Hi! I think I can help!
I'm doing my own CPs to save $$ too, as what the florists were quoting me was way over my floral budget!
I love candles and photography, so I decided to mix both for our CPs.
I bought most of the items at
AC Moore using their 40% off & 50% off coupons and shopping sales. Their website has the weekly flyer & coupons (type in your zip code to find the flyer & coupon for the store near you), so it makes it easier to plan what you need to buy before you go to the store. Their sales are cyclical, so every so often, you'll see the same sale on candles, candleholders, etc. If you miss one, they'll have it on sale again soon.
For my CPs, in the center of each table will be a round beveled-edge mirror (my RH said the pillar candle would need to be on a base, not directly on the tablecloth). On top of the mirror will be a black wrought-iron pillar candlestick with a white pillar candle. Around the mirror & candlestick will be 6 white votive candles in glass candleholders. I'm printing out photos of FH and I to put in picture frames in between the candles. Then I'm having rose petals scattered around to finish the CP.
I seriously saved a lot of money by using the coupons and shopping the sales. I made up a side-by-side price comparison list, using the regular price for all the CP items, and then the sale price, and I managed to save about $100 with those coupons, thanks to several LIW brides who suggested it! In total, I spent $194 on all 10 tables, instead of $900 on low floral CPs from the florist.
The mirror base can be found at AC Moore, and yesterday I saw smaller ones (2 in a pkg) at Michaels. Both craft stores also sell the floating candle bowls and tall glass vases and usually have those on sale at certain times of the year. The floating candles are on the same aisle as the glass bowls. Make sure the glass bowl says it's made for floating candles, so it doesn't crack or shatter from the heat. Before buying all the candles, make sure you check the 'burn time' on them so they'll be appropriate for the amount of time you'll have them lit at your reception.
As for rose petals, both stores sell silk rose petals in different colors (red, pink, white, cream, etc). Or you can ask your florist to provide real rose petals in whatever color you'll need, which is what I'm doing.
There's also a website called
Surroundings that has a bunch of candle centerpiece kits for sale. You can order from them, or you can use the pictures to get an idea of what you want and then make them yourself.
HTH!
