Longing for a breath of fresh air at your wedding site? Potted plants, trees and shrubs are a trend that can delight your guests and bring an all-natural vibe to a space. There are lots of ways to use greenery at your wedding.
One of the most common: “Making a space more intimate,” says Luke Puglia with J. W. Townsend Landscapes. The company’s Hotpots service can deliver rented trees and shrubs to a site, set them up and then remove them. If, say, you have a small number of guests relative to your venue’s capacity, trees can help fill in the space and make it feel less cavernous.
You can use trees to flank a doorway or define the spot where you will take your vows, much like a chuppah. “Another reason would be to hide something unsightly,” says Puglia—for example, a “hedge” of potted boxwoods in front of the open space under a stage. He’s also helped couples planning ceremonies in open fields, using trees to frame the group of seats. Shorter shrubs or flowering perennials might line the ceremony aisle.
What kinds of trees work best? Most of the year, Puglia says, “Everyone’s using deciduous trees: maples and birches.” Wintertime sees couples opting for evergreens like magnolia or arborvitae. Hotpots rents plants ranging from 6-foot perennials through 10-foot trees. Call for guidance and a cost estimate; prices can range from several hundred dollars into the thousands, depending on how many trees you need.
Smaller plants that you purchase at a garden center can play a role too—picture hydran geas as table centerpieces, or tiny succulents that double as place cards and favors. Have fun getting creative with the containers.