15 Enchanted Forest Centerpiece Ideas Perfect for Your Woodsy Wedding

These magical ideas are guaranteed to inspire you.

By Blythe Copeland
Updated on 07/14/23 09:03AM
An outdoor forest wedding reception table with a white tablecloth, greenery, tapered candles, and hanging string lights.

Photo by Jordan Voth

Forests have a magic all their own, from their key role in classic fairy tales to the real-life serenity of an empty trail on a weekend hike. When you step into the woods, nature shields you from your endless to-do list, your social media notifications, and your other daily responsibilities, adding a sense of possibility to even the shortest weekday hike.

Creating an enchanted forest atmosphere at your wedding can mean developing a moody color palette that calls up mystery and drama, or surrounding your loved ones with fresh, welcoming foliage and shimmering candles. Small ferns, dried plants, lush moss, and vibrant florals play up the natural beauty of the woods, while dark-toned accents, bare branches, and overflowing garlands recreate the lush contrasts of an enchanted forest. Turn your reception into a magical moment with these ideas for entrancing, forest-inspired centerpieces.

01 of 15

Light It Up

A forest wedding reception with long dinner tables and fresh floral enchanted forest centerpieces with candles.

Photo by David Bastioni

This couple took advantage of the existing trees and hedges in their Tuscan countryside venue to create a magical tablescape, anchored by a dense arrangement of delicate greenery and petite white flowers and lit by hanging chandeliers.

02 of 15

Make a Statement With Moss

A forest-themed wedding reception wooden dinner table with moss centerpieces and candles.

Photo by James & Schulze

Centerpieces overflowing with large blooms—notable for their delicate petals, pretty peach and ivory hues, and pops of burgundy—were surrounded by moss at this outdoor wedding. The ground cover provided an unexpectedly lush forest accent.

03 of 15

Build With Branches

An indoor wedding reception dinner table set with candles, red linens, and branch centerpieces.

Photo by McNeile Photography

Add a dose of drama with towering bundles of branches arranged in a fluted, tree-shaped bunch and accented with rich burgundy flowers. Center them in low vessels of deep blue and red blooms that contrast with pale rose and sage-colored foliage.

04 of 15

Enclose Plants

A small geometric terrarium with a pink rose, moss, and small flowers used as an enchanted forest centerpiece on a wedding reception table.

Photo by Isha Hawkins Photography

Create miniature forest-inspired moments on your tables with bronze-edged terrariums. The crisp, geometric lines complement delicate dusty pink blooms, petite white flowers, and spring-inspired ferns and moss.

05 of 15

Fall for Autumn Tones

A colorful, floral centerpiece with dried autumn flowers on a wedding reception table.

Photo by Emma Hopp Photography

Take inspiration from the change of seasons with a floral centerpiece inspired by the dried plants and branches of late fall. Incorporate touches of black in plates and glassware and natural materials, like wooden tables and woven chargers, to create this fall-forest look.

06 of 15

Add Indoor Trees

An indoor wedding reception featuring long white tables with lush trees as the centerpieces.

Photo by Catherine Rhodes

Bring a little bit of the great outdoors inside with oversized floral trees. When placed between the tables, they complement lower centerpieces in fresh shades of blush and ivory, while giving your guests the sense that they’re dining al fresco.

07 of 15

Incorporate Wooden Accents

A forest-themed wedding reception table featuring a floral centerpiece with small votive candles and greenery.

Photo by Oleg Samsonovs Photography

Round disks cut from tree trunks—with the bark still on—add a woodsy touch to centerpieces. Here, metallic lanterns (perfect for a midnight walk in a dark glade) are filled with star-shaped blossoms and a variety of textured ferns.

08 of 15

Keep It Simple

An outdoor forest wedding reception with string lights, long wooden tables, and simple centerpieces of vases with fresh greenery.

Photo Courtesy of Megan and Tim Stack

At a wedding in an actual forest, wooden tables and white linens are dressed up with bundles of natural, organically-arranged ferns and wildflowers in mismatched vessels. Votive candles are set in small jars atop dirt and moss. The arrangement is an effective way to prove that simplicity can be enchanting.

09 of 15

Curate Each Element

A mini glass terrarium with moss, ferns, and small flowers at a forest-themed wedding reception.

Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography

A miniature arrangement set inside a small glass terrarium still makes a major statement. Moss, individual fern leaves, and tiny, bell-shaped flowers are curated one stem at a time, creating a thoughtful, intricate table decoration.

10 of 15

Include Evergreens

A woodland-themed wedding with greenery centerpieces, black candles, black plates, and crystal glasses.

Photo by Hazelwood Photography

Branches of greenery arranged in a lush garland down the center of this wooden table offer an unfussy alternative to opulent floral centerpieces. Coordinating menus include small foliage details in the corners, while all-black taper candles and holders are a dramatic accent.

11 of 15

Add Plenty of Twinkle

Indoor wedding reception tables with lots of candles of varying sizes under a tall light-wrapped tree.

Photo by Erin Schmidt Photography

While the bulb-wrapped tree trunks and twinkling greenery on the indoor trees at this reception make an oversized first impression, it’s the runner of taper and pillar candles—accented by small vases of berry-toned and white flowers and a garland of green leaves—that complete the look.

12 of 15

Create Magic Overhead

A wedding reception under a clear-top tent with long tables, white chairs, and hanging greenery over the tables.

Photo by Kent Drake Photography

An intricate garland of leaves in shades of emerald, tan, and burgundy lined the center of the table at this Chicago wedding, while tall green taper candles on slim stands provided an intimate glow. The lush, forest-inspired runner was amplified by a freestanding structure covered in the same vines and branches and hung with glass candleholders.

13 of 15

Make It Moody

A long wedding reception table with tapered candles and floral centerpieces next to an ivy-colored house.

Photo by Chris and Ruth Photography

For a moody, dynamic tablescape with Gothic-mansion-in-the-woods vibes, incorporate white and deep red florals with touches of peach and pink; accent them with gray-green foliage; and add vintage brass candlesticks atop a gray runner.

14 of 15

Use Unexpected Blues

An outdoor wedding reception table with a fur-covered bench, teal and blue hued centerpieces, and candles.

Photo by Amy Faith Photography

Shades of emerald and teal in the florals in this centerpiece are backed by dried moss and flowers, while wood-toned vases and colored glass candle holders hold berries, branches, and small plants. The fur-covered bench provides another natural accent.

15 of 15

Add a Fairytale Element

A wooden wedding reception table with fresh pink roses, eucalyptus, and apple place settings.

Photo by Jordan Weiland Photography

Elegant mixed materials—like sequined and gauze runners, gold chargers, and colored glassware, bring out the lush greens and foliage in floral centerpieces. Calligraphed apples serving as place cards are straight out of an enchanted tale; all that’s missing is an evil queen lurking in the trees.

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