How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers (2024)

April 20, 2021

A wedding day — some may say the start of a life journey, others may say the blank canvas for beautiful decor.

If you’re a bit of both, you’ve come to the right place. We at Jamali Garden see weddings as a marvelous marriage of true love and a hotbed for swoon-worthy style, which is exactly what makes them such a magical, and as recently, much-missed, event.

But how do you know which direction to take your big day decor? With the plethora of Pinterest trends and Instagram inspiration out there, it can be a little hard to know where to start.

One thing that is ever-present in wedding styling, however, is flowers. Bouquets, floral centerpieces, petal-sprinkled aisles, boutonnieres, corsages, you name it — flowers have been part and parcel of weddings since the stone ages it seems.

But, opting for a flower-free celebration can be a great opportunity to unleash your decorating creativity. There are some great alternatives to bring the wow factor to your special day, here are a few of our favorites…

Non-floral wedding decor

Whether you’re a forward-thinking trendsetter who loves pampas-lined aisles and balloon-backed archways, or a traditional romanticist who dreams of crisp white linen, wedding decor can be exactly what you make it, and that’s why we love it.

In fact, there’s been a boom in bold, bespoke, and alternative wedding day styling, with couples challenging traditional decor.

Rustic assortments

Best for: Vintage-style lovers with an autumnal or beach wedding

Wood as an earthy element is easy to source, as well as very cheap, and will slot seamlessly into your wedding if you’re after a vintage vibe.

Make sure to source good quality plywood to ensure the look is cohesive and can withstand the potential of wet weather.

Fill opaque vases, glass bottles, and tin cans with wheat, branches, or cork tops for eye-catching centerpieces, and use wooden signage to add some lovely laid-back touches.

Perhaps you could use reclaimed old oak tree stumps as quirky centerpieces, or old barrels as tables for people to mull around with a drink or two?

How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers (3)

Lanterns and candles

Best for: Intimate luxury lovers at a winter or autumnal wedding

Another option to add some luxury without the blooms is by adding extra light, in the form of lanterns and candles.

There’s nothing quite like candlelight to create a warm, intimate glow and instill a romantic atmosphere. They’re also a great addition to your aisle style. Line up pillar candles to create the marriage walk of dreams. There won’t be a dry eye in the house, plus, there’s less cleaning up!

If the glitz of art deco is more your style, place gilded candelabras draped with crystals on your tabletops for a real luxury take on a traditional centerpiece.

Lanterns are a lovely way to decorate your venue and protect naked flames from the elements.

One of the best types to opt for is modern lanterns, which are available in a range of different colors and styles. Go antique and white for a rustic French feel, or opt for a row of our gold glass hexagonal lanterns to create a modern luxe look.

For a bit of visual interest, why not hook ornate decorative lanterns on the ceiling in a range of styles to provide a real eye-catching, overhead element?

With Mahal styles, Jaipur patterns, and Alhambra shapes on offer at Jamali Garden, we have all the lanterns you could wish for to suit your theme be it Bollywood or a traditional Thai soirée.

Obviously, the downside with candles and lanterns is the fire risk, and the fact they could go out in the wisp of wind. But worry not, we also offer battery-powered LED candles so your flames can flicker all night long!

How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers (5)

Foliage

Best for: Natural nuptials with a spring or summer outdoor wedding

Even without the flowers, foliage can still add that natural elegance and green accents that so many couples look for, especially at spring or summer weddings.

Jamali’s selection of boxwoods are an excellent option. With a huge collection ranging from preserved boxwood ball topiaries to faux garlands and vines, there’s no end to the foliage you can pick from.

Choose between leafy, green preserved boxwoods and faux boxwoods with a lively, realistic look. Use the vines as a table runner, chair decoration, or even to adorn overhead lanterns or chandeliers.

Faux and preserved boxwood balls look great placed on top of urns at an outdoor wedding. Drape one of our preserved cypress garlands over a doorway or wrap a few around a staircase for a real conversation piece.

How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers (7)

Sea styling

Best for: Adventurous, outdoorsy couples at a summer wedding

Want to add a touch of the beach to your special day?

Shells and other sea-like ornaments are a great way to instill a nordic vibe to your nuptials.

Scatter seashells or conch balls over your tablescape for little touches of detail, drape capiz garlands for an eye-catching alternative to hanging baskets or use a big decorative coral for a centerpiece.

Order Non-Floral Wedding Decor at Jamali Garden

Just because you don’t have flowers doesn’t make your wedding any less fancy…

In fact, it paves the way for trendsetting styling to really wow your guests.

Bring your dream wedding decor to life and browse our huge collection of stylish decorations and trinkets.

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How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers (2024)

FAQs

How To Decorate Your Wedding Without Flowers? ›

You can also use balloons, candlesticks, garlands, fruits and veggies, or even spray-painted leaves, as seen on this tabletop, which was designed by D'amour et de Déco. In fact, with a non-floral centerpiece, the sky (or reception venue ceiling) is essentially your only limit.

