Succulents are showing up everywhere in the world of weddings — from bouquets and centerpieces to take-home favors and even the wedding cake. The hardy plants are a refreshing alternative to flowers and come in a surprising variety of colors, ranging from shades of green and grey to soft pink and purple. Succulents are are available year round but are especially great for summer weddings since they can stand up to the heat and won't wilt. Best of all, they're eco-friendly and can be replanted at home after the wedding. To get you inspired, we've rounded up of our favorite ways to feature succulents in your wedding day.
All-Succulent Bouquet (above): A bouquet entirely comprised of succulents, like this one by Devynn's Garden, is modern, stylish, and perfect for an outdoor setting. This bride planted all of the succulents from her bouquet in the couple's garden after the wedding.
Photo: Caitlinn Maharr-Daniels
Black-Tie Bouquet: If you're concerned that succulents may look too casual for your black-tie nuptials, this bouquet will prove you wrong. When combined with elegant flowers like black-and-white anemones and scabiosas, succulents add just the right amount of texture to the overall look.
Photo: Katie Lamb
In Your Hair: Instead of a flower, why not incorporate a succulent or two into your updo? It's such a chic and unexpected look.
Photo: Onelove Photo
Boutonniere: Have your florist make a succulent boutonniere to pin to your groom's lapel.
Photo: The Nichols
Ceremony Backdrop: For some major wow factor, create a giant wall of succulents to stand in front of as you exchange "I dos."
Photo: She Wanders
Escort Cards: Seating cards staked into mini succulent pots direct guests to their reception table.
Photo: Q Weddings
Centerpiece of Succulents and Ranunculuses: The combination of sage-green succulents combined with coral ranunculuses and cream-colored astilble is modern and fresh. (Love the cute table-number idea, too!)
Photo: Amelia Strauss Photography
Centerpiece of White Flowers and Succulents: Mix in succulents with lush, creamy blossoms for a subtle pop of color and texture.
Photo: Watson Studios
Long Succulent Centerpiece: For a more rustic look, combine succulents with wildflowers and display them down the center of long farmhouse tables. These wooden vessels are actually antique gutters the bride had ordered from France!
Bowl of Succulents: If your style is more Palm Springs-mod, how about these centerpieces? Succulents were planted into concrete bowls and accented with bright-yellow craspedia and a table number.
Photo: Brandon Kidd
Table Runner: Ask your florist to create a textural table runner made entirely of different succulent varieties.
Photo: Love Lux Blog
Wedding Favor: Send guests home at the end of the night with a mini succulent and note instructing guests to re-plant them at home.
Photo: Andrew Jade Photo
Wedding Cake with Pricky Pear Topper: This unique confection by Ruze Cake House in Scottsdale, AZ, is a fresh take on the popular succulent wedding-cake trend. The white-on-white herringbone-patterned tiers are topped with a flowering prickly-pear topper that's actually fashioned from sugar (and the cactus needles are made from broken spaghetti noodles!).
Special thanks to Sean Nestlerode at Torchio Nursery in San Francisco for his help with our "In Season Now" flower series!