So, ‘fess up — who here has a Wedding board on Pinterest? What is it about girls and weddings? Over at the Dollar Store Crafts Facebook page, our friend Maureen P. had an urgent request: “I need suggestions for a black and white themed wedding centerpieces PLEASE!”

I have to admit, I had a ton of fun cruising the internet looking for black and white wedding centerpiece ideas. I could have danced surfed all night! In fact, it has taken me most of the night to write up all these amazing ideas. Check out the goods (and then chime in with your own dollar store black & white wedding ideas in the comments):

1. Black Lace-Covered Vases from Glitter in the Air

This is a very simple project – just cut a rectangle of black lace, spray it with spray glue, and wrap around a clear cylindrical vase like the ones you can get at DollarTree.com. Fill with fresh white flowers (or faux flowers if you are on a budget). For spray glue, I recommend: 3M Super 77 Adhesive Spray.

Project Estimate:

• Glass vase, $1
• Small piece of black lace – 1/4 yard for about $2 (will cover a bunch of your vases)
• Spray adhesive, about $5

Total: $8 plus $1 per each additional vase

2. Chalkboard Painted Recycled Bottles or Vases (photo from 100 Layer Cake)

Okay, this idea is hiding in the background of this photo, but I think it is lovely. You can use any recycled bottles, jars, soda bottles, cans, etc. Spray paint them with chalkboard spray paint, and fill them with white flowers. Add a candle or two (and maybe a black bottle of wine?), and you have a pretty centerpiece. For chalkboard paint, try the spray version by Rust-Oleum.

Project Estimate:

• Recycled jars, bottles, cans or vases, on hand
• A can of Chalkboard Spray Paint, about $8

Total: $8 for all

p.s. I LOVED these black and white umbrellas from this same wedding:

3. Black and White Umbrellas (photo from 100 Layer Cake)

It will take a bit of effort to get dollar store umbrellas to look as cute as these, but you can get a similar effect with the Ruffled Umbrella tutorial or the Ruffle Edge Umbrella and some spray paint. Use a round sponge brush (or “spouncer”) to make polka dots on the umbrella with black acrylic paint. And polka dots are gonna be SO in this year! A spouncer will run you less than five bucks, and just think of all the DIY polka dotting in your future: Spouncer Sponge Stencil Brush-3/4″ Diameter.

These umbrellas aren’t exactly centerpieces, but you can hang them above the tables to make an impact. They will look cool paired with tissue paper pom-poms!

Project Estimate:

• Umbrella, $1
• Shower curtain liner, $1
• Black spray paint, $1 and up (I recommend using the $3 kind – it works so much better!)

Total: $3 and up

If you want the polka-dotted ones, add about $6 for a spouncer and some black acrylic paint!

4. Chalkboards (photo from 100 Layer Cake)

I love the fun simplicity of these chalkboards leaned up against a floral arrangement, along with the whimsy provided by black and white pinwheels (see the next idea for a how-to link). You can find small chalkboards in the toy section of the dollar store (you will need to repaint them with chalkboard paint again to cover the kiddie art on them), or for a more elegant touch, use the silver-toned serving trays you can find in the party section of the dollar store, and spraypaint the centers with chalkboard paint to make silver chalkboards. Add a piece of chalk (and some magnets if you like – they are magnetic!) to give your reception-goers a little something to do while they sit at the table.

Project Estimate:

• Toy Chalkboard or silver tray, $1
• Chalkboard spray paint, $8

Total: $9 plus $1 per additional chalkboard

In the photo above, there are small black and white pinwheels next to the chalkboard – very cute and whimsical!

5. Black and White Pinwheels from Sarah Layne Photography

Pinwheels are simple to make – all you need are black and white papers (origami papers or book pages would be amazing for this!) and matching pencils. Or, as in the photo above, how about sheet music and tree branches? Pin it all with a straight pin or thumbtack, and you’re in business.

Wouldn’t it be cute to tack on a little black satin bow to the center of the pinwheel? And, if you want to make oversized pinwheels (and keep it coordinated), you could buy a pack of black and white scrapbook paper. I love this pack (the sheets come out to about $.39 each): K&Co Black & Ivory Designer 12×12 Paper Pad.

