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20 Modern Wedding Centerpieces That'll Surprise Your Guests

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20 Modern Wedding Centerpieces That'll Surprise Your Guests

By Lauren Pardee

July 27, 2011

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Apryl Ann Photography

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

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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

Fiona Conrad

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

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Geometric Structures

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

Twah Dougherty

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

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Tropical Leaves

Aster + Olive Photography

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

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Masculine and Feminine Aesthetics

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

Elisa Bricker

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

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Statement-Making Cacti

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

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

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.