23 Whimsical Garden Wedding Ideas to Inspire Your Big-Day Design (2024)

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Gardens have long served as a source of romantic inspiration for lovers, writers, and artists alike, but these destinations aren’t simply for a traditional fête. Plenty of couples have found unique ways to work their green thumbs into every wedding detail, from the décor to the menu. Trade greenery for modern whimsy or put a desert-inspired spin on a garden party lounge. And who’s to say you can’t bring the outdoors in?

Even if you're not tying the knot in a garden wedding venue, you can transform any space into the magical garden you've been dreaming of with a little creativity. Ahead, see 23 garden wedding ideas to inspire your big day.

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Wear Flowers in Your Hair

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Accent your veil or locks with a floral crown, or, for an effortless feel, place flowers loosely in your strands or into an updo.

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Dress the Part

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Don’t let your venue get all the attention—curate a look that flourishes. Choose a dress with floral lace, or for a bold statement, include colorful floral embroidery on your veil.

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Give a Sign

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Let your guests know from the very moment they walk in that your wedding is a garden-themed affair. Your welcome sign is one of the first design elements people will see, so adorn it with the flowers of your choice.

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Dress Your Bridal Party in Florals

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You can also have you bridal party don outfits accented with floral motifs. We love it when the styles are mismatched.

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Plant an Indoor Garden—on the Ceiling

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Turn your indoor venue into a natural habitat by hanging a lush installation. This 50-by-50-foot beauty drips with greenery and white florals.

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Program a Breeze

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Keep guests cool during your alfresco ceremony with handmade fans that double as a program. Our hearts blossom for this venue illustration, the citrus-and-emerald palette (for a natural summer aesthetic), and the tree-planting ceremony listed among the day-of delights.

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Use a Natural Arch

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Sometimes the best way to make the most of your setting is to let it show its true colors, like at this intimate ceremony. It’s surrounded by woods and cedars, so a simple arch wrapped in wild greenery adds to the bucolic ambiance. Finish it with a flowy drape for more ethereal romance.

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Transform a Stone-Covered Space

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Want to create a garden in a stone-covered venue? Take note of this ceremony setup, which used white and green florals to create a serpentine aisle marked with two potted trees at the entrance.

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Throw Petals

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Add cones of petals in your wedding colors for guests to throw in celebration of the newlyweds. It will make for stunning photos, too!

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Make Use of Moss

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Flowers are a no-brainer, but what about moss for statement decor? The organic altar at this Atlanta wedding is a work of art—and trick of the eye—that appears to grow naturally in its native habitat. Instead, it’s crafted with moss and vines that encircle the couple.

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Picnic in a Greenhouse

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Glass-walled greenhouses are ideal spots for a reception—particularly when your decor has a picnic aesthetic. This nursery has the added benefit of offering views of the veggie, herb, fruit, and floral gardens on one side.

Create Photo Moments

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Don’t bring in a flower wall—use the backdrops your venue provides, like this arrangement of clay pots and succulents. It’s textural and funky, and the bride’s classic gown and groom’s sleek tux pop against the light tones and plants in various shapes and sizes.

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Place Florals Everywhere

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Flowers are the name of the game when it comes to crafting a garden wedding. From your bar to your signage, find spots to place blooms all over.

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Have Floor to Ceiling Florals

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In the entrance to this couple's Mexico City wedding, floor to ceiling florals along the pathway creating a dreamy pathway into the main reception space.

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Serve Farm-Fresh Fare

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Locavores will want to dine on seasonal cuisine that reflects the garden party palate. Opt for food that's fresh and celebrates the region—maybe even the plot of land on which you wed.

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Hit the Roof

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Achieve high drama from the top down with a rooftop venue. Take a cue from this decor and contrast classic architecture (the neo-Gothic style of St. Patrick’s Cathedral) with something glam, such as custom lavender mirrored tables and built-in art deco lanterns.

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Go Bold With Blooms

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Think beyond the bouquet and make blossoms an integral part of your celebration with an over-the-top style. Work with your florist to incorporate native flowers that play on your venue. These dreamy bougainvillea runners drape off the tables and match the candy-colored courtyard.

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Pick Out Floral Print Linens

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Floral linens like napkins or placemats can easily lend a fresh garden feel to your tablescape.

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Sweeten the Scene

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Decorate your cake with pressed florals and greenery for a stunning wedding-day confection. You can also adorn the table with coordinated blooms.

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Decorate a Greenhouse

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This stunning greenhouse served as a stop during co*cktail hour at this Guatemala wedding, where guests could sip drinks surrounded by beautiful white tulips and cherry blossoms.

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Keep Your Guests Refreshed With Assorted Infused Water

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Whether it's a breezy spring day or a warm summer afternoon, you can keep your guests hydrated with a bright table of infused waters. Taylor and Jen provided their guests with an assortment of beverages during their dreamy Chicago Botanic Garden wedding.

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Set the Scene With Florals

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Bring out the florals to highlight your wedding colors. Mira and Rohan had their Mandap decorated with pink and white peonies and greenery for their lakeside wedding.

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Create a Picturesque Backdrop

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Create a romantic backdrop using a circular arch featuring the florals of your choice. The living wall only adds to the overall aesthetic of this ceremony. Draw inspiration from this whimsical wedding in Long Island City.

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