EA_Masterbrand

Expert tips and ideas for all the decorative, delicious, and fun elements that add personality to your wedding.

### Fall Wedding Cake Alternatives
- __Wedding pie display__: There are so many pie flavors to enjoy this season, such as pumpkin pie and apple pie, so why not build an elegant display with all your favorites?
- __Pizza wedding cake__: If your wedding falls on a big game day, or if you and your spouse really love cheese, how about ditching the dessert and treating your guests to cheese and marinara sauce instead? No really, pizza wedding cakes are trending!
- __Autumn petit fours__: Can’t decide on just one cake flavor? Hand out petit four samplers of your favorite fall cakes, like these bite size samplers from [Cake Walkr](http://cakewalkr.com/autumn-petits-fours/). 
- __Marble bundtinis__: Combine chocolate and vanilla into personal marble bundtinis. Top your mini marble bundt cakes with jewel-toned edible flowers. 
- __A donut arrangement__: Fall is the perfect time of year to incorporate a donut wall. You can mix and match flavors, but make sure to incorporate some fall favorites like pumpkin spice cake donuts! 

<a id="fall"> </a>
![wedding-cakes-by-season-fall](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3HH2qA9AnQn2hmMCt7IdcH/6a8d1d69da541d217c3cbd8bdb4cdb33/wedding-cakes-by-season-fall.jpg)

## Wedding Cake Ideas For Winter
Winter may be the most underrated wedding season of all. This romantic time of year lets you incorporate gleaming fireplaces and snowy landscapes into your wedding day — not to mention all the holiday cheer. Gorgeous winter hues can be incorporated into different aspects of your wedding, such as your [invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), [menus](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/menus/shop), [save the dates](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop), and more. There’s also less venue competition so you’ll find cheaper prices and more availability when planning your dreamy winter wedding escape. 

‘Tis the season for drinking warm chocolate and indulging in a second round at the dessert table, so take advantage of this special time with your wedding cake recipe. You also have the opportunity to feature warm dessert alternatives during your special day. 

Read on for some of our favorite winter wedding cake flavors: 
- __Apple cake with cider frosting drizzled with caramel__: Spice up a cold winter wedding day with [Food and Flair’s](http://www.foodandflair.com/apple-cake-with-apple-cider-icing/) apple cake drizzled in caramel sauce. Match your cake to your wedding invitations with [Zola's Interstellar Wreath design](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop). 
- __Chocolate peppermint bundt cake garnished with crushed peppermint__: If you are a fan of mint, try [Two Peas and Their Pod’s](https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/chocolate-peppermint-bundt-cake/) chocolate peppermint bundt cake for a decadent and refreshing flavor. 
- __German chocolate wedding cake__: The holidays are the perfect time for indulgence, so serve up a German chocolate cake famous for its rich chocolate flavor. 
- __White chocolate raspberry cake__: Ruby red elegance and rich white chocolate frosting make this stunning treat a perfect option for wintertime. 
- __Cinnamon toast cake__: Inspired by Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, this treat by [Liv for Cake](https://livforcake.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-cake/) is soft and buttery, with a crunchy toasted topping. 
- __Red velvet cake__: This winter traditional cake by [Eat Cho Food](https://eatchofood.com/blog/2017/12/18/red-velvet-cake-with-coconut-cream-cheese-frosting) is snow-covered with coconut cream frosting and a delectable deep red velvet cake center.  
- __Traditional holiday fruit cake__: Incorporate a holiday treat into your special day with a holiday fruit cake. Top it with cream cheese frosting for extra sweetness! (Fun fact: Fruit cakes became the most popular choice for the groom's cake, served in place of a more traditional wedding cake.)
- __Chocolate raspberry truffle cake__: Chocolate lovers can remix traditional chocolate with [Sweet Laurel’s](http://blog.sweetlaurel.com/2018/02/09/chocolate-raspberry-truffle-cake-sweet-laurel/) truffle cake that is dripping with homemade ganache and topped with raspberries.  
- __Champagne mimosa cake__: Celebrate a New Year’s themed wedding with an orange sponge cake topped with champagne buttercream. 
- __Chocolate orange cake__: Winter is the perfect time to mix bold citrus with rich flavor, like [Happy and Harried’s](https://www.happyandharried.com/2018/02/04/chocolate-orange-cake/) chocolate orange cake. 
- __Tiramisu cake with cream cheese mascarpone and cocoa__: Enjoy tiramisu and cake at the same time with this dessert by [Also the Crumbs Please](https://www.alsothecrumbsplease.com/tiramisu-cake-recipe/).
- __Eggnog cake__: Eggnog is only served one time a year, so don’t miss your chance to incorporate this festive flavor into your winter wedding cake. 
- __Hot chocolate cake__: Homemade marshmallow fluff, chocolate buttercream and chocolate shavings all blend together in this winter-inspired cake. 
- __Chocolate chip bundt cake__: Tis the season for indulgence, so why not serve chocolate chip flavored bundt cakes? 
- __Black Forest cake__: Enjoy a chocolate sponge cake filled with cherry filling. 
- __Chocolate gingerbread cake__: Try a sophisticated cake full of winter spice like this one from [The Cheerful Space](https://thecheerfulspace.com/2017/02/01/winter-chocolate-gingerbread-cake/). Top it with pinecones and seasonal berries, then sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a snowy effect. 
- __Naked sugared cranberry cake__: Dress up a naked cake at winter time with white chocolate ganache and sugared cranberries, like this recipe from [Just a Smidgen](http://justasmidgen.com/2017/01/23/naked-sugared-cranberry-cake/). 
- __Vanilla bean blood orange cake__:  Decorate this sweet vanilla bean cake by [Spice is in my DNA](https://www.spicesinmydna.com/vanilla-bean-blood-orange-cake/) with winter’s favorite citrus treat: aromatic candied blood oranges. 
- __Blackberry yogurt cake__:  Fresh blackberries and edible flowers from this cake by [Hungry and Fussy](https://www.hungryandfussy.com/gluten-free-blackberry-yoghurt-cake-recipe/#) will bring beautiful purple hues to your special winter day.
- __Layered brownie cake__: Chocolate lovers only! This recipe by [Wilton](https://www.wilton.com/layered-brownie-cake/WLRECIP-8563.html) is five layers of rich brownie dripped in a sweet caramel sauce and buttercream frosting, perfect for bulking season.
- __Winter spice snack cake with maple swiss meringue buttercream__: This healthy cake recipe by [Salt N Pepper Here](https://www.saltnpepperhere.com/blog/winter-spice-snack-cake-with-maple-swiss-meringue-buttercream) is so delicious, you won’t believe it’s gluten-free and refined sugar free. 

### Winter Wedding Cake Alternatives 
- __Cheese wedding cake__: Winter is a great time for wine enthusiasts to indulge so why not ditch the sweets and add a cheese cake display to pair with your wine list?
- __S’mores bar__: Substitute the cake for graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows with an Instagram-friendly s’mores station.
- __Brownie sheet cake__: A DIY brownie sheet cake is a cost-effective way serve rich chocolate flavor to your wedding guests. 
- __Vanilla cream cream puff__: Treat your guests to stacks pudding baked inside cream puffs.
- __Espresso flavored mini creme brulees__: Take your evening up a notch with personal sized creme brulees. 
- __Assorted cookie sampler__: Everybody has a favorite holiday cookie, so feature all the classics in a cookie display and let your guests choose which flavors to indulge in. 

<a id="winter"> </a>
![wedding-cakes-by-season-winter](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5PnLyBPiDeBtauVYaD37mZ/fa941f08dc45249bd3776b9855f4c383/wedding-cakes-by-season-winter.jpg)

Have you found your perfect wedding cake recipe? If so, check out our [guide to wedding cake costs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-cake-costs) before you place your cake order! Wethe bakery! also have tips for [DIY wedding cakes](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/tips-for-diy-wedding-cakes) for briany bride or groom interested in bakingdes who want to bake one of these delicious recipes at home.

Whether you are planning a garden inspired celebration in springtime or a rustic wedding during fall, Zola is here to help make your wedding dreams become a reality. Staying organized is the best recipe for wedding success and we'll help you every step of the way, from senpicking out wedding cake toppers to ding out [save the dates](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop) to designing your [free wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website). 

Sign up for the [Zola Wedding Checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist) to start planning your big day. We’ll send you reminders as big deadlines approach — including when it’s time to finalize that recipe! 

__Sources:__ [Pop Sugar](https://www.popsugar.com/food/Wedding-Cake-Flavor-Ideas-30442542) | [The Cake Blog](https://thecakeblog.com/) | [Cosmopolitan](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/g3941/alternative-wedding-cake-ideas/) | [All Recipes](https://www.allrecipes.com/) | [Just Simply Delicious](http://www.justsimplydelicious.com/budget-weddings-cakes-75-100-guests/) 


Cakes

112 Wedding Cake Ideas & Designs

Decor + Inspiration

There are many costs associated with wedding planning, from your [venue](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-a-wedding-venue) to [invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop) and beyond. One of the more costly expenses tend to be florals, with an average bridal bouquet costing $250 — and that’s before you calculate centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and other floral displays.

## Benefits of Ordering In Season Flowers
Flowers add beautiful and natural notes to your wedding day. Incorporating season-specific blooms will create a trendy and authentic display that will have your guests and wedding photographer swooning.

Moreover, when you order in season flowers, your florist doesn’t have to compete with other businesses to order a flower that's in high demand. While you’ll save money on your wedding day using peak-season blooms for your wedding bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, etc., keep in mind that some are more expensive than others. Year-round blooms can make perfect bouquet fillers or statement pieces during any season—especially for DIY bouquets.

That said, keep in mind that weather, climate, and other factors can impact flowering seasons. Make sure to check with your local [florist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-included-in-a-wedding-flower-package) on availability before you order.

- <a href="#spring">Spring Flower Inspiration</a>
- <a href="#summer">Summer Flower Inspiration</a>
- <a href="#fall">Fall Flower Inspiration</a>
- <a href="#winter">Winter Flower Inspiration</a>

![flower-compendium chart](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/47LJzZKeTm464r9DheGzG6/04d14b749ca368bd71faf3d50383d6a8/flower-compendium_chart.jpg)

## Spring Flower Inspiration
As the weather slowly warms, plants begin to flower into beautiful pastel shades. It’s the perfect time of year to add in pinks, peaches, lilac, and cream into your [wedding style](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-your-wedding-style).

Keep in mind that cold fronts and long winters can delay the flowering season, which can impact the fullness of your blooms. Touch base with your florist a few weeks before the wedding to see if you can still buy locally sourced, in-season blooms to cut down on cost.

Check out some of our favorite springtime blooms: 

__Ranunculus__: This large petaled flower is found in a wide variety of wedding bouquets. Its petals look similar to rose petals but are extremely delicate and tissue-paper thin. Their color palette makes them perfect for any season and despite their springtime bloom, they are cheap and widely available so you can feature them all year long! 

__Bluebell__: Bluebells are a great alternative to tulips. These intense blue bulbs grow in woodland areas and are linked with fairy enchantments in British folklore. Their deep shades make this flower a moody addition to any bouquet, perfect for a garden-inspired look. For a similar look in white, look to lily of the valley. For pinks, consider sweet pea flowers. 

__Poppy__: Because poppies prefer cooler weather, these flowers have a short blooming season that wraps up by May. If you’re getting married in spring, this crinkly spring flower will add bright color to your bouquet. Although the petals come in many shades, the center is usually bursting with yellow, making this wildflower a perfect addition to a bouquet for a free-spirited outdoor ceremony. 

__Peony__: Thriving in late spring, Peonies have silky, fluffy petals that come in light hues. The petals have a strong aromatic scent and they begin to burst as the warm weather moves in, making them a perfect option for a fresh springtime wedding. Pro tip: Since these can be pricy, consider using hydrangeas as a spring wedding flower alternative. 

<a id="spring"> </a>
![flower season guide spring](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1KWqpM0Kl16nmg4cHCH6kK/b1fa16fd2da7d3771de850f69e268fc3/flower_season_guide_spring.jpg)
Sources: [heidi-o-photo](http://www.heidiophoto.com) | [Casey Nolin](http://caseynolin.com/) | [Sara Beaumont Photography](https://sarabeaumontphotography.com/) | [Amy Caroline Photography](https://www.amycarolinephotography.com/)

## Summer Flower Inspiration
Summer weddings are an ideal time to feature bold colors and full blooms, since many flowers that began to bulb in springtime reach peak bloom during the [hot summer months](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/heat-tolerant-flowers-for-your-summer-wedding).

Bright, exotic floral choices are a great way to tie a summertime vibe into your ceremony. Keep in mind that all that sunshine makes heat waves and dry spells common this time of year, which can impact the blooming season of some flowers.

Here are some of our favorite warm season blooms: 

### Sunflowers
Sunflowers begin flowering in July and their bountiful bloom makes them extremely affordable. They’re also considered a symbol of good luck, so a sunflower wedding display will start your marriage off with positive and bright sunny vibes. 

### Snapdragon
Early summer is the best time to take advantage of snapdragons, which begin budding in the cool springtime. This flower is from the Mediterrannean and has fragrant petals and long stems. Snapdragons come in a wide variety of beautiful bold shades and they’re perfect to pair with larger buds such as roses, lisianthus, and peonies. 

### Orchid
Start your honeymoon early with this tropical stunner. While many varieties bloom year round, orchids feel especially seasonal during the sunny summer months. Their bright petals resemble butterfly wings and despite their high cost, orchids can be a practical bouquet choice given their long life span. Pair with lush greenery and bright bulbs for a lush, tropical floral design. 

### Dahlia
These dreamy summer flowers are bright, bold, and uniquely shaped. While they begin blooming in late May, their flowers begin to burst during the summer months into early fall. Dahlia’s large bloom, affordability, and variety make this a practical and impactful addition to your bouquet. 

<a id="summer"> </a>
![flower season guide summer](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/sdkka62n8iJeLiSO5Zb7t/ed007c62b14e23bbbb9394b2380231ac/flower_season_guide_summer.jpg)
Sources: [Elevate Photography](http://www.elevatephotography.com/) | [Two Moon Photo](http://www.twomoonphoto.com/) | [Taryn Kent](http://www.tarynkent.com/) | [BG Pro Online](http://www.bgproonline.com/)

## Fall Flower Inspiration
Flower season slows down as the crisp air moves in. Autumn sees plants and trees shed their leaves as foliage transforms into beautiful jewel-toned hues. Other seasonal touches for your floral arrangements can include twigs, feathers, and berries.

Many summer blooms continue to flower throughout early fall, so despite the changing colors autumn brings, you’ll still have tons of options to choose from. You’ll also find a rebirth of some cool-weather bulbs that resurface from spring after hiding from the summer heat.

Here are some of our favorite [fall wedding flowers](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-fall-wedding-flowers) to add into display: 

### King Protea
This statement flower will steal the show at your wedding. The tropical flowering plant is South Africa’s national flower and it stuns with a heavy head, spiky petals, and a thick stem. Despite its light pink color, the uniqueness of this flower makes it the perfect addition to a moody fall bouquet. 

### Amaranthus
This exotic long-tailed plant has rich Aztec history and its name translates to “love lies bleeding.” With rich harvest hues such as pink, red and green, these petals hold color even when dry. The velvety flowers will look sultry and glamorous as they cascade down your wedding bouquet.

### Chrysanthemum
Also called mums, this popular flower signifies autumn abundance, making it the perfect addition to your fall wedding day! Mums come in brilliant shades and offer brides tons of variety in flower shape. They're also easy to grow in the late summer season, making them an affordable bouquet addition and a great flower for fall gardens.  

### Delphinium
This summer bloom is still in season through October, making it a perfect addition to an early fall wedding display. There are multiple shades of petals so you can choose a more traditional autumn color or surprise your wedding guests with pops of delicate blue petals paired with more traditional fall shades.

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![flower season guide fall](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/17DpB4pXBl02NJMxcyK5rm/bbeb9bc80af3adfe13be2f67ea921f1c/flower_season_guide_fall.jpg)
Sources: [Viva Flowers](https://www.vivaflowers.com.au) | [House of Lucie](https://www.houseoflucie.com/) | [Soda Fountain Photo](http://sodafountainphoto.com), [Allison Harp](https://allisonharp.com/) | [HomeGrown Florist](http://homegrownflorist.com/) | [Eight31 Photography](http://eight31photography.co/)

## Winter Flower Inspiration
Few flowers can survive the hard frost of wintertime. Celebrate the strong stems that bloom despite the chill by featuring them in your winter wedding!

