Actual goldfish as a table centre piece.... Update: debate over - we aren't having the fish!

I think its a great idea. I saw this on four weddings once. I say go for it!! X

The fish will not be happy in those tiny bowls. I say don't do it.

Sounds well cool... providing they have a good home to go to after, which you say they do. X

The RSPCA aren't keen....

http://blogs.rspca.org.uk/insights/2013/01/22/planning-an-event-remember-fish-arent-party-animals/#.U702uPldUS4

Please don't. A lot of fish end up dead as guests do silly things like feed them wine etc. it's cruel.

And what are you going to do with them afterwards? Edit: I see you've answered that one.

Terrible Idea!

No reputable shop would sell you fish for this purpose. The 'fish' bowls you buy for wedding centerpieces are for decoration, not suitable for fish. The surface area of the water isn't enough for them to get oxygen. Being moved and transported will upset the fish, as will the loud environment of a wedding and people touching the bowls etc.

The fish would most probably die as a result of you doing that, it's so cruel.

WKharvS

I do agree with some of the points they are making. I hadn't thought about the music in the evening being too loud for them. I guess that's the end of that idea then!!

Or maybe i could have them for the day and then change them for something else in the evening?!

I'd say no, a friend of a friend had these and whilst they looked lovely when they were alive and swimming around, by the end of the night all the fish were dead. I think it's cruel personally. They're living creatures, not decorations.

Awful idea. Cruel. I'd be absolutely disgusted if I attended a wedding with goldfish centrepieces.

But the blog post says this...?

"Providing all of this in a table top fish bowl or in a small container people can take home is pretty much impossible and you are going to end up with some pretty sick, if not dead, fish."

Or maybe you could choose something else?

Buy fake fish.

Really really awful idea.

Oooh yeah. these are some really valid points... drunk guests and gold fish, hmm perhaps not such a cool idea. that's a shame though.. maybe get the robo fish, lol. X

Http://www.kellystoyroom.co.uk/toys-playsets/aquabot-with-bowl_ct117pd380.htm?gclid=CPXA5qWiuL8CFenItAod5FkASA

Yes, we certainly could have something completely different. As I mentioned in the OP it was just an idea we came across as the weekend; and as the family had given us mixed opinions i just wanted to see how you ladies on here felt.

It seems the general consensus is that it would be cruel to keep the fish in the bowls (also supported by the RSPCA blog) - so that is my question answered!

Goldfish are off the list!

Thank you for your comments and thoughts on the subject ladies x

These look cool though!! Definitely worth looking to see if i can get some real looking fake fish!

I'm going to answer without reading beyond your original post, just so I'm not influenced by others:

The use of live animals for the purposes of wedding decoration/entertainment disgusts me. This would be especially true for animals deliberately placed in such vulnerable positions.

Do you really think they'd be safe? Cop on.

Also, goldfish don't live near or on beaches.

Where are you going to run the cables for the filters? It's cruel to keep a fish in a tiny bowl with no filter system and also how are you going to prevent them getting knocked over/guests putting alcohol etc in bowls when a tad tipsy or kids putting their hands in. As much as it sounds like a great idea i would not like it as a guest and I certainly wouldn't have it as a bride

Just seen your other post saying you won't go for it and I'm glad to hear it :-) have you thought about having shells or something instead? If you google beach centrepieces there are some stunning ones x

I am glad that you have come to your senses and realised how cruel this idea is.

I'm afraid for me it goes in Wedding Room 101 with pigeon lobbing and dead butterfly launches.

I am aware of this - but thanks for pointing it out! ?

Yes we have a few other ideas involving floating candles in bowls with sand and seashells at the bottom. We are also considering driftwood with flowers intertwined with little fairy lights. We also though about making little beach huts (my OH is quite arty) although not sure what to put with them or how to use them as a finished centrepiece!

I think others have throughly covered the 'don't do it. It's cruel, irresponsible and immoral' aspects.

Try something like these instead:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/dbolduc3/beach-theme-dining-party-ideas/

I have never heard of either of these! *goes to google and looks*

Yep! It's been covered!

Thanks for the link! My pinterest board is full of ideas like this We had thought of doing something with Starfish (not real ones, ceramic ones) but we aren't sure what though!

I can see its already been covered off and you plan not to go ahead with the goldfish.

My opinion if I was a guest at the wedding with live goldfish.... I'd be very worried for them, someone would be bound to slip them wine, kids would try and poke them, the bowls would be too small. So I am really glad you have decided against this idea.

Ooooo beach huts would work well with sand and mini shells around them. There are too many choices with beach theme I think I would over do it haha

We are thinking of having them double up as table number with a flag coming out of the roof containing the table number! I just don't want it to get too expensive, and i don't know what i'd do with 8 beach huts once the wedding was over! We have plenty of time to decide - i'm just trying to get ideas in place from a cost/savings perspective! x

I like the idea of the beach huts doubling up as table numbers. It's easy to get carried away with spending but if you live next to a beach abuse it haha I look forward to hearing more about your plans :-)