Unique Wedding Decorations and Alternatives to Flowers

So you're not a froofy floral arrangement kind of bride - that doesn't mean you can't still have a wedding décor scheme that wows. Think outside the proverbial flower box with this list of blossom-free ideas for wedding decorations.

Love Visually -

Build a structure consisting of a bunch of different ornate frames with photos of not only you and your fiancé, but also parents and grandparents whose marriages serve as inspiration for time-tested love.

The Food Pyramid

Fill cylindrical glass vases with fruits and vegetables reflecting your colors. Oranges, lemons, and limes have been done, so try a unique, more contemporary look with mangos or coconuts - or tie it to the season with texture-rich earthy vegetables like husked corn, acorn squash, or artichokes.

Outside Looking In -

Give your guests something to really look at with goldfish swimming in aesthetically shaped vases. Consider building interesting mantels or use other species like Siamese fighting fish or white clouds. For their sake, add the water and fish right before the reception and return them to a bigger tank before the party's over.

Au Natural -

Consult Mother Nature for inspiration, and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pine cones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception décor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance. This idea will nicely complement a fall wedding theme.

A Library Look -

Stacks of books intricately piled can work in a number of different ways. For sophisticates, choose antique leather-bounds. For a more fun approach, use kitschy romance novels. Or, tie it to your wedding location - if beach-side, go with maritime classics like Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea.

Wine-O -

Wine bottles and decanters create interesting focal pieces. Turn a wine bottle into a "lamp" by filling it with candle oil and adding a wick. Decorate the base of the bottle with bunches of grapes.

This article offers even more unique ideas for wedding decorations. Or visit this complete guide to planning your wedding flowers and wedding decorations.