral centerpieces.

Flowers set the tone. They speak through colour, shape, and scent. They pull together the tables, the mood, and even the photos. But picking floral centrepieces without a plan can lead to mistakes—some small, others costly.

This guide helps you sidestep ten common errors when choosing flowers for wedding tables. Whether you love roses, sunflowers, or wild grasses, we’ll help you build a look that fits your space, your story, and your guests.

1. Choosing Flowers That Block Views

Guests gather at tables to talk, laugh, and enjoy the meal. If centrepieces block their faces, that joy fades. Tall or wide arrangements may look grand, but can ruin conversations.

Fix It:

Choose pieces with slim bases and high tops, or keep the whole arrangement low. Either way, make sure guests can see across the table without stretching or turning.

2. Ignoring the Venue’s Temperature

Singapore’s heat and humidity can test even the strongest petals. Some flowers wilt under hot lights or air-con. Others droop if they wait too long without water.

Fix It:

Pick hardy flowers like orchids, anthuriums, or chrysanthemums. Avoid soft blooms like hydrangeas or tulips unless the venue stays cool. If your event is outdoors, consider dried flowers or preserved options that handle heat better.

3. Not Matching the Centrepieces With the Table Shape

The shape of the table changes what kind of centrepiece works best. Mismatched shapes look unbalanced and create empty spots or overcrowding.

Fix It:

Use this guide to help match flower shapes with table layouts.

Table Shape vs. Centrepiece Type

4. Using Strong-Smelling Flowers

Some guests may react to heavy scents. Others may find it hard to enjoy food with perfume in the air. Flowers like lilies or tuberoses smell strong and can overpower a space.

Fix It:

Stick to lighter-scented blooms for the tables. Use fragrant flowers sparingly and place them near entryways or outside lounges where people spend less time eating.

5. Forgetting the Lighting in the Room

Bright flowers under dim lights can look dull. Pale flowers may disappear in strong lighting. Photography also changes how colours appear.

Fix It:

Visit your venue at the same time of day as your event. Bring flower samples or colour cards to check how they appear under natural and artificial lighting. You can also test flash photography on your phone.

6. Not Thinking About the Full Theme

Flowers should not stand alone. They must blend with the rest of your wedding details, including table settings, outfits, and fabric colours. When centrepieces don’t match the theme, they feel out of place.

Fix It:

Build a visual guide. Pin photos of your gown, bridesmaids’ dresses, and decor items together. Bring that to your florist or decorator. If your event includes wedding church decor, make sure the church aisle and altar flowers carry similar tones or textures.

A golden tip: carry a swatch of fabric from your dress or table linen. Match flower tones to it under natural light.

7. Overcrowding the Table

Too many flowers crowd the plates. They leave no room for glasses, favours, or even elbows. Guests may knock over vases or feel squeezed.

Fix It:

Measure your table space. Draw a rough layout of where plates, cutlery, and decorations go. Use floral arrangements that fit within that space without reaching too far outward.

A few smaller arrangements often work better than one large one. They allow guests more space and still look full.

8. Picking Flowers Too Late

Many popular flowers are seasonal or need to be ordered in advance. Some blooms fade fast and require careful planning. If you wait too long, you may not get the colours or styles you want.

Fix It:

Start talking to your florist early—at least three months before your wedding. If you have a rare bloom in mind, start even sooner. Ask what flowers are in season and how long they last after cutting.

Also, check if public holidays or festivals affect flower supply. During peak times, prices rise, and stock runs low.

9. Forgetting to Reuse Ceremony Flowers

Couples often double their flower budget by treating the ceremony and reception as separate. But most floral items from your wedding church decor can move to your dinner venue.

Fix It:

Design with reuse in mind. Use flower stands, arches, and arrangements that can move easily. Assign someone from your team or a helper to shift them right after the ceremony. Entryway pieces can become stage decor. Aisle flowers can frame your photo area.

This simple step cuts waste, saves money, and keeps your wedding style consistent.

10. Skipping the View From Above

Guests and photographers often snap pictures from above. Whether it’s from a balcony, drone, or staircase, the top view shows details you may miss from the ground.

Fix It:

Design your centrepieces with height, width, and shape in mind. Include layers—leaves, fillers, and accents that look good from all directions. Step back and check from different angles during mock-ups.

Photographers love symmetrical and full arrangements. Make sure yours catches the eye from any spot in the room.

Bonus: Unexpected Factors to Watch

Beyond flowers, other elements can ruin centrepiece magic. Watch out for these:

• Wobbly tables: Test for balance. Heavy arrangements tip easily.
• Wind (outdoor events): Flowers blow over. Use stable bases or weights.
• Pests: Avoid sweet-smelling blooms outdoors where bees or ants might gather.

Thinking ahead prevents awkward moments.

Quick Flower Style Match Guide

Use this table to match flowers with your wedding style.

Conclusion

Your wedding floral centerpieces do more than just dress the table. They bring beauty, warmth, and memory to every photo and every guest’s view. But the smallest oversight can cause discomfort or create a clash.

Avoid these ten mistakes by thinking ahead. Check how your flowers will look, smell, fit, and flow with the rest of your décor. Make them match your tables, lighting, and your wedding church decor too.

With careful planning, you’ll shape floral displays that feel natural, look graceful, and create lasting joy. Your guests will remember the mood, the colours, and the way your day bloomed with heart.

Author: JM Floral Creation