This season is all about delicate decadence, from your [wedding cake](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-cake-ideas) to your floral display. Try featuring neutral flowers with pops of bright red and green. You can also add in festive holiday ornamentation with features like pine cones and red berries.

Here are some lovely and sturdy [winter wedding flower](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/everything-you-need-to-know-about-winter-wedding-flowers) options: 

### Hellebores
Often called a Christmas rose, these flowers may bloom as early as December. Hellebores have a rich history in both Ancient Greek Mythology and Christianity. These plants’ tolerance for frost and stunning, rich petals make them an obvious choice for a dreamy winter wedding display.  

### Anemone
Also known as windflowers, these bulbs are a symbol of love between Adonis and Aphrodite in Greek Mythology. This along with their striking petal shades, including deep plum, make them a perfect choice for a winter wedding. 

### Eucalyptus
Delicate greenery has been really popular in wedding florals over the past few years and the beautifully textured leaves of eucalyptus make this a perfect choice for a winter bouquet filler. Native to Australia, these leaves grow on trees and have a strong, aromatic scent. They look beautiful fresh or dried, so you can buy them fresh or stock up early.

### Winter Garden Rose
Roses are a symbol of love and beauty, which is why they're the most popular wedding flowers. They also bloom all year round, making them a romantic and tasteful choice any season. Winter Garden Roses bloom in December, so their soft, delicate petals won’t break the bank while offering a beautiful color variety during the winter season.  

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![flower season guide winter](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4vsghjiwtf1sw9l3soGbTE/71d59755705eeaf2d509b663120bbb38/flower_season_guide_winter.jpg)
Sources: [Erin Johnson Photo](http://www.erinjohnsonphoto.com) | [Catherine Ann Photography](https://www.catherineannphotography.com/) | [Esther Funk Photography](http://www.estherfunkphotography.com)

A [beautiful bouquet](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-preserve-flowers) can be one of the most memorable parts of your big day. Beyond a visually stunning display, flowers (real or [artificial](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-artificial-wedding-flowers)) add natural textures and elements into your [ceremony](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/programs/shop) and reception, reinforcing the intrinsic nature of love and marriage.

For more wedding planning advice, stop by our [Expert Advice](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice) section. We’re here to help you in every step of the wedding planning process.

Flowers

The Complete Guide of Wedding Flowers by Season

[Wedding style](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/topic/decor-inspiration/wedding-style), simply put, is what you and your partner want your wedding to look like. Whether viewed as one overarching wedding theme or a series of smaller aesthetic choices, your wedding style covers a lot of visual ground: from your choice of venue to the table linens, florals, wedding attire, and invitations, the list runs right through the entire event.

## Why Does Wedding Style Matter?
You can think of wedding style as the lens through which you’re going to examine the masses of wedding inspiration available to you, both on Zola and in the wide world. Once you have some language to describe why you like something, it’s going to be easier to start saying yes and no to the many choices put in front of you during the planning process. 

Nailing down a style for your nuptials early will make the early days of your planning that much more efficient: you won’t waste hours looking through rustic details if you know you want a more classic affair, and it will help you find a wedding venue and vendors that are well-suited to bring your style to life. 

Additionally, having the right words to explain what you like (and what you don’t) will be infinitely important to your [team of wedding vendors](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search). These people only have a short window of time to get to know you, yet they’re responsible for helping you plan the best wedding for you. By articulating your wedding style—or at least being able to show a curated selection of photos that demonstrates the look you’re going for—you’ll be able to connect and communicate with your vendors from the get-go.

## But What’s *My* Wedding Style? 
It can be tough to define your wedding style if you’re just not sure what you want or like—or if you like everything. Being able to zone in on a wedding vision might also be really unnatural for people who are not generally interested in design, decor, fashion, or flowers. Yet weddings feel even more authentic and meaningful when they reflect who you are. To help get you started, follow these steps towards discovering your wedding style.

### 1. Look at Your Stuff
With your partner, survey your living spaces and wardrobe. Taking a look at your collective “stuff” might help you recognize subconscious style preferences you might already have. As a couple, ask yourselves: what are you naturally attracted to? What do you already fill your home(s) with? What does your dream dinner party look and feel like? The answers to these questions just might help you find the words, textures, and images to best describe your personal aesthetic. 

### 2. Start Browsing Real Weddings
Head over to [Zola Inspiration](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) to see firsthand what other couples have done. Looking at other weddings is the best way to spark (or, let’s be honest, outright copy) wedding ideas. Since you can refine your search by wedding location, venue type, season, and color palette, you can narrow in on those weddings with similar circumstances to yours for the most relevant inspiration. 

### 3. Save What You Like
Browse through real weddings with an open mind, saving any and everything that catches your eye to your Zola account. Do so by clicking on the heart icon on each wedding or individual photo. Try not to edit or limit yourself in this early period of inspiration-gathering. 

### 4. Inventory Your Choices
Once you’ve spent some time really looking and favoriting wedding details, take a look back at the things you’ve saved. Notice trends: do you gravitate towards soft wedding colors and romantic details, or do you like bold hues and modern graphics? Look for patterns in the style tags of the real weddings you’ve loved. Which wedding style did you favorite the most? While you might have a lot of different styles represented, hopefully one or two will rise to the top as your clear winner.

### 5. Search Real Weddings by Style
At this point, you can actually filter and view real weddings on Zola by wedding style to both confirm this is the look you’re really digging for your own vows, and to get serious about finding inspiration for your wedding day attire, florals, tablescapes, venue, food and drink offerings, and other details like escort cards, signage, rentals, favors… the list goes on. (If you’re lucky enough to know your wedding style from the moment you got engaged, you can skip right to this last step.)  

## Zola’s Real Wedding Styles
The real weddings on [Zola Inspiration](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) are categorized by a defined set of styles and types. Here’s a breakdown of the 13 core wedding styles you’ll find on Zola, including verbal definitions and a comprehensive (but by no means exhaustive) list of potential style elements to help you understand and identify each one’s characteristics. 

### Classic Wedding Style
A classic wedding draws upon tradition to stand the test of time. This style embodies grace and refinement, and incorporates familiar design elements in high-quality materials. Think elegant, subtle, and sophisticated. 

__Hallmarks of the Style:__

1. Soft and/or neutral color palettes (cream, ivory, silver, gold, black, navy)

2. Formal white china

3. Large bridal parties in matching attire

4. Charivari chairs

5. Formal interior spaces (drawing rooms, ballrooms, etc.)

6. Black or white tie

7. Traditional updo hairstyles (chignons, French twists)

8. Long veils

9. Champagne flutes

10. Tiered white cakes on traditional stands

### Rustic Wedding Style
With their design schemes of time-worn materials, found natural objects, and loosely arranged flowers and greenery, rustic weddings provide the perfect stage for folksy style. Unfussy details with an air of reclaimed charm or Old World refinement keep this style looking gracefully undone.

__Hallmarks of the Style:__

11. Farm tables (i.e., wood dinner tables without linens)

12. Galvanized metal

13. Mason jars and glass bottles

14. Loosely composed florals (as opposed to tight, formal arrangements)

15. Mismatched chairs

16. Sundresses or other casual bridesmaids dresses

17. Vests, suspenders, bow ties, and/or plaid shirts for men

18. Tented and/or outdoor wedding receptions

19. Upcycled props (window panes, buffets, suitcases, door frames, and ladders)

20. Lawn games

### Romantic Wedding Style
Lush, petal-rich florals, a color scheme of dreamy hues (or deep and sensuous shades), sweeping natural scenery, and a feminine, ethereal vibe are the noteworthy details of romantic weddings.

__Hallmarks of the Style:__ 

21. Light-filled and ethereal scenery

22. Rich, abundant florals (like garden roses, peonies, and ranunculus)

23. Pastel color palettes

24. Antique/fine china and glassware

25. Gauzy, voluminous fabrics such as chiffon, tulle, and silk

26. Whimsical, fairytale-inspired decor

27. Formal menswear or tuxedos

28. Ornate, layered place settings

29. Hand-inked calligraphy

30. Gold, silver or [rose gold wedding decorations](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/rose-gold)

### Natural Wedding Style
Drawing from nature’s intrinsic beauty, naturally inspired weddings make use of the organic beauty of raw materials, interesting textures, and peaceful colors. Simplicity is the name of the game for natural weddings.

__Hallmarks of the Style:__

31. Colors found in nature

32. Wildflowers

33. Simple or unadorned attire

34. Secluded, natural landscapes

35. Green foliage

36. Creams and ivories

37. Wood slices

38. Naked wedding cakes

39. Delicate jewelry

40. Fruit, vegetable, and herbal decor

### Glamorous Wedding Style
Your wedding day is your time to shine, so why not dress to the nines, have a fabulous party, and throw some glam around? When it comes to glamorous weddings, there’s no such thing as heels too high or too much sparkle.

__Hallmarks of the Style:__

41. Full-skirted “princess” gowns or sexy sheath gowns

42. Black tie dress code

43. Crystals, pearls, and rhinestones

44. Tall floral centerpieces

45. Colored uplighting

46. Chandeliers

47. All-white wedding color scheme

48. Large wedding parties in matching formal wear

49. Suspended decor (hanging floral canopies, fabric swags, etc.)

50. Large bundles of flowers (particularly roses) in one hue

### Vintage Wedding Style
Drawing upon the best of the past, vintage weddings are fashionably ageless. This wedding style might incorporate antiques or objects from past decades, as well as family heirlooms. Although they can include a wide variety of looks, from 1950s retro to 1900s granny-chic, vintage weddings create a nostalgic vibe and celebrate the style of a previous era. 

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

51. Birdcage veils

52. Vintage cars

53. Patterned china, frequently mismatched

54. Lace

55. Leather suitcases

56. Tea-length dresses

57. Old-fashioned gadgets such as typewriters, rotary telephones, etc.

58. Handkerchiefs

59. Family heirlooms such as wedding gowns, veils, or silver cake servers

60. Floral chintz

### Coastal/Nautical Wedding Style
From anchors and boats to seersucker and Sperry's... if it’s related to the sea or boating culture, it’s a coastal/nautical wedding. Rocky cliffs or white sand beach wedding, these are heavy on the seaside details and beachy color palettes.

__*Note:*__ While grouped together, there are slight differences between coastal and nautical styles. Strictly coastal style is more relaxed and “beachy,” incorporating natural items found near the ocean: driftwood, sea glass, shells, coral, and flora like sea oats, tropical flowers, or palm fronds. Strictly nautical style is on the preppier side (think the New England coast) and uses sailing or seafaring elements as design motifs such as anchors, knots, and buoys.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

61. Waterfront or beachfront ceremonies

62. Destination weddings

63. Navy and white

64. Adirondack chairs

65. Sea grasses and sea oats

66. Beach glass

67. Netting

68. Seashells

69. Glass bottles

70. Rattan

### Modern Wedding Style
Avant-garde and devoid of sentimentality, modern weddings rely on sleek, simplified details that effortlessly deliver an eye-catching punch of beauty. Imagine a clean, pared-down aesthetic with a focus on design: geometry, graphics, stark color, sculptural shapes, and unusual textures. 

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

71. Ghost chairs

72. Acrylic decor

73. Calla lilies

74. Stripes or geometric shapes

75. Sleek hairstyles

76. Minimalist dresses

77. Black-centered anenomes

78. Square or modular lounge furniture

79. Photo booths

80. Non-serif fonts

### Urban/Industrial Wedding Style
Exposed rafters, perfectly imperfect old brick, vibrant street art, and a little rough around the edges: this style is all about the unexpected beauty of rugged materials and urban scenes. These weddings might incorporate gritty or architectural details, city skylines, and any unique trademarks of a distinct metropolitan area.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

81. Bistro string lights

82. Exposed brick walls

83. Exposed pipes or ductwork

84. Marquee or neon signs

85. Sleek, simple sheath gowns

86. Food trucks

87. Restaurant, winery, or brewery weddings

88. Cityscapes

89. Vinyl-spinning DJs

90. Angular/geometric shapes

### Boho Wedding Style
Worldly touches, natural settings, and a free-spirited attitude set the stage for these imaginative and eclectic weddings that are truly one of a kind. A bohemian wedding style is laid-back but not sloppy; it is maximalist, bright, experimental, and layered.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

91. Succulents and cacti

92. Mismatched textiles

93. Flowy gowns and casual attire

94. Protea flowers

95. Moroccan lanterns

96. Loosely arranged flowers (often wildflowers)

97. Outdoor wedding venues

98. Repurposed bottles and cans

99. Macrame

100. Layered jewelry

### Offbeat/Alternative Wedding Style
These nontraditional weddings incorporate personal details and quirky wedding theme ideas to create a celebration that is uniquely authentic to the couple. Expect the playful and the unexpected when it comes to attire, location, or pretty much anything else.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

101. Colorful and/or patterned wedding dresses

102. Non-floral bouquets (paper, feathers, brooches, etc.)

103. Non-matching wedding party attire

104. Non-traditional wedding ceremony rituals

105. Sneakers

106. Pop culture references

107. Themed weddings

108. Colorful suits or jackets

109. Creative, non-white cakes or cake alternatives

200. DIY decor (paper streamers, pinwheels, flowers, lanterns)

### Preppy Wedding Style
Boldly graphic patterns, monograms galore, and perfectly tailored attire signify preppy weddings, where the allure of bows and bright colors make for clean-cut affairs with country club charm.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__

111. Pearls

112. Peonies

113. Bright colors

114. Monograms

115. Stripes, chevron, plaid, and polka dots

116. Bows and/or bow ties

117. Salmon-colored trousers and khaki pants

118. Lawn games, especially croquet

119. Equestrian elements

120. Seersucker

### Art Deco Wedding Style
Characterized by 1920-1940s styling and the carefree glamour of the Jazz Age, this luxurious, artistic wedding style never ceases to impress. Look for Deco ornamental motifs such as lozenges, scallops, or other geometric shapes, drop-waisted beaded gowns, and tuxedos with tails à la Old Hollywood glamour.

__Hallmarks Of The Style:__ 

121. Long strands of pearls

122. Tailcoats

123. Jeweled headbands or headpieces (worn across the forehead)

124. Slim, beaded/embroidered wedding dresses

125. Overly stylized (not loose/natural) floral arrangements

126. Scallop or other Deco-era graphic designs

127. Roaring ‘20s-era and Great Gatsby-inspired “flapper” styles

128. Old-fashioned typeset fonts

129. Vintage cars

130. Champagne in coupe glasses

## Do I Have to Pick Just One Wedding Style?
No, you definitely aren’t limited to one wedding style. It’s actually unlikely that you’re going to like one style and one style only. As with so many things in life, your aesthetic will most likely fall somewhere outside of textbook definition. You might love everything about one particular style but wish to incorporate a details from a different look, or perhaps you’ll feel like your vision is a mashup of three or four styles. If that’s the case, go for it. 

Since your wedding style is composed of words and images that you’ll share with your vendors to give them a sense of your tastes, there’s no right answer, and it’s definitely not necessary for you to come up with a single-word description. 

## What If My Partner and I Don’t Agree on a Wedding Style? 
Differences of opinion are frequent in all relationships, so it’s no surprise to come across them in your wedding planning. If you have wildly different tastes, try to be open and willing to compromise. It may help to consider other factors, like cost and practicality, when making choices. Example: your partner might be passionate about antique cars, but renting a vintage Rolls for your getaway vehicle might not be within your budget. 

Don’t worry too much about having differences of opinion at this stage. Apply the same strategies you use for handling differences in your relationship, and remind yourself that since your wedding should be an authentic representation of you as a couple, combining each of your tastes in a cohesive way is truly your goal. 

## Do I Have to Have a Wedding Style? 
Having a wedding style is not critical for planning a gorgeous, personal, and fun dream wedding. You can skip the categories and jargon and just lay visual examples at the feet of your planner, florist, hair stylist, etc.—they’re professionally equipped to figure out what to call it. Or you can just leave it up your vendors’ capable hands and trust you’ll love the results on the big day. 

Even more simply, if you are having a more simple, DIY wedding without a lot of outside vendors, then defining your wedding style might not be a necessary exercise in the first place. Choosing a wedding style should be a helpful—and hopefully fun—part of your planning. If it’s not either, than move on to your next to-do item. 


wedding gifts from a Zola registry including copper Kitchen Aid stand mixer, Le Creuset turquoise ramekins, and a copper Vitamix blender

What Is a Registry (And Why Do You Need One)?

green invitation suite laying on beige table.

Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

a bridal shower card labeled "soon to be mrs." on the grass next to a few pastel-colored bridal shower cookies

A Guide to Bridal Showers

Zola online wedding planning tools as seen on mobile, desktop, and tablet

How to Plan a Wedding: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Choose Your Wedding Colors (+ Color Palette Ideas)

wedding cake prices and wedding cake costs

Guide to Wedding Cake Costs & Prices

What is the Average Cost of Wedding Flowers?

How to Make a DIY Wedding Bouquet

Wedding Style

What's Your Wedding Style? + 130 Decor Ideas


No matter where you are in the world, a wedding is something to celebrate. While traditions are ever-evolving and vary across cultures, the act of gift-giving is universal. If you’re [attending a wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/dos-and-donts-for-wedding-guests), you should plan to bring along a gift to help the happy couple begin their new life together. 

The US is well-known for using [gift registries](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/essentials-to-put-on-your-registry), but other countries have their own gifting traditions. You can’t go wrong with cash in most cultures, but if the idea of handing over money seems impersonal, you can opt for a [wedding gift](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-to-spend-on-a-wedding-gift) rich in tradition. 

In Sudan, for example, it’s customary that only married women wear perfume as this signals to men that they’re taken. To prepare the bride for marriage, close female relatives host a perfume mixing ceremony before a Sudanese wedding. Here, the family spends hours making a traditional perfume for the bride to wear. 

The old French tradition of a bridal trousseau dates back centuries when a bride brought along an ornate armoire full of family heirlooms and expensive gifts such as linens and lingerie. While this particular custom is no longer commonplace, the act of giving vintage linens is still considered a classic cash alternative. You can gift brand new linens or ornate vintage sheets that are already soft from years of use. 

Peruvian weddings often feature a symbolic offering to Mother Earth, known as a Despacho. To help prepare the couple for this offering, wedding guests place items such as food, flowers, and cacao leaves on a sheet or cloth. The cloth is then wrapped in weavings and blessed as an offering to Mother Earth. Once gifted to the couple, they decide how to return it to mother earth as a sacred offering. The two most popular ways are to either bury or burn the Despacho. 

Check out our visual below to discover more wedding gift traditions from around the world, and be sure to check out Zola’s [wedding registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry) and [wedding shop](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/wedding-shop) for gift ideas for the happy couple. 

<a id="photo"> </a>
<video width="100%" height="auto" autoplay loop muted playsinline><source src="//videos.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5hcH01vUiqlP164JMLf5gC/f363c623692622c0817f098d0b4a4710/wedding-gifts-from-around-the-world.gif.1b-min.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video> 

Sources:
[Rex London](https://www.rexlondon.com/blog/strange-wedding-gifts) | [With Joy](https://withjoy.com/blog/wedding-gift-traditions-around-the-world/) | [Safari Junkie](https://safarijunkie.com/sudan/sudanese-wedding/) | [Wedding Details](https://www.weddingdetails.com/wedding-traditions/peru/)


south asian indian wedding couple holding hands

Music + Entertainment

10 Traditional Wedding Gifts from Around the World

Fall is quickly replacing summer as the go-to wedding season of the year, and it’s not hard to see why. The crisp air brings along the jewel hues of fall foliage and changing leaves, making outdoor celebrations this time of year especially magical. This seasonal backdrop allows couples to take advantage of unique offerings in their fall [bouquets](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-seasonal-guide-to-wedding-flowers), [menus](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/menus/shop), [wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop), and more. 

If you’re hosting a fall wedding at an outdoor [wedding venue](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-venues), there are plenty of seasonal touches you can incorporate in your wedding ceremony and reception. To help you start planning your own special day, we’ve organized a list of outdoor [fall wedding ideas](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/fall) based on popular fall wedding themes. 

## Enchanted Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall

Create a sense of wonder and mystique at your wedding celebration this autumn with a fall wedding theme. You can use elements of nature like fall leaves, rustic decor, and a fall-inspired color palette to make your fairytale come to life with this woodland wedding theme. Dramatic entrances, rustic table designs, nature-inspired decorations, and [outfit choices](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/wedding-shop) inspired by enchanted forests will make your wedding day unforgettable. You can even choose wedding invitation designs that complement a fall color scheme. 

This whimsical wedding theme is straight out of a storybook setting. Through your wedding cake design, floral arrangement choices, and overall decorations, you’ll be able to create a stunning and memorable autumn wedding. Check out some of our favorite enchanted outdoor wedding ideas:

<a id="enchanted">![outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-enchanted](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5X2W0SkaKx0EG8r0HwX194/fd2a1da4632b6db7399c2b4d6650dd7f/outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-enchanted.png)</a>
[Melissa Millis](https://www.melissamilis.com/) | [Meraki Wedding Photography](https://merakiweddings.com) | [J Olson Weddings](https://jolsonweddings.com/) | [Kelley Deal Photography](http://kelleydealphotography.com/) 

## Intimate Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall

One of our favorite outdoor [fall wedding ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/fall-wedding-ideas) is to have a romantic gathering in the great outdoors. Fall is the perfect time of year to add cozy elements into your wedding day. As the temperature cools and the leaves change, take advantage of the fall brilliance and laid-back atmosphere the autumn harvest brings. 

Comfortable furniture and [warm blankets](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/vellux_original_blanket_tan) lets guests relax as they take in the hazy hues while furry companions add intimacy into your autumn wedding celebration. You can also step your fall decor up a notch with a seasonal “WOW” wedding experience such as a photo wall. Fall wedding decor will really highlight the fall season on your wedding day while also helping to set a romantic, rustic mood. 

Whether you've secured a [wedding venue in New Haven, CT](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/new-haven-ct--wedding-venues) or Nashville, TN, check out some of our favorite intimate and cozy wedding ideas for your outdoor fall ceremony and reception: 
<a id="intimate">![outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-intimate](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1DwLTmBXUylf1vdoY26wMZ/15fc3a6b9ad2bc3df5bfa66d035417f1/outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-intimate.png)</a>
[Ryan Ray Photo](https://www.ryanrayphoto.com/) | [Autumn Nicole Photo](https://autumnnicolephoto.com/) | [Tori Kelner](https://torikelner.com/) | [Laura Matthews Photography](http://lauramatthewsphotography.com/) 

## Rustic Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall

If you’re thinking of throwing an outdoor celebration during fall, consider a campground or [farm wedding venue](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/farms-barns-ranches). Simplicity reigns supreme at rustic weddings, so embrace casual features that will inspire connection and communal experiences. You can help transport your guests back to “the good ole days” with [lawn games](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/lumberstak_lawngame_xl), beer bars, campfires, and more.

Create memories that will last a lifetime with these [rustic wedding ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/rustic-wedding-ideas) for your fall wedding:  
<a id="rustic">![Outdoor-Wedding-ideas-for-fall-rustic](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/63xJam6uibDLu3gx2hrpDr/456bbc2f4bbbbcaad55fd034118d6ce0/Outdoor-Wedding-ideas-for-fall-rustic.png)</a>
[Lauren White Photography](https://www.laurenwhitephotography.com/) | [Dear Darling Photography](http://www.deardarlingphotography.com/) | [Ryan Ray Photo](https://www.ryanrayphoto.com/) | [J Olson Weddings](https://jolsonweddings.com/)

## Tropical Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall

Beach-inspired weddings aren’t just for summertime. You can embrace a taste of the islands at your outdoor fall wedding by blending a lush and green tropical palette with simple, rustic touches such as dried poms. Incorporating bohemian chic elements such as [rattan furniture](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/bloomingville_chair_natural) and flower crowns will also add whimsical fall vibes into your tropical celebration. 

Check out some of our favorite fall-inspired tropical wedding ideas: 
<a id="tropical">![outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-tropical](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/pp3qoi2rpowihIoBmXCGg/ef3a0b0169af9d4b27cbfb50b8971271/outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-tropical.png)
</a> 

[Ashtyn Brooke Photography](http://ashtynbrookephoto.com/) | [Rachel Havel](https://rachelhavel.com/) | [Jonny Scott Photo](https://jonnyscottphoto.com/) | [E.M. Anderson Photography](http://www.emandersonphotography.com)

##  Festival Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall

A festival-style shindig ditches tradition in favor of laid-back creativity, making it the perfect outdoor celebration theme for couples who go against the grain. 

Festival weddings embrace hippie counterculture and bohemian elements, such as macrame and [rugs](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/loloi_zharah_rug_navymulti), to create unique guest experiences. Here are some of our favorite festival wedding ideas: 
<a id="festival">![outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-festival](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1GOdMME68P6W9ClhJA9PgQ/ad48c8d1e0db9b6df29fa85802e471ff/outdoor-wedding-ideas-for-fall-festival.png)</a>
[Shutter Go Click Photography](https://photo.shuttergoclick.com/index) | [Tori Kelner](https://torikelner.com/) | [Joe+Kathrina](https://www.joekathrina.com/) | [J Olson Weddings](https://jolsonweddings.com/)

As with any outdoor event, you’ll want to have a backup plan for your outdoor rustic wedding in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Consider tent rentals or a wedding venue that also offers indoor options so the rain can’t spoil your day. 

Are you ready to start planning your picturesque outdoor fall wedding celebration? These fall wedding ideas will help you get started. We’ve got you covered with this [wedding checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist). Here at Zola, we’re here to help you every step of the way. On our site, you’ll find everything from a [free wedding website ](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website)to [advice from the experts](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/) to help make planning your wedding a breeze. 

8 Best Island Destinations for Weddings

Pros and Cons of Food Truck Wedding Catering

Getting Married at The Grand Canyon: What You Need to Know

50 Wedding Send-Off Ideas You'll Fall in Love With

How to Find an Affordable Wedding Venue

wedding couple celebrates small wedding details

25 Small Wedding Details You Don't Want to Forget

How to Recycle Wedding Decor rustic bouquets

How to Recycle Wedding Decor

bride and Maid of Honor smiling looking at each other holding bouquet

Maid of Honor Duties: A Full Checklist

Wedding Day

25 Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Fall We Can’t Get Enough Of

Before we start talking polymers and foams, let’s make the distinction between artificial flowers—individual stems designed to replicate real flowers—and non-floral wedding bouquets. 

## Artificial Vs. Non-Floral Wedding Flowers
<a id="non"> </a>

Non-floral bouquets are composed of different, unusual elements that aren’t supposed to look like flowers. Here are some examples of non-floral wedding bouquets: 
- Rhinestone “brooch” bouquets
- Seashell bouquets
- “Bauble” bouquets made from holiday ornaments
- All-greenery bouquets, including: tropical leaves, ferns, grasses, or herbs
- Fruit or vegetable bouquets
- Succulent or air plant bouquets
- Feather bouquets
- Cotton bouquets
- Paper flower bouquets (see more below)
- Fabric bouquets (see more below)

If you’re going for an alternative approach to your wedding florals, a non-floral bouquet is a great way to add some personalization and creativity to your overall wedding style. Not to mention many non-floral bouquets are more practical for a lot of the same reasons that artificial flowers are: they can be more economical, can be prepared earlier, will last longer, won’t wilt or die in extreme temperatures, and are available regardless of blooming season. 

![Zola Winward Faux Florals Shoot12443](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2oHc5MZPUjBVQoPCyyoZZs/981586d408d01cb96e376a4d6d3f9294/Zola_Winward_Faux_Florals_Shoot12443.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

## Pros and Cons of Artificial Wedding Flowers
<a id="alt"> </a>   
__Pros__
- Can be more affordable 
- All flower varieties are available in all seasons
- Last forever
- Greater control over flower types and colors
- Can order and prepare them in advance
- Won’t wilt or attract bugs during outdoor summer weddings
- Good for those with allergies
- Don’t require water, is so easy to transport and keep looking good
- Easy to practice (and re-do) any DIY arrangements 

__Cons__
- Can look tacky or cheap
- The best-looking varieties cost as much as (or more than) real flowers
- Lack the same feel as real flowers
- Lack real-floral scent
- Real flowers will always be more breathtaking

## Types of Artificial Wedding Flowers
<a id="art"> </a>
If you think going with artificial wedding flowers cuts down on the number of choices you’ll have to make, guess again: just like non-floral bouquets, there are many types of artificial stems to choose from. This means that their quality and appearance can vary quite a bit—from the often plastic-looking ones you see at the dollar store to incredibly realistic versions that will cost you as much as real flowers. Below you’ll find a description of every type of artificial flower and the pros and cons of each. 

![winward i do collection b](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/57GNl0uyAQSvbireEZqseL/f211b9d30a0a425d1003e38b0a613ac0/winward_i_do_collection_b.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

### “Silk” or Fabric Wedding Flowers
The most familiar type of artificial flowers, these faux blooms are known as silk flowers—however these days they’re no longer made from silk, but most often a variety of polyester or nylon. 

__Pros:__
- Huge variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles
- Widely available
- Easy to mix and match with real blooms
- Slight variations from flower to flower make them look more realistic when nestled together 

__Cons:__  
- Edges can fray easily 
- Feel very unrealistic to the touch
- Quality varies quite a bit from seller to seller
- Flower stems are usually thick, steel wires wrapped in plastic, creating a very heavy bundle to hold 

### Foam Wedding Flowers
These faux blooms are composed of very thin foam petals that are dyed with a specific hue and glued around a styrofoam center. Foam flowers are most often seen as roses, and useful to fill in the center of bouquets and arrangements.  

__Pros:__
- The cheapest artificial flower
- Very lightweight, malleable, and easy to work with
- Look realistic when used to fill in the center of arrangements

__Cons:__ 
- Messy and not attractive when seen from the side or underneath
- Sold in packs, rather than individually
- Every flower looks identical, allowing for less realism when placed side-by-side

### Wax-Coated Wedding Flowers
Wax-coated artificial flowers are high-quality silk flowers that have been coated with a special wax to make them feel (and look) like real flowers. The level of detail on the petals, such as veining or slight impressions, combined with the real-touch feel make these some of the most expensive artificial flowers available. 

__Pros:__
- Very lifelike and high-quality

__Cons:__
- Expensive (up to 3 times more than their silk counterparts)
- Since they are still fabric flowers at heart, edges can still fray

### Latex Wedding Flowers
Similar to wax-coated flowers, latex artificial flowers are coated in a thin wax and have very lifelike details, making them both look and feel pretty close to the real deal. Latex flower petals are actually made from latex, rather than polyester fabric, so they don’t run the risk of fraying at the edges. 

__Pros:__
- No frayed edges
- Very realistic appearance and feel
- Can be made to mimic thick or thin petals

__Cons:__
- Lack of variety in flower types
- Hard to find
- Pricey

### Fresh Touch (Polymer) Wedding Flowers
The most expensive type of artificial flowers, fresh touch or real touch flowers are designed to look, and feel, as close to the real thing as you can get. They’re made from a blend of foam and latex

__Pros:__
- Look and feel most like real flowers
- Each flower has slight variations for greater realism when arranged together

__Cons:__ 
- Most expensive 
- Less readily available (must go through a pro florist)
- White or ivory shades can look aged over time
- Petals can be easily crushed when packed too tightly 

![winward very vibrant collection medium c](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1PHHRBwWgt9MS07i92DdC6/868e97d33383d6f5c0e76a427fe5f9a8/winward_very_vibrant_collection_medium_c.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

### Paper Wedding Flowers
Paper wedding flowers are exactly what they sound like: flowers that are constructed out of paper. Paper flowers can be extremely delicate and lifelike, to the point where you have to get very close to the flowers to tell they aren’t real—these varieties are sourced from specialty shops or online vendors. On the flip side, paper flowers can also be dramatic and theatrical through the use of bright colors, patterns, or oversized shapes. These less-realistic versions can more easily be DIYed if you have an artistic hand.  

DIY paper wedding flowers can be used for great impact as a decorative focal point, since they are generally inexpensive to create and their uses are limited only by your imagination. Here are some ideas for ways you can use paper flowers to replace (or augment) your wedding floral decor: 
- Create a floral wall backdrop for your ceremony, sweetheart table, or photo booth.
- Create paper flower streamers or garlands to suspend from your ceremony or reception spaces.
- Create large-scale tropical leaves and palm fronds from paper to decorate a beachy, island-themed wedding. 
- Cover your ceremony arch in a rainbow of brightly colored paper flowers.
- Craft boutonnieres or small bouquets from specialty paper to match your wedding theme, such as pages from a comic book or sheet music.

To check out real-life examples of these and other paper flower ideas, check out our blog post recounting [7 Times Paper Wedding Flowers Won Our Hearts](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search).

