Flowers and candles make beautiful wedding reception centerpieces, though they aren’t your only options. There are a handful of reasons why you may be hesitant to go with the traditional centerpieces. Maybe the cost for natural flowers is a bit out of your budget, or your venue won't allow open flames, keeping you from having candles. Or, maybe you just want something unique and striking. Whatever your reason, there are alternatives galore, many of them native to the Carolinas.

Start with a glass vase of your choice. These vases come in all colors, sizes, shapes and styles -- deep, shallow, tall, short, clear, frosted, skinny, wide. Consider filling them with one or a combination of the following to best match your decor:

• Candy – candy hearts, M&Ms, Jordan Almonds, Jelly Beans, gummies, etc.
• Marbles - can make a colorful and unique presentation
• Feathers – fill with small feathers or make a more dramatic statement with gigantic feathers
• Beads
• Sea glass - Use some of the natural resources from North Carolina and South Carolina beaches
• Sand – colored or natural
• Shells – Mini sand dollars, starfish, or a variety
• Ornaments – don’t limit ornaments to the Christmas tree; glass balls are an elegant touch
• Gold fish – alive and swimming, they’re sure to entertain the guests
• Fruit - berries or orange/lemon/lime slices
• Rocks/stones - North and South Carolina offer a huge variety of natural rocks and minerals
• Pinecones – plain or decorated with color-coordinated glitter