Salute the Spring with a Cherry Blossom Wedding
The cherry blossom theme's a bit of a find (much like that man of yours). You won't find it dominating back-to-back receptions from June to August — yet it draws on color and thematic trends that couldn't be fresher.Cherry blossoms are beloved: by the Chinese, the Japanese, fashionistas, home decorators, girly-girls and poets. They stand for virtue and new beginnings. Even more, they stand for ephemeral things: our lives, our joys, and those all-too-brief times on cloud nine, like your wedding day.
Chocolate brown and strawberry pink: these two are still going strong for weddings, and look great together. The cherry blossom theme lets you not only draw on those lovely colors (or spin a new set altogether), but bring a sophisticated Asian flair to your reception without having to wade in too deep.
Setting the Scene
People journey from all over the globe, East and West, from Tokyo to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms peep out in spring. What makes everyone gasp (and return year after year) is the sensation of being surrounded by a snowstorm of flowers: overhead, the "cloud layer" of flowering branches; below, the thickly-laid "snowflakes" of individual petals.Spring Forecast: Petal Storms
Bring a similar feel to your own wedding by celebrating the outdoors. If your climate and date will play along, marry outdoors with a thick layer of flower petals carpeting the aisle like a mini snowstorm. For centerpieces, use compact flowers that suggest cloudy skies, like hydrangeas or peonies in delicate colors. Group them with crystal-beaded willow for dramatic height, and scatter petals generously down the table runners.Then, re-create the sensation of snow clouds overhead with tall bare branch arrangements, wired with silk flowers or string lights. Or simply swag tulle or organza from the ceiling, sprinkled abundantly with flower petals.
Exotic Accents
Finally, take a page from celebrity planner Jo Gartin's playbook, and give your venue a scent dimension. Have a helper spray around the room with something slightly Asian, slightly sweet — but not too overpowering — before your guests arrive.
Adding Pan-Asian Flair to Your Affair
Celebrate Texture
Hand your bridesmaids pink oil-paper parasols, or sandalwood fans.Instead of the usual flat satin, coordinate all your gowns with beautiful, rich brocade sashes.
Take advantage of the sumptuous, you-could-frame-this papers designed to celebrate the cherry blossom. Use these to design absolutely one-of-a-kind invitations, save the dates, paper fans or favor tags. Lightly spray your invites with that special signature scent to get guests in the mood.
For jewelry, look to lacy, filigreed silver pieces — or pearls.
Savor the Sweetness of Spring
Candy's sweet, like spring — and love — so consider a candy buffet, stocked with heaps of pink and chocolate treats. Set out personalized pink take-out boxes for guests with a sweet tooth.Libations are an important part of any blossom-viewing party, so mix up a special drink: champagne with a candied cherry, or a custom cosmopolitan.
I could use some suggestions. I like the cherry blossom theme for my may 2011 wedding. I’m not usually a pink person, so would a deep red and chocolate brown with an accent of pink look nice? Or a cherry red with black or brown be better. I also keep reds in mind because it’s my fiancé’s favorite color. What do you suggest for the bridal party to where in scheme of those colors? If I use some cherry blossoms in my bouquet, what do you suggest for the bouteniers? Last part, I think it would be fun to have a pop of color with my shoes, what do you suggest in relation to the better color choice?
natalie
it depends on your venue, can you post a link or pic? thanks
I am renting artificial silk cherry blossom trees for my daughter’s first birthday party. I need floral centerpieces for the tables, but I don’t want to use cherry blossoms for them (since I already have trees). I want something cute, incorporating a chocolate brown color and dark pink. I want a rich and decadent look out of a small-medium size centerpiece. Any ideas? Pics? Thanks!
Eunice,
* some ideas
* this is beautiful
* you may love this. submerged orchids or other pink floral.
Eunice,
* real wedding to submerged orchids
Thank you for the ideas!!
where did you rent the cherry blossom tress? I have been looking and haven’t found anyone who rents them out.
Hi,
Love the idea of a cherry blossom theme, we are getting married in thailand next year. I prefer red to pink though (my dress has dark red down the back) and was hoping bridemaids in same colour or a teal. Was hoping someone would help corporate this into a cherry blossom theme, ie flowers, reception ect. Have included pictures of my dress.
Sam,
Is there any way I coudl take a look at your venue? A link or pic? Thanks.
Hi,
Have included a couple of pictues of reception area. We are getting married on the beach, this is where
Sam,
So beautiful. After looing at the pics I highly suggest using red. You coudl do a teal and red, but I wasnt sure how bright you wanted it. I love the color against backdrop in the first pic. You coudl actually add asian touches to this setting. It would be amazing!!
have cherry blossoms added to centerpieces, bouquets, a motif on invites, etc.
