In short
- A sample shows one real centrepiece; a mock-up shows the whole laid table.
- It may be included or charged: ask first and put it in the quote.
- Do it close to the date, when the season's flowers are available.
- Judge height, space, light and scent, not just looks, and take photos from a seated position.
A centrepiece in a photo and a centrepiece on a real table are two different things. A sample or a wedding centrepiece mock-up lets you see sizes, colours and the real space before the wedding day. This guide helps you decide when to ask for one, which items make up its cost, what to look at and how to document it, including when you live abroad. (Note: the American spelling "centerpiece" means the same thing.)
Sample and mock-up: the difference
| Centrepiece sample | Table mock-up | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | One real centrepiece | A fully laid table |
| Elements | Flowers, vase, greenery | Tablecloth, plates, glasses, cutlery, candles, place cards, centrepiece |
| Who is involved | Florist | Florist, caterer or hire company, sometimes the venue |
| When it helps | To check flowers and shape | For receptions with an elaborate table or many elements |
| Where | Studio or venue | Usually at the venue |
For a simple wedding, a centrepiece sample is often enough. For a reception with a long banquet table, garlands, candles and elaborate place settings, a mock-up avoids surprises. If you are still looking for a florist, see our list of wedding florists in Italy.
When to ask and when to do it
When to ask
A sample makes sense when:
- you are unsure about the height or volume of the centrepiece;
- the table is narrow or the service includes many glasses;
- you want to check colours that may mislead in photos;
- there are candles and you want to see the effect in evening light;
- the budget is significant and you want reassurance before confirming everything.
For a micro wedding or a very simple design, photos of similar work and a colour swatch are sometimes enough.
When to do it
The right moment is a compromise:
- early enough to change your mind and order different flowers;
- late enough that the sample uses the same season's flowers as the wedding.
A sample in February for a June wedding will show different flowers. Many florists do it a few weeks or months before, depending on season and availability. Add it to your wedding flower timeline.
Included or charged
There is no rule. The most common arrangements are:
- included in the service, often for larger designs;
- charged, with a fee covering flowers, vase and time;
- charged but deducted from the total if you confirm;
- mock-up charged separately, because it involves hire items and other suppliers.
The cost of a sample is made up of the flowers, the materials, the hours of work and, if it takes place at a distant venue, travel. Ask for it to be shown in the quote. To read the document carefully, see our guide on how to read a florist's quote.
What to check
During the sample, do not just ask yourself "is it pretty?". Look at these points:
Height and sightlines
Sit at the table. Can you see and talk to the person opposite? Arrangements should be either low, below eye level, or tall on a slim stem, above eye level.
Space on the table
With plates, glasses and bottles, how much room is left? Can the caterer serve? A centrepiece should not force anyone to move their glasses.
Colours in the right light
Look at the flowers in evening light if dinner is in the evening. Dark tones disappear, and whites turn warm by candlelight.
Scent
Strong scent at the table can overpower the food. Lean in and judge. For flowers to avoid near food, read our guide to flowers that are safe near food.
Stability
If the reception is outdoors, the vase must withstand wind. Touch the arrangement and ask how it is secured.
How long it lasts
Ask how the arrangement will look after six or eight hours in the heat. Some flowers are perfect at set-up and tired by the end of dinner, which matters for a summer wedding in southern Italy.
How to photograph it
Photos of the sample help you remember and share with anyone who could not come. Take them:
- from above, to see the layout;
- seated, at guests' eye level;
- from a distance, to see the effect in the room;
- in real light, without flash, and in evening light if possible;
- in detail, for flowers and vase.
Note on the photos what you want to change. Send them to the florist with the changes written down.
Special cases
If the sample does not convince you
Sometimes a sample disappoints. That is not a failure: it is exactly the right moment to find out. Work out what is not working:
- the colour, which looks different in person from the reference photo;
- the volume, too full or too sparse;
- the shape, too stiff or too messy;
- the vase, which changes the final effect a great deal.
Say it concretely, with examples. "I'd like more trailing greenery" helps more than "I'm not sure about it". A good florist will suggest a second version or correct it on photos. If the changes are significant, ask whether a new sample is possible and on what terms.
A sample from a distance
If you are marrying in Italy and live abroad, the sample can go ahead without you. Ask the florist for:
- photos with the same angles listed above;
- a short video walking around the table;
- a live video call during the sample, if time zones allow;
- the centrepiece measured with a tape measure in shot.
See also our guide to planning your flowers from abroad.
What to bring to the sample
To make the most of the appointment, bring or send the florist:
- a sample of the tablecloth, or at least the exact colour;
- a plate, glasses and cutlery matching the caterer's, if you can borrow them;
- place cards and menus, if they are ready;
- a photo of the dress and of the room;
- the candles you plan to use, or at least their type and height.
The closer the sample is to the real table, the more useful it is. A beautiful arrangement on an empty table can become bulky once three glasses per place arrive.
What about the bouquet?
A bouquet is usually not sampled like a centrepiece, because it is made with very fresh flowers just before the wedding. You can, however, ask for:
- a photo of a similar bouquet made for another couple;
- a small sample bunch with the main flowers, at the same appointment as the centrepiece sample;
- to see the ribbon or fabric that will wrap the stems.
If there is a flower in the bouquet you care about a lot, ask to see it in person at the sample: colour and size are often misleading in photos.
After the sample
Agreed changes should be in writing. Ask for a summary with:
- what changes (flowers, colours, height, vase);
- whether the price changes;
- the final version that will be repeated on every table.
Questions to ask your florist about the sample
- Is the sample included or charged? Is the cost deducted if I confirm?
- Will we do it in your studio or at the venue?
- Can we lay the table with the caterer's place settings?
- Will the sample use the same flowers as on the wedding day?
- How will the arrangement look after many hours in the heat?
- Will you send me photos and a summary of the changes?
To conclude
A sample is a small investment compared with the value of the whole design, and it removes last-minute doubts. For ideas on different table set-ups, read our guide to wedding centrepieces. When you are ready, request a quote and ask straight away whether a sample is included.
