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Oscars Party Ideas: Manzanita Centerpieces

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gold manzanita branch centerpieces

Continuing with the Oscars party ideas today, here’s some inspiration for glamorous red & gold centerpieces… starting with the gorgeous crystal adorned tree pictured above, which was created by Tic-Tock Couture Florals and is also from our “Old Hollywood Glam” themed Hip Hostess event in LA.

The key word here is INSPIRATION… I’m pretty sure that most of us won’t be creating something of this exact scale for our home parties!

However, the great news is that you can dramatically scale this idea down for your own get togethers – and it’s surprisingly doable. Promise! This exact project was actually part of the party decor demo I did at the event.

gold manzanita branch centerpieces

There are a few different ways to approach smaller versions of this look.

You can use a tall glass or ceramic vase filled with loose, decorated branches or fill a planter-style vase with floral foam to stand and secure 1-2 decorated branches in the center, then cover the floral foam around the branches with a pretty filler like moss, gold stones, red acrylic ice, or a tight “bed” of fresh roses.

Detailed DIY info below…

gold manzanita branch centerpieces

MANZANITA CENTERPIECES

***

You’ll Need:

  • Manzanita or Mitsumata Branches
  • Gold Spray Paint (unless your branches come pre-painted)
  • Acrylic Beaded Curtain
  • Red Roses (with open blooms)
  • Craft or Floral Wire
  • Vase
  • Floral Foam (optional)

Directions:

1. Paint branches gold and let dry.

2. Prep the vase.
• If you’re going for the loose-branch method and using a glass cylinder or other tall vase, try embellishing the vase with a band of ribbon, crystals, or marabou craft boa for some extra flair.
• For the floral foam/vase method, fill the vase with the foam, making sure the fit is snug. If you main foam piece is loose in the vase, add extra pieces around the sides to tighten the fit. If you’re planning to use fresh roses to cover the top of the foam, make sure to use “wet” floral foam so that the roses last longer.

3. Insert the branches into the vase.

4. Decorate the branches.
Start with pieces of the beaded curtain, trimming strands to size and draping randomly all over the branches. Next, trim the stems of the roses to just a couple inches long, then use wire to secure them randomly throughout the branches.

The rose blooms can actually survive for several hours without water, but to be on the safe side I recommend adding them to the arrangements no earlier than 3 hours before your party starts.

*****

TIPS:
Manzanita & Mitsumata branches are widely available online, but you can often also find them in-store at floral supply shops and often even at craft stores like Michaels
• You can sometimes find branches that are pre-painted gold, which will eliminate the need for spray-painting altogether.
One beaded curtain will go a LONG way! You’ll most likely have lots of strands left over, and these extra pieces are great for things like decorating frames, vases, & candle holders, trimming table runners, or wrapping around napkins for DIY napkin rings.

*****

Last but not least, here’s another take on this idea (via Ashley’s Bride Guide) that’s super simple, but still looks fabulous…

gold manzanita branch centerpieces

This version utilizes a glass fishbowl, one smaller gold branch, and just a few flowers. Of course you could still add a few beaded strands to this and a pretty vase filler (I’d recommend “red acrylic ice” to keep with the theme.)

These simpler centerpieces would be great as compliments to larger arrangements, or used just all on their own for a quick & easy solution!

18 Comments

  1. Lori March 3, 2010 at 11:36 am

    Love this idea. So glamorous!

  2. Amy March 3, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    I love the golden tree branches!

  3. Marcie March 3, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    OMG that is absolutely beautiful!

  4. Rowaida Flayhan March 4, 2010 at 8:09 am

    So elegant!

  5. Sandra @ ribbonsandfavors.com March 5, 2010 at 9:23 pm

    What a great twist on a the ever popular Hollywood theme. The crystal draped centerpiece takes center stage.

  6. Bernard March 6, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Glamorous for sure! Now for the food component. I wish to share some recipes that Hyundai is sharing. They have clever Oscar related titles such as Inglorious Custards or Up In Éclair. Check them out here: http://www.facebook.com/Hyundai#!/Hyundai?v=app_6009294086
    The Envelope Please,
    Bernard
    Media Needle | Hyundai

  7. Jana March 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    I love this idea. We are hosting a Red Carpet inspired event in May and I would love to use this type of centerpiece. Great Work!!

    Thanks!!

  8. Lupe November 9, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    What size is the bubble vase???

    • jenn s. November 9, 2011 at 2:00 pm

      Hi Lupe – Since I didn’t make this myself I’m not 100% sure, but judging from the size of it next to the table tent card, I’d guess it’s an 8″ or 10″ vase. :)

  9. Monique February 16, 2012 at 11:37 am

    I’m going to duplicate the look for a Sweet 16 glam party. Before I buy the roses, did you notice the “look” before added the flowers? Can I get buy with velvet ones? Just don’t want them to wilk and ruin the elegance.

    • jenn s. February 16, 2012 at 2:15 pm

      Hi Monique –
      I think you could get by with velvet roses just fine :)

  10. Simone August 15, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    What is the height of your manzanita branches in inches? I am trying to replicate this look for my Old Hollywood Glamour party! Thanks!

    • jenn s. August 22, 2012 at 5:42 am

      Hi Simone –
      Apologies for the late reply! For the smaller manzanita arrangements I usually use 18 – 24″ branches for my own arrangements, and you can make the overall arrangement even taller by the choice of vase that you use. The “fish bowl” arrangement utilizes 12″ branches. The huge gold manzanita “tree” in the pictures here was created by a florist and was made up of branches that were almost 4 feet tall! :)

  11. Patricia Razo December 11, 2012 at 8:38 am

    I love this website. Are you allowed to print instructions, etc.

  12. Maria February 1, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    I am sooooo in love with what you’ve done, is there no way I can pay for it and have it send over… I have a big event coming up, I know u explains exactly what to do but I’m really to clumsy and believe me it would never come out that beautiful…
    Question is, can I buy it ready somewhere?

    • jenn s. February 1, 2013 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Maria –
      You should actually be able to show these photos to pretty much any local florist and have them recreate this look for you – we don’t have this tree in our care anymore, and it would be much more cost effective for you to get it made locally than to have it shipped to you anyways :) Good luck!

  13. Cheryl June 15, 2015 at 11:19 pm

    I would like to know how much to buy these centerpieces for a wedding? Do you make them yourself? I think the color might be different either orange or plum though. Rudinski2@comcast.net

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