![Zola InlineImage 1080x 720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5BhBfcbZzrgNVwRiosyd2/f12f5825a78ad20c19ec9eacf3eeb78f/Zola_InlineImage_1080x_720.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

### Fabric Wedding Flowers
Similar to paper, fabric wedding flowers are on the DIY-approved list if you’re on the artistic side. Fabric flowers are harder to make, however (fabric is less forgiving than paper), and therefore it’s wiser to use fabric flowers in small doses, such as bouquets, boutonnieres, and hair accessories. You can also find fabric wedding bouquets on online craft sites. Satin roses are a common type of fabric wedding flower, as are flowers made from tulle, burlap, felt, cotton, and lace.


## Artificial Wedding Flowers Costs
As you may have already figured out, having artificial flowers at your wedding doesn’t necessarily equate to major savings. A lot of factors will determine your final floral costs, whether you opt for all real flowers, all artificial, or some combination. Make sure you sit down with your partner (and wedding planner, if you’ve hired one) to [set your floral budget](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-set-your-floral-budget) before heading too far down the path of deciding on flower types. 

While it’s difficult to offer specific price points for artificial wedding flowers considering there are so many different types that fluctuate dramatically in cost, here are some general price estimates that should help you determine if artificial flowers are right for you:

### Personal Flowers:
<a id="all"> </a>
- Bridal bouquet, inexpensive silk flowers: $20-$100, depending on size and number/type of flowers 
- [Bridal bouquet, expensive real-touch flowers](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/winward_beach_breeze_collection_xlarge): $300+
- [Bridal bouquet, expensive paper](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/winward_rustic_garden_collection_medium): $288+
- Bridesmaid bouquet, silk: $10-50
- [Bridesmaid bouquet, real-touch](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/winward_bohemian_dreamer_boutonniere): $150+
- Boutonnieres, silk or real-touch: $3-$20
- [Boutonnieres, expensive paper](https://www.zola.com/shop/collection/build-your-bar): $25+
- Corsages, silk or real-touch: $5-$30
- Corsages, expensive paper: $25+
- Flower girl pomander, silk or real-touch: $10-20

### Centerpieces and Decor: 
- Centerpieces, silk: $20-$100 each, depending on size and number/type of flowers 
- Cake flowers, silk: $25-$200, depending on the number and type of flowers
- Garlands, silk: $20-$50
- Aisle arrangement, silk: $10-$20

### Other Costs:
- Don’t forget to factor in the cost of shipping if you order artificial flowers online, which can run up to $20 per order. 

![winward wild love collection c](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6z9F39gYXYfdb49Sa7Pa34/2c25ad3561654c9740417fd12e8b5a8f/winward_wild_love_collection_c.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Zola

## How to Make a Wedding Bouquet With Artificial Flowers
Making a wedding bouquet with artificial flowers is pretty similar to making a bouquet with real flowers. Here are the main differences between making a real vs faux bouquet: 
- There’s no prep work involved for artificial flowers, such as trimming the ends and thorns or stripping leaves and guard petals.
- Similarly, you don’t have to worry about storing your artificial flowers in a cool location or in water (or changing out the water to keep the blooms fresh).
- Artificial flowers have much thicker and less pliable stems, so they require more muscle to shape and will result in a thicker, heavier bundle to hold. 
- You’ll need to cut the stems of artificial flowers with a wire cutter, rather than floral scissors—again, more muscle. 
- Because of these wires, however, you can manipulate artificial flowers over (and over) again to get them into the perfect position, unlike with real flowers. 
- Bouquets made with artificial flowers can be made way in advance. Real flower bouquets should be made very close to the wedding day and stored in water. 

For tips on how to arrange a bouquet yourself, read our [Step-by-Step Guide To Creating A Wedding Bouquet](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-a-diy-wedding-bouquet).

## Tips for Using Artificial Wedding Flowers
Sure, using artificial flowers might save you money, be better for the planet, and allow you to hold on to some of your wedding flowers for days (or years) beyond the day itself. But there are somethings you should consider before making the leap to the artificial flower camp.   
- Don’t use them in high-priority places that will get photographed a lot or seen up close (bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, cake flowers, etc.), if you can help it.
- Mix them in with real blooms in large arrangements that require filler.
- Use them in distant applications that won’t be scrutinized up close or seen at eye level, such as at the ceremony altar, in decorative draping, hanging from the ceiling, or scattered down the aisle.
- Use them boldly in one or two full-scale decorative elements, and fully embrace their fauxness. For example, use artificial or paper flowers to create a wildly textural floral wall to use as a backdrop for your photobooth or ceremony—a focal point that would bust most people’s budgets to pull off with real flowers. 
- Consider non-floral options mentioned above like oversized leaves and grasses, herbs, feathers, air plants, or even elegantly oversized balloons. There’s no rule that says wedding decor has to include flowers, or that it can’t include man-made objects of whimsy and beauty.  
- If you can’t afford high-quality artificial flowers, commit to the cheerful, campy, almost humorous style that obviously faux flowers can lend. Create a fake flower “garden” (complete with AstroTurf and miniature garden gnomes) and nestle your escort cards in rows among the faux flowers, or create one massive, crêpe-paper flower to decorate an otherwise simple wedding cake. 
- Browse the portfolios of florists who use artificial flowers to see how their bouquets and arrangements photograph. Some artificial flowers look practically undecipherable from their real counterparts on film, while some look glaringly unrealistic when documented in good light and sharp focus. 
- In general, arrangements that are more tightly shaped and compact (such as round bouquets) work better with artificial flowers; bouquets and centerpieces that are more wild, unstructured, and require a lot of movement (such as cascading bouquets) are harder to replicate with faux blooms. 

__*Pro Tip:*__ To get the best of both worlds, especially if you really crave a cascading bouquet, mix faux blossoms with real greenery. It will give you the look you want at a lower price point than you’d spend on real flowers.  


laptop showing Zola wedding planning tools next to stack of books on a desk with alarm clock and pink flowers

The Ultimate Wedding Checklist & Timeline Tool 

wedding guests laughing with bride at wedding receptions

What to Wear to a Wedding

African-American bride side pose with beautiful hair curls

DIY Wedding Hair Tips

A Step-By-Step Guide to DIY Wedding Makeup + 10 Tips

A Guide to Artificial Wedding Flowers

## <a id="1"> </a> How Much Does the Average Wedding Cake Cost? 
The average wedding cake cost in the U.S. is around $500, though the price of a wedding cake will depend on the cake’s size, shape, and decorative elements. Most couples spend somewhere in the $300 - $700 range for their wedding cake, although in bigger cities, or for very large and elaborate cakes, cake prices closer to $1000 - $1200 are not uncommon.

## <a id="2"> </a> How to Estimate Wedding Cake Prices
Wedding cakes are one of the prettiest, tastiest, and most beloved wedding traditions. Most couples choose to serve cake at their wedding, even if they also offer other dessert, simply because a wedding cake is a lovely addition to the reception: the cake itself serves as a decorative element in the room, most people love eating cake, and the act of cutting and eating your first bite of sweetness together as a married couple is a time-honored tradition. But when it comes to planning out your wedding budget, how much does a wedding cake actually cost?

One important thing to know when trying to budget for your wedding cake is how cakes are priced: [Cake Bakers](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) price wedding cakes __by the slice__, not by the entire cake. The average price of a slice of cake is around __$4 for buttercream__ and __$5 for fondant__.

To point out the obvious, the more slices of cake you’ll need, the more expensive your total wedding cake costs will be. Luckily we have some tips (see below) for ways you can cut down on your wedding cake expenses, including serving your guests “half-servings,” i.e. budgeting for ½ slice of cake per person. 

Estimating cake sizes is just a matter of figuring out how many slices you need, and working backwards from there. Here are the general measurements for the number of slices you'll get from different cake sizes:

- 6” tier = 14 slices
- 8” tier = 26 slices 
- 10” tier = 40 slices  
- 12” tier = 56 slices 
- 14” tier = 78 slices 
- 16” tier = 100 slices 

## <a id="3"> </a> Factors That Affect Wedding Cake Prices
__1. Cake Size:__ The larger the cake, the more expensive it is. “Size” here refers to both the general dimensions of the cake and the number of tiers.

__2. Cake Shape:__ Round or square cakes are simpler to make and easier to bake in standard pans. Cakes in complex forms, like hexagons or unusual shapes, will require more labor or special equipment, and hence will cost more. 

__3. Cake Details:__ Since wedding cakes are priced based largely on their labor, the more handmade details a cake has, the pricier it will be. This includes decorative elements like fondant flowers, geodes, and other embellishments, metallic foil, and intricate icing designs. 

__4. Cake Frosting:__ There are two options when it comes to wedding cake frosting: buttercream or fondant. Buttercream is made from sugar and butter, costs less, and is considered tastier. Fondant is a sugar paste that costs more, but is more versatile when it comes to decorations. Fondant also won’t melt in warmer temperatures.  

__5. Cake Ingredients:__ If you want a special flavor or unusual ingredient in your cake, like out-of-season fruit, a fancy liqueur, or exotic nuts or spices, these kinds of custom ingredients could come with an additional charge. (And if you think going with more traditional ingredients means sacrificing flavor, you've never had a truly excellent chocolate cake!)

## <a id="4"> </a> What’s Included in Wedding Cake Prices?
Every wedding cake baker will offer slightly different packages and pricing for their cakes, so it’s a good idea to talk to several [local bakers](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) to get a sense of their offerings and compare prices. In general, most wedding cake bakers will include the following in the cost of a cake: 
1. A design consultation
2. A cake tasting
3. The cake itself
4. Delivery and set up

These items may be included in the cost of your cake, or they may be extra line items you can add on to your wedding cake bill. Some bakers may not provide these at all, so be sure to check! 
1. A cake stand or display 
2. Cake toppers
3. Cutting utensils (a cake knife and server)
4. An extra top tier, or small anniversary cake, to be eaten on your 1-year anniversary 

## <a id="5"> </a> How to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake
When it comes to your wedding dreams versus your wedding budget, compromises always have to be made to keep the [cost of your wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-does-a-wedding-cost) reasonable. Luckily there are some easy ways to save money on your wedding cake without sacrificing much in the way of style or presentation. Here are our best money-saving cake tips: 

__Opt for buttercream frosting:__
Buttercream not only tastes better to most people than fondant, but it’s cheaper—sometimes up to a $1.00 less per slice. If you’re trimming dollars, buttercream is a win-win for both taste and price point. 

__Serve “half-servings” instead of full slices:__ 
Since guests often only eat a few bites of their cake, opt to serve half-servings (a.k.a. smaller slices). Thus if you’re having 200 guests, you’ll only need to order a cake that serves 100. This is an especially great option if you’re serving an additional dessert alongside the wedding cake. 

__Combine a display cake + sheet cake:__ 
Display a petite version of your dream cake, complete with metallic paint and fondant roses, for your guests to ooh and ahh over. This will be your cake for photographing and cutting. Then order sheet cakes in the same flavor to be cut and served from the kitchen, which will save you big bucks. 

__Go for a less complex shape and design:__
Wedding cake prices are largely based on labor, so the harder a cake is to make, the more expensive it will be. Lower your costs by choosing a cake in a simple design, such as square or round, and minimizing the extravagant details that require a lot of time and technical skill.  

__Simplify your flavors:__ 
Check with your local baker, but often basic flavors like vanilla and chocolate will cost less than complex flavors like carrot cake or espresso.

__DIY your wedding cake:__ 
While there are serious pros and cons to consider when choosing to DIY your wedding cake (or having a close friend or family member bake it for you), it can save you a lot of cash. 

Finding the perfect wedding cake for your guests - one that's beautiful, delicious, and affordable - can be intimidating. But try not to worry. For inspiration, browse over one hundred [wedding cake ideas](https://zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-cake-ideas). With a little planning and creativity, you can create a wedding cake order that makes a truly stunning contribution to your wedding reception. And fortunately, with a smart choice of cake sizes, shapes, and ingredients, a beautifully decorated and presented wedding cake won't break the bank.

From the cake cutting to the last delicious morsels, this is one aspect of your wedding reception you'll be glad you lavished a little extra care on. After all, the wedding cake is not just a delectable dessert - it's a time-honored tradition, and a memorable start to your new married life together.

If you’re considering a DIY wedding cake for your big day, congrats on being very brave, ambitious, and perhaps a bit insane. Kidding! Well, kind of. It takes a special kind of person to want to make your own wedding cake. The right candidate is an experienced baker who takes joy in whipping up sweet treats for loved ones, as well as someone who remains calm under stress, is good with time management, and can roll with the punches. If this sounds like you, going the DIY wedding cake route might be the perfect way for you to add your personal touch to your wedding day festivities.

And if this doesn’t sound like you, then stop binging episodes of “The Great British Bake Off” and start researching [a professional wedding cake provider](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) in your area.

![jen-fariello](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/25sjhjxiH08v27tjf3FRaU/11a4a19911c6617df11ac269dbd1fba6/jen-fariello.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Jen Fariello Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Even if your best friend is your [KitchenAid stand mixer](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/kitchenaid_5qtartisan_pistachio), baking at this scale—both in number of mouths to feed and emotional significance—is not for the faint of heart. The best DIY wedding cake scenarios are the result of much forethought and consideration prior to embarking down the self-made route. Wondering if a DIY wedding cake is right for you? First read our 10 tips on how to DIY a wedding cake below to see if this feat sounds feasible, and if the answer is yes, get inspired with some gorgeous, yet approachable, [wedding cake ideas](https://zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-cake-ideas) taken from Zola’s real weddings.

## 10 Tips for DIY Wedding Cake Perfection

### 1. Consider Your Motivation

Make your own wedding cake because you *really* want to, love baking, and feel comfortable with a variety of outcomes (like, maybe the design isn’t exactly what you had in mind, or you run out of time and end up serving guests sheet cake from the nearest grocery store, or no cake at all). Do not DIY your cake to save money or to be crowned Wedding DIY Queen. If you think you’re cutting corners in your budget, add up the price of bulk ingredients, decorations, display tools, and the amount of time a [DIY wedding cake will cost you](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-cake-costs), and think again. (And yes, in the run-up to your wedding, your time is absolutely money.)

### 2. Stay in Your Comfort Zone
Now’s not the time to bust out an exotic recipe involving passion fruit gelée, or to attempt a tricky technique you’ve never tried before. Stick with cake recipes you know and have mastered, and that you’re sure (from experience) taste good. Don’t feel boxed in by the classic white-on-white, multi-tiered design that tradition has us expect: if your speciality is your grandma’s chocolate babka, then babka away. If you made it, and you can cut and serve it, and it tastes good, guests will rave.

![ashley-kidder-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3N7S7JvTvdPI7CkmPcl9RZ/ccf9d9610547fb973eba11952b062e85/ashley-kidder-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Ashley Kidder Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

### 3. Practice

When it comes to wedding DIY, trial runs are everything. Don’t wait until the week of your wedding to find out that the “very simple” YouTube tutorial you were banking on is much more difficult or time-consuming than you expected. “Guesswork” and “weddings” don’t belong in the same equation, so practice baking and decorating your wedding cake months ahead of time when you can afford to experiment, make mistakes, and figure out the exact materials and length of time your project requires. Or, who knows, you might realize that you’re not up for a DIY wedding cake after all—you’ll still have time to [book a pro baker](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-cakes-desserts?location=&sort_by=Recommended&%5Bname%5D=).

### 4. Prepare (Like, Really)

Do your research. From your trial run, you should know exactly how long each step of the process should take and which tools are critical. Map out your cake-making schedule in advance, so you have a solid game plan during your wedding week for what needs to get done and by when. Gather all your supplies, keep them organized as you work, and be sure to build in a time for mess-ups and do-overs. And if at all possible, try to avoid leaving any cake-related tasks to your actual wedding day.

![Jackie-and-Jay](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/YrLdlF2gsoQoKw4FG4PYB/f583642b3f22590ee4e087ca320b1fd2/Jackie-and-Jay.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Jackie and Jay](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

### 5. Use Your Freezer

So that you’re not covered in flour for days before your wedding—and to actually improve the process and quality of the finished product—make the cake portion ahead of time and freeze the tiers. Cake freezes well, defrosts quickly, and slightly frozen cake is easier to work with and will result in fewer crumbs in the final icing. Wrap your cake layers really well in plastic wrap, then tin foil, and store in the back of a freezer for up to a month.

