Wedding Trend: 7 Ways to use Succulent Plants in your Decor

Décor & Flowers

Looking for a way to bring the outdoors into your wedding? Look no further than the versatile, eco-chic and super stylish succulent plant. For those who don’t count horticulture among their repertoire of hobbies, or who haven’t taken a trip to their local hardware store since their mothers dragged them along as young childer, succulents are those thick, waxy green plants that can count the Aloe and Cactus as family.

Weddings are currently displaying a bit of a love affair with these fleshy flora, and wedding stylists are introducing them into just about every aspect of décor and dress. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular with weddings lately – they’re budget-friendly, easy to work with and adaptable to almost any style or colour palette. Go the whimsical route by placing them in teacups, or contemporary by planting them in a glass fishbowl. The reigning theme for succulents however is the eco-chic, rustic look – think little potted plants wrapped in brown paper and finished with twine, placed on a stack of vintage style books on the joys of botany, for instance…

Here’s just a few ways you can introduce the fleur du jour in to your wedding celebrations.

Main image: Photo by Sonya Yruel | Photo by Pezz Photo

succulent-plant-wedding-table-centerpiece-rustic

1. Bringing Nature Indoors – Succulent Centerpieces

There are plenty of ways to display an array of juicy succulents at your wedding reception, and these gorgeous centerpieces above are just a hint of the many options. Banqueting tables are a popular choice for contemporary outdoor weddings, and for this style we love the idea of a long wooden planter running along the entire length of the table, with a mix of green succulents and wild flowers. Give this centerpiece a pop of colour with a bright runner underneath – burlap for those who really want to go the rustic route or something with a bit more sparkle for those who wish to add a glam edge.

Other options for centerpieces include cool and contemporary succulent fish bowls, which add a clean feel to exposed layers of soil, moss and of course the succulents themselves – or perhaps place the plants on top of some pristine white stones? For an easy-peasy way to spruce up your table, simple potted succulents in an array of sizes will do the trick!

Left: | Right: Photo by Susan Dean

succulent-plant-wedding-bouquet-gold-mint-green

2. The Sensational Succulent Bouquet

It all starts with the bouquet, doesn’t it? We first spotted the succulent trend last year when these unusual plants started popping up in bunches of flowers carried by the most stylish brides at home and abroad. Succulents can be added to almost any style of bouquet and create great depth and texture to everything they touch. For spring, we love picking up on the succulent’s mint shade by matching it with pretty pastel peonies, for summer succulents can add a colourful contrast to bright billy buttons, and for autumn a sprig of lavender and greens of different textures will make for a romantic, natural look.

Photo by Jennifer Blair Photography

succulent-plant-wedding-button-holes

3. Simple Succulent Button Holes

Although succulents can appear soft and romantic, they also have a bit of masculine feel, which the boys will be happy about when it comes to pinning their boutonnières on the morning of the big day! Keep it very simple with a single succulent, or add a bit of colour with lavender or some baby’s breath. These floral accessories won’t take away from the suit at all, and can be so simply DIYed to save on money – check out this DIY succulent boutonnière tutorial on youtube to see how easy it is.

Left: Photo via Pointe Winery | Right: Photo by Kelty Luber of Steep Street

succulent-plant-wedding-cake-decoration-rustic

4. A Sumptuously Succulent Wedding Cake

Oh, cake… Is there anything you can’t do? Add some colour to a simple tiered white stack of sweet goodness with a simple succulent – what could be more simple?! We love the idea of bringing a really natural, rustic look to this by sitting the cake on top of a wooden log cake stand – which you can find plenty of on Etsy.com.

Photo by Sarah Yates Photography

succulent-plant-wedding-favours-budget-diy

5. The Sweet Succulent Wedding Favour

A sweet succulent wedding favour is the perfect DIY project for couples looking to add a little bit of personality to their wedding and send their guests home with something they can treasure forever. Succulent favours are a budget and eco friendly choice for couples – they can be easily replanted and are long-lasting, so guests can watch your love grow for years to come (you can have that phrase for free folks!). You’ll find a variety of succulent plants in IKEA, as well as plenty of mini pots in different styles and colours. The process should be pretty obvious from the pictures – a plant, some soil, a pot, and a little card with some directions – but if you need a step by step guide, check out this DIY project on mountainsidebride.com.

Left: Photo by Salt Lake Designer | Right: Photo by Caroline Tran

succulent-plant-wedding-pew-end

6. Ceremony Succulents

If you feel the need to spruce up your ceremony venue with a little nature, these cute wooden box succulent pew ends are just the ticket. You can purchase ready-made window boxes from your local hardware store, or have your florist make them for you. If you’re the DIY type this is a fantastic project too (imagine the extra pride seeing these as you walk up the aisle – if you’re calm enough to notice them that is!). Place them every few rows on either side to keep costs down.

Photo by Erich McVey Photography

succulent-plant-wedding-place-setting

7. Personal Succulent Place Settings

Finally, the humble simple succulent place setting. Pop it on top of your wedding menu to add a little colour. Make sure to let guests know it’s not a Heston-type starter, however.

Photo by This Modern Romance