20 Unique Ways to Decorate Your Wedding with Flower Petals

To celebrate your budding marriage.

By
Lilly Blomquist
Lilly Blomquist Brides editorial assistant headshot
Lilly Blomquist
Lilly is the assistant editor at Brides. She joined the staff in 2021 and covers real weddings, wedding decor, wedding news, and more. Her work is also featured in The Knot, The Bash, and Tracy Anderson's The Edit and Tracy Anderson Mind, Body, and Soul.
Brides's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 07/14/22
Flower petal aisle

Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

Flowers are one of the most important wedding décor details. After all, they can instantly transform your big day into a magical fairytale. Although flowers will always be in style, arranging elaborate floral displays like hanging installations or extensive floral runners can be costly and time-consuming. If you want to save time, money, and energy on your blooms while still making a splash, why not opt for just using dainty flower petals? 

Scattered petals around your ceremony and reception is an easy look to DIY, and it’s an excellent way to elevate the overall aesthetic of your wedding. This delicate floral detail is a romantic decoration that will honor your love story, and it’s an effective way to add a pop of color or texture to your space.

Long gone are the days when flower petals were reserved for only the wedding-exit toss or flower girls’ baskets. Whether you’re considering using flower petals to accompany you down the aisle, dress up your reception table, or even top off your cuisine, the options to enhance your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception are truly endless!

Here are 20 unique ways to freshen up your ceremony and reception using flower petals.

01 of 20

Scatter Them Down the Aisle

Jasmine and John's aisle covered in flower petals with tall gold candles and a floral arch

Photo by Amy Anaiz Photography

What’s more dreamy than waltzing down the aisle on a carpet of flower petals? For couples who are hosting glamorous nuptials, creating a runner of scattered petals is an effective way to define your aisle while giving your ceremony an airy, romantic feel. Pair your petals with votive candles and gold accents for the ultimate upscale setup.

02 of 20

Elevate Your Tablescape

colorful table setting

Photo by Natalie Bray

When it comes to the reception tables, decorations are a must! To really make your tablescape stand out, sprinkle flower petals around each place setting or down the center of the table to create a natural table runner. When you combine the petals with vibrant bouquets and colorful taper candles, your guests will feel like they’re dining in a blossoming garden.

03 of 20

Infuse Your Invites

invites

Photo by Josh & Dana Fernandez Photography

The invitation suite is hands down the best opportunity to set the tone of your wedding. Imprinting pressed flowers on your card stock will introduce guests to a romantic, floral-filled wedding. Pressing flowers goes the extra mile, so the detail will not go unnoticed!

04 of 20

Embellish Your Dress

bride looking in mirror

Photo by Mark Spooner

Who says flowers are just for your wedding décor? Shake up tradition and set the trends by adding hand-sewn appliques that resemble flower petals to your wedding gown. Attaching pops of petals to your bridal attire is an opportunity to build upon your wedding theme and create a textured look. We love how this gown comes across as unique and effortless.

05 of 20

Place in Ceramic Bowls

flower petals

Photo by Natalie Watson Photography 

Filling bowls with flower petals is not only a strong décor moment, but it’s also practical. You can use them later for your grand exit! Line your aisle with these flower-filled bowls, so your friends and family can shower you with petals (and love!) once you exit the ceremony and enter your next chapter as newlyweds. 

06 of 20

Create a Unique Design

Aisle design

Photos by Amy & Jordan

If you’re looking for a fun and innovative way to jazz up your wedding aisle, look no further! Instead of dispersing your flower petals randomly down the aisle, strategically arrange them in a creative pattern like these swirls of blush, peach, and white petals. The eye-catching design will certainly turn heads and create that “wow” factor, even before the bride walks down the aisle.

07 of 20

Frame Your Photo Shoot

Bride in jumpsuit

Photo by Clean Plate Pictures

Bridal portraits can be stuffy and predictable. For photos that you absolutely love taking and have just as much fun looking back on, why not add hot pink petals to your backdrop? As a bonus, choose a hue that matches the color of your accessories like this shade of electric pink.

