20 Fresh Ways to Use Succulents in Your Wedding

Updated 10/21/20

Succulent table setting — Photo by Logan Cole

Just like the weather, wedding season starts to heat up in mid-to-late June. 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? Choosing blooms that thrive despite the summer sun. Our favorite option just so happens to be one of the most popular in the wedding world: 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! Couples have come to love these colorful cacti as a fresh touch in their ceremony and reception.

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.

Ahead, discover 20 functional and trendy ways to use succulents in your wedding.

Place Settings

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 become a key part of the décor.

Succulent Bouquets

These succulents stun in a mixed bouquet of garden roses, lilies, dahlias, and greenery, created by Sunflower Creative.

Wedding Favors

Succulent favors — Photo by Cynthia Chung Weddings

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.

Cake Adornments

Cake succulent decor — Photo by Michelle Boyd Photography

CN Catering keeps the decorations on this three-tiered white wedding cake simple with the addition of two bold green succulents.

Statement Centerpiece

Succulent centerpiece — Photo by Paper Antler

Studio Fleurette created these stylish centerpieces that were filled with succulents, roses, tulips, and hydrangeas.

Succulent Wall

Floral walls are so Kimye. Swap yours for a wall of growing succulents like this one, created by a DIY-loving bride.

Statement Decór

Succulent letters — Photo by Sarah Murray Photography

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.

Escort Cards

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.

Invitations

These floral wedding invitations from Paper Bloom are complete with laser-cut succulent details.

Greenery Boutonniere

Succulent boutonniere — Photo by Hot Metal Studio

Florist Elaine Pisarcik paired a succulent with cotton and greenery for this laid-back groom's boutonniere.

A Balanced Bouquet

Balance a brightly colored floral bouquet with soft green succulents, as Intrigue Designs did here.

Peek-A-Boo Linens

Succulent linens — Photo by onelove Photography

EUCCA Floral created heat-friendly table settings by tucking air plants inside pink linens.

Minimalist Centerpiece

For centerpieces that can withstand even the warmest tropical setting, consider a mix of succulents in various sizes and colors.

Mix Florals with Greenery

Florist Elaine Pisarcik gave this bouquet of peonies and stock flowers a heatproof upgrade with the addition of green succulents.

A Lush Table Runner

Succulent table runner — Photo by Charity Maurer Photography

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.

Succulent Flower Crown

To keep your flower crown (and hairstyle!) looking fresh, sub out some more delicate blooms for hardy succulents, like Sunflower Creative did here.

Oversized Bouquet

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.