Alternative wedding styling ideas for non traditional couples looking for unique decor

A little back story

My why..

  Plants

Plants are a fantastic alternative option and have so many possibilities for styling your space. They are available in so many varieties which can help you create multiply different looks and styles. From creating a tropical oasis vibes with palms and cactus's, to sweet succulents and herbs for a serene garden vibe. The exciting thing is, you can create unique displays by using a mixture of plants together, the different tones of green make a fantastic visual. Or by using different pots or containers they make beautiful table decor or centrepieces. You can get use wicker for an earthy look, or concrete for an industrial edge or wooden crates for a rustic vibe. The options are endless. I also use the leaves from plants to help style your space. Creating striking backdrops or a leaf placed stylishly on top of a napkin. Small plants can even be used as wedding favours, which is lovely gift for a guest to take away. Of course the added benefit of using plants, indoor and outdoor is that it is kinder to the environment. There is no waste when using house plants, as long as they are well cared for they will last forever. I have a thriving plant collection that I hire out to my couples in my prop catalogue. Every time they go out I am using them in a different way to style the space.

Nature

We are surrounded by the beauty of nature, especially when you live in the open countryside, like I do. It really makes me feel inspired when I walk in nearby woodlands or by the side of open corn fields, which is why I love botanical wedding themes so much. There are endless ways to bring nature inside your venue, using the time of year to influence your wedding design. From vibrant autumn leaves, to rustic log slices, there is always something new to explore. Adding touches of nature like moss for forest wedding themes, can really add something special, magical and unique to your wedding, as it's going to look different every time. From the smallest details such a pinecones to use as table decor to using twigs and branches for ceremony arches and ceiling installations, there are no limitations to what you can do.

Fresh Greenery

Using fresh greenery in your wedding venue adds a really lush vibe instantly. There are lots of types of greenery, so it's worth noting to choose something that suits your vibe and style perfectly. Also, how much greenery you add will achieve a different look. So if you would like something more minimalist, you may want to hold back on the amount to add a lighter touch to your decor. I love using trailing ivy or eucalyptus for delicate garden styles. And tropical greenery such as big fan palms and fern leaves are amazing for bolder designs, that fill lots of space quickly. But there are endless greenery options, with different varieties, and different tones of green, proving you don't need real flowers to create something unique and amazing.

Fresh or dried leaves can also be used as confetti, providing you with a natural option.

Wild Grasses

 I have to admit I am totally obsessed with wild grasses, fresh or dried they look amazing. Pampas grass is of course the first that comes to mind, it's been around since the 70's, but it's so popular again now with boho styles for laid back couples who want to achieve a retro look. It makes a great show piece to create striking displays, and helps make instant impact because of it's full fluffy nature. There are absolutely loads of varieties of grass, and they really do add something different to your wedding decor, so if you love a more wild look, this would be right up your street. Grasses can get really tall in the wild, so this gives you opportunities to get really creative in your key areas to add some height that you may want or need to frame focal points in your wedding venue.

Dried Flowers

Dried flowers have a very different vibe to real flowers, once dried they take on a different feel altogether. The colours are more muted, unless you buy them sprayed, which of course means you can get them in some incredible colours these days to experiment with. Great if you're going for a festival style wedding. But I love them left more natural, so they capture when they were at their best. The fragrance is also more subtle, especially flowers like lavender. And there is so much texture they can provide to a wedding design, especially with pieces like fan palms which are great for adding structure or if you're after a bohemian style. These are particular useful for designing backdrops for ceremony areas or focal points. Delicate dried flowers look amazing in bud vases or wooden planters for the tables. And if styled in colourful glassware to compliment the colours, they can really help the colours really pop.

No real flowers.. 

So you see we haven't seen a real flower in sight and we have still managed to style wedding spaces effectively, that are full of character and story. I have created serene garden vibes in a rustic barn, brought a fun tropical oasis to life in a marquee and entwined nature around a tipi exterior without the use of real flowers, so i know from my own experience it can be achieved. I hope this has inspired you to tap into your own tastes, so that your wedding decor is a true reflection of who you are as a couple.

If you would love some help weaving alternative decor into your own wedding venue, so it feels like you, you can read more about my styling packages here >>

To continue feeling inspired, be sure to check out my wedding portfolio, where there are more alternative decor ideas to help you style your space.