Can you do a wedding without flowers? ›

You can also use balloons, candlesticks, garlands, fruits and veggies, or even spray-painted leaves, as seen on this tabletop, which was designed by D'amour et de Déco. In fact, with a non-floral centerpiece, the sky (or reception venue ceiling) is essentially your only limit.

Do you need flowers at your wedding? ›

Whether you are allergic to pollen or you're just not the floral type, weddings don't have to have flowers, and flowerless wedding can be even more bold, beautiful and unique than their botanical counterpart.

How to decorate a minimalist wedding? ›

Consider clean lines, geometric shapes, cascading greenery, and materials like metal or wood. An uncomplicated design will support the minimalist style. Don't forget about the aisle leading up to the arch! Pepper the floor with pampas grass, candles, a colorful rug, or potted succulents.

Do brides need flowers? ›

Flowers have been a key part of the bridal look since the ancient Romans started to carry and wear floral garlands to their nuptials as a symbol of fertility, fidelity, and new beginnings.

Can a bride not have a bouquet? ›

A: There are many bridal bouquet alternatives to choose from such as a distinctive feather bouquet, or you can go without a bouquet altogether and instead opt for an elegant fan or a beautiful wedding wreath.

What can I use instead of wedding petals? ›

Flower Girl Alternatives to Petals: Dried Flowers

The confetti is easier for little flower girls to grab and toss than petals, and the colors look so beautiful floating down into the aisle. You can funnel the flower confetti into cones and hand out to guests to use instead of rice once the ceremony's over, too.

What are the do's and don'ts in making table centerpieces? ›

Limit the size of your centerpiece

'If your centerpiece is too tall, it will block your guests' line of sight, too small, and perhaps the table won't be as impactful as it could be,' says Seb Bishop, CEO and creative director at Summerill & Bishop.

How to make wedding decor look expensive? ›

Instead of trying to decorate every corner of your venue, focus on key areas with the most impact. Create a stunning focal point with a statement backdrop. Choose elegant floral arrangements or beautiful crystal centerpieces to add to your wedding. These small decor pieces are key to elevating your event space.

What can bridesmaids hold instead of flowers? ›

From bridal hoops bursting with greenery to traditional Chinese fans that have been around for centuries, history has seen a lot of bouquet alternatives for brides and bridesmaids. In modern times, Mason jars, lanterns, and other DIY ideas have been trending instead of bouquets.

How do you decorate a vase without flowers? ›

Some options to choose from include cheese plants, vines, bunches of eucalyptus, and autumn coloured leaves. Sprigs would also be a great addition. These would look great all year round, and you can adorn them with Christmas decorations, or perhaps mini pumpkins or gourds to fit with Halloween and autumn.

Why does a bride wear something blue? ›

Something blue reflects the color of purity and love, meant to ward away any unwanted attention from evil. Traditionally worn under the dress, there are so many options now from jewelry to clothing, to decor, to nail color.

How can I look simple and attractive at my wedding? ›

10 Tips to Look Your Best on Your Wedding Day!
  1. #1 – Drink a LOT of Water. Make your skin glow for REAL, not just shimmery highlighter. ...
  2. #2 – Avoid Sun Damage. ...
  3. #3 – Invest in Great Skincare. ...
  4. #4 – Get Regular Facials. ...
  5. #6 – Tanning. ...
  6. #7 – Consider Lash Extensions. ...
  7. #8 – Consider Hair Extensions. ...
  8. #9 – Don't Forget About the Groom.
Feb 21, 2019

How can I make my wedding look classy? ›

9 Classic Wedding Ideas That Will Never Go Out of Style
  1. Choose a Venue That Sets the Tone. ...
  2. Go With A Classic Color Scheme. ...
  3. Incorporate Timeless Details From the Beginning. ...
  4. Choose A Quintessential Wedding Arch. ...
  5. Seated in Tradition: Pick Classic Seating Arrangements. ...
  6. Elevate Your Nuptials With Timeless Florals & Centerpieces.
Dec 1, 2022

Do you need to wear a flower to a wedding? ›

Do wedding guests wear flowers? - Quora. Some do, usually if they are family or friends that play a role in the wedding but are not part of the imitate wedding party. The grandparents will get flowers, along with the parents, the greeter will, the person signing in the quests, the cake servers too.

Can bridesmaids have no flowers? ›

If you're feeling pressed, don't stress- it is okay for bridesmaids not to have bouquets! It's your big day, and the only standards you need to meet are yours.

Why do you have to carry flowers at a wedding? ›

The custom of having a bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times when woman would carry strong herbs and spices from reasons such as warding off evil spirits to creating lust and fertility. Flower girls and brides maids would carry sheaves of wheat which symbolized growth.

Can you have a wedding without flower girl and ring bearer? ›

It is absolutely not mandatory to have flower kids or ring bearers in your wedding party. If you don't have children in your life that you're close to, it's not worth the hassle just for the cute photo opp.

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