Alternatives to Wedding Flowers

Wedding flowers can be very beautiful but they aren't always necessary, appropriate, or desired. There are quite a few alternatives that you can use instead of cut flowers for your wedding decorations, bouquets, and reception centerpieces.

• Candles and Lanterns - Using these in small venues and as table centrepieces can be good if you're after a more intimate feel. Carrying a candle instead of a bouquet is another option for those in the bridal party - although you'll have to be careful that there are no disasters.
   
• Bomboniere - Arrange your boxed wedding favours (gifts for guests) in an interesting design in the centre of each table. This is a less expensive option than buying separate centerpieces and favours, and there'll be less waste at the end of the night because your guests will have taken the centrepieces with them!
   
• Greenery - Not using floral decorations doesn't mean you can't include some element of nature. Large plants can make good wedding decorations and table centerpieces. Like the bomboniere, small individual plants can be placed together to form a table centrepiece and then be used as wedding favours.
   
• Parasols and Hand Fans - Parasols make good wedding and reception decorations but they don't have to be stationary objects - the wedding party can carry parasols at the ceremony as an alternative to bouquets. Hand fans are another option - they're also practical on a hot day.
   
• Figurines and Vases - Use figurines or vases filled with shells or stones that tie in with your colour scheme or wedding theme. These also make great gifts for your bridal party to thank them for all their hard work.
  

Shopping Ideas

• Alfresco Emporium - Family-owned business in Sydney offering a wonderful range of luxury products including:
  • Candles - tealight candles, church or votive candles, scented candles, and candle holders.
  • Vases, Jars, and Urns and Bowls and Dishes.
  • Vase Fillers - coloured stones and pebbles.
  • Decorative Sea Shells - large individual shells and small shells for use as fillers.  
     
• Definitely Chocolate - Hand-crafted from the finest ingredients, these chocolates are quite unlike the mass-manufactured chocolates whose low cocoa content is masked by various additives. Based in Melbourne, they deliver Australia wide. See their range of Wedding Chocolates for more.
   
• Growing Gifts - Succulents, roses, money trees, orchids, and more - all beautifully presented. Growing Gifts is based in Melbourne and delivers to Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast and most of Regional Victoria.

• Pink Frosting Weddings - Boutique wedding store with thousands of beautiful products sourced from all over the world.
  • Wedding Decorations - table decorations, hand fans, lanterns and candelabra, wedding parasols, luxury placecard holders, candles, and candle holders. 
  • Wedding Bonbonniere and Favours - includes glass and crystal, lollies, candles, coasters, personalised, and more.
    

More Wedding Ideas

• Wedding Plans - More ideas to help you plan your wedding.
• Wedding Outfits - Formal night wear and day wear for a range of wedding types.
• Inexpensive Weddings - How to have a cheap wedding.
• Unusual Wedding Ideas - Take the idea of different to a whole new level.
• DIY Weddings - Save money and do it yourself.
• Personalised Items - Design your own rings, jewellery, keepsakes, and more.