Weddings are full of little details... the icing on the cake, the rings, lace on the bride’s beautiful gown, and of course flowers. Bouquets are meticulously put together for the bride and her bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the men, as well as grand centerpieces for the reception and various other pieces for the ceremony. Everyone has their favorites when it comes to flowers, or maybe you’re the type of bride who hates flowers. Either way, there is something beautiful in adding a little bit of nature into wedding ceremonies and receptions, so here’s a list of our favorites for wedding flowers and flower alternatives!

Orchids

One of the most romantic flowers other than the Rose is an orchid. Orchid are flowers that come in a multitude of varieties and colors. Orchids definitely aren’t seen at every wedding in town but they are sure to be a show-stopper in any bouquet or table arrangement. They just stand out, orchids never disappoint and are a perfect choice for a spring or summer wedding!

Lilies

Bringing a little hint of a more exotic look to the decor or bouquets, the Lily flower brings pizazz and a pop of color! Not to mention you can choose from multiple families of lilies to mix and match your style, such as Calla lilies or the classic Easter lily.

Go Green!

Michael Radford Photography

One major trend this year is ditching the flowers altogether and going for more greenery! Vines are a perfect choice in this trend. When it comes to decor vines are incredibly versatile, and match practically everything. Imagine a greenhouse look of hanging vines overhead but taken to a level a classy and romantic that is unparalleled by old-school bouquets. You can decorate your reception in this manner or just hang a few vines around church pews or chairs, or even line the aisle! Indoor or outdoor festivities, you can’t go wrong with a little natural green.

Succulents!

Everyone loves succulents these days, from DIY house projects to cupcake decorators everyone’s joining the succulent trend. So why not chose them as your wedding bouquet?! The results may surprise you! Succulents can be found in many varieties and colors, not to mention they’ll maintain their beauty longer than any flower bouquet as succulents are a member of the cactus family and do not require much watering.

Roses

When all else fails or you just like a more classic look, you can never go wrong with roses. Available in a variety of colors and acting as an eternal symbol of romance and love it’s no wonder why roses have been a traditional wedding flower for decades.  

But what if you hate flowers yet you still like the idea of a bouquet?

Use your imagination! There are no limits on your wedding day! Just look at this beautiful seashell bouquet!

Give tasks to family members you trust & who would want to be a part of a fun project, or hire a professional to get some of the work done. Wedding planners including myself often offer design assistance, and there are many event rental professionals in the St. Louis area who may have some inventory that would fit your vision perfectly. Ultimately keep in mind one afternoon of crafting is not likely going to be enough time for DIY wedding project. Set aside time as soon as you can in the planning process and dedicate a space in your home for completed projects rather than trying to do it all at once the month before the wedding. You do not want to be making the weeks and days leading up to your wedding...trust!

What’s in your ideal wedding day emergency kit?

Lots of water, a first aid kit, scissors, healthy snacks, a sewing kit, tissues, Solemates, the list goes on!

Wedding website opinion? Why is this good for a bride to have? Or not have?

Grace: A wedding website is great for guests to return to when they have questions about hotels nearby, addresses of ceremony and/or reception, and registry items. This is especially helpful for destination brides, but I don't see why every bride shouldn't set one up! Less answering the same question multiple times and more showing off cute couple photos :)

Booking wedding entertainment? Is there anything that you would consider too over the top?

No - guest entertainment is so important! I think it's so fun when weddings go above and beyond to create an amazing guest experience. One SGO couple hired cocktail waitresses on roller skates to serve their signature cocktail and the guests loved it. I love that TalentPlus offers fun entertainment like the Champagne Skirt, aerial performers, fire artists and more! I'd love to see more of this in weddings.

Which wedding trends do you really love this season?

Balloons! I'm loving seeing the installations and use of jumbo perfectly round balloons inspired by the amazing Geronimo Balloons. A photo backdrop, ceiling installation or drop from the dancefloor ceiling are all such fun ways to get guests excited and incorporate fun pops of color at your wedding.

What do you think about invitations?

Oh, I'm a stationery lover to the fullest extent. I'm trying to learn calligraphy, but it's not easy! I think many are doing E-Save the Dates these days, and there's nothing wrong with that! But seeing a best friend's wedding invitation on my fridge every morning brings me happiness (and they're just so beautiful)!

Overall advice for a bride:

When wedding day comes, text your sweetie once then lose the phone for the rest of the day! Most brides say their wedding day flew by - - enjoy every single moment. Soak it up and leave answering guest's questions to your wedding planner or Maid of Honor. Soak it all up - it's your day!


To learn more about Grace and Saving Grace Occasions click here.

Traditionally wedding gifts were intended to be given to a bride and groom to help them build their lives together in their new home. A Cuisinart cookware set, the cliche coffee maker, or new vase for flowers to set on their kitchen table. But now times have changed somewhat in the way that many couples already have the things they need for their new homes. So the typical home appliance and decor registry lists are simply not needed for these particular couples. There are also many couples these days who are simply opposed to the idea of their loved ones doting on them with luscious gifts. So what are the alternatives?

Make a Donation!

An amazing trend that has been picking up speed among couples is to forgo the wedding gift registry and instead ask their guests to make a donation in their name to their favorite charity or organization. This is a great way for a couple to be able to celebrate their love for one another and give back to the causes that they feel most passionate about.

Food Drive

In the same spirit of giving back, many couples choose to ask for food or necessity items to donate to local food pantries or organizations that send much-needed care packages to the less fortunate.

Honeymoon registry

Many couples still love the honeymoon tradition but find themselves in a bit of a budget crunch when it comes to affording both a wedding and a honeymoon. To remedy this, many couples are choosing to opt out of wedding gifts and ask their guests to donate to their honeymoon fund! Most loved ones are more than happy donating to the couple creating priceless memories with their new significant other over buying them a new kitchen mixer.

Take Lessons Together!

Who doesn’t love adding new hobbies to their lifestyle? As a newly married couple, many husbands and wives are looking for a new hobby to do together. So why not ask your guests for certificates for lessons! Cooking, dancing, surfing, rock climbing… etc. No matter your interests as a couple, there are unlimited options of classes and training programs to start your new hobby together!

Tell a Story

All of the guests each have their own personal story with the bride and groom, why not ask them to share those stories? Have a table or book set out specifically to have guests write down their stories of love and laughter with the couple. Putting these stories together in a collective format will create a priceless gift for the bride and groom.

...Or ask for cash.

Maybe you’re saving for your first home together or starting a joint savings account. Whatever the reason, some times asking for cash is the way to go.

Wear it!

One obvious way to think pink this year is by giving your bridesmaids the spotlight in this beautiful shade of pale pink. Whether you’re going traditional and having your girls all wear the same dress or going modern and including varying dress styles with the same color scheme, blush will not let you down. This color looks amazing on just about every skin tone and body type.

Laurel Weddings

Accessories are also not to be forgotten! Earrings, bracelets, hair accessories, shoes and even ties for the gentlemen, all are options for a more subtle approach to include a little blush into your color palette.

Shades of blush and pale pinks are abundant in the floral families and no matter your choice of wedding flower you can be sure to find it in blush. Roses, peonies, tulips… sky’s the limit!