### 6. Accept Imperfection

This tip goes for any DIY wedding project: when you take on a wedding task that’s generally reserved for professionals, you’re going to have to accept less-than-professional-looking results. A perfectly imperfect look is part of the charm and unique beauty of handmade goods. If you will be cringing all night looking over at your slightly left-leaning homemade cake, or if you’ll be up ’til 5am trying to exactly replicate that Pinterest tutorial for the perfect fondant ribbon, then do yourself a favor and find another wedding project to accomplish by hand.

![daissy-torres-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4o85t8XyoZRZgL1epocRZF/4a6b1cc53add155ae41cbcc0915a80d2/daissy-torres-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Daissy Torres Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

### 7. Keep It Simple

Following that thought, no one will care (or even notice) if your wedding cake is on the plain side. You don’t have to tackle an elaborate tiered wedding cake or become a sugar paste artist to put your personal stamp on your cake—just make something delicious and easy (enough) to pull off, and rely on the beauty of fresh flowers and smart presentation to help add that “wow” factor (see #10).

### 8. Cheat (A Little)

Step 1: Make just one small, stunning work of cake art and display it proudly. Step 2: guests will ooh and ahh! Step 3: ask your catering staff to slice and serve store-bought sheet cake behind the scene. You’ll still have technically made your own wedding cake, even if it’s not what the majority of guests end up eating.

![jeannemarie-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2DpQ5JCnPLUPee3ncBugRU/d4e43bbff9c2897e2fffa41c35ee78c9/jeannemarie-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Jeannemarie Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

### 9. Remember Transport

It’s one thing to craft an elaborate stunner in your home; it’s another thing to get that tiered sugar-tower to your wedding venue in one unscathed piece. When making your DIY game plan, don’t forget to budget in time (or perhaps literally money) to pack up and move your cake to its final destination. It’s worth inquiring with your venue if there’s an onsite fridge you can leave the cake in for a day or two prior to your reception. Enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to help you, especially if it’s being transported on the day-of!

### 10. Lean on Decoration

This is worth repeating: it’s amazing what a few fresh flowers can do to transform an otherwise average cake into a sight to behold. Rely upon the final touches to take your homemade creation to the next level: put it on a pretty cake stand, garnish it with some sturdy flower heads (roses, peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, and sunflowers all work great), put a topper or a sign on top, and voilà.

![daniel-neal-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4ExKbUuGavlyFwmXyW898b/c28b711bcd1038351101a49210ab6c27/daniel-neal-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Daniel Neal Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

## Pros and Cons of Making Your Own Wedding Cake
Still not sure if a homemade wedding cake is the right fit for you and your wedding? Here are a few pros and cons to consider:

### Pros
- __More flexibility.__ While professional bakers generally have a wide variety of cake options to choose from, when you're making your own wedding cake, you're in control of everything, from the wedding cake recipe to the cake design, the fillings to the toppings. If you have a unique vision for your wedding cake, taking the DIY route might be the best way to bring that vision to life.
- __More hands-on.__ If baking is a hobby and passion for you, it might be hard to pass off baking duties for your wedding to another professional. Making your own wedding cake allows you to take a hands-on role in crafting your wedding dessert—and infuse it with your heart, soul, and passion.
- __Less expensive.__ If you plan it correctly, making your own wedding cake can be less costly than buying a cake from a professional.

### Cons
- __Requires more time, skill, and effort.__ Making your own wedding cake may lower the final price tag. But you'll pay in other ways—namely in the time and effort required to make your own wedding dessert. Plus, you need a certain level of skill to bake and decorate a wedding cake from scratch; otherwise, the final product isn't going to be up to par—so if you're not a skilled baker, the DIY route may not be the right one for you.
- __Higher chance of something going wrong.__ When you order a cake from a professional, they take care of everything and make sure you have a gorgeous, delicious cake ready to go for your wedding. When you manage the process yourself? There are a lot more opportunities for things to go wrong. For example, you might go through the entire process of making your cake—only for it to burn in the oven. Or you might mess up the timing—and your cake might not be ready in time for your big day. The point is, when you hire a professional, you're paying them to manage all the details—and when you're managing themselves, there's a higher chance of something going wrong along the way.

## DIY Wedding Cake Inspiration

![ABM-Wedding-Photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3QnwaNNqpRdbtrQVopoXbD/11cde1bdabd014f74cd6c3936fa5380e/ABM-Wedding-Photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [ABM Wedding Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Brighten up a simple square of ivory buttercream with lime green hydrangea and some white calla lilies.

![amelia-dan](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5GkHyeZeDoSC0URj7QHntb/72aebd17505939c534b60d86fbe2c080/amelia-dan.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Amelia + Dan](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

![the-canovas-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3O7zAa4huKL0OQG29AAYHS/7b858d943218c26dfc4ef4e3e1548193/the-canovas-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [The Canovas Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Who said wedding cakes had to be white? Use inventive toppings (that also happen to look really cool) to do the decorating work for you, like toasted coconut. Or use the natural color variations in different cake flavors and fillings to serve as decoration.

![april-bennett-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2w1voALKRO5KoqNjz9ADGQ/0246f245e0dd5137b2e1e16bc2d716d8/april-bennett-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [April Bennett Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

The naked cake trend is a godsend to DIY bakers, since it removes the most challenging portion of the whole process: icing the exterior. They look especially great decorated with wildflowers.

![carrie-pollard-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2fefo53hk0JY9H6SCyhZ8U/dac44a9410ed73f4bef2e11a5f01e9f4/carrie-pollard-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Carrie Pollard Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

![billie-jo-and-jeremy-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/dVPK9hf7IJAzdp7eZfmXY/cc78d001d8062c213c2ebc1a0c6a62a3/billie-jo-and-jeremy-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Billie Jo and Jeremy Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Naked cakes can go big or small. Swap flowers for pinecones and cranberries for a winter wedding, or go kill two trends with one cake by going for an ombré naked cake.

![kirsten-stone-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1nOzJi4mtXnj10ETLpQ36v/166a079d03fda17590c7c3dd2d9ea45a/kirsten-stone-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Kristen Stone Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

![Nyk-Cali](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7gRWqsDsQpOznVZtiMsWZ5/7450ef7a82f7e41c433951aa5912e652/Nyk-Cali.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Nyk + Cali](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

In addition to flowers, fresh fruit is a beautiful (not to mention delicious) way to decorate your DIY wedding cake. Whether your wedding style is rustic or refined, pair it with an on-style cake stand and you’re set.

![lisa-mims-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6b6PE3SbararPxkYJ3Og6e/89dd9c87446c7c181d89a382d96dc596/lisa-mims-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Lisa Mims Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

This miniature cheesecake topped with fresh berries is just so darling. If you’re looking to make a small cutting (and/or eating) cake for you two, keep this one in mind.

![be-boulder-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/74o5AleCL8LPoFTqh7QhbG/4592d502d58c3eb7a38ffd733c9f7d23/be-boulder-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Be Boulder Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Remember our advice to lean on decorating? This is a perfect example of taking a basic white cake and ratcheting it up a notch with a funky gnome cake topper.

![highlight-studios-1](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5UenY6E43ZdFpKGuGWewLb/8da1378db7bf049edfbbd18c3ba899b0/highlight-studios-1.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Highlight Studios](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Rather than overreaching with a gravity-defying tiered cake, stick with what you know by baking many smaller cakes in different flavors and decorate them similarly. They’ll make a pretty display when grouped together on a dessert table.

![michael-escobar-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5T8ip67XJhof72VZwKgVFc/af8b6412ea2a3818928fd332c5f6fad1/michael-escobar-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Michael Escobar Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

Lemon zest and fresh blueberries make for a delightfully different wedding cake that’s totally DIY-able.

![casey-hendrickson-photography](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7pNgPoh9iZCHkyTkIEv1qt/6dc8dbb80568c7618e753557b3a07aa7/casey-hendrickson-photography.jpg)

*Photo Credit* // [Casey Hendrickson Photography](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search)

If all else fails, don’t give up entirely on your DIY wedding cake fantasy: buy a dozen boxes of Dunkin Donuts, stack them up with a bow on top, and call it a sweet day.

Zola wedding website as seen on a laptop computer

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small white wedding cake decorated with eucalyptus, blue thistle, and pink rose

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10 Tips for DIY Your Wedding Cake + Inspiration

When it comes to choosing the style of your wedding, one of the first steps you’ll have to take is [selecting your wedding colors](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/topic/decor-inspiration/wedding-colors). This handful of hues—also known as your wedding palette—will define the color scheme of your big day and touch upon all of the details that it involves. From invitations to flowers to clothing to table linens, your wedding colors can have a major impact on the choices you’ll make as you work your way through your wedding planning checklist. And since color has been shown to have a strong influence on a person’s feelings and mood, choosing your wedding colors is a really a decision about your wedding’s look, feel, and impression upon your guests.

Nervous about choosing the perfect palette? Don’t be! We’ve outlined some basic steps you can take to choose a [wedding color palette](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/5-wedding-color-palettes-to-try-right-now) that matches your vision and expresses your personality as a couple—as well as some color inspiration to help you choose the right wedding color scheme for your big day:

## Steps to Choosing Your Wedding Colors<a id="choose"> </a>

### 1. Reflect on Your Personal Style<a id="decide"> </a>  
Take a look around your home and notice what colors you use in your decorating. Open your cabinets and look at your dishware, and scan what’s hanging in your closet. Do you seem to collect bright colors, gravitate towards muted pastels, or do you stick to neutrals? Since you want your wedding celebration to feel like a natural extension of you and your partner, pay attention to what you’re both personally drawn to when you begin thinking about wedding colors. 

### 2. Gather Inspiration from Real Weddings
Browse [Zola Inspiration](https://www.zola.com/inspiration) to see real weddings from couples just like you. Search by season, location, style, or even color (perfect!) to see what color combinations you’re drawn to, which ones photograph well, and which colors evoke the kinds of vibes you’re hoping to create. Collect your favorite weddings and photos by clicking the heart icon to save them to your Zola account—you’ll want to refer to them later (and take a bird’s-eye view of your picks to notice trends). 

### 3. Think About Your Wedding Season and Venue	
Factors like your wedding location and season should weigh into your choice of wedding colors. This is not to say that you have to choose pumpkin orange and burgundy if you’re having a fall wedding, or light pink and mint green if you’re saying “I do” in april. But what’s going on in nature at the time of your wedding can provide inspiration and serve as a guide for what mood will be in the air. Summer weddings lend themselves to brighter, more electric colors, while winter weddings call for deep hues, cozy neutrals, and pops of bold reds and oranges.

Similarly, the colors that naturally dominate your wedding venue might influence your choices when it comes to wedding decor: a patterned rug or drapes, heavy wood paneling, or very large, bright, washed-out rooms all require different color palettes to complement the existing spaces. 

### 4. Think About Practicality
If you have your heart set on a very specific shade, you might be setting yourself up for frustration. Beyond simply having to explain (and provide examples) to all of your vendors, choosing rare, unique, or narrowly defined colors might make it difficult to find the right materials. Rather than confining yourself to hues as specific as “French blue and raspberry pink,” save yourself some headache but widening the spectrum to “light blue and fuschia” so you can find attire, accessories, flowers, linens, and other details that easily match. 

### 5. Research Flowers and Other Decor
Already know you must have hydrangeas in your reception centerpieces? Some flowers only come in certain colors, so take into consideration the color options (or limitations) for any must-have flowers or decor items when choosing your signature colors. If there are only a few rental companies in your town to choose from, scope out their inventory of linens, chair covers, and other decorative elements so you aren’t disappointed if your favorite hue isn’t available.    

### 6. Talk to Your SO
In case you haven’t already, be sure to check in with your significant other about his or her color preferences as you’re thinking and researching on your own. The last thing you want is to settle on a color palette, only to learn that your fiancé(e) will in no way tolerate any shade of orange whatsoever. Talk back and forth about which colors you both love and feel work well together to create your ideal wedding style.  

### 7. Optional: Poll Your Wedding Party
If you’re torn between a few options of color palettes, and you feel comfortable opening up the discussion to your wedding party, ask your maid of honor or bridesmaids their opinions. Since they might be wearing dresses in one of these colors, they might have thoughts that will help steer your decision. Of course, toughen up and be prepared to face dissenting or unfavorable opinions about your selections! 

### 8. Get Advice from The Pros.
If you’re still feeling lost in a sea of color, talk to a wedding planner or designer about interesting and beautiful color palettes they’d recommend. Many planners offer design consultation services that allow you to pay for their expertise by the hour, rather than having to fully hire them for your event. 

## Do I Need Wedding Colors?
The short answer is no, you don’t need to have wedding colors to pull off a wonderful, fun, and beautiful celebration. Many couples decide that having matching colors throughout their event is too formulaic for their style, and instead opt to decorate and dress in whatever colors suit them. To give your event a cohesive look and feel, however, it’s best to try and be cognizant of the different tones and shades you’re using throughout your day-of details. While using only a handful of specific colors may not be your thing, having haphazardly clashing elements isn’t anyone’s thing—and may even make your wedding photographs visually hard on the eyes. Check out our [Real Wedding photos](https://www.zola.com/inspiration) for inspiration on wedding colors - we have real photos of everything from [navy blue weddings](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/navy-blue) to [rose gold weddings](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/rose-gold). 

## How/Where Do I Use Wedding Colors?<a id="inc"> </a>  
There are tons of ways you can weave your wedding colors into the details of your big day. While you probably don’t want to use all of these suggestions at once (that would be visual overkill), here are some places you can incorporate your wedding colors in subtle doses:

- Bride’s or groom's accessories, such as shoes, jewelry, and hair pieces (for brides) or tie, vest or cummerbund, pocket square, suit jacket, socks, or shoes (for grooms)
- Bridesmaids’ dresses and accessories
- Groomsmen’s accessories
- Floral bouquets 
- Ceremony decorations
- Table centerpieces
- Save the Dates or Invitations
- Ceremony programs
- Dinner napkins
- Chair covers and/or sashes
- Cocktail napkins
- Candles
- Vases
- Wedding party favors

## Unique Wedding Color Combinations
Need some color ideas to help you find the perfect palette for your wedding? Consider these color combos:

![Color Palettes Winter](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6nu1oAHF5J2SB6fPLMKb5/650de2b565abaf413e9fe66f0e74d6cf/Color_Palettes_Winter.png)

![Color Palettes Unique](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5s4IG8Qxu2UVZA1WN5NqpV/32b2d7e8a622a7fc2faa9de44d455674/Color_Palettes_Unique.png)

![Color Palettes Dark](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4aPTF3JtLoUSb2M0aUsGWm/5a4a3fef4bbca5d3ff178cf5c9a0f42d/Color_Palettes_Dark.png)


Wedding Colors

Whether you want to personalize your own bridal bouquet or are looking for a fun activity to do with your bridal party, creating your own DIY wedding bouquet is a fun way to add a unique touch to your wedding.

Walking down the aisle will feel so much more special holding something that you and your wedding party created together. If you aren’t a floral expert, don’t worry! With our step-by-step guide and floral arranging tips, you can create the incredible bouquet of your dreams.

## What You’ll Need to Make a DIY Wedding Bouquet
While the flowers you choose for your DIY wedding bouquet are dependent on your taste, see below for the other essentials that you will need to create the perfect arrangement.

- __Flower shears:__ You’ll use these to cut the flowers.
 
- __Floral tape or floral wire:__ You’ll use these to keep the flowers and filler in place. We found that the floral wire was best for grouping together the stems of each bouquet.

- __Ribbon:__ We used white lace and silver ribbon to keep our bouquet together. However, the color and type of ribbon will depend on your floral design.

- __Flowers:__ The flowers you choose will depend on seasonality and your wedding style.

- __Greenery:__ Make sure to incorporate greenery into your bouquet. This will help add texture and fill any empty space.

## When You Should Make Your Wedding Bouquet
You should create your bouquet the day before your wedding, but we recommend planning out your bouquet in advance and, if possible, creating a few practice bouquets ahead of time.

## How to Assemble a DIY Wedding Bouquet 
Once you have selected your flowers and collected all of the materials you need, it’s time to start getting artistic. Follow our step-by-step guide to create a stunning DIY wedding bouquet that will turn heads on your big day. You can also use these floral arranging tips for other floral projects, such as your wedding centerpieces.

__Step 1: Choose your flowers__

Keeping in mind the season and the colors incorporated in your wedding, select flowers that are most representative of you as a bride. Make sure to incorporate fillers such as assorted greenery, baby’s breath, and pom pom flowers into the bouquet. For our DIY bouquet we used white and pink peonies, blue thistle, and Queen Anne’s lace.

You can purchase flowers from an online wholesaler or from your local grocery store or farmer’s market! Once you have your flowers selected, keep them in buckets full of water in a well-lit area so that they remain fresh during the process.