* some pics to browse
Let me know if this is a direction youwould wnat to take. If not we will go further.
Sam,
Oh yes, tall centerpieces of cherry blossoms may blow over from the wind off the ocean.
* heh look at this!
* I LOVE these centerpieces! Black rocks in bottom of cylinder vases and low branches of cherry blossoms, use red of course.These would be perfect!!
HI im planning to have our wedding next year May 2011, and i don’t know yet what’s my wedding theme but i already choose a color red-orange-brown..
Any wedding theme suggestion for this color?
thanks..
mherjhong,
What do you envision your wedding to look like? A theme is optional. It cn be as simple as a motif, fave place, era, color, movie, song, romance, heritage, etc. Also a theme can be derived from the venue-depending on history or culture.
Im getting married in the summer of next year, and my color scheme was pink and chocolate brown, then I had an ah-ha! moment and thought of cherry blossoms! I lovee how they look, but I’m wondering about bouquets? What type of flower would go best with cherry blossoms?? Any suggestions would be great!
Danyel,
Lilies, peonies, roses, just about anything works well.
* some pics
* more pics, think of tulips and especially orchids( for their exotic look)
Orchids would be beautiful with Cherry Blossoms. I’ve seen this done in many bridal bouquets and it looks absolutely exquisite.
I am having a wedding in February on Valentines Day and I love the idea of the cherry blossom theme, my colors are going to be brown and pink. Although I think I will have trouble finding real cherry blossom flowers to put in my bouquets. Any Ideas on what else would go with the theme, Also if anyone has anything they want to sell to do with the theme I would be interested…Thank You
Marisa,
Silk cherry blossom branches are usually the way brides go when they are hard to get. They are stunning and not easy to tell if they are artificial especially when mixed with other flowers.
I am renewing my vows with my husband. We were unable to have the wedding of our dreams when we got married. I love the cherry blossom theme, but we are planning on getting married in September on our anniversary. What are your thoughts on this, since it is a spring idea?!?
Lara,
When using cherry blossoms think of a pink and black or brown color scheme. This will be perfect!
I say go for it! Cherry blossoms would still be beautiful.
I recently just had a cherry blossom wedding. I have some stuff left over from the wedding if anyone is interested in buy them. My colors for my wedding were brown, pink, and light blue.
I have 10 brown and pink tulle bows with cherry blossoms in the center of them. 10 white tulle bows. Vases that have cherry blossom stems inside them. With light blue ribbon tied on the outside of the vase. Cherry Blossom garland. I have white paper lanterns in 3 different sizes that I hung from the ceiling. I have a centerpiece bouquet I used for the headtable that my mother in law make for me with cherry blossoms. I have a wisher well vase that has a blue ribbon with a pink tag that says Wedding Wishes on it for people to drop cards in it tells their wishes for the bride and groom. I have pictures of all these if you would like to see. Please email me at a-prevost@hotmail.com Put cherry blossom as subject so I dont delete your mail.
I am interested on the vases & lanterns. I will email you ASAP. Thanks! :)
So I scrolled through this a LITTLE quickly….am I correct that it is in fact ok to have cherry blossom weddings even in sept? We have a very particular reason for wanting to wed on sept 18th and Im not really liking the usual fall themes of pumpkins and acorns and I just LOOOVE cherry blossoms,and my fiance told me do whatever I want…
Kim,
Yes many brides are doing this with silk cherry blossoms, choosing a black/pink or brown/pink color scheme.
* check out comments here
* this wedding they used orchids on branches since real cherry blossoms were out of season
Kim,
* here is part one, just use the cherry blossom motif on everything else.
i am having a cherry blossom thema wedding in the spring of 2011
, but i am having trouble finding a florist that can make me my center pieces ..does any one now of one? im in san diego?
I am too! I wanted a cherry blossom boquet, and I’m having a hard time finding them! I’m also getting married in the spring of 2011.
I’m also having a wedding in May 2011 and in desperate need of a Cherry Blossom Bouquet in Rochester NY and not sure where to go!
I am considering having my wedding in washington dc (my hometown) during the cherry blossom festival. I currently live in LA so I’m planning it remotely. Is there a particular venue that’s close to the festival so that the guests can really be in the spirit? Any suggestions? Or do you think it is too cold at that time for a wedding?? Help!
I’m planning an traditonal/asian themed wedding in early spring. I love the color green and most asian themes are pink. So those are my colors. I would love to have an mixture of bouqet flowers. I want lily’s and anemone’s in my bouqet. Do you know where I can find any?
