Caroline and Ben Wedding - Sweetheart Table - Liberty Warehouse - Jaymo Jaymes Photography

Planning & Inspiration

‘Living’ Wedding Decor Ideas: Make Your Reception Bloom With Beauty

Caroline and Ben Wedding - Sweetheart Table - Liberty Warehouse - Jaymo Jaymes Photography

Caroline and Ben Wedding – Sweetheart Table – Liberty Warehouse – Jaymo Jaymes Photography

If binge watching Bridgerton during the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that in order to throw a fabulous social event that will have the town talking for weeks to come, you must go BIG on flowers. As wedding florists, we couldn’t help but be inspired by the lavish soirée scenes styled with decadent blossoms that looked whimsical and curated at the same time. This got us thinking… since weddings are widely considered the most important social occasion one will ever have, arrangements and decorative elements that dazzle the eye, flirt with the heart, and push the imagination must be in order.

‘Living’ decor has been a mainstay in wedding ceremonies for a couple of years, but this organic trend is fairly new to receptions. After nearly two years of waiting, couples want the second part of their wedding to be just as beautiful and joyous – exuberant flowers create the ultimate party atmosphere. You can forget about fancy vases and holding vessels. Instead, imagine natural centerpieces cascading off of the table to the floor and arrangements that appear to be burgeoning from the ground. Curious about incorporating this wildly pretty look into your big day aesthetic? Read on for ‘living’ decor ideas that will make your reception flourish with beauty.

Growing Garden Table Decor
Create the feeling of love-without-limits by setting the table with bountiful spread of flowers and greenery – hold off on vases for a more gardensque look. Details are very important – decorative accents such as candles, linens, and silverware will pull together the scene while helping to achieve your desired style and taste.

Living Floral Centerpiece - via magnoliarouge.com

Living Floral Centerpiece – via magnoliarouge.com

Perfect for the bride who dreams of a spring garden wedding, this tablescape features a profusion of flowers with intricate textures in a lovely pastel palette. Two-toned lavender taper candles, linens, and antique silverware underscore the display’s Old-World-meets-modern-charm feel.

 

Rachel & Rich Wedding - High Centerpiece - The Carltun - by Photo Pink

Rachel & Rich Wedding – High Centerpiece – The Carltun – by Photo Pink

Appearing to be rooted in a bed of moss, this soaring table centerpiece takes shape as enchanted flowering tree fashioned from curly willow branches topped with lush hydrangeas, roses, stock, delphiniums, lisianthus, and tweedia in shades of pale blue and lavender trimmed with ivy and ferns.

 

Living Floral Centerpiece - via ruffledblog.com

Living Floral Centerpiece – via ruffledblog.com

This foraged-from-the-forest tablescape is perfect for a romantic autumn wedding. The warm, chromatic color scheme, asymmetrical design, and matte black accents show how ‘living’ decor can be modified to suit a minimalist modern aesthetic.

 

Living Floral Centerpiece - via ruffledblog.com

Living Floral Centerpiece – via ruffledblog.com

Encapsulating playful sophistication, this stunning tablescape features a voluminous flower and greenery garland that spills right off the ends of table in a lush, blossoming cascade.

Flowering Floor Arrangements
‘The earth laughs in flowers’ ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Stemming from this idea, flowering arrangements situated on the floor at the end of the table are a surprising detail that enhances the ambiance of a space. Whether wildly overgrown or perfectly manicured, these decorative pieces accentuate the floral theme of your reception in unexpectedly beautiful ways.

Living Floral Wedding Decor - Side Table Arrangement - via stylemepretty.com

Living Floral Wedding Decor – Side Table Arrangement – via stylemepretty.com

Pairing elegant roses with wildflowers and flowering plants, these pretty floor arrangements illustrate how looking to your venue’s natural surroundings for inspiration wins over anything you’ll find on Pinterest or Instagram.

 

Living Floral Wedding Decor - Side Table Arrangement - via stylemepretty.com

Living Floral Wedding Decor – Side Table Arrangement – via stylemepretty.com

Just because you have your heart set on a simple table top doesn’t mean this look won’t work for you. In fact, combining an airy, delicately detailed centerpiece with a dynamic floor arrangement creates a striking contrast that pleases the eye.

 

Caroline and Ben Wedding - Sweetheart Table - Liberty Warehouse - Jaymo Jaymes Photography

Caroline and Ben Wedding – Sweetheart Table – Liberty Warehouse – Jaymo Jaymes Photography

What’s so great about budding reception floor arrangements is that the flowers can be repurposed from your ceremony decor. Real BB Weddings couple Caroline and Ben re-used their aisle arrangements to create a breathtaking gardenscape of verdant greenery trimmed with roses, cremone, tulips, stock, and snapdragons which surrounded their sweetheart table.

A Secret Garden Alcove
To replicate an authentic ‘living’ decor scene, you have to consider the all-over ambiance of your reception. An overhanging of fanciful florals and greenery situated above the table has a transportive effect, and will have everyone believing they are guests at a fairy tale banquet. While suspending an installation from the ceiling is always beautiful, trimming a trellis or wooden frame structure creates a more intimate and natural feel.

 

Living Wedding Decor - Tablescape Atmosphere - via ruffledblog.com

Living Wedding Decor – Tablescape Atmosphere – via ruffledblog.com

Taking a page straight out of Bridgerton, this jaw-dropping setup features a canopy of falling wisteria, vibrant roses, and abundant greenery. Luxurious details such as crystal chandeliers, royal blue glassware and taper candles punctuate the decor’s whimsy-meets-elegance aesthetic.

 

Sweetheart Table - Dear Stacey Wedding Photography

Sweetheart Table – Dear Stacey Wedding Photography

Why go through the hoops of orchestrating a destination wedding when you can bring the island vibes to you? For this wedding at a private residence on Long Island, the newlyweds cozied up to a sweetheart table situated between an archway adorned with tropical blooms that included purple vanda orchids, bird of paradise, and king proteas complemented by monstera and palm leaves, ivy, and Spanish moss.

“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” ~John Lennon

Expressive, bold, captivating, ‘living’ decor captures the feelings of elation and  that come with getting married. What better way to celebrate having just said ‘I do” than with beautiful, boundless blossoms all around.