Birthday
HydrangeasSucculents are no longer just windowsill plants. Their dense rosettes in blue-grey, green and blush tones look wonderful in bridal bouquets, buttonholes and decor. Here is why they work so well for weddings, how florists handle them and what to do with them after the celebration.
Wedding bouquets and living plants: bridal bouquets and potted plants.
Why succulents suit a wedding
Succulents store water in their fleshy leaves, so they stay fresh for a long time without a vase — ideal for a long wedding day, a photo shoot in the heat and a buttonhole pinned on from morning to night. The geometric rosettes of echeverias add texture and pair well with both soft and bold flowers.
Where to use succulents
How the bouquet is made
- Wiring. Echeveria rosettes have almost no stem, so the florist pierces the base with wire and wraps it in floral tape to create an artificial stem.
- Pairings. Succulents look good with roses, ranunculus, eucalyptus, cotton and dried flowers.
- Weight. Rosettes are heavier than flowers, so keep the bouquet compact and spread larger succulents evenly.
Blue-grey echeverias are a natural match for eucalyptus — read more in eucalyptus in floristry. We have also gathered the meanings of traditional wedding flowers in the language of flowers in a wedding bouquet.
Decor and guest favours
Low succulent arrangements in wooden boxes or concrete and ceramic planters do not block conversation and need no water all evening. Mini pots of small succulents can double as place cards and go home with guests — a keepsake that outlives the party by far. To make an arrangement yourself, see how to make a succulent arrangement.
After the wedding
The succulents from a bouquet can be saved. Remove the wire, let the base of each rosette dry for a few days, then lay it on slightly moist succulent compost. Many echeverias root in time, turning the bouquet into a houseplant.
FAQ
Will succulents make the bouquet too heavy?
Not if you use a few small rosettes with light flowers — the bouquet stays comfortable to hold.
How long will a succulent bouquet last?
The succulents themselves hold up for several days; the bouquet’s lifespan depends on the flowers they are paired with.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
