Trending Now: Pampas Grass Wedding Ideas

There's just something about greenery that we can't get enough of. Ask any florist, and they'll tell you that more and more couples are opting for foliage-centric, non-floral décor on their wedding days. We can understand why—verdant greens work with an array of color schemes and big-day themes (and they often come with more budget-friendly price tags). The gist? Though bright, bold wedding flowers will never go out of style, foliage is definitely having a moment. It's so pervasive, in fact, that the trend has officially given way to a subcategory: Grasses and more specifically, pampas grass.

Like its greener counterpart, pampas grass (which is reminiscent of wheat) is decidedly neutral and just as (if not more so) versatile. The plant, also known as cortaderia selloana, is known for its height—a fully-grown pampas grass plant can reach nearly ten feet—and for its soft, billowing stalks. It's for these two reasons that this non-floral option makes great statement wedding décor (sky-high installations benefit from the grass' verticality and movement). Whether you're sourcing foliage for a statement ceremony backdrop or reception arrangement, like this epic floor piece by Leaf It To Lexi (its base blooms complemented the pink color palette seen on the tablescape, which was designed by Crowned Events), pampas grass is a must for next-level design.

To help you figure out how and where to incorporate this neutral plant into your celebration's landscape, we curated several of our favorite pampas grass wedding ideas. From bouquets and headpieces to dramatic centerpieces and escort card displays, there's a myriad of ways to use this unique, timely non-floral motif on the big day—the following examples are proof.

Adding a few stalks of pampas grass to your bouquet—whatever its size, color scheme, or vibe—adds immediate breadth; the neutral grass also gives an otherwise compact clutch, like this protea and rose-centric one by Viridian Design Studio, a dynamic component (imagine how beautiful this arrangement would look and sound blowing in a soft breeze!).

If you're in the process of designing a ground floral arch, you'll want to add pampas grass to your greenery list. The reason? It's creamy hue—while popular forms of foliage, like palm and eucalyptus, blend in with grassy terrain, this iteration offers a bright contrast, which better anchors your altar. Bows and Arrows brought this pampas grass and delphinium beauty to life.

You'll quickly learn that pampas grass translates beautifully across all big-day elements—tabletop arrangements, included. Whether you make like Stella Bloom Designs and fill sleek, modern ceramic vases exclusively with the grass or work it into more flower-centric centerpieces, the plant will make your tablescapes pop, guaranteed.

We love this hexagonal ceremony arch's unique duality: To the left, The Dainty Lion created a mostly-pampas grass arrangement, which crawled up the structure and dramatically flared at the top; to the right, a gold-to-pink-to-cream display of blooms offered a colorful contrast.

Looking to add height to your centerpieces without incorporating more florals (and breaking that flower budget)? A single stalk of pampas grass will do the trick. Make like Bloomologie and angle the stalk to one side so that it transforms the arrangement into a contemporary crescent shape. Willow & Oak Events was responsible for the rest of the tabletop's eclectic décor.

Add immediate texture to your stationery flat lay by working in fresh elements that speak to your venue's indigenous flora. This set up featured plenty of native elements (like nuts, baby greens, and a sprig of pampas grass) presented alongside romantic paper goods by Plume & Fête.

Defining your ceremony space is a breeze with pampas grass—just look to this natural setting by Greenwood Events. Two potted arrangements anchored each side of the aisle, which was also lined by swooping grassy garlands.

Want to (literally) elevate your wedding confection? A pampas grass cake topper does the work of another tier—it makes your confection look taller than it is.

Forgo the arch set up for a more modern ceremony décor element—a flower (or, in this case, a non-floral) wall. A rectangular stretch of pampas grass—this striking display was created by Rock Paper Details—is attention-grabbing, but also neutral, which means you and your fiancé won't get lost in a sea of color as you exchange vows.

While pampas grass plays prettily with all types of big-day blooms, it's just as eye-catching on its own. Alternatively, work in olive branches for a pop of verdant color.

If you're taking an ultra-modern approach to wedding décor, you'll appreciate this futuristic structure by Siren Floral Co. and Backup Backdrops. An extra-large pampas grass stalk acted as one half of this unfinished arch (we love how the open design concept frames the epic vista's view!); minimal arrangements, complete with splashy yellow blooms and additional pampas grass accents, anchored the display.

Of course, you don't need to use sky-high stalks to make an impact with this plant. Small wisps of pampas grass brought a touch of rustic elegance to this small centerpiece by Lace and Lilies.

Need more proof that pampas grass can make a statement in low quantities? This neutral, monochrome D'amour et de Déco bouquet's defining feature is its two anthurium blooms—but pampas grass and other dried elements act as a necessary base for those statement buds to pop.

Pampas grass' natural grooves makes it the perfect backdrop for escort cards; this Saipua display is proof that attaching calligraphed seat assignments to the natural medium is about as easy as it gets.

Note how neutral pampas grass ties into this Déco & Harmonie Wedding Designer bouquet's color gradient: A central black scabiosa gives way to dark pink carnations and blush roses and ranunculus, before fanning outwards with creamy, nearly-white pampas grass.

Who says pampas grass should be used for décor only? It also makes for an unexpected bridal accessory. This beauty tapped The Wilding Collective to work the soft, dynamic plant into her contemporary flower crown, complete with andromeda and white-leaved branches.

Here's proof that pampas grass—an of-the-moment floral trend—can still feel distinctly Old-World. I Am Flower created these grassy orchid centerpieces which were juxtaposed against vintage candlesticks; rose gold dinnerware added another dose of the contemporary to the dreamy tablescape, which was set by Wedding Boutique Phuket.

If you're exchanging vows in front of a picturesque window, make sure that your ceremony structure highlights both the architecture and the view. This Floribunda Rose display's tall pampas grass components filtered the natural light flooding into the venue but didn't obstruct the sunshine (or the pane!) completely. The natural base flowers, composed of woodland flora, offered a pop of dark color contrast to the bright white space.

Know what's better than one pampas grass floral arrangement? Two. Betty Flowers designed and executed these virtually identical floor pieces, which echoed the vibe of the Greece setting.