"Zen" themed wedding centerpieces?

Our wedding is following a Japanese/Zen garden style wedding. Our colors will probably be dark browns, creams, whites, greens and possibly a pink/purple color which will be present in the flowers. We are planning on using things like orchids/bear grass/bamboo/bonsai trees/magnolia/cherry blossoms. Nothing is set in stone yet so we are kind of just trying to find ideas and see what we like. Does anyone have ideas for a center piece? We have thought of a few things such as a small Zen garden with a branch of magnolia or cherry blossoms or perhaps a simple potted orchid. We also considered bamboo shoots in simple vases with stones and water in the bottom. Perhaps a bonsai tree in the center or a simple water fountain(we are leading away from this idea because they can have a humming noise that could be a bit distracting, as well as a power chord, unless we get batter powered). Does anyone have any ideas? All suggestions, simple and extravagant, are welcome.

%26quot;Zen%26quot; themed wedding centerpieces?
I found a few links to some ideas





http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/ima...





http://www.wrapables.com/images/product/...


http://www.maddylane-decor.com/images/ze...


http://www.hometone.org/images/reflectio...


http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/ima...


http://www.japanesegifts.com/images/chin...





not sure if they will work for you but, they might get your ideas flowing





Good Luck!!
Reply:How about a little rock garden with the rake for the middle of each table? With vases that hold a stalk of bamboo or cherry blossoms to add some color and bring up the eye vertically? It could be a fun thing for people to play with while they%26#039;re socializing.





I agree, nothing electric or battery operated...the humming will be distracting during the toasts, etc.





http://www.zengarden.co.za/


http://www.officeplayground.com/zengarde...
Reply:How about doing a big vase with stalks of lucky bamboo for every guest and you can tie a a note around each stalk then each guest can take home a piece of lucky bamboo as a favor.
Reply:How about small bonsai trees? They could be potted in pink or purple.
Reply:Theres no such thing as a Zen garden.. actually they dont go together but I do think a Japanese garden would be inspiring for your centrepieces! I think a single potted orchid would be lovely, with moss. Bamboo is cool but is kind of overdone. Although, I have been to this one garden that used bamboo with hidden lights and the green in the bamboo was glowing! But this was at night so the effect was great. A shallow dish with flowers floating in water would be lovely. You could use rocks with names printed/stamped on for place cards.





**bbbara: Yes I have been to Ryoanji several times. Its a rock garden, or dry garden, but its not a Zen garden. Im not trying to be rude, Im just letting the asker know that the terminology is slightly off. She might not even care, and thats fine.


%26quot;Zen garden%26quot; is a commonly used term, but it is incorrect. Even in Japan this term is sometimes used as a way to attract foreigners to sites, but its still incorrect. They need money and people want a Zen garden, they give them a %26quot;Zen garden%26quot;.
Reply:Here ya go:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/40715137@N0...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kk_wedding/...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/40715137@N0...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/8312543@N07...


http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/ima...


http://www.japaneseweddingfavors.com/tab...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamgutierre...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/15379571@N0...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmac3/23794...








best wishes................








EDIT: (revised)


fizzy.... fyi


i grew up in Japan this is a zen garden!


http://www.phototravels.net/japan/photo-...


it%26#039;s a rock and sand only garden found in Buddhist temples.


%26quot;Zen%26quot; is actually a form of Buddhism and the gardens were created by the priests long ago to help the monks enter into a calm meditative state. (per buddhist history)