20 Fern Wedding Décor Ideas

A bride and groom embracing one another while standing on an altar of potted flowers and ferns — Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas

From eucalyptus to Italian ruscus, greenery is one of the most popular and versatile wedding decorations. Ferns are one particular type of leafy green that has the ability to transform any affair. With their feathery texture and vivacious green tone, these garden-forward decorations provide a crisp, clean, and classic look when draped across your space. Since they bring an element of depth, dimension, and shape to any setting, ferns will increase the visual interest of your design and evoke a lush and lively flair.

Whether you add an illustration to your invitations or use them to trim your cake, ferns will enhance every part of your special day. While these verdant greens naturally complement an outdoor setting, integrating this type of greenery into your design will bring an element of freshness to an indoor venue. Ferns are also a stunning decoration for any season: Pair with colorful foliage for autumnal nuptials or combine with brightly-hued roses for a summer soirée. Although this plant evokes a classic look on its own, ferns also work for any type of aesthetic, from tropical fêtes to rustic functions. If you don’t want these greens to take center stage, you can always infuse a subtle touch by including other types of greenery or flowers.

If you’re thinking about incorporating this garden-fresh plant into your big day, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite ideas. Keep scrolling for 20 beautiful ways to use ferns in your wedding décor.

01 of 20

Illustrate Your Invitations

White wedding invitations on white cardstock with a green fern illustration — Photo by Kyle John

If ferns are a focal point of your aesthetic, give your guests a glimpse into your upcoming celebration by stamping your invitations with an illustration of a fern. A simple strand of greenery popped against a white base for this couple’s barn wedding in Michigan. Consider this design for outdoor garden weddings with a neutral color scheme.

02 of 20

Combine With White Flowers

A bride holding a bouquet of ferns, white roses, and white agapanthus — Photo by Tara Johansen

A seamless way to integrate ferns into your nuptials is through your bouquet. For a handheld arrangement with a timeless appeal, carry ferns with white wildflowers, as this bride did at her Santa Barbara wedding. Include different types of plants, like roses, eucalyptus, and agapanthus, to play up the texture.

03 of 20

Pair With a Pop of Pink

A bride carrying a bouquet of ferns, vines, and pink roses — Photo by Paige Jones Photography

While white and green is one of the most classic color combinations, incorporating a splash of pink will elevate your bouquet. Roses in blush added a subtle pop to a bouquet of ferns and vines. This handheld arrangement will complement a spring or summer wedding.

04 of 20

Have Your Bridesmaids Carry Them

Bride and her bridesmaids in yellow dresses carrying bouquets of white orchids and ferns — Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas

For a cohesive look, have your bridesmaids hold bouquets of ferns, too. While the bride clutched an array of white orchids, smaller yellow flowers, and ferns at her old Hollywood wedding in Athens, her crew exhibited smaller versions tied with ribbon. This combination will accentuate a striking gown, like these cheery yellow satin dresses.

05 of 20

Pin Them to the Boutonnière

A groom in a black tuxedo with a boutonniere of golden ferns, bunny tails, and hydrangea — Photo by Donny Zavala Photography

The options for your partner’s boutonnière are endless, but ferns will always be a timeless and versatile choice. This combination showcases a large golden fern as the base, layered with bunny tails and faded hydrangea. With earthy hues and organic textures, this style befits autumnal or bohemian weddings.

06 of 20

Mark Your Aisle Entrance

organic white florals and greenery create in aisle arrangements alongside rattan wedding ceremony chairs — Photo by Tracy Burch

To ‘wow’ your guests from the start of your ceremony, decorate the entrance of your aisle with ferns. A display of white flowers and an abundance of greens will blend into the landscape at an outdoor wedding and coordinate with rattan chairs.

07 of 20

Adorn Your Altar

An altar decorated with pots of white flowers and ferns — Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas

Since your altar is the spot where you finally become newlyweds, you’ll want eye-catching decorations to accompany that moment. Here, a collection of stone urns house ferns, white hydrangea, and white delphinium create a lush backdrop for your ceremony. Stagger the placement of your vases and vary the height for a visually intriguing setup.

08 of 20

Match Your Venue

An outdoor altar in the forest decorated with ferns and white flowers — Photo by Jenn Emerling Weddings

Ferns are a fitting complement to wooded ceremonies in a forest. To match your surroundings, place the verdant greens at the base of your altar and drape them around sturdy trees that frame your vow exchange. The greenery will look like an extension of the setting instead of interrupting the natural flora and fauna.

09 of 20

Use Them to Assign Seats

Black framed seating charts and black lanterns decorated with pots of ferns — Photo by Charla Storey

Instead of combining them with other plants, make ferns the star of the show. Pots of overflowing ferns generated a prolific background that brought this seating chart at a wedding in Texas to life. The contrast between the bright green ferns and the jet-black signs and lanterns produced a natural-meets-modern look.