08 of 20

Wear Them in Your Hair

Newlyweds kissing

Kristin Sweeting; Hair by Shear Abby  

For the ultimate bridal hairstyle, swap the traditional wedding veil for a fresh flower crown made of dainty petals. A halo of blooms is the perfect accessory for warm-weather weddings or for brides who want to design a bohemian look. Your bridesmaids and flower girls can also join you in sporting a floral crown for a cohesive look. 

09 of 20

Share Them with a Note

letters and flower petals

Photo by Joel Serrato

For a twist on the classic welcome bag, give loved ones a small bag of flower petals once they arrive at the venue, so they can toss them at the ceremony. If you really want to go the extra mile, pair the petals with a heartfelt note, personally addressed to each person. Your guests will sincerely appreciate and always remember the meaningful message.

10 of 20

Garnish Your Cocktail

lemonade

Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

Serving your friends and family a signature cocktail is a fun way to infuse personal touches into your wedding. If you’re looking for drink ideas or ways to decorate it, consider topping off your drink of choice with edible flower petals. The garnish will (almost) be too pretty to eat! 

11 of 20

Make Them Colorful

bride and groom just married

Photo by Meg Smith Photography

Is there anything more fun than dazzling jewel tones? Of course, a neutral palette is timeless and elegant, but having fun with your wedding colors and doing something unexpected can be very rewarding. Choose bright and bold flower petals for your ceremony exit, and the color will surely pop, whether you’re indoors or out.

12 of 20

Build a Platform

wedding ceremony

Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

Another inventive way to use flower petals during your ceremony is by covering your vow exchange site in petals. So, when you and your partner share meaningful promises with one another, you’ll be fully surrounded by blooms. Using all-white petals is extra special because it gives the effect of a blanket of pristine snow.

13 of 20

Adorn Your Pool

Pool

@jastookes/Instagram

Nothing screams summer more than a poolside bash! If you're hosting a backyard wedding and want to make your home feel more luxe, try sprinkling flower petals to float on top of your pool. A combination of rose petals and whole roses will generate the most idyllic scene.

14 of 20

Sprinkle Beneath Your Seating Chart

Escort card

Photo by Corbin Gurkin

To help your guests find their seat in style, throw flower petals below your escort card display. We love how striking petals, bold blooms, glowing candles, and natural vines work together to enhance this birchwood structure.

15 of 20

Top Your Main Meal

dinner

Photo by Jose Villa 

Your reception menu is an amazing opportunity to get creative with textures, flavors, and decorations. Since the entrée is often the star of the show, why not pair it with edible flower petals? They're decorative elements that look lovely and taste delicious! 

16 of 20

Decorate Your Lounge

A backyard floor seating arrangement

Photo by Clean Plate Pictures

Lounge areas offer a cozy and intimate place for guests to get to know one another away from all the action. Rose petals are a surefire way to take your seating area to the next level. For an added layer of romance, assemble cushy poufs, light candles, and hang string lights.

17 of 20

Line the Edges

altar

Photo by Ashlyn Cathey Photography

Instead of building a full runner of petals, another enchanting option is sprinkling them along the edges of your aisle. You’ll keep your aisle clean, so when you process, the petals won’t stick to your shoes or your train. Channel a contemporary and elegant vibe by combining white petals with lucite chairs and a greenery arch.

18 of 20

Press Petals into a Placemat

Placemat with pressed flowers

Photo by Katie Pritchard

To convert your reception into an artistic masterpiece, opt for acrylic placemats that showcase pressed petals. Not only is it a unique décor idea, but it’s also a great way to preserve your flowers. The blooms and your memories will last a lifetime. 

19 of 20

Dress Up Your Cake

flower cake

Courtesy of Blushing Cook

Decorating a naked wedding cake with flower petals is an ethereal way to upgrade your dessert display. To really go all out, scatter flower petals around your cake, too. Combining flower petals with pressed flowers produces the most picturesque setup.

20 of 20

Arrange a Bar

Flower petal bar

Photo by Laura Murray Photography

For another send-off idea, have guests fill their own paper cones with fresh flower petals. Set up a station near the entrance of your ceremony, and choose petals that coordinate with your wedding colors. Decorate the bar with more blooms for a stunning photo op.

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