__Step 2: Prep your flowers__

In an area with an ample amount of counter space, use either your hands or your flower shears and remove all foliage from the stems of your flowers. If you have roses, make sure to remove all the thorns, too! (Bleeding fingers on your wedding day = not cute.)

__Step 3: Assemble your flower arrangement___

Taking your filler flowers first, hold them into place with your hand. From there, arrange your flowers and greenery one by one. Turn the bouquet while you do this so that you do not miss any areas. Incorporate greenery every so often and make sure to leave about 4 to 5 inches of exposed stems at the bottom.

__Step 4: Secure your DIY bouquet.__

Now, wrap your bouquet with floral tape or wire. Wrap the floral wire around several times to make sure your bouquet stays intact. Be sure to leave around 4 inches of stem exposed at the bottom—this will help keep all of the pieces in place.
Step 5: Add ribbon

Next, decorate your bouquet with your ribbon or the decorative wrapping of your choice. Wrap the ribbon around the floral wire several times, making sure it is completely covered. For our wedding bouquet, we chose a gray silk and white lace ribbon to compliment the greenery and the pastel colors of our design.

__Step 5: Trim the stems of your bouquet.__

For the final step, cut the stems of your bouquet using floral shears. Make sure that they are all the same length so your bouquet does not look uneven. Around 7 to 8 inches is the optimal length for a bouquet, however you can cut them to your preference.

*Pro tip:* If saving your bouquet for a later date, preserve it correctly by keeping it in a refrigerator or a vase of fresh water in a cool location.


## Tips to Keep in Mind for DIY Wedding Bouquets

- __Seasonality:__ When selecting flowers, keep the season of your wedding in mind. If your wedding is in the fall, consider a bouquet with dahlias and persimmons. If you are having a spring wedding, stick to flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas.

- __Color scheme:__ When picking flowers for your bouquet, be mindful of your wedding theme and overall floral design. Try to stick to the same color scheme as the rest of your wedding decor.

- __Flower care:__ To make sure your flowers remain fresh, keep them in a cool place and in a bucket or vase with fresh water at all times.

## DIY Wedding Bouquet Arrangements
Since every wedding is different, we have come up with three suggested arrangements to help you with your floral vision. Depending on the season and your wedding decor, use these bouquet “recipes” as inspiration for your DIY wedding bouquet.

__Sweet and Romantic Bouquet__
- White tulips
- Pink wax flowers
- Red peonies
- Red coffee bean

__Soft and Delicate Bouquet__
- White and pink peonies
- Blue thistle
- Queen Anne’s lace

__Fresh and Charming Bouquet__
- Ornamental kale
- Gerbera daisies
- White and yellow chrysanthemums
- Green dianthus


At Zola, we believe that your wedding day is a sacred event intended to celebrate the commitment between you and your partner. While other wedding sites may be in the business of referring to your wedding reception as "one big party," Zola understands that your wedding is as relevant as it is celebratory. 

That being said, celebrating is an integral part of what will undoubtedly be one of the most important days of your life. We don't like to overemphasize the "party" aspect of your wedding celebration. Still, we’d be lying if we said that your reception isn't going to be one of the most fabulous celebrations you ever attend.

When it comes to celebrating your wedding, having a substantial selection of adult beverages is key. So, enough beating around the bush—here is the ultimate alcohol list for your wedding, according to Zola.

## Liquor
Distilled spirits are a foundational building block for any wedding alcohol list. As Willy Wonka once said, “Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.” If you’re planning on serving alcohol at your event, we strongly recommend that you include some version of liquor.

For many couples, there are questions and concerns surrounding [wedding caterers and bartenders](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-venues "Wedding Venues | Zola") serving liquor, and understandably so. The biggest question regarding liquor at your wedding is not whether or not it should be served, but rather what kinds of liquor should be provided, especially at a limited bar. 

As a method of making your decisions easier, Zola recommends using a tiered system for choosing the liquor you will serve at your wedding. Our tiered system involves choosing two liquors at a time. The idea behind choosing two at a time is all about encouraging you to make selections that will offset one another. Using this selection method will provide your guests with the greatest possible variety for standalone spirits and mixed drinks. 

The first step in tiering your liquor choices is to separate your liquors into clear and colored options. While it may seem simplistic, separating your hard liquor into clear and colored means that you will secure a broader range of alcohol for your guests. For the most part, clear liquors, such as vodka, gin, and tequila, are a completely different flavor profile than dark liquors, such as whiskey, bourbon, and rum. 

__Vodka and bourbon__ are the two most common liquor choices for any wedding. On the one hand, you have a clear liquor with vodka, and alternately you have a colored liquor in bourbon. Both are easily drinkable on their own, and both are used in signature cocktail beverages, such as the vodka martini and the Old Fashioned. 

The reason for choosing bourbon over a different kind of whiskey is somewhat subjective, but there is logic behind the choice. All bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Usually, bourbon is easier to drink on its own, and, far more often, a whiskey drinker will ask for a bourbon over an alternate variety of whiskey. Choose whatever you and your guests will prefer, but bourbon is the safe play here. 

The next tier of liquor is usually __gin and rum__. Gin is a popular choice for fancy cocktails, and rum is great for fun mixed-drink varieties. While rum can be light or dark, we recommend choosing a lighter rum that still has some color to it, such as Mount Gay. Because vodka and bourbon are more mainstream, it’s wise to include gin and rum as your tier two options to increase the versatility of your cocktail bar.

Tier three and beyond get extremely subjective and can include everything from __Irish whisky and tequila__, to __vermouth and cognac__. Unless you and your guests are avid tequila drinkers, best to skip it for your wedding. Shots are never encouraged at a wedding, and tequila practically demands to be taken as a shot. Steer clear of this polarizing beverage as it tends to bring out the wild side of any party.

## Champagne
When it comes to your ultimate wedding alcohol list, Champagne should be at the top of it. While liquor is a foundational staple for any wedding, a wedding just simply isn't a wedding without some bubbles and a Champagne toast. For those who are Champagne purists, we should clarify that we are talking about sparkling wine, not necessarily Champagne. 

The difference, for those who are wondering, is sort of like bourbon and whiskey. All Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Champagne is a region in France where the beverage Champagne was invented, and, as such, only sparkling wine that comes from the Champagne region is called Champagne.

Specificity aside, you’ll want Champagne (read: sparkling wine) throughout the day. Perhaps you’ll want to indulge in a mimosa while getting ready, so you'll need to have prosecco on hand. Maybe you'll want a glass of something in the limo on the way to the reception, so be sure to have a nice brut chilling in the ice chest. And, of course, you'll want to have a bottle bedside for when you and your sweetheart arrive home after the wedding reception. 

The point is, sparkling wine and the aforementioned Champagne are a major part of your wedding day. If we have one piece of advice regarding your Champagne selection, it's this—spend up and overbuy. There is no worse hangover than the one you get from cheap Champagne. And, even if you save the good stuff for yourself, you should always have a few more bottles than you think you'll need.

![The Ultimate Wedding Alcohol List](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5YuzjOqIWgmsrbHMyJzcwk/f8d2b5f5f96dd64f7d1ec256406255ce/INLINE2_TheUltimateWeddingAlcoholList___.jpg) *Photo Credits //* Zola Inc

## Beer and Wine 
Beer and wine are such essential choices for wedding beverages that some couples choose to serve them exclusively. Beer and wine do what other wedding alcohols cannot in their ability to stand on their own as sufficient. While serving only beer and wine may not be your guests' preferred choice, no one will be outraged if you choose to go with beer and wine only.

Beer and wine are also terrific complementary pieces to your wedding bar as a whole. Often, whoever is providing your bar service will offer two different beer selections and two different wine selections. More often than not, the choices of beer will include one domestic and one imported. Similarly, the wine will be offered in the form of red wine, usually a cabernet, and white wine, usually chardonnay. 

The best part about beer and wine is simplicity. You don't have to overthink it, just pick something that most people like and you'll be fine. When in doubt, pick something you like to drink, and if you're really stuck, ask a couple of guests. The most common beer choices for a wedding include Bud Light—as the domestic choice—and Corona or Heineken as the imported choice. Chardonnay and cabernet are the most popular wine choices, but a zinfandel and sauvignon blanc are good alternatives, respectively. 

## Mixers, Citrus, and Ice
Every ultimate wedding alcohol list should include mixers. While they may not be alcohol themselves, there are very few guests who will want their drinks neat. Be sure to procure a variety of soft drinks, juices, and, of course, fresh-cut citrus to include with the alcohol you’re serving.

You can never have too much ice. People like their drinks to be cold, and many people enjoy their cocktails on the rocks. Every good bartender will tell you how important ice is to a well-stocked bar. Do your guests, and your bartenders, a favor by getting plenty of ice for the booze.

## Specialty Cocktails
Some call them craft cocktails, others call them specialty spirits, but whatever you call these artisanal alcoholic treats, your guests will simply call them delicious. Usually, an average bartender will not be able to create signature cocktails on the spot, so you may need to hire someone with a special skill set who can help curate a unique [wedding cocktail menu](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-drinks-are-served-at-cocktail-hour "What Drinks Are Served at Cocktail Hour?") for the event. We're not saying that there aren't regular bartenders who don't make a superior drink, but we're just saying that for truly artisanal cocktails you’ll need to hire a bonafide mixologist for this type of alcoholic beverage.

If you’re considering a real mixologist for your wedding, we recommend hiring them only for cocktail hour. Having someone to make fancy cocktails is a great way to entertain your guests as they mingle during the [time between ceremony and reception](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-time-should-you-have-between-a-wedding-ceremony-and-reception). However, there is a high probability that the cool aesthetic of craft cocktails will wear off later in the evening. As people begin to drink more, they care less about a hibiscus-infused vodka gimlet and tend to lean more on the standard party beverages, such as beer or a glass of wine.   

Just for fun, here is our ultimate wedding alcohol list power rankings:

1. __Champagne__  You can't have a wedding without it.
2. __Red Wine__  You can have it during cocktail hour, it will be served with dinner, and it pairs well with chocolatey desserts. Plus, there aren't many people who flat out refuse to drink it. 
3. __Vodka__  It's easy to drink on its own, and it mixes well with almost everything. If you're going to choose only one spirit, Vodka is it.
4. __Beer__  Whether it's domestic or craft, beer is always a great option for a party.
5. __Bourbon__  There's the casual whiskey drinker, and then there's the bourbon drinker. Every party has a few of them. Bourbon can be substituted for whiskey, but not the other way around. When in doubt, bourbon over whiskey.
6. __White Wine__  More of a cocktail hour beverage than an all-night drink, white wine is a staple for those who prefer something light on the palette.
7. __Gin__  It's vodka's partner in crime. This distilled spirit is very en vogue at the moment and opens up a world of cocktail options, such as martinis, gimlets, and, of course, the classic gin and tonic.
8. __Whiskey__  Much like vodka, whiskey pairs well with a lot of other beverages. Whiskey is a top requested spirit at any event with a bar, but with only a small range of flexibility for cocktails, it's lower on our list.
9. __Rum__  A great liquor for mixed drinks, and a solid depth option to round out any bar.
10. __Liqueurs__  This generalized group includes spirits such as triple sec and Bailey's, and are absolutely necessary for creating [wedding signature cocktails](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choosing-signature-wedding-cocktail).

If you have trepidations about serving liquor at your wedding, we’re here to tell you not to worry. While distilled spirits and other alcohols can certainly cause drunkenness, rest assured that your guests will be on their best behavior. It’s a well understood social construct that behavior at a wedding is jovial, yet controlled. Your guests certainly understand that this is a special occasion and they are expected to have fun responsibly. 

![The Ultimate Wedding Alcohol List](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2Wkajj9KjnL5ltyPxzajMD/16168ef8c715b1543d133e8f53579c2b/INLINE_TheUltimateWeddingAlcoholList___.jpg)*Photo Credit //* Unsplash

If you’re concerned about overserving your guests, we recommend setting a drink limit for hard liquor. Alternately, a cash bar is always a great way to encourage responsibility as it tempers how many trips to the bar your guests are willing to take. If you’re concerned about serving too much alcohol at your wedding, address your guest list to see whether or not alcohol will be an issue. Alcohol, when consumed responsibly, is a wonderful part of being an adult and an incredible part of your wedding day. We hope this list of wedding day alcohol choices will help your planning process, so that come the big day you can sit back and raise a glass to your new spouse and a life of joy together. Cheers!


Food + Drink

The Ultimate Wedding Alcohol List

[Planning a wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-plan-a-wedding) by the beach already has an idyllic, built-in atmosphere, but a few special touches can take your surroundings to new heights. When choosing the right wedding flowers to accommodate your dream celebration, consider a beach wedding bouquet that will be able to withstand warmer temperatures and wind, all while looking beautiful against an ocean backdrop. 

The best choice is to keep the arrangements and greenery simple. Also, if you’ve chosen to have a destination wedding, ask for recommendations from your local florist and floral designer regarding the types of flowers that are native to (and in season) for the location. 

Certain flowers that may be expensive or unavailable in your hometown may be abundant and less costly when planning a ceremony by the beach (See our guide on [how to do wedding flowers cheap](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-cut-costs-on-wedding-flowers)). Here are a few of the best [beach wedding](https://www.zola.com/inspiration/real-weddings/beaches-waterfronts) flowers to consider for your big day. 

![Flower Choices + Bouquet Tips for Your Beach Wedding Bouquet](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/IFT8otHAaVGiM46bQV2tc/492e5272af36e3b8349a97db0695b275/janine-meuche-eGA8eVViVP0-unsplash.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Janine Meuche Unsplash

## 1. Calla Lilies
Calla lilies are elegant and timeless. Better yet, they can stand up to the tropical temperatures that are part of most beach weddings. With their feminine, curved blooms, a calla lily is striking on its own. A small wedding bouquet looks equal parts simplistic and stunning, or for brides who want to incorporate the flowers in a bigger way, they work well with greenery and baby’s breath. 

Calla lilies pair well with the romantic glow of candlelight for wedding receptions, standing regally with their long, thick stems to double as table decorations. There are various color options, such as deep purple or even black, to put a dramatic spin on a longtime wedding flower favorite.

## 2. Roses
Roses are the champion of flowers for any style of wedding. You can never go wrong with roses. They are available in every color imaginable and can be the star of the show or sit beautifully in the background. When incorporating roses into a beach wedding bouquet, consider using hues that echo the shades of the sunset: vibrant reds, warm oranges, and flecks of yellow. They’ll pop against the serene backdrop of white sand and blue ocean water.

Whether you go for a single color or mix it up with a variety of hues, roses complement any ceremony nicely, plus are readily available nearly everywhere you go. As a centerpiece idea, cut full rose blooms and let them float in shallow water bowls, sprinkle rose petals down the length of a table in place of a fabric runner, or simply let your wedding party’s bouquets double as decoration by placing them in vases at the reception. There are endless ways to incorporate roses into your celebration, which is why they make an appearance at most weddings.

## 3. Daisies
Like roses, daisies have a timeless appeal and are able to adapt to any situation. They are sweet floral design additions to a bridal bouquet, especially if you are planning an ultra laid-back wedding celebration on the beach. Carrying a handful of white daisies tied with a simple ribbon is classic in its simplicity. They, too, are a good flower choice for flower crowns or other wedding adornments and decorations. 

Daisies may not be the first flower you think of when planning a beach wedding, but they do fit in quite nicely. There’s no rule that says you have to stick with only exotic flowers when planning your beach wedding.

## 4. Anthurium
The waxy, leaf-like blooms of the anthurium flower make it a steady choice to stand up to saltwater, sand, and other natural elements that may weigh heavy on your floral arrangements. Although they are less common, these flowers have a distinctive flair that embodies the airy, ethereal aspect of a beach wedding. They can be used in wedding party bouquets and are a good choice for table decorations when accompanied by other greenery or pops of color. 

## 5. Plumeria
Warm regions, such as Hawaii, are known for their breathtaking beaches where plumeria trees thrive. Their star-like quality and alluring color make it one of the best beach wedding flowers to use. They won’t wilt easily under the sun and offer their own natural brightness to any bouquet. Plumeria is a wonderful choice to create flower crowns and corsages and add to archways. 

Use them to drape over the back of chairs, the tops of tables, and other areas of your reception. Plumeria instantly creates a happy vibe for your celebration and adds a subtly sweet smell to engage the senses in a different way. Embrace this warm-weather [popular wedding flower](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-most-popular-wedding-flowers) and add a tropical punch to your decorations.