Project Estimate:

• Sheet of paper, on hand or $.39 each (for a square scrapbooking page)
• A pencil or a stick, on hand
• A straight pin or thumbtack, on hand or $1 for 100

Total: FREE and up

6. Mason Jar Floating Candles by decor8

This photo features simple Mason jars tied with a red cord, but they would look pretty and elegant with a piece of black yarn or ribbon. Such a simple technique, but so simply pretty. Fill the jars with water and a floating candle. Ask friends to collect Mason jars, or look for them at garage sales, thrift stores, or on Craigslist. You can also try putting a call out on Freecycle – someone always has a box of Mason jars sitting in their garage.

Project Estimate:

• Mason jars, on hand or about $.50 each
• Black yarn, $1 and up
• Floating candles, several for $1

Total: $2 and up for several jars

7. Frame and Easel from Waveschick2 at Wedding By Color

This pretty little table art piece can be made with a dollar store frame, and those small easels you can find in the frame section at the dollar store. Add a black ribbon (hot glue a pretty button or brooch on), and mat a photo or meaningful quote onto pretty scrapbooking paper. You can use baby photos of the bride and groom, photos of them as a couple (printed in black and white), favorite love song lyrics, subway art, or anything else that is meaningful to the bride and groom and fits in a frame!

If needed, spray paint the easel and frame with black spray paint. Again, I recommend the $3 paint highly (instead of the $1 stuff!!) — you will save yourself a world of hurt!

Project Estimate:

• Black frame, $1
• Black easel, $1
• Black and white scrapbooking paper, $.50 (will fill about 4 frames, so about $.12 per centerpiece)

Total: $2.12 each

8. Book Page Votives by Arrow & Apple

This one is simple but pretty. Mod Podge book pages onto glass votives or jars and insert candles. Group 3 or 5 (varying heights) on the table. Buy a book from the dollar store or use an unloved book from a library tag sale. (Don’t worry – there are lots of unloved books in the world! Nobody will mind if you reuse one). Ooh, it would be cool to use Glitter Mod Podge for this! Or how about Silver Shimmer Mod Podge?

Project Estimate:

• Recycled jar or votive, on hand or $1
• Unloved book, on hand or $1
• Mod Podge, on hand or $3 and up

Total: FREE and up

9. Book Page Table Runner and Lanterns from Offbeat Bride

If you are a fan of literature, a bookworm, or just like the idea of giving new life to unloved book pages, then maybe this book page table runner idea is for you! This table runner is a true dollar store craft, using contact paper as a base for what looks like scattered book pages. Of course, the contact paper keeps the pages in place and adds order to the chaos. Use the book page runner as an anchor for some pretty black lanterns (or black votive holders like the ones you can find at the dollar store). It would be pretty to add the frame & easel project to the centerpiece, and frame your favorite love quotes from literature. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, anyone?

Project Estimate:

• 1 roll of contact paper per table, $1
• An unloved book, on hand or $1
• Black votive holder, $1 each

Total: $3 each

10. Black Stacked Candlestick Topiary from Elizabeth Anne Designs

You can get the height seen in this topiary by stacking a few dollar store candle holders together. Glue them with a glass-appropriate glue (like E-6000), spray paint black, and then place a flower ball on top. (Oh, and test this out before the big day, just to make sure the candlesticks are stable with the flowers on top. If not, glue a plate to the bottom of the candlestick to add some stability).

Project Estimate:

• Candlesticks, $1 each (you will need 2-4, depending on your desired height)
• E-6000 glue, on hand or $4
• Black spray paint, $3

Total: $9 plus $2-4 per centerpiece for candlesticks, plus the cost for flower balls

Speaking of flower balls (or kissing balls, pomanders):

11. Pomanders/Kissing Balls in Black and White

These pomanders are sweet, and would look so pretty in black and white. Use them as toppers for the stacked candlestick centerpiece, or hanging above the table.

