WEDDING BLOG

Creative Floral Alternatives for Your Wedding Decor

May 19, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

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

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

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

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 Holder; Golden Wedding Lantern; Metal Moon Lantern; 16″ Golden Lantern; Mini Table Lantern Gold Candle Holder; Moroccan Candle Lantern

photo by Elina Upmane

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 V intage 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

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!)

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

Stylish and Wildly Romantic Adventure Elopement in Vietnam

May 19, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

dark red orange sage green silver

Our hearts are melting! Loc and Vi are living and studying in America, but they chose an adventure elopement in Vietnam for their big day — and it was perfect, romantic, and stylish in every way. The couple wanted to experience something new, fun, wild, and that they’d never done before, so they picked a spot they’d never been before. Self-proclaimed as a “not very adventurous couple” the two had some nerves before the journey began, but along with the help of Hipster Wedding they prepared heavily in advance so that once the day come they were able to truly experience and enjoy the day! We love this reminder for couples who might want to adventure but are a little nervous. Picking the right team means everything. With that being said, we’ll let you get to scrolling so you can see just how awesome their elopement truly was.

The Couple:

Loc & Vi

The Wedding:

Sapa, Vietnam

SHOP SIMILAR STYLES: Tan Leather Suspenders ($14.95); Nylon Suspenders With Leather Detail ($20.00); Oterside Engraved Leather Suspenders ($33.20)

We believe that having a professional wedding photographer was the most important in planning our wedding. The wedding photos would be the bridge to connect us to all those cherished memories and allow us to relive our special day. We wanted someone who understood our vision, made us feel comfortable and relaxed, so we could express our true selves, emotions and personalities in front of the camera.
From the start to the very end of our elopement, our photographer, Andrew, was professional, supportive, friendly and thoughtful. He went above and beyond to help us plan and get ready for the day. Andrew took time to learn our vision and suggested more ideas to make it completed. Furthermore, he helped us feel less pressure in front of the camera through conversations and stories, so we could be ourselves while he captured those candid moments. The whole experience was so comfortable and fun.

RECOMMENDED READING: 50 Cute Wedding Boots for Fall and Winter Brides

After we exchanged love letters, we spent little time enjoying the scenery while we listened to the rhythm of the streams and birds chirping . Seeing how the clouds blended into the valley and over the hills, it truly felt like you were in heaven. At that moment, we knew that our six months planning for our elopement was totally worth it.

Our photographer suggested an idea of having an adventurous elopement in Vietnam with autumn wedding color scheme. Hipster Wedding was very helpful and supportive from creating outfit guides, mood-board to coordinating the floral vendor. We truly loved the eclectic mix of pampas grass, rustic, natural, and warm felling of the style.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Hipster Wedding
Ceremony Venue – Utopia Eco Lodge
Floral Design – Nắng Wedding Decoration

Congratulations, Loc and Vi, and many thanks to Junebug member Hipster Wedding for sharing their stunning adventure elopement in Vietnam with us! For more of Hipster Wedding’s work, be sure to check out their page in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

Charming Modern Winter Wedding at Allenberry Resort

May 18, 2020 | Junebug Weddings

dark blue gold kelly green

Give us all the wintery, modern, rustic vibes! We’re positively obsessed with Matthew and Michael’s charming winter wedding at Allenberry Resort. When this adorable couple was dreaming up their day, they knew it had to fit their personalities — and while rustic is oh-so-stylish right now, it was also totally them. We are absolutely obsessed with the dramatic bouquets The JDK Group created specifically for this duo, as well as every other little detail of this day! If you love a good snow day, romantic couples portraits, killer style, and cozy reception decor, you are going to swoon over the photos Savanna Sturkie Photography beautifully captured of this day.

