Decorating a Wedding with Greenery

Every bride envisions her wedding beautifully decorated. Sometimes we get so focused on flowers, that other decorating possibilities may be overlooked. Pretty greenery can be an elegant and affordable addition to your floral accents at the ceremony and reception. Take a look at these ideas for .

Wreaths can be a lovely addition to any style of wedding. While your mind might jump to an evergreen Christmas wreath, there are plenty of other types of greens to use for wedding wreaths all year round. Aromatic eucalyptus leaves, fragrant herbs, classic boxwood, laurel leaves, and large magnolia leaves are just some of the materials that can be used to create elegant non-holiday wedding wreaths. A round wreath is always lovely, especially because the eternity symbolized by a circle is very appropriate for a wedding. Other specialty shapes can also be very appealing, such as a contemporary square wreath (especially nice in boxwood) or a romantic heart shaped wreath.

Garlands have many uses when decorating a wedding. Simple green garlands look elegant wrapping the poles of an arbor for an outdoor ceremony. Top with an ethereal sheer white cloth for a clean yet romantic altar decoration. If you like the sparkle of chandeliers and crystal wedding jewelry, dot your garland with large teardrop shaped crystals to catch the sunlight and sparkle. Green garlands look marvelous draped over the doorway of a country church, a rustic old barn, or your own front door for a wedding at home. If having a traditional long head table, a garland of greenery can be swagged across the front of the table. Add some flowers to the greens if you wish, such as pink roses.

One great looking wedding decoration are initials made from greens. Various types of moss are an especially popular material for this type of decor. You can either have one monogram letter made featuring the initial for the couple's last name (more appropriate for the reception after the bride and groom have become a family) or a single initial representing the bride's first name with a second one for the groom. Hang your custom initials on the church or reception doors, on the backs of the bride and groom's chairs at the dinner table, or even on a tree for an outdoor wedding. Pick a pretty ribbon to suspend the initials, such as a yellow gingham for a country wedding or a silver satin if the bride is wearing a formal dress with crystal bridal jewelry.

Greenery can also be a lovely centerpiece in and of itself. A trio of moss globes perched atop stone garden urns is simple but elegant for either an indoor or outdoor wedding. Topiaries are a charming wedding centerpiece, and can be handmade, ordered from a florist, or rented from a design company. A topiary can easily be personalized with the addition of a ribbon in the wedding color, adding tiny spray roses, inserting crystal pins, or even pretty faux butterflies.

Another idea for sprucing up your wedding with greenery is to wrap it around decorative elements like candelabras or hurricane lanterns. Myrtle, ivy, or pine greens would be lovely accents, whether your wedding is formal or casual. Without a doubt, greenery is an affordable way to add style to any wedding.