## 6. Orchids
Orchids are sometimes known to be a finicky flower, but all they need is plenty of water to thrive. Their pretty petals and rich colors are an ideal choice for a beach wedding flower. Make sure to leave them in water until it’s time to carry them down the aisle, and they’ll hold up nicely throughout the ceremony. 

Small jars of orchids at the wedding reception are an elegant touch. Also, strings of orchids hanging from your ceremony archway have a unique and exotic appeal. No matter how you use them, one thing’s for sure: Orchids add a truly special touch. 

## 7. Poppies
Poppies are an unexpected, but welcome choice for a beach wedding flower. They are vibrant and can stand up to hot temperatures, plus come in an array of pretty colors. They look great paired with other varietals and can stand on their own among a bed of greenery. When using as part of reception decor, they offer a modern, artistic touch to a wedding’s aesthetic. 

## 8. Peonies
Peonies are another wedding floral favorite, adaptable to various themes and locations. However, with their peak season running from late May to mid-June, they're especially ideal for late spring and summer weddings. With a complex layering of delicate petals, they can add a look and feel of luxury to beachside ceremonies and receptions. If your budget allows, consider splurging on a bridal bouquet and bridesmaid bouquets consisting strictly of lush peonies. That being said, they're just as beautiful when used as an accent flower.

The fickle thing about peonies is that they have a short blooming period (approximately 7-10 days). Moreover, this isn't entirely consistent across the board. While they'll bloom earlier in warmer areas, opposingly, their blooming period will last longer in cooler areas. If you desire these stunning blooms at your beach wedding, we highly suggest communicating with a professional florists to see which varieties may work best in your location.

## 9. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas resemble peonies in their fullness and variety of colors (including whites, greens, pinks, and blues). However, rather than being made up of large and delicate petals, they consist of many star-shaped florets. This gives them a less opulent and more whimsical appearance, perfect for bride's bouquets, boutonnieres, and [beachy wedding decorations](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/beach-wedding-decorations) at casual to semi-formal beach weddings.

Luckily, these flowers are in-season from mid-spring through late summer (and, sometimes, early fall), making them a great choice for warm weather weddings. Go with all-white hydrangeas for a sleek and chic look or take inspiration from the views around you and select pinks or blues reminiscent of sunsets and ocean waves.

## 10. King Proteas
A striking flower, king proteas (also called protea cynaroides) will without a doubt catch the eye of every one of your guests. With large heads and pointed peachy pink petals, they look tropical and a touch prehistoric. They're large enough in size to be carried alone—in fact, we love the look of each of your bridesmaids carrying one, while you carry a larger bouquet of them—but also look great when accented with smaller, less assuming flowers or greenery. They're in season from May/June through winter, meaning you can include them in your bouquets and centerpieces almost all year-round.

## What to Consider When Choosing Your Beach Wedding Flowers

![Flower Choices + Bouquet Tips for Your Beach Wedding Bouquet](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/71SUNPiBkycGjNnwJ3EBPb/d093ed44bf98c265c7d05aeb8f2a08a0/ariana-kaminski-T1CZLePEARk-unsplash.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Ariana Kaminski Unsplash

- First, __ensure your flowers will be able to stand up in the changing weather conditions__, such as high winds, scorching sun, and possible rain. If you have your heart set on a type of flower that’s not as beach-friendly, ask your florist if there's a similar counterpart that won’t fall apart as soon as the ceremony starts.
- Another thing to think about is __maintaining simplicity__ with the number of flowers you use. Your view will fulfill the need for large floral arrangements placed outside. Instead, consider a row of flower petals lining the aisle or smaller bouquets of flowers held in place at the end of each row of chairs.
- Additionally, consider __looking for flower options outside of your wedding venue__. You can find [cheap wedding flowers](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-are-the-cheapest-flowers-for-a-wedding) with more customization options when working with outside vendors. Give your wedding coordinator or flower vendor an idea of what you’re looking for by identifying certain colors and visuals you’d like to see. The same goes for the types of flowers you’re drawn to and the ones you could do without.
- It’s helpful if you __share images that visualize the aesthetic__ you’re trying to achieve. This gives your florist a good starting point and allows them to approach you with ideas. However, if you already have your exact flower and color scheme picked out, even better. You can discuss if this is doable based on the location and season you plan to say “I do.” 

## Make the Most of Your Beach Wedding Flowers
Beach wedding ceremonies are magical. Go with the less is more approach when deciding on your beach bouquet, and use the landscape to your advantage. Your flowers will only add to what’s already a gorgeous setup. 

For more resources on finding the best wedding flowers, see our other guides:

- [How Much Should Wedding Flowers Cost?](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-set-your-floral-budget)
- [Wedding Flower Checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/your-wedding-flower-checklist)
- [How to Find an Affordable Wedding Florist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/finding-an-affordable-wedding-florist)

Enjoy every little moment of planning your wedding! Whether it’s selecting a cake flavor or [creating a wedding registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry), the experts at Zola will help you love every second.


Beach Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Beach Wedding Decorations

guests at a summer wedding or women wearing summer wedding attire

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding: 30 Best Guest Attire Options

Honeymoon Planning 101: What You Need to Know

10 Best Flowers For a Beach Wedding

According to fictional bakery owner, Fran Weston from Gilmore Girls, cake isn’t just a delicious dessert you get to eat after you’re married, "Cake is the glue of the wedding."

She’s not wrong about the importance of a [wedding cake](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/topic/decor-inspiration/cakes)! Choosing your wedding cake flavor (along with your [wedding cake budget](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-cake-costs)!) is an important decision in the wedding planning process (that’s what cake tasting is for!). But with so many flavor combinations to choose from—not to mention ganache (should I go with chocolate or white chocolate ganache?), icings (Italian meringue or Swiss buttercream?), fillings (something fruity, like berries and cream, or more tart and tangy, like lemon curd?), and cake design and decorations (should I keep the design simple or go more elaborate?)—you might be overwhelmed with the confectionary possibilities for your big day. 

If you’re looking for __[wedding cake ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-cake-ideas)__ to help you choose, this guide will show you the most popular cakes of the last 60 years, the up-and-coming flavor favorites, and daring delectables of wedding cake flavors. You’ll also learn a bit about other taste profiles that will suit each cake flavor to spark cake creativity. By the time you’re done with this guide, you’ll be ready to dig into a piece of wedding cake (and [give a serious tip to your wedding baker](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/do-you-tip-wedding-bakers)!). 

What are you waiting for? Dig in!

## Most Popular Wedding Cake Flavors
Below, explore the most popular wedding cake flavors, or jump straight to the section you’re most interested in:
- [The Fantastic Four](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-are-the-most-popular-flavors-for-a-wedding-cake#fantastic-four): Vanilla, Chocolate, Yellow Cake, Red Velvet

- [The Up-and-Comers](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-are-the-most-popular-flavors-for-a-wedding-cake#up-and-comers): Funfetti, Lemon, Spice Cakes, Almond, Pink Champagne

- [The Mavericks](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-are-the-most-popular-flavors-for-a-wedding-cake#mavericks): Cognac, Coffee and Cream, Peanut Butter Cup, Coconut

![What Are the Most Popular Flavors For a Wedding Cake?](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5DKh543j5w7XpkScOzMRIw/a357ec150716eb1be179055fb346f8f4/Inline_ClassicWeddingatStoneHouseatStirlingRidge_NSTPictures.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // NST Pictures

## The Fantastic Four: The 4 Most Popular Flavors Over the Last 60 Years
<a name="fantastic-four"></a>
Since the 1960s, the [most popular cake flavors for weddings](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/what-are-the-most-popular-flavors-for-a-wedding-cake&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1660344169666349&usg=AOvVaw1gtrz5ejwE6vux9-q7aPaf) haven’t strayed far from four classics: vanilla, chocolate, yellow cake, and red velvet. These cakes have been tantalizing the taste buds of wedding guests and couples for decades and are sure to be a hit for years to come. 

### 1. Vanilla
<a name="vanilla"></a>
You can’t go wrong with a vanilla cake on your wedding dat. It’s a crowd-pleaser, it’s light, it’s delicious, and it goes with the decor—wedding white. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings__: Vanilla is as adaptable as it is popular. You can choose a classic filling and frosting, such as vanilla buttercream, or introduce a more playful flavor profile. Check out the examples below: 

- More vanilla
- Chocolate mousse
- Coconut
- Strawberry
- Passion fruit
- Lemon curd
- Fruit or berries
- Amaretto

### 2. Chocolate
<a name="chocolate"></a>
Chocoholics rejoice—this delicious flavor is a wedding favorite. It’s commonly layered with a tiered vanilla cake and filled with vanilla buttercream. This classic flavor offers plenty of room for creative fillings, icings, and accents. 

__*Suggested Flavor Pairings:*__ Chocolate cake can be a decadent dessert or a delicate delight. Find a flavor profile that works for you below: 

- Salted Caramel
- Toffee
- Espresso
- Raspberry
- Vanilla
- Marshmallow
- Dark Chocolate
- Cookie Dough
- German Chocolate
- Black Forest
- White Chocolate

### 3. Yellow Cake
<a name="yellow-cake"></a>
This slice of buttery deliciousness rose into the nation’s most popular wedding cake flavors in the 1970s. But you might be wondering what exactly makes yellow cake... yellow. The ingredients are almost identical to those of a white or vanilla cake with one key exception—the use of whole eggs, including yolks. White and vanilla cakes use just the whites of eggs to maintain their pale color. But the introduction of whole egg yolks brings color and richness to a yellow cake.

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ The golden confection plays particularly well with chocolate buttercream, but you can get creative with fillings and icings:

- Vanilla buttercream
- Caramel buttercream
- Cream cheese

### 4. Red Velvet
<a name="red-velvet"></a>
Red velvet cakes are famous for their rich taste, moist texture, and that stunning red shade. This cake sets itself apart from others in its surprising list of ingredients—cocoa powder, buttermilk, and vinegar. These ingredients help soften the proteins of the mixture and create an indulgent treat perfect for weddings.

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ A red velvet cake is already very rich, so most bakers recommend leaning into the classic cream cheese frosting. But there’s a little wiggle room to explore different avenues of taste pairings: 

- Vanilla
- Cream cheese
- Berries
- Fresh strawberries
- Raspberry jam
- Chocolate chips

## The Up-and-Comers
<a name="up-and-comers"></a>
If you want something a little more unexpected, take a look at these up-and-coming flavors for a sensational (and scrumptious) wedding cake. 

### 5. Funfetti
<a name="funfetti"></a>
Finally, we can all admit that adults enjoy funfetti as much (if not more) than children. This cake takes a colorful spin on the classic white or vanilla cake to bring a taste of whimsy to your wedding guests. And no, you don’t have to use the boxed kind. Bakers from all over the country offer funfetti flavors using a variety of sprinkles to ensure a festive flavor for your wedding cake. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ Keep your funfetti flavor pairings light and a little playful:

- Berry
- Vanilla bean
- Cream cheese
- Strawberry jam
- Sprinkles

### 6. Lemon
<a name="lemon"></a>
Sweet, zesty, and a little tart, lemon cakes are ideal for warm-weather weddings. They can also bring a bit of sunshine to a winter reception. If you’re not a big fan of lemon buttercream, lemon cake and mousse filling is a match made in dessert heaven. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ For lemon cake flavor pairings, think light, sweet, and airy:

- Berries
- Cream cheese
- Amaretto
- Raspberry
- Vanilla

### 7. Spice Cakes
<a name="spice-cakes"></a>
A spice cake isn’t necessarily spicy, it just means that certain spices are prominent in every bite. Spice cakes offer subtle nuances of flavor, a bit of warmth, and a comforting aesthetic to any wedding. You can select a classic flavor, such as carrot cake, or lean into winter with flavors such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, and cardamom. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ The flavor of these cakes comes from the use of warm, homey spices that might make you think of winter. Different fillings can heighten the allusions to chilly weather, or you can offset the spice with year-round flavors:

- Molasses
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Toffee
- Cream cheese
- Vanilla
- Amaretto
- Whiskey
- Hazelnut
- Jam

### 8. Almond
<a name="almond"></a>
Almond cake is an up-and-coming wedding cake flavor that continues to grow in popularity, due to its nutty flavor and versatility in taste pairings. These cakes are distinguished from the usual wedding cake due to their slightly denser texture and moistness. Almond cakes are also common flavors for gluten-free cake alternatives. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ When it comes to fillings and icing, almond cakes are almost as versatile as vanilla or white cakes. Mix and match these complementary tastes to find a flavor that sings to your taste buds: 

- Caramel
- Lemon 
- Whipped cream
- Pear
- Toffee
- Apple
- Blueberry
- Cinnamon

### 9. Pink Champagne
<a name="pink-champagne"></a>
Double the celebration sensations with a pink Champagne cake. This dessert is made by infusing vanilla cake with Champagne. It pairs perfectly with the bubbly wedding beverages and florals.

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ Pink Champagne cakes are light, moist, and have a hint of that delicious Champagne flavor. Complement those indulgent tastes with sweet fillings and icings:

- Raspberry
- Lemon
- White chocolate
- Vanilla

## The Mavericks 
<a name="mavericks"></a>
If you’re looking for a flavor that stands out from the crowd and deserves a standing ovation for deliciousness, take a look at these maverick flavors for a memorable and scrumptious wedding cake.

### 10. Cognac
<a name="cognac"></a>
Transport yourself and your guests to a French hunting lodge with a cognac cake. This rich, warm wedding cake gets its flavor from using cognac instead of water in the batter. A cognac cake is sometimes complemented with holiday herbs. If you’re looking for a luxurious flavor for a winter wedding, look no further. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ The cognac flavor of this delicious cake opens doors for a variety of warming flavors:

- Caramel
- Hazelnut
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla

### 11. Coffee and Cream
<a name="coffee-and-cream"></a>
Coffee goes so well with sweets, so why not marry the two tastes in your wedding cake? If you’re a coffee-lover, a coffee and cream cake will express your personality in every slice. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ The rule for a coffee and cream cake is simple: whatever flavor would pair well with coffee will probably taste wonderful in a coffee and cream cake. Get inspiration from your local coffee shop’s menu for a sumptuous mix of bitter, sweet, and creamy: 

- Whipped cream
- Toffee
- Hazelnut
- Chocolate
- Kahlua
- Caramel

### 12. Peanut Butter Cup
<a name="peanut-butter-cup"></a>
Were there ever two substances more made for each other than peanut butter and chocolate? This salty-sweet confection invokes nostalgia, indulgence, and multiple trips back to the cake serving station.

__*Suggested Flavor Pairings:*__ A peanut butter cup cake is perfectly paired already, but there are ways to heighten the taste experience using other candy bar flavors and textures:

- Pretzels
- Chocolate chips
- Salted caramel

### 13. Coconut
<a name="coconut"></a>
Perfect for summer weddings, coconut cake can be delicate and delicious, or dense and decadent. Coconut cakes are also a wonderful flavor option if you want to stick to the white cake wedding tradition. 

__Suggested Flavor Pairings:__ Coconut cakes are rich and tasty, but they also open your wedding cake flavor options to tropical notes: 

- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Mango

![What Are the Most Popular Flavors For a Wedding Cake?](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1EODiIBGbV1COyIUIjhlgj/fe7aad4fea71d79a3de7a7994b9d4dd3/Inline_ClassicCityWeddingatTheFoundry_CrockerPhotography.jpg)
*Photo Credit* // Crocker Photography

## The Secret Ingredient to a Wonderful Wedding? Zola
Your wedding day should be sweet. But who says wedding planning can’t be sweet, too? __[Zola’s](https://www.zola.com/)__ team of wedding experts have everything you need to plan a fantastic day, including planning resources, a custom __[wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website)__ builder, __[save-the-date](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop)__ and __[wedding invitation](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/invitations/shop)__ services, and an easy-to-use [online registry](https://www.zola.com/wedding-registry).

How to Choose the Best Flavor for Your Wedding Cake

Flowers are undoubtedly the focal point of any wedding. Regardless of the type of flowers you decide on or how many you have in your bouquet, this detail is one of the highlights of wedding planning. In addition to narrowing down your flower options to a few varieties, there are also different styles of bridal bouquets to consider as well. From full, cascading blooms that nearly graze the ground to the simplicity of a delicate nosegay bouquet style, there is one for every wedding style and bridal preference. 

Here are a few of the most popular ones that grace wedding aisles every year. Compare your favorites and work with your florist to decide which flowers will work best in the wedding bouquet. Or, mix it up and take a little bit of inspiration from a few to make a customized style especially for you.