Ashia,
try fiftyflowers.com
I’m planning a Cherry Blossom theme wedding with chocolate brown and strawberry pink for my colors so far everything is going well the only thing is I would love to have a cherry blossom bouquet and I can not find one!!! please help
Rebecca,
You can get great silk cherry blossoms and incorporate them your bouquet. Try your local craft store. I saw a wedding where dogwood was out of season and the bride used silk you could not tell and it was beautiful!!
My fiance and I are having a modern asian themed reception. It is mostly black and white formal with cherry blossom accents. I will be wearing a traditional vietnamese dress in red. My fiance likes the idea of red accents and red rose petals to tie the dress into the theme but I don’t know how to tie the red in with the cherry blossoms. Please help. Thank you.
ms flynn, this is probaby on of the most beautiful asian theme weddings i have seen! I also love a mix of red and pink cherry blossom branches. hope this helps!
* real wedding
* part 1
I was wondering if anybody could give me their opinion on this…I have a dress already and it is more of a princess dress, strapless and very poofy at the bottom, and I had fallen in love with this dress but I adore the cherry blossom idea…would it look strange if I tried to pull the asian theme in with a more traditional princess theme? Please help!
Julia, i say go with what you love. are youwanting cherry blossoms or blending in some asian accents? why not have simple paper lanterns( say whites and neutrals, lace?), find a very white ribbon with subtle asian print on it. i have seen similar ribbon at craft stores. have centerpieces of flowering cherry blossoms sitting in traditional silver urns.
*THIS IS SOOOO PRETTY!
*part 1 of wedding
No, not at all! I have helped friends and family plan a dozen weddings now, one of them being a cherry blossom themed wedding and the bridal party all wore traditional wedding dresses, tuxes, bridesmaid dresses, etc. Cherry Blossoms dominated the theme–centerpieces, bouquets, invitations, etc–and they did use the really light pink of the cherry blossoms as an accent color along with chocolate brown and tiffany blue. It turned out so beautifully, so really, just go with what you want! If you love, incorporate it!!!
Hi Sarah,
I’m planning a Cherry blossom wedding and having trouble coming up with how to decorate the ceremony and reception.. our colors are the light pink and brown with a touch of sage green intead of blue.. is there any way I could see how your friend incorporated the cherry blossom into her wedding? Like a website with some pics I can see to get the ideas turning? I would appreciate any help! :)
would cherry blossom work for a april wedding outside and the colors be off pink and light blue and ivory or champaign?
sarah, yes it can work. i would actually pick the blue and ivory or champagne as my main two colors then bring in centerpieces and decor with cherry blossoms added.
*blue and pink example
*cherry blossom to this would be WOW!
*another board
*project wedding
sarah, here is a board i just put together to give an example of how it could look. Simple champagne linens with blue napkins, runners, etc.. with the pink centering the tables. i wouldnt make them low centerpieces unless protected by a tent, etc.
sarah, i meant i would make them low centerpieces and the blue on the table should be subtle, not to much blue so the pink can shine.
Hello all, I found this site so fantastic when planning my wedding. The theme was cherry blossoms of course, and my colors were pink, and brown, with accents of Tiffany blue. My wedding has passed, and I am left with lots of extras that were really hard for me to find. I will be selling my wedding stuff off on ebay in Feb of 2010, but I thought I would see if anyone is in need on this website first. I know how frustrating it is not to be able to find stuff. Things for sale are 4 tall large brown vases with pink cherry blossom stems in them, cherry blossom garlands (I had 20 of them, a few got cut by the place, but are still use-able- I should have at least 13 whole ones), pew bows (white with cherry blossoms in the center, and sheer brown and pink bows with cherry blossoms in the center, I have cylinders with cherry blossom stems in them for filling with water- 10.5 in, 8.75, and 7.75- I have 12 of each size, and like 10 more of the 7.75, gum paste cherry blossoms for a cake or cupcakes- I made the ones for my cake- tons of hours, but it saved me so much money in comparison to the one site that makes them for the brown floating cherry blossom cake by martha stewart- unfortantly our cake person failed at using the right icing, if it was fondant it would have looked just like the picture of the martha stewart cake. I am willing to make these gum paste flowers again. We made like 550 for that cake, and used around 300, then used the extra for super cute cupcakes later. I need to inventory everything exactly and come up with a price, feel free to ask any questions my email is ( sunset72859 bellsouth net) take out the spaces, add an @ and a . or you could check out our wedding website for more pics and ideas. everettandlaura.ourweddingday. com I only really check my email, please put cherry blossom in the title so I dont delete. My guys wore black tuxes and brown vests with homemade cherry blossom ties, the girls brown dresses with homemade pink cherry blossom sashes, if you want to see pics of any detail just email me I am happy to share. This site didn’t allow me to post my pictures!!! ERRR! So just email me, I am putting some pics on my website but it takes forever to up load. I wish you the best of luck planning your wedding, and a great day!
