How about pretzel sticks? That would look funky.

Those are cute. You know, I think not having the twigs all exactly the same size would add to the look. They'd look very rustic and I think that's the look you're going for?? I think as long as they're roughly the same scale in size they'd be fine.

Grant collects twigs and sticks at the park. By the time the wedding comes, I could have a ton for you!! :-) You could probably get the glass votive holders at Oriental Trading for relatively inexpensively. In fact, I just got a wedding catalog for them. I could send it to you if you want.

I agree with Step, I think they would look better and more rustic if they are not all the same. the candle holder is nice and will look great, I bet guest will be asking if they can take them home:)

LOL Put Grant to work Stephanie!!! That would keep him out of trouble wouldn't it?! But I know he is too sweet to ever get in trouble!
Hmmmmm I am going to go check Oriental Trading online and see what they have there! I'm just worried about the darn twigs catching on fire is all!
She is just sorta thinking fallish things, and twigs and leaves seemed to go together.
What are those placemats made of that kinda look like these, but its more uniform in size?
Going to have to do some more searching after supper!

If you're going to use them on the tables, why not do one of those where you take a log (not a huge one) and put your votives down in it? With a drill and a hole saw bit, you could make them yourself!

Sorta like this one shown (in the middle--not with the tapers), but I'm thinking you would use tea lights in the "holes." You could still do leaves, pinecones, etc., around it for decoration.

Here is a link that might be useful: DIY Network Candle Holders

You could probably just hot glue the twigs on the candle holder and then add these flickering battery-operated candles. Then you wouldn't have to worry about spilled wax or anything catching on fire.

Rita's idea can be used with gourds, little pumpkins, apples, etc. There is a tool made just for this in the link below!

Here is a link that might be useful: Making Candle Holders Tool

Go slowly. I bet she will have a dozen ideas by the time you need to start making stuff. What are the colors of her flowers going to be? Will she want to use the black and white for the reception too? And the flowers too? These votive holders look kind of small for a centerpiece.

The votives work fine you just need to use several and I think they sit low enough in the holders not to worry about the twigs catching fire.

I saw a cute thing where they hallowed out a pumpkin and but a glass in it and used it for a flower vase this and several twiggy votives would be nice for a table center piece. It seems to be popular to have the center peices sitting on mirrors to reflect the light. My friend used them at her DD's wedding and they were able to rent them.

Those are cute...we're having a fall theme too....October wedding also. I'll send these over to DIL to see what she thinks. I too think they would look better if they were all different sizes...more natural looking!

Could you paint these twigs on the outside? With the special glass paints? And like lydia suggested, use the battery flickering lights. Like anything using real candles there is always a risk, especially in a crown situation.

I don't have a picture to post, but we had a cousin who is very rustic and economical. They made candle holders out of 3"x3" little logs and like Rita's picture they drilled a hole on the flat top side to drop a tea-light candle into. *I think they used birch? maybe not quite 3 inches in diameter?

There was no need for glass as the t-light is in that little medal cup already and they just had the hole drilled so the t-light sat flush on top. Then added some raffia with their names and wedding date on recycled paper, and a tiny sprig w/berries and dried flowers.

Would cinnamon sticks work?

I think something like this that is rather fiddley might be a bad idea to try to make yourself. There are SO many parts to coordinate. Now if you were able to use hot glue and then perhaps wrap raffia or a pretty ribbon around them for extra security, that would be easier. You might at least consider something like that as a back-up plan.

Oh, anytime you plan to glue anything to glass, test it first! There are certain types of glass that hot glue will never stick to (as I once discovered much to my chagrin!).

Some alternative sources for twigs already wired together: matchstick blinds (check at Lowe's or Home Depot for the big porch-shading type; some are plastic, but others are bamboo), bamboo fencing (some heavy-duty cutting might be required), and bamboo placemats at places like Walmart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Linens n Things.

A friend of mine had a fall-themed wedding shower. We used twirly stems from the dried flower aisle. They stuck up out of flower arrangements. You could find the twirly stems, or they have various types of twigs now. Monkey ladder is one of my favorites, but it's for a BIG arrangement. Or you could collect stems from your own yard--if your house is the one your daughter grew up in, that might be a nice sentimental touch. ;-)

I was going to suggest the twig place mats or fencing also. To cut them into short pieces you might try placing a wide piece of masking tape over the mat on front and back (at the correct length for your votive holders) and saw through the center of the taped area with a band saw. If the mats are flexible enough you could fold the mat over to cut through the double thickness. To attach them to the glass I would keep them taped together (spaced however far apart you'd want the twigs) and run a long bead of hot glue down the "strip" of twige (not on the taped area) and quickly lay jute or another natural looking string or wire down the strip, then just clip the jute/wire at the length to circle the glass and glue them together adding a leaf to cover the glue if necessary.
I hope this makes sense..........it does in my brain but I'm not sure I'm getting it from brain to KT correctly!!

If you use the fall leaves be sure to get the glycerin treated ones that are available at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Looks like a cute idea.

Diane

I was thinking about the pre-made placemats, also. Also, craft stores sometimes have pre-wired "fencing" in the minature dept and some of the Christmas shops sell it for use with the villages.

At my daughters friends Fall wedding she used the hallowed out a pumpkin idea that Lunchlady mentioned. She just put a tea candle (no glass) right in the pumpkin.

If you could cut the twigs to size and just hot glue them directly to the glass votive holders, I think that would work. How many do you need?? I have a desert orchid tree and it has long skinny limbs that would be perfect for that. They can be cut to size with a scroll saw. Also, the bamboo window coverings that roll up could be cut into small strips and used. Bettye