Tips for Your Church Florals
Every church has their own set of rules for decor and florals. We've compiled a short list of the most common rules as well as some alternative options. Below the tips are a few real church weddings to inspire you!
Do's and Don'ts
Flower Petals
Dropping petals down the aisle is generally a no-no in churches and cathedrals. Opt for a pomander for your flower person to carry instead!
Pew Flowers
Pew flowers or greenery can be a great option when there is limited space for larger floral arrangements. Since churches are usually large spaces we recommend adding enough for all the pews (every row or every other row) for the most impact.
Pew greenery
Image: Rachel Salisbury Photography
Pomander
Image: Dionne Kraus Photography
Altar Flowers
More often than not, floral is not allowed on the altar. We usually recommend ordering one or more ground meadow arrangements that can be placed in front of the altar. Meadow pieces can be transported and repurposed to another area of your reception such as in front of your sweetheart table or cake table.
If your church allows it, we can also place large arrangements on the rear altar. We suggest ordering a larger scale design for the rear altar so it has the most impact. Repurpose to the bar, welcome table, or another area of your reception for an added bonus.
Alternatively, large arrangements can sit atop pillars or stands to frame your ceremony but will likely need to be provided. Take a look at our rental inventory as we have a collection of options to choose from. Third-party rental companies will also have some options to choose from. These are a great option for repurposing at your reception, too!
Meadow arrangements in front of altar
Image: Hannah Brooke Photography
Large compotes at rear altar
Image: The Tenneys
Removing Floral
In most cases, churches require all decor to be removed after your ceremony. If you need help moving floral arrangements, be sure to add on staffing from us to make sure everything is moved from one venue to the next. Sometimes your planner or a trusted family member will offer to move floral, just be sure their vehicle can accommodate the arrangements!
Real Church Weddings
Ali & Mike at St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland
Ali & Mike kept floral minimal for their vows at St. Mary's Cathedral. We place two large meadow arrangements in front of the altar. The flower girls carried single varietal bouquets that were also an offering for Mary.
Katharine & Brandon at The Grotto
Katharine and Brandon said I Do at The Grotto in NE Portland before moving to their reception at the Portland Golf Club. We displayed large vase arrangements on the rear altar inside the church which were easily moved to the reception space later on.
Laura & Kevin at Oaks Pioneer Church
Laura and Kevin exchanged vows at the quaint Oaks Pioneer Church in Sellwood before heading to their reception at Domaine Roy. We adorned the altar with a few candles and two midsize meadow arrangements. The display perfectly framed the beautiful stained glass windows.
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