Project Estimate:

• 4” Styrofoam ball, $1
• 12 brads (for one ball), $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1
• 3 faux flower branches (3 different types: small, medium, and large, in complementary colors), $3
• 35 – 40 pearl head pins (for one ball): 6mm, $1
• X-acto knife
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

Total: $5 and up each

12. Black and White Tiered Trays by Decor-ganize Crafts

There are many versions of the tiered tray/cake stand, but it can be a lovely part of your centerpiece scheme – especially because it adds some dramatic height to whatever you are displaying on your table. This version by Decor-ganize uses dollar store metal burner covers and wooden finials drilled together, but you can use regular plates and candle holders with E-6000 glue to create a similar look.

With these trays, you will want to add some other decorative items. Fill the trays with pretty cupcakes or other desserts, or maybe a mini candy buffet. Or how about a collection of the bride and groom’s favorite things (in black and white tones, of course!), quotes, photos, etc. I have noticed a lot of game pieces in the trends lately, especially chess pieces, which could be fun! Dominoes and dice would also fit in this color scheme.

Project Estimate:

• 3 metal burner covers, $3
• 2 candlesticks, $2
• Spray paint, $3

Total: $8 plus $5 for each additional tiered tray

13. Hearts on a stick centerpiece by Rebecca Cooper

Sometimes simple is prettiest. These humble hearts on bamboo skewers make the sweetest statement of all: LOVE! All you need is a package of bamboo skewers, some scrap paper, buttons, twine, and recycled glass jars and bottles. Add some personalized quotes, your names, or your monogram, and you have yourself a fabulous centerpiece. Buy a couple sheets of black and white scrapbooking paper, or use newsprint, sheet music, book pages, or photo copy your love letters if you are daring (when cut into hearts, they are not QUITE as incriminating!).

Project Estimate:

• Recycled glass jar or bottle, on hand
• Bamboo skewers, a pack of $100 for $1
• Scrap paper in black and white, on hand or $.50 each
• Buttons, on hand or $1
• Twine, ribbon, or yarn, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand

Total: $1 and up (but you should be able to make ALL your centerpieces for less than $5)

14. Black “Gumball Machine” Centerpiece from Dandelions and Dust Bunnies

This little “gumball machine” is made from terra cotta pots and a dollar store vase, and filled with candies. Could be cute for a wedding, especially if you put the bride and groom’s name on it.

Project estimate:

• Flower pot with drainage saucer, $1 and up
• Glass bowl, $1
• Paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Wooden ball or knob, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand
• Candy, $1 and up

Total:  $3 and up

15. Forever Fabric Flowers by Happy Together

These flowers are made from bunches of faux flowers that have been painted and paired with fun fabrics – choose a charm pack in black and white to make these perfect for your color scheme. Repaint some old vases, jars, or thrift store vases with black paint and white polka dots (break out the round foam spouncer for this project!).

You can find just about everything you need for this project at the dollar store (including the wire cutters), but you might need to hit the grocery store for some spray starch, and the fabric store for some black and white fabric. Or get some on Amazon: Riley Blake Tuxedo Collection Charm Pack 5″ Quilt Squares

Project Estimate:

• Fake flowers, on hand or $1 per arrangement
• Recycled jar, bottle, or vase, on hand or $1
• Paint, spray paint and acrylic, on hand or $3 and up
• Scrap fabrics, on hand or $1 and up
• Buttons (optional), on hand or $1 and up
• Hot glue and gun, on hand
• Spray Starch, on hand or $3
• Wire Cutters, on hand or $1
• Mod Podge, on hand or $3 and up

Total: FREE and up, depending on what you have on hand

I could probably go on and on. Why is planning other people’s weddings so much fun? Maybe because it’s all the dreaming, but none of the stress! Thanks to reader Maureen for asking this question – I had a ball dreaming up dollar store wedding ideas in black and white. Hopefully this has given you some inspiration – I would love to hear what you decide!

Cheap Wedding Resources:

• Dollar Tree: Shop For Wedding Supplies for only $1
• How to Have a Dollar Store Wedding – how I kept the wedding of my dreams on a budget

disclosure: I used some affiliate links when I talked about specific products