Many brides are looking to stretch their budget this year and as a result “do-it-yourself” has become one of the most popular wedding trends of 2010. However, even when you’re planning on “doing it yourself,” it’s important to also consider how much time and effort it will take to create your vision – after all, time is money. A simple, yet classy example of how you can save both time and money when planning your wedding is with your wedding centerpieces.

Wedding centerpieces are an excellent way to add a touch of both your main and accent colors to the table. Before you go out and start planning your centerpieces, talk to the venue coordinator at your reception hall to see if their signature centerpieces are complimentary or if you can bring your own in free of charge. Occasionally banquet halls will be able to customize their centerpieces with your main color, free of charge, which saves you both time and money. If your reception venue does charge for their centerpieces, this might be a great time to “do it yourself.”

As with most do-it-yourself wedding ideas, centerpieces are fairly inexpensive, and can be as simple as ornate as you like. The most popular centerpieces start off as a glass vase with the bottom filled with glass beads or marbles. Finish off this simple, yet elegant centerpiece by placing silk flowers or even your bridesmaids’ bouquets in the vase! When creating your centerpieces, it’s important to not limit yourself creatively. Experiment with different styles and sizes of vases and try twisting and turning your flowers into a creative design when placing them into the vase. A variation on the classic flower centerpiece is a candle, surrounded by a hurricane vase. It will add an extra bit of light to your table and illuminate your wedding colors.

All of these supplies are readily available from your local craft store. And remember – when you create your own centerpieces the only limit is your imagination!