Martha Stewart Weddings

28 Ideas That Prove Wreaths Aren't Just for Christmas

By Sarah Schreiber
November 04, 2013
Credit: Feather & Twine Photography

There are so many ways to work these pretty details into your big-day décor.

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Credit: Treebird Photography

When you hear the word "wreath," your mind likely jumps to Christmas or, at the very least, the cold-weather season. And for good reason: Wreaths are some of the prettiest winter decorations around. If you're thinking about working these hoops into your winter wedding, know that you have our full support. But it's also important to note that the decision to decorate with wreaths shouldn't depend on your wedding date alone. Depending on their style, flower and greenery types, and accents, wreaths can (and should!) be year-round wedding accents. If you're skeptical, we're here to prove our point.

Ahead, you'll discover an inspired array of ways to work wreaths into your wedding's details, from standard wall and door decorations to more unexpected iterations, like just-married signs, place setting markers, and overhead installations. While a few of these pretty accents do give off wintry vibes, the majority don't connote a specific time of year. Crafted from greenery sprigs—this beauty by Verzaal's Florist was made from olive branches—and accented with lush blooms, the following wreaths read more like an extension of wedding bouquets. Ultimately, they're as romantic and timeless as a floral arrangement can be.

They're also incredibly appropriate at weddings, thanks to their symbolic meaning. Since most wreaths are circular, they also represent unity, strength, and infinity—by default, they're a pretty salient metaphor for your marriage. You can add that to the list of why you absolutely should include a wreath or two in your big day's floral (or nonfloral!) décor. Click through to discover a wreath that you'll want to hang at your own ceremony and reception.

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Cake Wreath

Credit: Jessica Lorren
Wedding Cakes with Fresh Florals

This Earth & Sugar confection proved that wreaths fit in just about anywhere on the big day—including the dessert table.

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Winter Vibes

Credit: Feather & Twine Photography
Winter Wedding Ideas for a Cozy Party

Getting hitched in the wintertime practically mandates at least one festive wreath. This Oh Deery Floral option subtly connoted the season thanks to its pine elements. The hoop's sign was hand-lettered by XO Ginny.

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Monogram

Credit: Brooke Images
More Monogram Wedding Ideas We Love

There are so many fun ways to elevate traditional hanging wreath interpretations. Take these Dottie B Florist beauties, for example, which were made more contemporary thanks to acrylic monograms.

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Dog Accessory

Credit: Erich McVey

Who says wreaths can't be worn? This pup, who donned a greenery circle by Jessica Sloane, was all for it.

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Place Settings

Credit: Michelle Young

Making wreaths smaller affords you slew of new big-day options, including escort or place cards. These little loops by Tiffany Grant-Riley of Curate and Display were marked by copper name tags and were a welcome addition to guests' table settings.

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Pampas Grass

Credit: Ruby + Wolf Photography
Why to Consider Using Dried Flowers in Your Wedding Décor

Not all wreaths are comprised of a greenery base and floral add-ons. Pampas grass, the wheat-inspired element seen in this ceremony backdrop by Sharon Duffy, made for a refreshingly bohemian swap.

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Just Married

Credit: Sposto Photography

Use a wreath to punctuate a just-married sign on your getaway car. This option was created by Blum Floral Design.

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Flat Lay

Credit: Michael and Carina Photography

A greenery-centric loop brings a fresh component to flat lay shots of paper suites, as evidenced by this Crimson & Clover creation.

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Special Seats

Credit: Sweetlife Photography

Mark you and your future spouse's spots with beribboned wreaths complete with a wedding-appropriate phrase. Swoon Floral Design incorporated Ever Laser's "Forever and Ever" signs to mark this bride and groom's place settings.

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Romantic and Industrial

Credit: Caroline Ro

If you're looking for ways to meld romantic and industrial décor, consider this unique vignette. Branch Design Studio's rose and eucalyptus wreaths looked right at home alongside ultra-modern exposed lightbulbs by TEC—proof that the two themes can definitely coexist.

