The water, the rocks, the trees, the (hopefully) sunshine—what’s better than a relaxed wedding at the cottage? Use these ideas for centrepieces that truly reflect your cottage’s laid-back, natural vibe.
Rustic centrepiece ideas for a cottage wedding
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Spring flowers arranged in a wrapping of birch bark—chances are, you can find most of the ingredients for this pretty centrepiece in your back yard. Settle them in a mason jar and you’re set.

Use a two-inch round cut from a log as a natural base for recycled jars with wildflowers (add food colouring to the water if you’re ambitious), shells, or even potted plants. You can also cut smaller rounds and paint table numbers on them for table markers.

Stop by the dollar store for some inexpensive glass vases, and fill them with interesting finds from the beach. No beach? Twigs, leaves or candles work, too.

Take a coffee can, some sticks, and some burlap, add some wildflowers— voila! Instant centrepiece. Instructions: www.factorydirectcraft.com

Don’t want to schlep fragile fresh flowers to the cottage? These pretty paper flowers make a lovely centrepiece in a dollar-store vase or mason jar filled with river rocks. Instructions: www.makinghousesbeautiful.wordpress.com.

You probably have a stump lying around the cottage somewhere. A paddle bit and a drill turns that old stump into a simple, elegant candleholder. Instructions: www.twoityourself.com.

Add an old-fashioned vibe with aged aluminum buckets. Small ones can work as a flower girl’s basket as well.

Hot glue and a length of natural-fibre rope give tin cans a nautical feel—perfect for dockside weddings.

For a flowerless autumn centrepiece idea, try painting and decoupaging pumpkins or squash. Instructions: www.pocketfulofdreams.co.uk.

Burlap is the perfect rough-but-elegant material for a cottage or rustic wedding. Use these easy, versatile bows to surround a candle or vase as part of a centrepiece, or use them to decorate the front door, chairs for the ceremony, or the pillars of your huppah. Instructions: www.thistlewoodfarms.com.

Mason jars are so easy to find, especially in cottage country! Add some romantic lace, rustic burlap, and 30 minutes if your time, and you’ve got lovely candle holders. Instructions: adventuresofamiddlesister.blogspot.ca

Nestle your flowers in weathered wooden boxes for a “cottage country general store” feeling. Old tool crates work well, too.