bountiful citrus centerpieces & fruitful design ideas

one of the freshest, easiest, most unique ways to add color to your wedding is to use fruit — it's bountiful, vibrant, inviting, and what's more? it's affordable.

think about it. a full vase of orchids can run you hundreds, but a bag of oranges is what, a few dollars? i adore the organic, rustic effect of adding fruit to wedding decor, and the fact that florists can often do magic with it without relying solely on expensive florals is just a huge bonus.

bouquets of apples and roses are shabby chic yet always elegant, and the eclectic tablescape above left, with its crisp green granny smiths, Brussels sprouts, hydrangeas and kale is so earthy and lovely it's hard to believe how simple it must have been to arrange.

the cake, above right, is absolutely charming with its citrus accents and colors, and would go beautifully with equally simple centerpieces consisting of nothing but fresh fruit and a gorgeous glass vase, like the one shown here.

above, spiny fruits, bowls of kumquats, suspended vases of citrus and exotic flowers set against bright linens beckon guests to a tropical feast. it's simple chic at its best.

for my own wedding, i had wanted dramatic columns of color at the head of the aisle, but had run out of ideas in terms of flower choices. i had already done massive displays of orchids, parrot tulips, and peonies...so what to do?

my florist — the ever fabulous shelby nolan of green leaf designs — came up with towers of fresh oranges with accents of rosemary for my tuscan-themed wedding, and i was sold. fruit is just delicious, no matter how you look at it, isn't it?

design & photo credits
apple centerpiece • ehow; citrus wedding cake • photo courtesy of getmarried.com, cake by maisiefantasie; greens tablescape and citrus centerpiece • the knot; tropical fruit tablescape • photo and linens courtesy of bbj linen; orange colums • photo by benjamin james