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Creative Floral Alternatives for Your Wedding Decor

May 19, 2020 | nicole

Whether flowers aren’t your vibe or you’re looking to decorate your wedding on a budget, floral alternatives are a creative way to style your day! Even if you’re a big fan of flowers, unfortunately, you may not be able to access them in 2020 and 2021 weddings. COVID-19 is impacting the wedding industry in a variety of ways, from weddings being postponed to small businesses hurting. One aspect you may not realize is being affected are flowers! Wedding florists, who have been hit some of the hardest by the pandemic, have not only lost business but are seeing a shortage in flowers as wholesale businesses were shuttered during quarantine. With fewer flowers available, we wanted to offer up some of our favorite alternatives to using flowers throughout your day.

Not convinced you can decorate without flowers? These floral alternatives will change your mind:

  • Dried flowers, pampas grass, and leaves
  • Linens
  • Neon signs
  • Candles and lanterns
  • Terrariums
  • Greenery

Read on for examples of these floral alternatives in use plus some of our favorite shops + products to use in your wedding.

DRIED FLOWERS, PAMPAS GRASS, & LEAVES

Okay, okay, we know this is supposed to be a floral alternatives roundup, but hear us out. While fresh florals might be hard to come by due to COVID, dried florals are a beautiful alternative that also happens to be trending this year! From fluffy pampas grass to dried palms to exquisite arrangements crafted from dried flowers, you don’t have to rely on fresh blooms when decorating your wedding. Dried botanicals can have a big impact on your wedding style, too, whether you’re going for an edgy moody vibe or romantic fairy tale look.

CHECK OUT OUR FAVORITE ETSY SHOPS FOR DRIED LEAVES + PAMPAS GRASS:

photo by Sebastien Boudot Photography, design by D’amour et de Déco (Check out D’amour et de Déco’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Alexandra Wallace, event planning by Burlap + Rose, floral design by Of the Flowers

photo by Meghan Hemstra Photography (Check out Meghan’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Maggie Grace Photography, design by Emily Aitken Events (Check out Maggie’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Michelle Lyerly Photography, floral design by April Flowers

photo by The Johnsons Photo, design by Sonnet Weddings

LINENS

When designing your wedding, don’t forget to start with a strong foundation! Linens like patterned table runners or bold napkins in your wedding colors can be a great way to infuse your personal style into your decor. Plus, your table settings need napkins anyway, so why not make them a memorable part of your design!

SHOP OUR FAVORITE LINENS ON ETSY: Handmade Crochet Floral Lace Table Runner; Rust Hand-Dyed Cotton Wedding Napkins; Terracotta Table Runner; Hand-Dyed Bohemian Wedding Napkins Set; Green Velvet Table Runner; Yellow Gauze Napkin; Floral Embroidered Table Runner

photo by Tida Svy, design by THREAD Events Co., linens by The Hostess Haven (Check out Tida Svy’s Junebug member portfolio here and THREAD Events Co.’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

design by The Creative’s Loft (Check out The Creative’s Loft’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Hugo Coelho, design by MUZA Weddings Concept (Check out Hugo’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Heather Shane, rentals by Del Cabo Event Design

photo by Lisa Poggi, design by Benevent Planner, linens by Simply Seated

NEON SIGNS

Wedding decor doesn’t have to be so serious, so consider adding a playful element to your day with a neon sign! Lots of wedding rental companies have romantic neon signs you can use, but if you’re down for the investment we love the idea of getting a personalized neon sign you can display in your home after the wedding is through. Pro tip: neon signs make a great addition to your sweetheart table setup or as part of the display above your dessert table or reception bar.

