Would you like to know how to decorate a martini vase? Are you planning your wedding and want to learn how to enhance your reception hall with these beautiful bowl-shaped vases?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist specializing in events, I often create floral arrangements in martini vases. These vases are very popular among soon-to-be-wed couples, as they allow for a stunning floral décor that still enables guests to see and converse with one another.
Today, I’ll share some simple tips and professional advice on how to fill this type of vase based on the theme of your event and the style of your décor.
Highly valued for their height (27.5 inches), martini vases are typically filled with a slightly cascading floral arrangement that complements your decor and floral theme. To create this arrangement, flowers and foliage are anchored in a block of water foam, which should be hidden from the guests for aesthetic reasons. Bold and elegant flowers such as roses, peonies, or lilies are perfect for this type of display. You can also add water pearls or waterproof string lights for finishing touches. With this decoration, these vases are ideally suited to serve as centerpieces or buffet decorations.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:
- What exactly is a martini vase and whether it’s a good decorative choice for your event,
- How to select flowers to fill it,
- A simple technique to create a floral arrangement in a martini vase,
- Decor inspiration for your wedding or any other reception,
- Alternatives to the martini vase if it doesn’t suit your needs.
What is a Martini Vase?
This beautiful vase, which is most commonly seen in its largest size, 27.5 inches, is a centerpiece at receptions and wedding meals. As its name suggests, it is a reproduction of the cocktail glass used to serve martinis.
Its height makes it a highly sought-after decorative item for creating centerpieces: with its slender and translucent base, it allows guests seated across from each other to engage in conversation without any obstructions.
This vase will be perfect for you if you’re looking for a container:
- Chic and sophisticated,
- Doesn’t overcrowd the table surface and makes serving easier,
- Allows for stunning tall arrangements,
- Can hold a large quantity of flowers,
- Can accommodate a string of lights,
- Creates an immediate impact when viewed from a distance,
- Can be used individually or in multiples,
- Elegantly complements the glassware present on the table (bottles, carafes, glasses…)…
How to Arrange Flowers in a Martini Glass?
Have you chosen this type of vase and now would like to know how to fill it with flowers? In the following lines, I’ll share plenty of tips and tricks drawn from my experience as a wedding florist.
How to Choose Flowers for Your Table Centerpiece?
If you’re looking to create centerpieces with martini vases for your wedding, I recommend selecting flowers that match your bridal bouquet and your accessories. These will set the tone for the rest of the floral arrangements for the celebration, which should be harmonized to create a cohesive feel.
Additionally, a martini vase, due to its large capacity, requires a floral arrangement that should consist of several bold flowers such as:
These can be accompanied by small flowers, such as gypsophila, chamomile, or wax flowers, which will add volume to the overall arrangement.
Finally, when I help my engaged couples choose their flowers for their tall centerpieces, I always recommend selecting some trailing flowers or greenery to prevent the arrangement in the vase from sticking up too high. It’s important to remember that, most of the time, the vases will be viewed from below!
For this, you can choose foliage such as ivy, ruscus, or a variety of eucalyptus with flexible stems.
Ivy / Amaranth / Orchid
When it comes to cascading flowers, I recommend the green or red Amaranth, which is perfect for a rustic-style wedding. If your decor is more chic and romantic, you might want to opt for Phalaenopsis orchids, which will create a very sophisticated look.
How to Create Your Own Arrangement in a Martini Vase?
Would you like to create your own centerpiece in a martini vase? If you’ve already made some floral arrangements or if you’re comfortable working with plants, you should be able to do it without too much trouble.
👉 I want to draw your attention to the fact that creating a wedding arrangement is not something you can do on the fly. I highly recommend that you schedule a trial several weeks in advance to refine your technique and confirm that what you envisioned is indeed achievable.
To help you out, I recommend checking out this video. Even though it’s in English, it’s very visual and makes it easy to understand how to create a simple arrangement in a martini vase.
Here are some valuable tips to help you increase your chances of success:
🔸 Purchase your flowers the day before the event you’re decorating for, and create your arrangements as late as possible to ensure exceptional freshness on the big day.
🔹 Be sure to properly conceal the floral foam where you insert the flowers using fabric or large greenery. It should not be visible to your guests.
🔸 Start by arranging your greenery, followed by your flowers. For flower placement, position the foam directly in the vase and check regularly by moving around it to ensure the arrangement is symmetrical.
🔹 Make sure to remove the leaves from the part of the stem that will be in contact with the moss, and insert the stems deeply to ensure stability.
🔸 Finish your arrangement with cascading flowers to create a harmonious and symmetrical volume.
🔹 Once filled, martini glasses are even more fragile! Never grab them by just one point, as they may break! For transportation, place them in boxes with plenty of bubble wrap and handle them gently. 😉
More Ideas for Filling Your Martini Glass
Flowers are usually the first thing that comes to mind when decorating this type of container. However, it is entirely possible to customize and enhance the decor of your vases by changing a few details!
Here are some suggestions that I encourage you to make your own and adapt to your decor:
âž¡ You can play with the transparency of the vase by placing clear or colored water beads at the bottom. Made from hydrogel, a material that expands when in contact with water, these beads can add a pop of color to your vase!
âž¡ Place a waterproof battery-operated string light at the bottom of your vase or wrap it around the sides. The result will be stunning as night falls!
âž¡ Don’t like following the crowd? You can flip your vase upside down, place flowers or decorations inside the dome, and use the base to hold a floral arrangement on a saucer. You’ll create a composition that is both beautiful and unique!
How to Decorate Your Wedding with a Martini Vase?
Are you looking to decorate your wedding with this type of vase? The Martini vase is quite versatile and can fit several types of decor. Let me show you how in the following lines. 😊
A Tall Centerpiece to Enhance a Large Room
If you’re fortunate enough to have a large room with a high ceiling, you can definitely create a well-balanced layout:
- a martini vase at the center of each table for round tables,
- several vases, spaced at least 5 feet apart, for a long rectangular table.
If you’re looking to add some variety to your decor and have plenty of tables (more than 10) or many guests at a large table (more than 30), you can also mix and match vases and heights by alternating between tall martini vases and shorter glassware, like bowls or bud vases. Mismatched sets are very much in style right now!
To Highlight the Wedding Couple’s Table
If you want the honor table to have a distinct decoration, something a bit more elaborate than the other tables, you can place a martini vase at each end of the table. This will help frame the bride and groom and put them in the spotlight!
Other wedding centerpieces can, in this case, be made with low glassware.
For a Beautiful Buffet
Finally, if you’re planning a buffet, you can use tall vases to decorate it. This will prevent the floral arrangements from blending in with the food, which could happen if everything was at the same height.
👉 Please be cautious about the wind exposure of martini vases: I recommend not placing them at the end of an outdoor buffet. Since these vases are fragile, make sure to ensure that they won’t get knocked over. 😊
Some Alternatives to the Martini Vase for Table Decoration
Not a fan of martini glasses? You’re in luck: there are plenty of alternatives available.
Here are a few:
- Soliflores to place on each table, perfect for a rustic wedding,
- Beautiful floral chandeliers to add height without using vases,
- Small colorful vases for a simple and cheerful décor,
- Forever roses under a glass dome to symbolize your love…
🌹 Are you looking for beautiful arrangements of preserved roses to decorate your wedding table, your home, or to give as a gift to someone special? Visit our online shop now to explore the many designs in our collection!
I hope this article has provided you with all the information you needed about martini vases! Want to discover more decorating tips for events (baptisms, weddings, parties…)? Check out our articles dedicated to this topic, including: