Would fish centerpieces be okay?

We are having our wedding in August of next year. Flowers are so expensive and we were considering beta fish in bowls as centerpieces. We would have votive candles around it. We are NOT getting married at the beach, actually at a lakeside gazebo with the reception at an old mansion on the same property. What do you think of beta fish as the centerpiece instead of flowers?

Would fish centerpieces be okay?
I'm not sure if someone has already mentioned this, but if you are giving them away at the end of the night, how are people supposed to get them home? It's not that easy to transport a full fishbowl...especially if you're decked out in your finest (dress or suit, high heels, already carrying other things)...especially if you've had a bit to drink....or if the cab driver is not a smooth diver....



I think it would look pretty but is essentially impractical.
Reply:HUnny, first Congrats, and yes that would be very original for it....
Reply:I don't think it's a good idea. Floating candles is a nice and cheap way around flowers. Fish are kinda gross.
Reply:what would you do with them after the reception?
Reply:A lot of those fish will get flushed down the toilet, people don't always want the responsibility of a "pet" enforced on them and they will get left behind or neglected, you may think "they are just fish" but they deserve a better fate than death in a sewer. Floating candles are cheap and pretty and they are not living creatures, so I'd have another think about centre pieces that don't involve living creatures.
Reply:That is a great idea. I used to set up wedding years ago and I remember one couple did the same thing, but with goldfish. You don't have to worry about what to do with the fish after the reception. Some of the guest will take the fish home. After the reception when it was time to clean up, not one fish left. LOL



Also the pet store will deliver the fish for you at the reception hall.
Reply:If money is an option, you get creative. However, you don't get too crazy.....buying beta fish classifies as TOO crazy....



In this fish bowl, put a plastic rose. Submerge it with water and hold it down with pebbles. Light floating candles on top and let them sit on the top of the water.



If you do this right, it looks super classy and is relatively cheap. Buying a dozen fake roses isn't too expensive (1 rose per bowl = 12 centerpieces). Rocks can be found anywhere in the neighborhood. Floating candles in bulk aren't that pricey.



I don't know if you've ever bought betas before, but they do get expensive. It's about $5 per fish...plus the bowls....plus the food....plus the water conditioner....



PLUS, what happens if one DIES while your dear niece is eating? How traumatizing would that be?!



You can do a lot of a little money, it's all a matter of how imaginative you can be.....just please....no fish!



Good luck
Reply:What if one of the fish is floating on its back before people sit down at tables? What will you do with the 14 fish after the wedding?
Reply:Hi and congratulations!



I know this is the trend (it's not original)...but I would steer away from it. Of course, whatever centerpiece you do choose will need to be set up regardless....but I would think this would be a pain....transporting fish...water temperature...what if they die....what about those crazy groomsmen once they have a few drinks?



There are LOTS of alternatives....and there are also alternatives to flowers. What about some cheaper flowers like alstroemeria. A couple in a vase is elegant and put some votives next to it.



OR....since you are getting married near a lake....why not a round cylinder container with different layers of colored sand and then a votive pushed down in the middle.



You can always get those "ivy bowls" sold at Walmart, Michael's and Dollar Stores (always $1 at all of the above)....get some navy blue "vase gems" and put in a navy blue floating candle. Cheap, easy and elegant!



Another idea: a round glass bowl or vase and float 1 or 2 roses on top (with the stem cut off)....then put votives down next to it and sprinkle with a few rose petals.



Good luck!
Reply:Fish are pets, not decorations.



What if one dies during the reception???



I dont enjoy watching fish poop while I eat.



Where are they going to go after the reception?



Even if you have "homes" for them, do you realize the water needs to be distilled and treated before they are placed in a bowl? Do you have the right kind of food? What if something gets spilled or dropped in a fish bowl?



Votive candles give off heat which will change the water temperature which can be fatal.



A wedding reception is really not the ideal environment for a fish, there are too many variables that you cannot control.



If you like the look of water, etc. why dont' you buy glass containers and submerge some flowers like orchids, etc.
Reply:I went to a wedding that had that. It was fun. And the bride and groom told people at the end of the reception to take the fish home if they wanted one. So now I have a free pet fish...his name is Rupert.



The only hassle may be that you have to take care of them before the wedding (for weeks maybe, depending on when you buy them) and then make sure you can find a home for them...unless you want lots of betas. Just remember that you can't keep them all the same bowl, they'll fight each other to the death!
Reply:Great idea and you could have fish food at the tables for the guests to feed them.



IRiSh
Reply:I think the fish are a cute idea, you are just going to have to have someone just in charge of setting up the centerpieces,, getting the water right, putting the fish in and making sure they don't die. It sould suck to have everyone sit down to eat and see a bunch of dead fish. For a wedding by the lake though? I think that's an awesome idea.
Reply:It sounds pretty, but I would worry about them dying. Betas are more durable than goldfish, but when I went to a function with fish centerpieces all the goldfish were dead before the event was over.
Reply:My friend almost did that, but instead went with a theater theme in each bowl. I'm glad you know that it's only one fish per bowl. Otherwise you may have a chant starting up "two fish enter, one fish leave!"
Reply:We are doing that exact thing for my daughters wedding which is also next August! Hers however IS a beach wedding theme. Good Luck... I obviously love the idea!
Reply:No. Living creatures are not decorations.



I have been to a couple dinners where they had fish centerpieces and they were a disaster. The fish poop while you're eating which makes people lose their appetites. Same goes for any that croak due to improper environments. You will have a heck of a time finding anyone willing to take the leftovers home as pets.
Reply:NO. I think this is cruel and I wish people would stop doing it. What happens to the fish after the reception? Will you remember to have someone take them home and give them a good home?

If they are left the venue might just flush them or tip them out on the grass to die. You will have other things on your mind, you wont even remember the fish.

Plus, people might bet drunk and be cruel to the fish. God knows what they might do, put them together to see them figh, poke them with things even kill them.

Please dont do this. As pretty as they are, it is unfair to the fish.
Reply:i think thats a great idea! i would look into a very tall thin glass vase with those lights under the vases to make them glow!! and the bottom of the vase with cheap clear glass balls all different sizes.. they give the impression of bubbles!!
Reply:My friend did that for her wedding this July 2007 and it was really cute. She had her colored pebbles at the bottom of the tank with their names engraved on the bowls with 3 goldfish in each. At the end of the night she said who ever was left over at the reception towards the end can take them home. I think it is a great idea.
Reply:i was going to do that then the following came to light .........

there will be someone who bets on eating the fish ...



and the other story I heard was the fish didn't handle it very well and some were dead half way through the night



upside down floating dead fish didn't sound to pretty while trying to eat a meal.