Waxing and Waning over my centerpieces...

prior to visiting my florist to see my manzanita mock up, i had visions of grandure when thinking about how amazing they would turn out.

well, here's the picture of how it came out -

i like the overall idea (minus the hydrangea in the branches), the only problem is, it goes straight up! most of the pictures i've seen of manzanita centerpieces the tiny branches have been removed and the substantial branches seem to meander outward while going up. not a complete vertical look.  

i took my dad with me, after all he and my grandmother are very talented with floral stuff, so i wanted his opinion.

he wasn't the biggest fan of the this centerpiece idea... so i might be going back to the drawing board.  my problem is i would like some variation in height on my centerpieces, so here's a picture i borrowed from photographer Stacey Kane, that my dad and i both like a lot.

this one is simple yet beautiful and i can either fill the bottom with shells (to suit the nautical theme) or leave it as rocks (since a rock was engraved for the proposal).

this is why i'm waxing and waning over these two ideas, i like them both but if my florist can't read my mind on the manzanita, then i don't feel its a good idea to push it.  not to mention the second centerpiece idea with be a heck of a lot cheaper, and it still looks fabulous too!

ugh, i don't know what to do... any suggestions?