10 of 20

Give Them a Tropical Twist

A white seating chart decorated with monstera leaves, palm leaves, and ferns — Photo by Sara Lobla

Whether you’re tying the knot in the Bahamas or New Jersey, ferns can also elicit a tropical vibe for a coastal affair. Consider mixing them with oversized monstera leaves, palm leaves, banana leaves, and hot pink bougainvillea to give your seating chart a beachy look. Pampas grass and gold vases will also infuse a bohemian flair.

11 of 20

Create an Autumnal Arrangement

Wooden bar decorated with orange, red, and yellow ferns and leaves — Photo by Michelle Beller Photography

Hands down, the best part about fall weddings is the sea of red, orange, and yellow that transforms the landscape. To capitalize on the jaw-dropping scenery, use ferns in those same gorgeous shades to accentuate your bar, as this couple did at their ranch wedding in Montana. If your reception takes place in a sheltered place, colorful ferns will bring the outdoors in.

12 of 20

Enhance Your Signature Cocktail Sign

A signature cocktail sign decorated with ferns and white roses — Photo by Tara Johansen

For another alternative, stick with the conventional green hue to supplement your drink station. Ferns and white roses offer a blank canvas that draws attention to this vibrant signature cocktail sign. To go all out, you can even add a sketch of ferns to your signage.

13 of 20

Suspend Them from the Ceiling

a faux peacock atop the gold shelving unit that backs the custom bar — Photo by Kate Headley

Ground installations of ferns always look sophisticated, but for a statement-making display, hang them from above, which is what this couple did at their Virginia wedding. Pots of ferns suspended from the ceiling will draw your guests’ gazes upward, emphasizing height. Consider these installations for rustic nuptials at a farm or vineyard.

14 of 20

Infuse Vibrant Hues

A reception table lined with a colorful floral runner and ferns beneath hanging lanterns — Photo by Perry Vaile

Couples often pair ferns with white flowers, but why not create a colorful display? Pink, yellow, and purple flowers were the main moment on this wooden reception table at this duo’s mountain wedding in South Carolina, but a smidge of ferns integrated an earthy, neutral touch. Try this style for outdoor celebrations during the spring or summer months.

15 of 20

Fill Planters

Places set with rattan chargers and white plates and centerpieces with white flowers and ferns — Photo by Corbin Gurkin

Although floral centerpieces are usually found in vases, planters will make your guests feel like they’re dining in a garden. For their South Carolina nuptials, this couple lined the center of each table with boxes of ferns and white blooms. Add rattan chargers, white scalloped plates, and white linens for an elegant, tasteful look.

16 of 20

Enhance Rustic Lighting

Wooden lanterns and white votive candles on a runner of ferns and greenery — Photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie

Since ferns offer a natural touch, they’re a suitable choice for rustic fêtes with neutral tones, wooden accents, and relaxed atmospheres. A bed of greens will create a fitting foundation for wooden lanterns and white votives to shine. Include indigo blue napkins and gold flatware for a rich juxtaposition.

17 of 20

Incorporate Golden Ferns

A wooden sweetheart table decorated with gold ferns, gold pears, and blue taper candles — Photo by Donny Zavala Photography

Ferns are typically found in green hues, but if you want an unexpected look, consider golden varieties. At this black-tie wedding in Oregon, the couple lined their sweetheart table with golden ferns and pears. The blue gauzy runner and taper candles created a gorgeous contrast as well. For glamorous affairs or functions in the fall, golden ferns will coordinate beautifully with your aesthetic.

18 of 20

Complete Each Place Setting

Place settings with white plates, white napkins, ferns, and silverware — Photo by Kristina Adams Photography

To tie your place settings together, place a single fern on each plate. A sprig of greenery on a white napkin placed beside centerpieces with white buds and more greens is perfect for traditional weddings, like this function in Santa Barbara.

19 of 20

Freshen Up Your Cake

A three-tier semi-naked cake decorated with ferns — Photo by Jackie Fox Photography

There are so many ways to decorate your wedding cake, but you can never go wrong with ferns. Pictured above, ferns, grasses, and white flowers garnish a three-tier semi-naked cake. We love this dessert option for backyard summer weddings, but since the tiered confection is situated on an ornate gold stand, it would also suit glamorous affairs.

20 of 20

Include Fondant Ferns

A three-tier white cake with colorful flowers and gold sugar ferns — Photo by Sarah Falugo

If you’re worried about wilting greens on your confection, swap real ferns for fondant ones. These gold-brushed sugar adornments added a metallic touch to a white cake trimmed with colorful flowers at this couple’s ethereal wedding in New York. This presentation is a suitable choice for romantic garden nuptials with a bright color scheme.

25 Stunning Flower Chandelier Ideas for Your Wedding