![What Are the Different Types of Bridal Bouquets? ](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4iAnN8B7UiEQHZPMVt5DRC/50d0a35cb71e0bd42f88c5246864255b/Inline_Intimate_ColorfulWeddingatTheSwedenborgianChurch_ONELOVEPHOTOGRAPHY.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* One Love Photography

## Cascade 
The drama of a cascade flower bouquet is one that highlights the overflow of beautiful blooms to offset an equally beautiful dress. The shape of the flower arrangement is fuller near the top and then narrows near the bottom, like a teardrop shape. Roses, lilies, and gorgeous greenery help to fill out this style of wedding flower bouquet. 

Typically this type of arrangement is held together at the stems or attached to a holder, depending on the heaviness of the flowers. Either way, the grandeur of flowers cascading down is a perfect reflection of an elegant, formal wedding celebration. 

## Biedermeier
A Biedermeier floral design typically focuses on one or two types of flowers and cinches them together in a tight, round bunch. Roses not yet in full bloom are one of the most popular flowers to use in this traditional type of bridal bouquet, but calla lilies and dahlias also create a stunning effect. 

All stems are cut to the same length and are wrapped in wire to hold the bouquet together. For the finishing touch that adds a bit of style, this bouquet is typically wrapped in a piece of fabric.

## Round
With this type of [bouquet](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/unique-wedding-bouquet-ideas), an assortment of stems that are usually all shaped to create a circular pattern similar to the Biedermeier. Most bridal bouquet styles start with this general structure and then are built out depending on the final look the bride wants to achieve. 

These types of bridal bouquets often contain a variety of flowers and greenery in different shades and are held together by a thick satin ribbon on the stems. Typically, blooms are more abundant than fillers to keep everything well-balanced. 

## Posy
One of the easiest styles of bridal bouquets is the posy style. It’s a smaller bouquet of flowers tied loosely with a pretty ribbon. These arrangements don’t have a lot of extra greenery or fillers—the focus is on the loveliness of the flowers themselves. The posy arrangement is ideal for wildflowers to complement a rustic-style wedding.

## Single Stem
A striking, yet simplistic bridal bouquet option is to carry a single stem. This is a chic selection for a budget-friendly bouquet, especially when you choose a full flower bloom like a peony or hydrangea to make the most of the one flower. 

This works well with the style of a garden wedding or another similar outdoor ceremony where the wedding celebration has a relaxed, natural vibe. 

When going the route of a single stem, it’s all about the quality of the flower. Pick a petal that will hold up during the ceremony and last through the celebration afterward. See our guide on *[How to Keep Flowers Fresh for a Wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-make-your-wedding-flowers-last-longer)* for more information.

## Contemporary 
Brides are getting creative with how they design their own bridal bouquets. There are many who bypass the traditional route and include exotic flowers and unique designs into their wedding planning details. 

Succulents, eucalyptus, and other similar greenery are making their way into contemporary styles of bouquets. Plus, the design itself is changing shape. Whether the bouquet is a wreath or functions as a corsage rather than a bouquet that’s carried, there are no rules when it comes to creating an arrangement that speaks to your personality and preference.

## Pomander
The main differentiating characteristic of the pomander bouquet is its ribbon handle. It’s a ball of all the same type of flower (roses are the most popular option) in the same color or similar hues. 

In addition to being a bridal bouquet, this type of arrangement is popular for flower girls to carry or to use as decoration for the wedding ceremony and reception. Pomander bouquets hang easily from chairs or trees to dot the venue with pops of brightness and freshness to permeate the ceremony. 

## Nosegay
One of the most popular types of bridal bouquets is the nosegay style, which is similar to the Biedermeier in that all stems are cut uniformly and the blooms are held tightly together. However, in a nosegay arrangement, there are far fewer stems and the focus is usually on one single flower and color to define the design. 

Delicate shades of pastels or a vibrant burst of color are go-to options depending on the overall aesthetic of the wedding. This is a classic choice that’s easier on the budget, because it doesn’t require as many flowers as other options.  

## Things to Consider When Choosing Your Floral Arrangement
After reviewing the main styles of bridal bouquets, consider how each fits into your ideas for wedding decor. You’ll likely be drawn to a few favorites right off the bat, but it’s important to take into account your wedding destination, dress style, and other details before making your final choice. 

### Find a Flower Fit for the Wedding Destination
When choosing flowers, one of the best ways to get the freshest flowers and stick with your budget is to go local. If you’re having a destination wedding, pair up with a local florist who can come up with [unique wedding bouquet ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/unique-wedding-bouquet-ideas "Unique Wedding Bouquet Ideas") based on what’s native to the place where you’re getting married. Birds of paradise may not fit into the formal setting of a church wedding in the winter, but is a natural fit for a laid-back ceremony on the beach. If you need help finding a local florist, explore Zola's vendor directory to connect with [wedding florists from New York](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/new-york-ny--wedding-florists) to Denver, CO and everything in between.

On the other hand, if you’re planning a low-key outdoor wedding, the simplicity of a single stem or a posy bridal bouquet style fits the bill much better than a full-fledged cascade of flowers. Depending on what’s available, you may be able to gather what you need directly from nature with sprigs of lilac from a neighborhood bush or a bunch of field poppies loosely gathered with a simple tie. 

![What Are the Different Types of Bridal Bouquets? ](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/15adPWQmg6uPERGSW0gddY/25e6a1878b9b5d027351f4fc864ff314/Inline_VintageFallWeddingatJustine_sSecretHouse_NikkNguyenPhoto.jpg)
*Photo Credit //* Nikk Nguyen Photo

### Allow the Type of Bridal Bouquet to Complement the Dress Style 
The bride’s wedding dress is quite possibly the single most important design detail of the ceremony. It’s the centerpiece in which everything else is structured around. As such, you don’t want to hide its specialness with the wrong bridal bouquet match. A cascade bouquet will overwhelm a simple sheath dress and a contemporary design won’t be a good match for a classically designed dress. Consider the size and amount of flowers each type of bouquet calls for and how it will work to complement your dress. 

### Coordinating With Other Wedding Details Makes a Difference
Finally, when making your bridal bouquet selection, think about how it fits in with the other details of the wedding. What types of flowers mean the most and what colors will make the other decorations stand out? Will the bridal bouquet be used as part of the reception or will it be swapped out for a stand-in that will be tossed at the end of the night? How will it photograph in pictures and will they maintain their shape during the day? 

It’s a lot to think about, but consider it a fun puzzle that makes the planning more interesting. Once it all comes together seamlessly, you’ll be glad you considered every last detail to fulfill the vision you have for your wedding day. 

For more advice on [wedding planning](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning " Your One-Stop Wedding Planning Website | Zola") and selecting the perfect flowers for your special day, see our resources below:

- [How Much Should a Bridal Bouquet Cost?](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-should-a-bridal-bouquet-cost "How Much Should a Bridal Bouquet Cost?")
- [How Much Should Bridesmaid Bouquets Cost?](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-should-bridesmaid-bouquets-cost "How Much Should Bridesmaid Bouquets Cost?")
- [Wedding Flower Tips](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/floral-mistakes-to-avoid)

What Are the Different Types of Bridal Bouquets?

If you and your dad have a special song that you’ve both loved since you were small, choosing a father-daughter dance song may be a no-brainer. If not, it can be a challenge to find the perfect song to dance to. Finding that ideal choice that is meaningful but not too sappy is a task that can take months. To help inspire some ideas we created this list of 105 father-daughter dance songs.

Whether you’re throwing a country bash or a suit and tie soirée, there is sure to be a song that you and your dad can dance the night away to. Check out our Spotify playlist or jump to one of our song sections below:

<a href="#unique">Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a>

<a id="unique"> </a>
<a href="#modern">Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a>

<a href="#upbeat">Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a> 

<a href="#country">Country Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a> 

<a href="#rock">Rock Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a> 

<a href="#classic">Classic Father-Daughter Dance Songs</a> 

<a href="#short">Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs </a>

<a href="#playlist">Father-Daughter Dance Song Playlist </a>

## Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![01-unique-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7rPz6YjW5hgTRjT0Nu1vuL/30b1b5fe110abe39e4f5506b731c215c/01-unique-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

If you and your dad want to skip the classics and look for something special, use this list of unique father-daughter dance songs to find something that reflects your relationship. To make your choice easier, look for a song that compliments your <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-your-wedding-style" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-your-wedding-style">wedding style</a>. For example, you are throwing a fancy soiree, choose something like “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.  

1. “Home” by Michael Buble
2. “One Call Away" by Charlie Puth
3. “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay
4. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
5. “Sunrise, Sunset” by Fiddler on the Roof
6. “Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness 
7. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
8. “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins
9. “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke
10. "I Lived" by OneRepublic
11. “My Little Girl” by Jack Johnson

<a id="modern"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke

“If I go a million miles away/I'd write a letter each and every day/'Cause honey, nothin',/Nothin' can ever change this love/I have for you.”

## Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![02-modern-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2vF6lAlGMgUqjQw9Qfqdro/cd6b9b9d700b318032880c5c5f2319d1/02-modern-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

So many recommended father-daughter dance songs are classics or country. If you’re looking for something modern, choose one of these newer numbers to dance to. For some of the longer or more romantic songs, have your <a href="https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-bands-djs" target="_https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-bands-djs">wedding band or DJ</a> customize a mix. This way you and your dad can dance for the perfect amount of time.

12. "Moon River" by Frank Ocean
13. "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding
14. “Walk With You” by Edwin McCain
15. “Your Joy” by Chrisette Michele
16. “Daughters” by John Mayer 
17. “Love Me Now” by John Legend
18. “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Amy Winehouse 
19. “Emmylou” by Vance Joy 
20. “I Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera
21. “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift
22. “Always Be Your Baby” by Natalie Grant
23. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban

<a id="country"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding

“How long will I love you/As long as stars are above you/And longer if I can.”

## Country Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![03-country-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7r63OeyVW46TlltKasBtgF/6a841007e6cec86670bc0418a60fbe48/03-country-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

For rustic and <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/5-things-to-know-about-barn-weddings" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/5-things-to-know-about-barn-weddings">barn weddings</a>, a country-themed father-daughter dance song is a perfect choice. If you’re looking for a country or western song, you’re in luck. There are endless options that are ideal for a father-daughter dance. Whether you want a song written to a daughter, or to a father, there is something for everyone.

24. "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney
25. "God Gave Me You" by Blake Shelton
26. "I Loved Her First" by Heartland
27. "It Won't Be Like This for Long" by Darius Rucker
28. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
29. “He Didn’t Have to Be” by Brad Paisley
30. “There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney
31. "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw
32. "Wide Open Spaces" by The Chicks
33. "I'll Be There" by Josh Turner
34. “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffett
35. “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice 
36. "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift
37. "Stealing Cinderella" by Chuck Wicks
38. "Just Fishin'" by Trace Adkins
39. “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band 
40. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
41. “There'll You'll Be” by Faith Hill
42. "I'll Be Your Man" by Zac Brown Band
43. “Through the Years” by Kenney Rogers
44. “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins
45. “All American Girl” by Carrie Underwood 
46. “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw 
47. "Daddy Dance With Me" by Krystal Keith
48. "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn
49. “Dance with My Daughter” by Jason Blaine

<a id="upbeat"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ "I'll Be There" by Josh Turner

“If you need a frown turned to a grin/Or you need a hand just to hold your hand/Need a daddy or you just need a friend/I'll be there.”

## Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3awEZL9OqaRDTkRVSVZY2o/4508e0226f98010b0ca40f4cdd19aa42/04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

The sweet and slow father-daughter dance doesn’t fit every family. If you have a fun relationship with your dad and you would rather move and groove instead of sway, choose a funky, upbeat song to dance to. Use your <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-themes" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-themes">wedding theme</a> to guide your decision if you’re stuck between two choices. 

50. "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor
51. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles 
52. "Dance Like Yo Daddy" by Meghan Trainor
53. "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
54. “You're My Best Friend” by Queen 
55. "Come Fly With Me" by Frank Sinatra
56. “Cinderella” Steven Curtis Chapman
57. “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen
58. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor
59. "Glory" by Jay-Z ft. Blue Ivy

<a id="rock"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor

“You just call out my name/And you know wherever I am/I'll come running to see you again, oh baby, don't you know/Winter, spring, summer or fall/Hey now, all you have to do is call/And I'll be there, yes I will.”

## Rock Father-Daughter Dance Songs

![05-rock-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6OEZPZQWfMzyEpBG5wH2Ap/62506ab391e5cdb4b48215aea559555b/05-rock-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

If your childhood is filled with memories of you and your dad belting out the words to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John or "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, why not dance to it at your wedding? These classic rock choices are a great way to <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-ceremony-ideas" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-ceremony-ideas">personalize your wedding</a> and honor the memories of your childhood. Plus, these songs are sure to please dads that are classic rock fans.

60. "She's a Rainbow" by The Rolling Stones
61. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin
62. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel
63. “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John 
64. "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty
65. “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel
66. “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison 
67. “I Will Walk With You” by John Fogerty 
68. "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison
69. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker
70. “My Darling” by Wilco
71. “You Got It ” by Roy Orbison
72. “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish 
73. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles
74. “Here for You” by Neil Young
75. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
76. "Father and Daughter" by Paul Simon
77. “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
78. “How You've Grown” by 10,000 Maniacs

<a id="classic"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ "Father and Daughter" by Paul Simon

“I'm gonna watch you shine/Gonna watch you grow/Gonna paint a sign/So you always know/As long as one and one is two/Ooh ooh/There could never be a father/Love his daughter more than I love you”

## Classic Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![06-classsic-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4gaYS04E6ARHDYgxUiUmtj/555af5ee9fac61e73679099f292ec3c6/06-classsic-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

There is just something magical about a father and daughter swaying to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, or “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle during their <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/10-things-to-look-for-in-a-wedding-reception-venue" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/10-things-to-look-for-in-a-wedding-reception-venue">wedding reception</a>. These sweet classics are popular for a reason. They do a beautiful job of capturing the love between dad and daughter and provide an excellent backdrop for this special moment. You can’t go wrong with any of these timeless tunes.

79. “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
80. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
81. "You Are My Sunshine" by Johnny Cash
82. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
83. “They Can't Take That Away From Me” by Ella Fitzgerald
84. “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan
85. “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross
86. "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra
87. “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III
88. “Child of Mine” by Carole King
89. “It’s For My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra
90. “Stand By Me” by Ben E King
91. “One in a Million” by Larry Graham
92. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards
93. 93. “Kind & Generous” by Natalie Merchant

<a id="short"> </a>
__Our top pick:__ “It's for My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra

“He always was a rock when I needed one/He gave me good advice when I needed some/I want you to know that when It's said and done/He's one of the best friends I ever had.”

## Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs 

![07-short-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3HaE1K44ReleMwVXhSqsDj/4f7403bb731bd70a9f79ca0abf85e15d/07-short-father-daughter-songs.jpg)

Sometimes it can feel like the parents’ dances can drag on. If you want to limit your dance, choose one of these songs that pack the sweetest lyrics and beautiful melody all in under two minutes. No matter your wedding theme, there is sure to be one that is meaningful to you and your dad.

94. "Sweet Pea" by Amos Lee
95. "Daddy's Little Girl" by Michael Bolton
96. “Forever ” by The Beach Boys
97. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys
98. “Gracie” by Ben Folds
99. “Stairway to the Stars” by Ella Fitzgerald
100. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke
101. “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles
102. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
103. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
104. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards
105. "My Girl" by The Temptations

__Our top pick:__ “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles

“Now when you walk (when you walk)/I want to walk with you/When you talk (when you talk)/Want to talk some, too/Now, ain't that love? (ain't that love?)/Oh, ain't that love that I feel (that I feel)/In my heart for you.”

The <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-processional-songs" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-processional-songs">processional song</a>, <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-recessional-songs" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-recessional-songs">recessional song</a>, and <a href="https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-first-dance-songs" target="_https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-first-dance-songs">first dance song</a> are so meaningful that making the right choice can be difficult. If you’re having a hard time making a decision, use these songs to find inspiration. If you want to take a listen, visit our Spotify playlist below. Listen through some of these modern, unique, and classic songs to choose the perfect option to dance with your dad.

<a id="playlist"> </a>
<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/6yWwhXvoyUuA9W18Bg7rKy" width="400" height="500" frameborder="5" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe>


105 Father-Daughter Dance Songs Ideas for Your Wedding Day 

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