07/17/2009
Non-Floral Friday: Candy Apple Centerpieces
Mighty readers, you have spoken, and Budget Bride follows suit!
Based on the results of our recent poll, today’s Non-Floral Friday will once again center on centerpieces. And because I received an email specifically requesting that apples be addressed, well, that’s just what I’ll do!
I’m not surprised that centerpieces conquered the competition, even though they’ve been the subject of the majority of our Non-Floral Fridays. After all:
- Centerpieces play a BIG role in the average floral budget. Many brides would prefer that this role be a little smaller.
- There are so many ways to create beautiful centerpieces without using a single blossom…and yet, most of us still need a little extra encouragement in order to take such a nontraditional step
- Non-floral centerpieces are terrific conversation starters, and a great way to make a personalized statement at each and every table
Apples can be incorporated into weddings year round. I like green and yellow apples for spring and summer, and red ones for fall and winter. I’ve definitely spoken of apples as centerpieces before. But what about the caramel variety?
I was stunned upon stumbling across Amy’s Candy Kitchen, an online shop that sells such a wide variety of caramel apples that it’s nearly impossible not to find a type that fits in perfectly with your wedding colors and/or theme. The colored toppings caramel and satin bows certainly are inspiring:
They even have bride and groom apples. It’s a whole candied apple universe.
Apples as pretty as these absolutely deserve centerpiece status, and can obviously double as favors. What budget bride doesn’t love turning two expenses into one? Of course, Amy’s apples are as gourmet as it gets, so they’re not exactly cheap. If you’re planning on having one apple per person and have a guest list of 100, you can plan on paying about $1,000 and up. For some, this is still better than the cost of flowers and favors combined. For others, it’s a lot of money.
If you have the time to DIY your apples, you can certainly save some moolah. And there are links all over the web that will lead you to caramel apple recipes and instructional videos. Here are a just a few:
A detailed guide to making caramel apples for weddings, complete with pictures, on Simply Recipes.
Caramel apple recipe video from About.com.
Incorporate your wedding colors into your arrangements by tying ribbons to the sticks or wrapping the apples in colored cellophane. You can arrange groups of apples in rustic wicker baskets or on elegant platters, according to the feel of your event.
Here are some pictures to get you inspired:
Apples on a cake stand from Everyday Beauty.
A more natural looking set of apples, juxtaposed by a silver platter. From Country Living.
A simple assortment on white china.
Have you ever made caramel apples? Let us know!
Text posted at 10:59