I may be interested in some of your items, but would like to see pictures. email me.
Michele I would love to email you some pictures, but the site won’t give me your email, and you didn’t include it. Email me sunset72859 bellsouth.net
Im getting married july of 2010 and its so hard to find the theme i have in mind and u seem to match my vision almost perfectly. please email with price details and we will go from there. your wedding sounded beautiful!!!
Cara I need you to email me directly, I can not access your email through this form. I’ll see if I can post some more pictures this time. Please email me directly if you are interested. Thank you!
Laura
I was wondering if you have any left over decorations you wanted to sell from your cherry blossom wedding. email me at susansreynolds@yahoo.com
Currently (10/28) I only have bows left and my availability to make gum paste cherry blossoms for cakes and cupcakes. I am also considering hand painting a cherry blossom branch onto votive’s if I can find a way to make the hour and 15 minutes a little shorter. If you are interested in any of these please email me sunset72859 @ bellsouth . net Thanks again, I have gotten so many requests from you all I only wish I had more stuff
Laura
I’m planning my wedding next year at april and i want the cherry blossom theme because my favorite color is pink..any one suggest me what would be a good / nice combination of pink???
Rose,
Pink and brown is very beautiful together.
* cherry blossom wedding
* cherry blossom reception
gorgeous….
* vivian / sean part 2
* vivian / sean
I would love to look at the items you have to sell for the cherry blossom wedding. Please email me at cayla@southsidefire.com so that I can see them and let me know what you are asking. thanks, Cayla
Hi Laura,
I saw you comment you posted about your Cherry Blossom Wedding. I can not see the pictures or open the website. Can you please email them to me please. frances481@hotmail.com
Hello
I was wondering if you had any items left and if I could see your pictures for some ideas that sound amazing. You can email me at marlenechorley@hotmail.com. Thanks so much!!!
Hi Laura,
I have a cherry blossom wedding this September. I saw your comments and I was wondering if you can send me a pictures for idea and what you still have for sell. I’m really interested in the bridesmaid dress. email: mandyle78@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Mandy
Hi, just wanted to ask question that you girls might know. When do you think a cherry blossom wedding would be cheaper may or in september? Thanks!
christina,
they will be much cheaper in spring when they are in season. though, silk you can use anytime, any season and come out great!!
Well i am making my own cherry blossom decorations at my wedding, here is a pic….the only thing is i am having red instead of pink. That was the only paper i had so i tested it out and i love it.
wow that i beautiful…if i wanted to recreate this look what did you use and where did you get the stuff…
I used cherry branches off my cherry tree and then cut out origami paper into blossoms and glue gunned them on, very tall vases i used and sprawling branches. Cost me a whopping $12.00 to make. I still love them very much everyday i look at them and so easy to make.
One of my really close friends plans on using the cherry blossom theme for her September 2009 wedidng…we need help putting together the Bouquet for her to carry. Any suggestions?
nadia,
with the cherry blossom theme i would carry a simple wedding bouquet of roses, in either white or a shade of pink. make sure your roses are in top notch condition and if they are real have a vase of water to set them in before and after the ceremony. google image diy wedidng bouquet
I am planning a late may-june 2010 japanese cherry blossom wedding and I will be wearing a white kimono for my wedding dress. I will also be wearing a “uchikake” or formal robe over the kimono for the ceremony.
I attached a photo, I am trying to find the right color combo’s to go with my 3 ladies/men in the wedding party. The ladies are considering kimono! which I love, but may be too expensive for them to purchase. 
Any thoughts to help pull it all together more? I’ll be having pink and white cherry blossom theme at the reception, thanks to all the beautiful suggestions I have seen here, it is helping tremendously in decision making there!
windy,
why not consider a silvery grey for the girls? the pink your using would stand out against their dresses. the guys could wear darker grey. i love your attire!! it is breathtaking! you could also consider having the girls and guys in brown or black. if they go with standard dresses why not tie in a asian ribbon sash around the dresses? something simple yet would tie it all together. just head to your local fabric store and find a pink asian influenced embroidered fabric to make into simple sashes, not to wide, add to a black or brown dress and voila!!
Stacey,
…but we’re getting there! Thanks again!
Thank you so much for the compliments, ideas. I never considered the silvery-grey/platinum and I was already considering the gents in charcoal~ maybe not pink on them lol
Keep the imagination flowing
I thought you ladies might enjoy this DIY-heavy cherry blossom wedding: great ideas for inexpensive centerpieces, a gorgeous cupcake/cake, and as a third color the bride used gold, which is unexpected and lovely here. Oh and you must see the DIY invites!
* My DIY wedding on a budget
I love that pink and brown together I am goin to use them colors for my wedding thinkings for the idea