The Couple:

Matthew & Michael

The Wedding:

Allenberry Resort, Boiling Springs, PA

Our self proclaimed theme of the wedding was “Icy European Glam”, which we eventually developed into “Luxe Lodge”. We love winter and think it’s incredibly underrated. We knew that we wanted our event to be cozy and romantic, and what better way to encapsulate that than with a snowy winter day? We’ve only been to one other winter wedding, and knew that we had to distinguish it from the holiday season with the same mysterious feeling. Throughout our relationship we have been to many weddings, making mental notes of what we did and did not like. We really tried to incorporate the beauty of a classic wedding, but wanted there to be more pops of glam modern luxe. One thing that we knew we wanted to steer clear of though, based on our personalities and design styles, was a more rustic style. While rustic is very popular right now, it didn’t symbolize us and we wanted to be bold and unique while remaining elegant and timeless.

Savanna was such a joy to work with. She really understood our vibe and vision, and made us feel so comfortable, confident, and happy on our big day. Her images really tell a story, which was a major reason we wanted to work with her. We love the colors and vision that she can see, and really knows how to feature the best of people and show their true personalities.

The weather really helped make the entire day magical. Scheduling a wedding in January, we were really hoping to get snow, but it seemed very unlikely because it had not snowed all winter. We wanted snow so badly that we even rented a snow machine. But luckily, we didn’t even end up using our snow machine, because we woke up to the perfect amount of snow and it continued throughout the day. We will never forget taking our wedding photos while shivering and getting soaked! Worth it!

Make sure the day/weekend is a reflection of both of you, and don’t be afraid to take a risk. Something we struggled with early on was that most of the wedding industry is so focused on the bride and making it “her day”. Even though we didn’t have a bride, we hated that most blogs and books say that the wedding is all about one person. A wedding is supposed to be about celebrating both people and the beauty of their love. Remember that both individuals are equally as important, you are getting married to another person, not yourself! We made sure to take the best elements of a traditional wedding, but we weren’t afraid to mix things up and try things that we hadn’t seen before. We both love event planning, and although some days were chaotic, there wasn’t one step of the process that we didn’t enjoy and we talked through everything together. Finally, don’t let anyone discourage you from caring about the details. We went through and debated every last detail of our wedding while people told us that it wasn’t worth it and that we would not remember those details anyways. When looking back, they may have been right about some of those details that we provided, but we don’t regret that time spent in the least – just hearing from others how perfect it was, is worth it. And be prepared for a post wedding depression – it’s real and hit us hard!

Allenberry was perfect for us. Not only were our guests able to stay at our venue, making the entire wedding a weekend event, but the aesthetic of the venue itself was perfect. Imagine old European stonework vibes with rushing water and a rich history. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get married there, and we loved the mixture of the classic elegance at Allenberry with our modern decor.

We wanted our wedding food to be unique and delicious, and not just dull wedding food. Our entrees were Boneless Buttermilk Fried Chicken with a Honey Pepper Sauce or Braised Beef Short Ribs with Mushrooms, Gorgonzola, and a Cabernet Glaze. Both were paired with red pepper swirled mashed potatoes, Parmesan crusted asparagus, and a winter salad. For cocktail hour, we had bruschetta edible spoons, mini crab cakes, baja fish tacos, chicken and waffle cones, spinach and artichoke dip, and a charcuterie board. Our cake was Lemon and Blueberry with hints of Lavender.

So many people give wedding gifts that their guests will never appreciate as much as the married couple do. We wanted to make sure that our guests could use our favor for as long as they had it. We gave each guest a book mark to immortalize their photobooth pictures to remind them of our wedding and their experiences at the reception.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Savanna Sturkie Photography
Wedding Venue – Allenberry Resort
Floral Design & Catering – The JDK Group
Videography – LoveMore Films
Wedding Apparel – The Black Tux
Rings – Tiffany & Co
Rentals – Swoon Vintage Rental

Congratulations, Matthew and Michael, and many thanks to Junebug member Savanna Sturkie Photography for sharing their day with us! If you’re itching for more of Savanna’s work, be sure to check out her page in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

Photographers

Planners

Videographers

Venues

Florists

All Vendors