SHOP OUR FAVORITE NEON SIGNS: You + Me Neon Sign; Better Together Neon Sign; Til Death Neon Sign; Personalized Initials Neon Sign; Custom Wedding Neon Sign

photo by Pablo Laguia, design by Paloma Cruz Eventos

photo by Stephanie Nachtrab, neon sign by MKNEON

photo by Raw Shoots Photography, design by One Heart Event Planning, neon sign by GDS Magic Lights (Check out Raw Shoots Photography’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Gina Paulson, design by Bridal Bliss, neon sign by OhMyNeonLight, macramé by Layne Eckhardt

photo by Joe + Kathrina, design by Tasteful Tatters, florals by Petal Floral, rentals by Archive Rentals

CANDLES + LANTERNS

Say yes to styling and ambiance with a collection of candles and lanterns around your wedding space! There’s nothing more romantic than dining by candlelight, so don’t be stingy. Candles can also be the answer to two big styling issues when decorating your wedding: contributing to your color palette and creating levels in your decor. Use candles in hues from your palette at varying heights to create visual interest throughout your design. Lanterns and other candle holders can also help you carry out your thematic vision, whether it’s rustic, Moroccan, modern, or bohemian.

SHOP OUR FAVORITE LANTERNS: Rattan Candle Lantern; Glass Lantern Centerpiece; 6 Bulk Wedding Rustic Lantern Centerpiece; Reclaimed Wood Candle HolderGolden Wedding Lantern; Metal Moon Lantern; 16″ Golden Lantern; Mini Table Lantern Gold Candle Holder; Moroccan Candle Lantern

photo by Elina Upmane (Check out Elina’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Jordan Voth Photography, design by Crosby & Jon, rentals by Archive Rentals

photo by Jonnie & Garrett, design by Skyla Brooke

photo by Flora + Fauna, design by Natalie Diener Weddings, rentals by Maggpie Vintage Rentals

photo by Madeline Isabella Photography, design by Planned Perfection

photo by Elk & Willow, florals by Ambrosia Floral Designs

photo by Kartsie Photography, florals by Petals and Stem (Check out Kartie’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Jenny Smith & Co., design by Rheefined Company,

RECOMMENDED READING: 50+ Budget-Friendly Reception Decor Items for Your Wedding

TERRARIUMS

Looking for a solution that’s chic and natural? Terrariums are the answer you’ve been looking for! Terrariums make great centerpieces or decor on your dessert or gift tables, plus they can serve double duty as favors for your guests at the end of the night. Keep them simple with a succulent or air plant in a diamond-shaped glass terrarium or make a major style statement with an assortment of plants inside of unique geometric shapes. Pro tip: consider hanging small terrariums from an arch or the ceiling to help fill your space.

SHOP OUR FAVORITE TERRARIUMS ON ETSY: Rose Gold Glass Geometric Terrarium; Copper Dodecahedron Geo Planter; Geometric Terrarium Kit; Geometric Glass Terrarium; 15cm Glass Hanging Planter Air Plant Terrarium; Double Truncated Pyramid Glass Terrarium; Glass Terrarium Large Rocket Wedding Box; Geometric Terrarium Crystal

photo by Dylan M Howell, design by Molly May Events (Check out Dylan’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Joe + Kathrina, design by Tasteful Tatters, florals by Petal Floral, rentals by Archive Rentals

photo by Shelly Pate Photography, design by Vows and Vines Events (Check out Shelly’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Joelsview Photography, design by Vintage Origami

photo by Brandi Allyse Photo

GREENERY

No matter your venue, adding greenery to your decor creates a lush environment for tying the knot. From tropical fronds to fresh eucalyptus to putting your favorite houseplants on display, you not only incorporate natural elements but also carry out a theme by curating greenery to match your intended vibe. Use leaves sparingly and intentionally for a minimalist look or go big with full garlands on tables and arrangements hanging from the ceiling.

RECOMMENDED READING: 65 Times Greenery Wedding Decor Proved Less Is More

photo by Stefanie Keeler Photography (Check out Stefanie’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Jeff Brummett Visuals, design by Blue Moon Events Texas, greenery by Wild Bunches Floral (Check out Jeff’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Barbara Rahal Photography

photo by Britt Crowe, design by Hitched Planning + Floral

photo by Corey Lynn Tucker Photography, design by Soirees + Revelry, florals by KLW Floral Design Co. (Check out Corey’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

photo by Corey Lynn Tucker Photography, design by Soirees + Revelry, florals by KLW Floral Design Co. (Check out Corey’s Junebug member portfolio here!)

How do you feel about floral alternatives? Which alternative is your favorite for decorating your upcoming wedding?

RECOMMENDED READING: The Best Places to Buy Wedding Decorations Online

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