25 Unique Ways to Decorate Your Wedding With Flower Petals

Long gone are the days when petals were reserved for flower girls’ baskets.

By
Lilly Blomquist
Lilly Blomquist Brides editorial assistant headshot
Lilly Blomquist
Lilly is the associate editor at Brides. She joined the staff in 2021 and covers real weddings, wedding décor, wedding news, and more. Her work is also featured in The Knot, The Bash, and Tracy Anderson's The Edit and Tracy Anderson Mind, Body, and Soul.
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Updated on July 31, 2023 01:01PM
Flower petals scattered over aisle as newlyweds hold hands in front of circular altar

Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

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

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

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

Here are 25 unique ways to freshen up a ceremony and reception using flower petals.

01 of 25

Scatter Down the Aisle

Indoor wedding ceremony aisle covered in cream flower petals with tall gold candles and a floral arch

Photo by Amy Anaiz Photography

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

02 of 25

Elevate the Tablescape

colorful wedding table setting with flower petals on wood table and orange accents

Photo by Natalie Bray

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

03 of 25

Infuse Invites

pink wedding invitation suite with pressed flower petals

Photo by Josh & Dana Fernandez Photography

The invitation suite is hands down the best opportunity to set the tone of your wedding. Imprinting pressed flowers on card stock will introduce guests to a romantic, floral-filled wedding. Feeling ambitious? Pressing flowers goes the extra mile.

04 of 25

Stuff Envelopes

Pink wedding invitation suite surrounded by matching petals and blooms

Photo by Le Vie Photography

For a more interactive approach, fill those stationery envelopes with petals instead. Guests will be surprised to find their invitations brimming with fragrant, floral goodness. And, they'll know exactly what to expect for the festivities to come.

05 of 25

Embellish the Wedding Dress

bride in white wedding dress with floral appliques looking in mirror

Photo by Mark Spooner

Who says flowers are just for the wedding décor? Shake up tradition and set the trends by adding hand-sewn appliques that resemble flower petals to your wedding gown. These fabric petals may not be fresh, but they'll certainly last a lifetime.

06 of 25

Thread Into the Veil

Bride draped in pink veil adorned with flower appliques

Photo by Le Vie Photography

Or, let a shower of petals permanently cascade over your bridal beauty instead. Attaching pops of petals to the bridal attire is an opportunity to build upon your wedding theme and create a textured look. Who could argue with results like these Barbie-meets-Marie-Antoinette-themed nuptials in Malibu?

07 of 25

Fill Ceramic Bowls

flower petals in clay bowl for wedding exit toss

Photo by Natalie Watson Photography

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

08 of 25

Create a Unique Design

Wedding Aisle design with petals arranged in paisley shapes

Photos by Amy & Jordan

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

09 of 25

Frame Your Photo Shoot

Bride in jumpsuit dancing down street covered in flower petals

Photo by Clean Plate Pictures

Bridal portraits can be stuffy and predictable. For photos that you absolutely love taking, and have just as much fun looking back on, add pretty petals to the backdrop. Choose a hue that matches the color of your accessories like this shade of electric pink for exceptional continuity.

10 of 25

Weave Them Through Your Hair

Newlyweds with braided updos and floral crowns kissing

Photo by Kristin Sweeting; Hair by Shear Abby  

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

11 of 25

Share Them With a Note

letters and flower petals in sachets that say "mazel tov"

Photo by Joel Serrato

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

12 of 25

Garnish Cocktails

Tumblers with clear cocktails garnished with edible flowers

Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

Serving friends and family a signature cocktail is a fun way to infuse personal touches into your wedding. If you’re looking for cocktail ideas or ways to decorate them, consider topping off your drink of choice with edible flower petals.

13 of 25

Inject Color

bride and groom walking down aisle while guests throw colorful petals

Photo by Meg Smith Photography

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

14 of 25

Build a Platform

Flower petals scattered over aisle as newlyweds hold hands in front of circular altar

Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

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

15 of 25

Adorn a Pool

Pool with floating petals and blooms

@jastookes / Instagram

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

16 of 25

Scatter Beneath the Seating Chart

Escort card display framed by flowers and a bed of petals

Photo by Corbin Gurkin

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

17 of 25

Top the Main Meal

Wedding reception meal topped with flower petal garnish

Photo by Jose Villa

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

18 of 25

Decorate a Lounge

A backyard wedding lounge arrangement with floor seating and scattered petals

Photo by Clean Plate Pictures

Lounge areas offer a cozy and intimate place for guests to get to know one another away from all the action. Rose petals are a surefire way to take any seating area to the next level.

For an added layer of romance, assemble cushy poufs, light candles, and hang string lights.

19 of 25

Embellish Wax Seals

White wedding invitation with gold lettering and wax seal fitted with tiny green sprig

Photo by Paula Jackson

These delicate sprigs may not be petals, but the general idea is the same: Wax seals offer the perfect placement for dainty petals. While these adorn wedding invitations, the embellishment would look equally at home on escort cards, place cards, menus, and more.

20 of 25

Line the Edges

Floral wedding altar lined by lucite chairs and petals

Photo by Ashlyn Cathey Photography

Another enchanting option is sprinkling petals along the edges, rather than the entirety, of the aisle. It'll keep the aisle clean, so the petals won’t stick to your shoes or train, during the processional. Channel a contemporary and elegant aesthetic by combining white petals with lucite chairs and a greenery arch.

21 of 25

Press Petals Into a Placemat

Placemat with pressed flower petals for rustic wedding reception tablescape

Photo by Katie Pritchard

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

22 of 25

Dress Up the Cake

Wedding reception dessert station with three-tier white wedding cake decorated with colorful pressed flowers

Photo by Grace Gatto Photography

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

23 of 25

Sprinkle on Nibbles

Glazed mini donuts garnished with petals at fall wedding

Photo by Anna Delores Photography

The wedding cake isn't the only confectionary star to consider. These glazed mini donuts, topped with a sprinkle of edible petals, stole the show at this boho-chic wedding in California. They almost look too good to eat. Almost.

24 of 25

Adorn a Bar

Outdoor wedding with apothecary dresser drawers filled with flower petals and bug spray

Photo by Laura Murray Photography

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

25 of 25

Upgrade a Photo Station

Flower petals arranged around lounge next to lake

Photo by Ivy Weddings

Want to elevate those wedding photos? Flower petals. Loads and loads of flower petals. Whether it's for an intimate shoot with your love or outfitting a photo booth at the wedding reception, fragrant petals will have everyone clamoring for a turn in front of the lens.

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