Dont want to hurt her feelings but...

I don't have pictures here (at work) so will need to flash later.

But, when I saw the pictures they looked fine, close up they don't!

I really wish I had just done them myself, but I was a bit relieved to be honest when she offered as I felt I had too much going on at the time.

She has used nice silk flowers in two of them and done a good job, then the 3rd has like 'foam roses' and the 4th has 'plastic daisy looking' flowers in them. She's bought it all herself and wouldn't take any money for them - which is making me feel worse!

Be honest. Tell her you loved the pictures she showed you, but that you aren't so keen on the materials she has used.

I always recommend honesty when you're dealing with a good friend - they usually understand and are pleased you showed them enough respect to be honest.

Do you know why she's used different flowers in two? Is there a method behind it? It seems a bit odd to have two matching and then two different from each other. Did you let her have free rein with them?

I did give her pretty much free reign, and I couldn't tell from the pictures she had used different materials.

I'm not looking forward to this conversation...

Could you maybe say something like you were so excited about them that you've showed lots of people, and general consensus is that the 2 that match are so amazing that all 4 should look like that.

Could you offer to pay for her to make another 2 that match, and maybe use the other 2 somewhere else on the day?

Whilst I think it's important to be honest with people, I don't envy you this conversation.

However, if you didn't notice the differences between the table centres in a picture, is anyone really going to notice them in the middle of the table? I mean, how many people are going to pick up each one and have a really good look at them and then compare them with one from another table? Just a thought.

The 2 silk ones don't match - its just that they are both silk flowers. I had asked that they were all different (which is what I got!)

I may use the 2 offending ones somewhere else and try and make up another 2 to go somewhere else.

I just don't want to upset her - she was so worried initially that I wouldn't like them, but on the pictures they looked fine!

Oh dear - I don't envy you with that conversation! Why not tell her you don't mind them being different colours or whatever but you'd prefer to have 4 with the silk flowers - as you totally love them (don't be afraid to gush over them lol!) - rather than different flowers. Offer to pay anyway but big up how awesome the silk flowers look.

Or tart them up a bit? Fairy lights? Glitter? Different vase? Then tell her you've added some embelishment to match your colour scheme or the room?? That way you're keeping the arrangement but making them look more passable. Don't forget that while people will notice the table decorations they won't be looking too closely and it won't be what they remember from your wedding.

Whatever you do I wouldn't replace them without saying to her - that will really hurt her and by the sounds of it she's not a friend you want to loose.

I think i would ask her if she would be able to do them all matching like the two that you do like, and say any expense you will pay for as ypu have changed your mind, something like that would be easier than saying you dont like the other two

I'd tell a white lie and say you have had second thoughts and now want them all to match.

apologise and ask where she got flowers from for the one you like best.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say do nothing.

She has given you a gift which took her time and care and she genuinely tried to give you what you wanted. No-one will judge your wedding based on two table decorations...and if they do they aren't the kind of people you should be wining and dining.

I'd thank her in the speeches and leave it at that.

I agree with the comments in that I'd aim to focus on the two you like when discussing with her...

So rather than I don't like these two and these two are ok....it becomes

these two in particular are brilliant! I know its extra work, but could you make the other two like them as well? That would look fantastic!

So then it will be she is correcting the two you don't like but with the view it is because the other two are perfect for you not because you hate them?

It will be an easier and kinder conversation to have? Good luck!

Thanks all.

I will be having a conversation with her about the 2 brilliant centre pieces, and ask for tips on how to recreate the effect. I will use the other two, but somewhere where they wont notice I think. I'm going to have look for something else to put them in.

I agree with MOMB, do nothing. I had my table centres done by a florist. I met the florist in reception and saw the button holes and my bouquet and bridesmaids' bouquets but I didn't see the table centres. When I sat and looked back over my photographs of the day, one of the table centres, I was disappointed with them as it was as though the florist had skimped on the roses/flowers for these. However, the bouquets and button holes were lovely and the table centres didn't spoil the day at all. If anyone wanted to judge my wedding by the table centres then they shouldn't be at my wedding. They were there to celebrate our day. Our wedding photographs with the bouquet etc look lovely, which is the main thing. Don't sweat over things like this - you'll still enjoy your day! x