Wedding Reception Centerpieces

A while back my niece asked if I would make the centerpieces for her wedding reception. Since I had done centerpieces for my daughters weddings I kind of knew what I was getting into. After a long discussion it was decided that she wanted 11 serving trays and 11 planter boxes. We then started the discussion about design and wood selection. After showing her many different types of wood she decided she liked cherry the best. So they are solid cherry and cherry plywood.

After finishing building I showed her a board with 8 different finishes from natural Danish oil to a dark mahogany. And wouldn’t you know it she selected the mahogany finish! No amount of showing her how nice cherry is when finished naturally, discussion of patina, and how nicely it ages could dissuade her. I know the customer is always right, but even when I bought the wood, I’m not being paid, and the decision is totally wrong? What a shame to do that to cherry. The photos are of the unfinished projects. It is her wedding so they were stained mahogany. I can’t even get myself to post a picture of what they look like with such a dark stain. :-(

-- Mother Nature always bats last.