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A Poignant Quote

Credit: Serena Genovese Photography
How to Display Your Favorite Quote at Your Wedding

Draw guests' attention to a particularly meaningful décor moment by using wreaths as visual markers. Pretty Flower's greenery ensured that this couple's favorite quote, which was calligraphed on linen by Filovagando, stood out.

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Flower Girl Accessory

Credit: Studio 1208
Flower Girl Hairstyles That Are Cute and Comfy

Help your flower girl stand out with a simple wreath-turned-flower-crown. Greenlion Design added a ribbon tie to ensure the accessory fit snugly over the little one's head.

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Bride Accessory

Credit: Heather Waraksa
The New Flower Crown: Greenery Crowns

A petite wreath looks just as pretty on the woman of the hour. This seeded eucalyptus piece was created by Matthew Robbins Design.

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Overhead

Credit: Abby Jiu Photography

Hang a wreath in a different orientation and you'll transform it into an eye-catching chandelier. This extra-large stunner, crafted by Eventi, was the focal point of the couple's wedding reception.

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Exposed Metal

Credit: Adrian Wood Photography

If you're throwing a contemporary celebration, an exposed wreath—one that shows its wire or metallic base—might be more appropriate. Red Box Days took this approach when creating this succulent-adorned accent, which doubled as the event's escort card display.

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Guest Book Table

Credit: Kathrin Krok Fotografie
Unique Guest Books That Aren't Actually Books

Encourage guests to sign your guest book by making its station that much prettier. This Goldregen Floral Design wreath did the trick.

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Monogram Sign

Credit: Ryan Ray Photography

A monogrammed sign can easily be upgraded with a wreath element. This couple enlisted the help of Stefanie Miles Events and Bows + Arrows to create and decorate their first initials with an unfinished circle of greens. The piece made a statement as the backdrop of their oversized bar.

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Solid Brass

Credit: Lilly Red Creative

FYI: Wreaths don't have to be fresh. A solid metal interpretation (or even a spray-painted dry variety) conveys the symbol sans the blooms. You can also pair fresh ideas with faux options. This brass wreath included a few fresh buds courtesy of Christine Cater.

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Rustic Touch

Credit: Corbin Gurkin
Rustic Wedding Ideas That Still Feel Elevated

Infusing a rustic venue with a moment or two of elegance is even easier with a wreath. This wooden barn's romantic floral arrangement by Moon Canyon Design felt even dreamier thanks to a gray curtain.

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Tilted Topper

Credit: Tina Shawal Photography

If you're already considering a nontraditional cake topper—one that doesn't involve figurines, that is—let this confection by De La Rosa Cakes make the case for choosing a wreath, instead.

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Circle Symbolism

Credit: Emily Elyse Wehner

We love that this ceremony site incorporates two forms of circle symbolism—first, through the seating arrangement, and second, through the overhead wreath by Old Forest Farm.

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Tiny Wreath Place Cards

Credit: KT Merry

Top each plate with a wreath-turned-place card, by creating loops out of ivy. Tara Jones added a special touch to these pretty tabletop arrangements—skinny gold calligraphy.

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Welcome Wreath

Credit: Liz Banfield

Use a wreath to hint at your wedding's color scheme near the entry of your ceremony space. This Munster Rose hoop did just that—atop of a sign, it welcomed guests to the pink, burgundy, and green-hued celebration.

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Puppy Wreath

Credit: Corbin Gurkin Photography

Want to make sure that your furry friend looks just as good as you do? A wreath "collar," like this one by Tara Guérard Soirée, will elevate your pup's look.

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Chandelier

Credit: Jose Villa

Make like Natural Art Flowers by Rebecca Grace and suspend wreaths over reception tables to add height to your party's décor. 

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Chair Décor

Credit: Elizabeth Messina Photography

Mark the bride and groom's designated dinner chairs with small wreaths made of eucalyptus leaves and pods, scabiosa pods, and white Icelandic poppies. These arrangements were created by Brown Paper Design.

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Door Backdrop

Credit: Jen Huang

Getting hitched in front of a building? Give focus to your ceremony space by defining the focal point (in this venue's case, a wooden door!) with a leafy wreath.

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