Wedding reception flower arrangements from a florist can be extremely expensive. They can cost hundreds of dollars a piece according to articles in different wedding magazines.

To me, this kind of expense is crazy!

So, if you are like me, you can either do without flowers at your reception or you can make your own. Here is a simple idea for you.

You will need two or three varieties of long-stemmed flowers in similar colors, tall non-see-through vases, several yards of white tulle, and ribbon.

Choose silk flowers with long stems. Some will have to be shorter than others in the display. If not, you will need to trim them so you will need strong scissors or small floral wire cutters as well.

You can buy nice looking silk flowers at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and Garden Ridge. I am sure there are other good craft stores but these are the stores in my city where I have purchased good quality silk flowers.

Purchase a tall vase that you cannot see through. It can be dark glass or metal. Place the tallest stems in the back of the vase. Place another variety of flowers with the stems about two inches shorter in front of the first row. You will want to make three or four rows of flowers, each row one to two inches shorter.

Clip the stems of the third row of flowers to get them shorter and place in the vase. If you have a fourth row of flowers, clip them one to one and a half inches shorter than the third row.

If you are happy with the balance of the flowers, drape them and the vase with a length of tulle. Tie a length of ribbon around the vase to secure the tulle. Pull the tulle out over the ribbon. The tulle gives your wedding reception flower arrangements a soft, romantic look. It also hides the fact that the flowers are silk and conceals display imperfections.

These large displays should be placed in corners and on gift and cake tables.

Smaller versions of this arrangement can be placed as centerpieces on the bride and groom's table.
<p>
Get creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with silk flowers. Try to create arrangements that you see in wedding magazines. It takes practice but if you start out months ahead of time, you can put an arrangement together that will be perfect for your wedding day!

Wedding reception floral arrangements can be easily and inexpensively made by you. A good idea is to purchase some large clear thin bowls used for floating candle displays.

Line the bowls with silk rose petals. Put a block of floral foam in the bowl on top of the rose petals and stick silk rose stems into it. Make sure the floral foam does not show. The heads of the roses should rest just above the glass bowl without the stems showing so the stems will need to be trimmed. The roses should be right next to each other.

Experiment with this until you are happy with the way it looks. Start making your wedding reception floral arrangements months before your wedding so you have plenty of time.

The rose bowls can be displayed as is or a pillar candle can be placed on either side of the bowl. The large ones should be placed on the cake table, the gift table, and the bride and groom's table. If there is a place card table or a favor table, a rose bowl can be placed there as well.

Smaller versions of this rose bowl can be placed as centerpieces on each dining table.

Another idea for using bowls is to line the bowl with vines of leaves or pussy willow stems (silk, of course) in a circular pattern and then place the floral foam inside and stick floral stems of your choice into the bowl. Trim the stems so the flower heads rest just above the glass bowl rim.

In place of glass bowls, pretty baskets can be used as well. Line the basket with raffia or a piece of pretty fabric that hangs partially out of the basket in your wedding colors. Place floral foam in the basket, trim stems to the appropriate length, and stick them in the foam. Flower heads should rest just above the basket top.