Unexpected Ways to Incorporate Your Favorite Flowers Into Your Wedding Day
Photography by Joleen Willis
Your bouquet might be the star of the show on your wedding day, but your favorite flowers deserve so much more than a single moment in the spotlight. Those blooms you've fallen in love with, whether they're the peonies from your grandmother's garden or the wildflowers from where you got engaged, all have stories to tell. At Sweet Lilacs, we've seen firsthand how the right flowers can transform a wedding from beautiful to unforgettable, and it's not just about the arrangements everyone expects.
Your wedding flowers will be a part of every precious moment, not just the bouquet toss. They're waiting to surprise your guests, honor the people you love, and create those little details that will make your heart skip a beat when you look back at your photos years from now.
After taking some time off from the floral industry, the language of flowers actually got me back into florals in the first place. Make sure to check out our guide to The Language of Flowers: Adding Meaning to Your Wedding Arrangements. At Sweet Lilacs this is such an integral part of making your wedding florals meaningful.
Start Your Story Early
Your floral love affair doesn't have to wait until your wedding day. You can weave your chosen blooms into your engagement celebrations, creating a beautiful thread that connects every milestone.
There's something magical about pressing a few stems from your engagement party centerpieces to tuck into your wedding invitations. Your guests receive a tiny piece of your love story before they even arrive at your celebration.
Wedding programs become keepsakes when you add pressed flowers between the pages. We love helping couples select the perfect petals that capture the essence of their wedding while giving guests something they'll actually want to keep. It's those unexpected touches that make people pause and smile.
The Details That Make Hearts Flutter
Here's where things get really fun. Your signature flowers can show up in the most delightful ways throughout your wedding day. Picture your guests' faces when they discover rose petals floating in their welcome cocktails or find lavender sprigs garnishing their champagne. These aren't just pretty additions, they're conversation starters and memory makers.
One of our favorite opportunities for floral storytelling is your wedding cake. Fresh blooms cascading down multiple tiers, delicate sugar flowers that mirror your bouquet, or even a simple crown of greenery can transform your dessert into a work of art. We can work closely with your baker to ensure these floral elements feel intentional, not afterthoughts.
Don't overlook edible flowers either. Pansies, nasturtiums, and violas can transform ordinary appetizers into Instagram-worthy moments, adding unexpected pops of color and flavor to your cocktail hour.
Honoring Hearts, Past and Present
Flowers have this incredible ability to honor the people we love and transport us back in time. Both those celebrating with us and those we carry in our hearts.
We often help couples create small nosegays of meaningful blooms for the mothers and grandmothers in their wedding party. Maybe it's your grandmother's favorite roses or the daisies your mother grew in her first garden. These personal touches speak volumes without saying a single word.
For those precious loved ones who can't be with you on your wedding day, flowers offer a beautiful way to feel their presence. A single stem of their favorite bloom placed on a reserved chair, or a small arrangement near your family photos, creates a moment of connection that brings comfort and joy.
Adorning Your People with Natural Beauty
Your wedding party deserves to be part of your floral story, too. Flower crowns aren't just for boho brides; they can be tailored to fit any style and personality. We've created everything from delicate baby's breath halos for romantic garden parties to bold dahlia crowns for couples who love drama. Flower girls especially light up when they get to wear these natural accessories, and the photos are absolutely magical.
Consider floral hair accessories for your bridesmaids that go beyond the traditional. Single stems tucked behind ears, elaborate floral combs woven into updos, or even small clusters of blooms pinned to dress straps can create stunning photo opportunities. Your groomsmen can join the fun with unique boutonnieres that tell your story, perhaps a small bundle of herbs and flowers that reflects your shared interests or where you met.
Transforming Your Space
Your chosen flowers can completely transform your venue in ways that go far beyond centerpieces. Petal-lined aisles create a dreamy pathway to your altar, while floral garlands draped along staircases or wrapped around columns add romance to any space. We love creating installations that serve double duty, beautiful ceremony backdrops that later transform into reception focal points.
Hanging installations add dimension and wonder to your celebration. Whether it's a floral chandelier above your sweetheart table or delicate blooms suspended over your dance floor, these overhead elements create those "wow" moments that guests remember long after the last dance.
Creating Tomorrow's Treasures
One of the most meaningful ways to extend your floral story is through preservation and keepsakes. Beyond traditional bouquet pressing, consider having a few blooms from your arrangements dried and incorporated into custom artwork, jewelry, or candles that you can enjoy in your home for years to come.
The Magic of Intentional Choices
Here's what we've learned after designing florals for over a thousand weddings: intention matters more than abundance. Select the moments and details that hold the most meaning for you as a couple. It could be having your flower girl scatter petals that match your bouquet, or it could be incorporating your partner's grandmother's favorite flowers into your ceremony arch.
These personal touches create the magic that makes your wedding day uniquely yours. They're the details that make your guests lean in closer, smile a little wider, and celebrate your love with you.
Your favorite flowers have stories to tell and memories to make. By thinking beyond traditional arrangements, you're not just decorating your wedding; you're creating a floral love letter that will be remembered for years to come. And isn't that exactly what your love story deserves?
If you're interested in learning more, check out our blog on the Language of Flowers.
We would love to help you with including florals in unexpected ways!
Photography| @joleenwillis , @lovewildly
Florals| @sweetlilacsstudio
HMUA| @braidedblondelocks
Planner Janelle, @mywildflowerevents & Bride
DJ Bart with @momentstomemoriesdj
Catering| @willowcreekcatering