Now that our 2022 wedding season is behind us, we are knee deep planning with all of our 2023 brides and grooms! As I have been navigating the design process with our couples, I find that clients usually have an idea of what they expect their dining table centerpieces to look like, but rarely do they know exactly what they want their ceremony flowers and decor to look like. Truth be told, there are so many different options and decisions to be made surrounding your ceremony decor, so I thought I would lay out the most common options I see, so you can browse a few photos and see if any of these designs inspire you! Keep in mind any of these designs can be done in your color scheme, but I hope this helps to give you the general idea of the various options available!
One of the most common (and budget friendly) design choices for a vineyard wedding, is two large arrangements on wine barrels to flank the couple. I love this option because it adds just a touch of color and prettiness, without distracting too much from the gorgeous backdrop that so many winery venues display. Another reason I love this option is because it’s very easy to repurpose these large florals after the ceremony to use at your reception. Sometimes we will move them to frame your head table. Or place them on the bar or dessert table. I love that you will get to enjoy these gorgeous arrangements all night long instead of just the half hour at the ceremony. Here are a few examples of this concept to help you visualize what it would look like.
Do you like this idea for your wedding? Well, that was pretty easy! But we are not quite done yet. Do you like the way the flowers “cap” the wine barrel? Or do you prefer something taller in a large vase for more height? There are so many details to consider! While both looks are pretty, we usually do not suggest anything too tall or top heavy for outdoor weddings. Those designs are safer for indoor locations. And last but not least, depending on your budget, it’s nice to also consider a pair of arrangements at the “beginning” of the aisle, so visually your ceremony has a start and finish. It will also make for a great photo as the barrels frame you on your recessional walk down the aisle as a married couple!
Do you like this idea but think that wine barrels are too rustic for your wedding? Consider using the same concept, but place the florals on a more modern pedestal. Florists have lots of options to get your ceremony design just right, just ask!
Another popular trend is the flower arbor. Again, there are so many decisions to make surrounding a flower arbor! Flower arbors can be super pricy, but they do not have to be. A full flower arbor will be the most expensive option. Arbors like this will be completely covered with flowers and you will not see any of the supporting structure. Pricing will also be determined by how many flowers are needed. The more flower blooms needed, the higher the price will be.
You also need to consider what sort of shape you want your arbor to be. Do you want something rounded on the top, a circle arch, a hexagon or a rectangle? Do you want the structure to be gold, wood or something else? So many factors to consider!
Keep in mind that you do not need to cover the entire structure with greenery and flowers. Doing two asymmetrical arrangements or just covering a portion of the arbor are great ways to add some pretty flower accents without breaking the bank.
While all of these flower arbors are swoon worthy, some clients just want to keep things simple. For couples who want something understated, creating a ring of flowers to encompass the “altar” is a pretty and low-key design to consider.
Now that you have an idea of what you want your altar flowers to look like, you will also want to consider if you want small arrangements hanging from the aisle chairs or flowers lining your aisle placed on the ground. I like adding chairs flowers in hanging vases verses flowers tied to the chairs, because the if the flowers are in vases with water, they can easily be repurposed to your cocktail tables, which helps to keep your flower costs down. Adding rose petals on your aisle is also a nice touch, but rarely works well in outdoor settings. Your venue will need to be protected from the wind to keep petals in place.
I hope this helps you to find the perfect ceremony flowers for your dream Sonoma or Napa wedding! Thank you to all of the amazing florists we work for creating these gorgeous designs: Wine Country Flowers, Vanda Floral Design, Julie Stevens Designs, Nancy Lui Chin, Mandy’s Garden & Revel Floral Design.