Logan Cole
Just like the weather, wedding season starts to heat up in mid-to-late June, but high temps and sticky humidity don't have to put a damper on your big day. For the most part, managing high temperatures is a breeze, but when it comes to flowers, you don't have many options short of moving the party inside and cranking up the AC.
While heat resistant flowers do exist, perennial bridal favorites tend not to fall into that category. Peonies, hydrangeas, lilies, and most varieties of roses prefer cooler environments and will often wilt in hot summer temperatures. So what's the solution? Choose blooms that thrive despite the summer sun. Our favorite option just so happens to be one of the most popular in the wedding world right now: succulents!
Yes, those mini cacti do much more than look cute on your reception tables. Add them into your bouquet for a statement-making and heat-loving option, gift potted plants as a favor, or even decorate your invites with an adorable succulent-motif. And for those couples that have the luxury of not needing to worry about the heat, you can use succulents, too! Pairs have come to love these colorful cacti as a fresh touch in their ceremony and reception. And since they're available in various shades of green, red, and purple, you have plenty of options to coordinate with the rest of your décor.
Ready to check out some of our favorite ways to include succulents in your big day? Then click through to see 20 ideas that will have you booking a summer wedding date in no time.
Add a succulent to each place setting to amp up the style of your reception tables. Paired with understated greenery centerpieces, as seen here created by Floral Earth, the cacti becomes a key part of the décor.
These succulents stun in a mixed bouquet of garden roses, lilies, dahlias, and greenery, created by Sunflower Creative.
Terra cotta pots filled with green-and-pink succulents are the perfect favor. Upgrade them with a pretty tag or note written straight onto the pot.
CN Catering keeps the decorations on this three-tiered white wedding cake simple with the addition of two bold green succulents.
Studio Fleurette created these stylish centerpieces that were filled with succulents, roses, tulips, and hydrangeas.
Floral walls are so Kimye. Swap yours for a wall of growing succulents like this one, created by a DIY-loving bride.
Flowers by Alison turned oversized letters into a statement-making décor element by planting mixed succulents within the frame. You could do the same with numbers to help guide guests to their seats.
For a fun twist on the classic flower-covered escort card table, consider organizing seating assignments inside an arrangement of succulents, like Off the Beaten Path created here.
These floral wedding invitations from Paper Bloom are complete with laser-cut succulent details.
Florist Elaine Pisarcik paired a succulent with cotton and greenery for this laid-back groom's boutonniere.
Balance a brightly colored floral bouquet with soft green succulents, as Intrigue Designs did here.
EUCCA Floral created heat-friendly table settings by tucking air plants inside pink linens.
For centerpieces that can withstand even the warmest tropical setting, consider a mix of succulents in various sizes and colors.
Florist Elaine Pisarcik gave this bouquet of peonies and stock flowers a heatproof upgrade with the addition of green succulents.
For a floral table runner that could handle high temps, The Flori.Culture mixed succulents into a lush display of anemones, tulips, and garden roses.
To keep your flower crown (and hairstyle!) looking fresh, sub out some more delicate blooms for hardy succulents, like Sunflower Creative did here.
If you're really fearful of the heat ruining your bouquet, go for one oversized succulent surrounded by greenery, as seen in this arrangement from Flower Divas.
Florist Megan Wilkes created a heat-friendly boutonniere comprised of succulents and pink hypericum berries.
Potted succulents become the ideal summer place card with the addition of a miniature chalkboard.
Main Street Florist mixes succulents into a peony and rose bouquet.