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  6. 20 Modern Wedding Centerpieces That'll Surprise Your Guests
Martha Stewart Weddings

20 Modern Wedding Centerpieces That'll Surprise Your Guests

lauren pardee associate digital editor martha stewart weddings
By Lauren Pardee
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ashley adam wedding texas centerpiece terracotta
Credit: Apryl Ann Photography

These sleek and chic displays will elevate your reception's contemporary tablescapes.

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ashley adam wedding texas centerpiece terracotta
Credit: Apryl Ann Photography

A modern wedding theme typically implies clean lines, bright colors, and a new take on old traditions. While you can bring contemporary wedding details to life in a multitude of ways (through stationery, big-day fashion, and place settings, for starters), we think one of the best ways to add an extra dose of modern flair to your event is through fresh, textured wedding centerpieces. Short or tall, simple or extravagant, modern wedding centerpieces serve as the focal point for every reception table—and, if they're anything like the arrangements ahead, they'll function as a conversation starter for guests, too.

To properly execute your contemporary floral vision, begin by working with your florist to determine which flowers (or non-floral selections) give off modern vibes, so they won't be perceived as too rustic, romantic, or vintage. Once you've identified your preferred blooms—and the right color palette—take a look at your vases. Square shapes tend to feel modern, but so can vessels in every size and shape as long as they have those aforementioned clean lines and sleek compositions. Follow these simple steps and you'll wind up with a modern wedding centerpiece you absolutely love, guaranteed.

Looking for modern wedding centerpieces to jumpstart your own ideas? Take this arrangement by Bows + Arrows and 

Rico Terre

, which completely elevated this minimalistic tablescape, for example. The use of of ranunculus, muscari, andromeda, poppy, larkspur, echinacea, and sweet pea in terra cotta pots immediately commanded guests' attention at this wedding. Also take note of this tabletop's multiple elements: When designing a modern centerpiece, it's important that each accent, including non-floral components like candles, feels cohesive in the scope of the entire table. 

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Whimsical Bell Jars

risa ross wedding brooklyn new york centerpiece
Credit: Fiona Conrad

Putnam & Putnam filled bell jars with colorful flowers and greenery to create this whimsical, modern arrangement.

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Geometric Structures

molly adam wedding centerpiece
Credit: Marissa Maharaj
20 Geometric Wedding Ideas That Are Anything But Square

This wedding's centerpieces consisted of geometric structures that were decorated with blooms by Scarlett & Grace.

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Fruity Display

Navy and White Wedding inspiration Shoot at Wave Hill, Place Settings
Credit: Twah Dougherty

Apples, oranges, and off-white florals made up this modern centerpiece by Hessney & Co.

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Tropical Leaves

tropical modern wedding centerpiece
Credit: Aster + Olive Photography

Plantscaping and Blooms displayed tropical leaves throughout this tall iron centerpiece.

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Masculine and Feminine Aesthetics

hessney weylin shoot centerpiece
Credit: Roey Yoahi Photography

This modern display by Hessney & Co. featured a mix of dark greenery and white florals, which created an equally masculine and feminine aesthetic.

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Dainty Wildflowers

dainty modern wedding centerpiece
Credit: Elisa Bricker

Mallory Joyce arranged dainty wildflowers in small, deep dishes to create these modern centerpieces.

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Statement-Making Cacti

modern wedding centerpiece made of cacti
Credit: Elyse Hall Photography
Trending Now: Cactus Wedding Ideas

This desert-inspired centerpiece by Atelier De LaFleur showcased a large, gold vase filled with cacti.

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Abstract Vessels

Peach, Green, and Gold Tablescape
Credit: Jona Christina

Open Road Florals created this centerpiece out of single dried sprigs, which were placed in abstract vessels.

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Mixed Vases

modern wedding centerpiece with copper and glass vessels
Credit: Marisa Albrecht

This bride's close friend, Lindsey Lucas, constructed her reception's centerpieces out of glass and copper vases, which were displayed on a wooden plank.

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Desert Pampas Grass

pampas grass modern wedding centerpiece
Credit: Tiarra Sorte

Geometric-shaped vases, some filled with pampas grass, made up this ultra-modern display by Rawfinery.

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Moody Non-floral Display

Peach, Green, and Gold Tablescape
Credit: Solie Designs
36 Simple Wedding Centerpieces

Bixby + Pine created this dramatic non-floral centerpiece out of jewel-toned candles.

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Cone-Shaped Pots

Cone Shaped Modern Wedding Centerpiece
Credit: Our Story Creative

Moss Floral used unexpected cone-shaped pots with rounded edges as centerpieces at this reception.

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Single-Bud Vessels

modern wedding centerpiece made of wildflowers
Credit: Paper Antler

Colorful wildflowers in single-bud vessels were placed around a larger floral arrangement in this modern Briar Loft display.

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Sculptural Centerpieces

amy-sheldon-wedding-table-00008-s112088-0815.jpg
Credit: Trent Bailey Photography

Paul Phoa created these fresh arrangements out of lilacs, stems, and wooden sculptures.

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Bright Centerpieces

katie-brian-wedding-table-3015-s111885-0515.jpg
Credit: Gideon Photo

These bright, patterned creations from Twigg Botanicals put a modern spin on traditional wedding centerpieces.

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Pattern Play

Modern black, white and bright wedding centerpiece
Credit: Jeremiah and Rachel Photography
Combining Patterns in Your Wedding Decor

This black-and-white striped runner provided a contemporary backdrop for this colorful centerpiece by Mum's Flowers.

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Mix and Match

reception tables
Credit: Jesse Leake

Natalie Bowen Designs decorated this eclectic tablescape white pots of cacti and wicker baskets.

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Tropical Tone

Modern summer wedding centerpiece
Credit: Jacoby Photo & Design

Snapdragon Studio displayed summery florals and fresh greenery in white vases on the reception tables of this contemporary celebration.

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Clear Décor

bailey-dominic-rw0113-0031-4598.jpg
Credit: StudioAustin Weddings

These modern centerpieces by The Nouveau Romantics were comprised of clear vases that held foxglove, begonia foliage, thistle, and umbrella fern.

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    1 of 20
    2 of 20 Whimsical Bell Jars
    3 of 20 Geometric Structures
    4 of 20 Fruity Display
    5 of 20 Tropical Leaves
    6 of 20 Masculine and Feminine Aesthetics
    7 of 20 Dainty Wildflowers
    8 of 20 Statement-Making Cacti
    9 of 20 Abstract Vessels
    10 of 20 Mixed Vases
    11 of 20 Desert Pampas Grass
    12 of 20 Moody Non-floral Display
    13 of 20 Cone-Shaped Pots
    14 of 20 Single-Bud Vessels
    15 of 20 Sculptural Centerpieces
    16 of 20 Bright Centerpieces
    17 of 20 Pattern Play
    18 of 20 Mix and Match
    19 of 20 Tropical Tone
    20 of 20 Clear Décor

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    20 Modern Wedding Centerpieces That'll Surprise Your Guests
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