As technology zips along and more and more people design very fabulous elements to use in Wedding decor, it becomes easier to find no-flame options for your centerpieces. Or does it? I remember years ago when those low curved, round lights came to be - you know the ones where you clap and they turn on, or you just punch the top down (sort of like the dice bubble in the game of LIFE, but that's another blog!)...these were the bomb! No plugs necessary, just an advanced form of the flashlight.

Here's some ideas...
1. Battery powered lights - like I described above, but hide them - place in low boxes with a fabric panel on top - this allows you to satisfy any colour scheme you want. Paint comes in all colours! If you choose a fabric that is too light-weight, but is THE perfect colour, then spray some fabric stiffener on it.

Remember that battery powered lights come in other styles - votive, tea light, candelabra and much more!

2. Light boxes - these are usually found at rental companies or decor/designers' warehouses, also for rent. They come in different colours and are opaque or somewhat see-through so the light source is hidden, yet there is a nice, ambient glow.

3. Plain ol' lighting! If possible, place your guest tables under a single spot light with dramatic effect.

4. Use elements such as mirrors, crystals and beads - anything that will reflect light can pump up your glam factor.

5. LED lights - these are some of my favourite to design with. Picture a big pouff of fresh hydrangeas sitting in a nice glass dish. They look wonderful during the beginning of the evening, then "voila" the lights start to show from within the flowers, once it gets dark. The trick is to hide them well, so your guests can't see them. These LEDs come in waterproof, so there is no chance of an electrical shortage issues.

6. Glow sticks or fake ice cubes that light up - get creative with these and place them in paper bags, opaque containers or leaves.

Check back next Friday for What's That Smell ?
The "Wedding Centerpieces Series" will be posted every Friday in August and September.