21 Compote Centerpieces That'll Upgrade Your Reception Tables

By Sarah Schreiber
October 23, 2018
Jose Villa

This might just be the prettiest centerpiece shape.

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Jose Villa

When it's time to choose your wedding centerpieces, you want to consider what type of reception table dynamic you're looking for. If you're attempting to create a high-drama, big-impact floral arrangement, you'll likely go with sky-high, vertical arrangement. These types of displays might make your guests' jaws drop, but they do have one downside—they definitely limit conversation once all attendees have taken their seats. If you want to encourage across-the-table, mid-dinner mingling, smaller-scale centerpieces are a better option. Luckily, going small doesn't have to mean sacrificing that wow factor.

Enter compote wedding centerpieces. These particular displays are petite and typically arranged in a small bowl or short vase. The most defining element of a compote centerpiece, however, is its overall shape—circular, with close-together blooms that don't obstruct the arrangement's vessel (you can typically see it!). Though this essentially sums up this specific centerpiece style, there is, of course, room for customization. Take this short arrangement by Nicolette Camille, for example. It's moody dahlias and garden roses (the color palette ties the arrangement back to the earthy gray tablecloth!) are decidedly short, but a few strategically-placed tall buds add a moment of verticality. 

Another way to bring a degree of personalization to these arrangements? Get creative with its vessel. Consider an antique bowl for classic celebrations, or a wooden iteration for a bohemian fête. This is also the perfect chance to incorporate a family heirloom (your "something old," perhaps?) into your wedding décor. Click through to discover the prettiest compote centerpieces to inspire your own.

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Pink and Red

Jen Huang
The 7 Most Popular Types of Wedding Centerpieces, Explained

Note the subtle draping effect used throughout this peachy-pink dahlia, red rose, and white scabiosa centerpiece from Fleuriste. The buds hanging over the side don't obscure the classic silver vessel, but also bring some major romance.

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All White

Cavin Elizabeth Photography

Peonies and verdant greens (this petite display was created by Compass Floral, Cavin Elizabeth Photography, and Farm Tables and More) look even fresher in a matching white ceramic vase.

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Muted

Rebecca Yale Photography

Searching for the perfect autumnal centerpiece? You've found it in this Emblem Flowers compote arrangement, featuring black cherries, chocolate cosmos, and snowberries.

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Mini

Erich McVey
Simple Wedding Centerpiece Ideas We Love

We know we said that compote centerpieces err on the smaller side, but this cheerful JL Designs creation is decidedly mini.

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Color Contrast

Ashley Ludaescher Photography

A burst of tiny yellow buds brings a pop of sunny color to an otherwise neutral centerpiece by April Flowers. We love how the arrangement's vessel—a stone planter that's taller than it is wide—proves that the compote shape can be achieved with a variety of different base types (not just a wide bowl!).

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Pretty Peonies

Alicia Mink Photography

A bright pink peony defines this sprawling display by Joy of Bloom, which also features ranunculus, spray roses, dandelions, astrantia, and dahlias. Pro tip: Take note of the space between the blooms and the table—this clear gap is one of the most noteworthy elements of the compote centerpiece.

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White and Green

The Edges

A polished silver urn is the focal point of this peony, tulip, and ranunculus centerpiece by Jacin Fitzgerald.

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Fruity

Jenn Emerling
Centerpieces with Fruits and Veggies

Looking to add an edible element to your centerpiece? Low-hanging fruit (in the case of this Marigold display, kumquats!) are always an option.

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Late Summer

Jose Villa

Most compote iterations are small and delicate, but this bold example from Nicolette Camille proves that they can run larger. A tilted base array of autumnal foliage also gives it a subtle asymmetricity.

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Autumnal

Gaetz Photography

Flared stems add structure and volume to an otherwise petite (and autumnal!) berry, mum, and peony centerpiece by June Bloom Events.

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Antique Bowl

Jen Huang

Dress up your on-display vessel with touches that speak to your wedding theme. Take this KD&J Botanica arrangement's planter bowls, which were distressed with subtle moss staining (a nod to the garden party!).

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Hints of Purple

Matteo Crescentini
Wedding Centerpiece Ideas We Love

Love the compote style, but are planning a modern fête? Consider something like this Jardin Divers creation, which reads as contemporary thanks to its rose gold base.

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Light and Bright

Love & Light Photographs

With a color palette (pink and purple!) this pretty, why wouldn't you want to put your centerpiece on a (small) pedestal? We love how Twisted Willow Flowers elevated this arrangement of bright clematis, peonies, and roses.

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Dark and Wintry

Alixann Loosle Photography
Winter Centerpieces to Bookmark Now

This classic shape can cater to the most fashion-forward blooms, à la this Urban Chateau Floral astilbe, maple leaf, dahlia, rice flower, rose, baby artichoke, hypericum, and snowberry arrangement.

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Dried Flowers

Clayton Austin

Now here's a centerpiece unlike all the rest. A mix of dried and fresh blooms, the rustic brown-toned spray is also situated in an etched wooden vase—a cool, contemporary touch.

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Harvest

Patrick Moyer
Fall Centerpieces that Nod to the Season

If floral centerpieces aren't for you—and you're tying the knot in the middle of the harvest season—consider arranging fruits into a compote shape, as seen here in this Oak & the Owl option.

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Matchy-Matchy

KT Merry

Bring neutral compote centerpieces (like these by Dina Touwani of Flora Lines) to the forefront by enunciating their base—pair the vessels with matching candlesticks for a cohesive pop.

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Leafy

KT Merry

Here's another example of the dramatic compote. This dynamic creation by Sarah Winward included Beatrice garden roses, Carmel Antique Garden roses, chocolate cosmos, and fall foliage including beech leaves and hops vines.

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Pastel

Jacqueline Campbell
The Prettiest Spring Centerpieces

We're just as married to the classic interpretation of the shape, though. This preppy piece by Twigg Botanicals incorporated acacia, freesia, amaryllis, stock, spirea, roses, ranunculus, and ferns, and was the anchor of the table.

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Winter Motifs

Maggie Grace Photography

Make like Just So. Event Floral and work the very best winter elements into your wintry wedding floral décor. Even better? Arrange all of those motifs into a round, compote shape.

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By Sarah Schreiber