Wow your guests with these cute and crafty concepts.

by Danielle Bouchat-Friedman and Alex Karlesses

Wedding season is in full swing, and the stress of planning the perfect day can send any bride into a tizzy. Every bride wants her wedding to be special and unique, but not at the cost of her sanity. An easy way to stand out from the crowd? Centerpieces, which sometimes tend to be an afterthought. Check out the five ideas below, which will definitely have all your guests talking.

1. Cameras

Celebrate one of your favorite hobbies with a centerpiece displaying all your favorite gear. Go with a vintage feel and sport old cameras draped in rolls of film. Or go simple—buy a bunch of disposable cameras and let your guests make some memories for you.

To shop:
Cameras Etc., 165 E. Main St., Newark, 453-9400

2. Books

Are you and your future hubby bookworms? Then a centerpiece cleverly crafted from some of your favorite titles will draw plenty of oohs and ahhs from your guests.

To shop:
Hockessin Book Shelf, 7179 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, 235-7665
biblion: used books & rare finds, 205 Second St., Lewes, 644-2210

3. Mason jars

 Photo by Michael Wurm Jr. for Shari’s Berries via Flickr (license)

Forget average vases filled with sleepy filler-flowers. Mason jars scream rustic-chic and are incredibly versatile—they come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. Scour your local flea markets and vintage shops, and snag as many as you can.

To shop:
New Castle Farmers Flea Market, Hares Corner at Rt. 13 and 273, New Castle, 328-4102
Main Street Antiques, 23 Possum Park Mall, Newark, 733-7677
The Annex Marketplace, 120 W. Market St., Newport, 633-6331

4. Wine bottles or growlers

Photo by RichardBH via Flickr (license)

Who doesn’t consider drinking wine or sampling craft beer a hobby? Set out some of your favorite suds for your guests and let them take home a bottle or two at the end of the night.

To shop:
Total Wine & More, Milltown Shopping Center, Wilmington, 994-5510 or 691 Naamans Road, Claymont, 792-1322

5. Cupcakes

If you have a total sweet tooth, a centerpiece made of cupcakes will surely have everyone drooling (and ruining their appetites). Frost them with your wedding colors and surround them with a few flowers and votive candles for a decadently delicious centerpiece.

To shop:
Patty Cakes, 22 S. Walnut St., Milford, 526-8918
Desserts by Dana, 1212 Capitol Trail, Newark, 721-5798