How to Decorate Your Wedding With Book Centerpieces

A creative book centerpiece on a wedding reception table with three antique books, a candle, and a table number card. — photo by Michelle Shiers Photography

If you’re a literature lover, there is no doubt that books are a significant part of your life. And while we love books for so many reasons—they transport you to different places, share the stories of others, and educate readers along the way—books also make beautiful wedding décor.

If you and your partner are the type of people that just can’t put down a good book, then featuring book centerpieces as wedding décor during your reception might be just the ticket. Not only do they infuse personality into a display, but they also add pops of color and texture.

Below, find inspiration and tips for how to use book centerpieces on your wedding reception tables.

Why Use Book Centerpieces at Your Wedding?

Whether you’re a daily reader, or you and your partner have a shared love for a specific character or even met at a library, books are such a fun addition to your wedding decoration scheme. They can add height to a centerpiece when stacked or you can stick to a specific color scheme for your reception tablescapes. Using book centerpieces allows you and your partner to select and display your favorite novels or nonfiction, showcasing who you are as individuals and as a couple.

Book Centerpiece Ideas

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Pair With Bud Vases

pink roses and small flowers in bud vases with books as a wedding reception centerpiece — photo by natalie watson

Books can certainly stand on their own, but you can dress up your tables even further with the addition of flowers. Plan to include medium floral arrangements on your tables. Next to them, place a single book, or a stack of two, and add a decorative bud vase with a single stem on top. This is such a great option for infusing a romantic touch.

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Channel a Library Vibe

A book centerpiece featuring three books stacked under a flower arrangement with a table number card. — PHOTO BY AARON AND WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY

If you and your partner are absolutely obsessed with reading, you may choose a library as your wedding venue. If that’s the case, why not go full force with the literary theme? Select your favorite books and create stacks in the center of the table. Add small vases with florals, and then use the setting to inspire your table numbers with a design to match a library due date card.

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Place a Lantern on Top

Want to add a rustic touch to your tables, along with a splash of light? Lanterns can hold candles and make for a beautiful addition. Take the look even further by placing each lantern on a vintage book.

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Play With Pops of Color

A bright pink Yves Saint Laurent coffee table book centerpiece with flowers at a wedding reception. — photo by Janine Licare Photography

You can find hardcover books in a variety of colors, especially if you look for vintage books. If you’re hoping to stick to a specific color scheme, source books all in the same color and create a small stack of one or two in the center of your table. Want a more modern look? Select large coffee table books.

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DIY Table Numbers

There are so many options for infusing personality into your table numbers, from using paper to rocks, vases, and wood. If you’re a book lover, why not use books instead? Consider DIYing your table numbers by painting bold numbers on the covers of books. They’re wonderfully sturdy to be able to stand up, making it easy for guests to find their seats.

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Add Height

A stack of books under a tapered white candle as a wedding reception centerpiece, surrounded by orange and white flower arrangements. — photo by Michelle Shiers Photography

Adding height to centerpieces will immediately make a statement, and books are a great, sturdy way to pull that off. Choose to incorporate two to three books that match the rest of your wedding’s aesthetic. Use them as a base for candelabras or floral arrangements.

Tips for Book Centerpieces

No matter how you choose to incorporate books into your centerpieces, be sure to think about the types of books you’re putting on display. (For example, it may be best to avoid controversial books or highly political books). If your wedding has a specific theme, or if you and your partner love a specific author, like Shakespeare, consider using only books that fit those parameters.

In order to source books to use for your centerpieces, look at a variety of used book outlets. Vintage shops, thrift shops, and library book sales are all great places to find them.

Remember that diving into a good book is enjoyable and fun, so incorporating literature into your wedding décor should feel the same! Now is the time to get creative. If you and your partner have a shared love for literature, displaying books on your reception tables and throughout the rest of your décor is the perfect way to showcase who you are as a couple.

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