Showers of Flower Petals

As Kate says in the green wedding tip of the week, flower petals are a beautiful, budget-conscious, and eco-friendly alternative to disposable aisle runners, and they can suit many different wedding styles. Have adorable flower girls sprinkle petals along the aisle during the ceremony for a romantic touch, or create a lush, gorgeous aisle with a heavy layer of petals.

Image: Stehlik Photography

Image: Rebecca Thuss

The elegant glass vases pictured above, filled with candles and petals floating in water, would also make lovely reception centerpieces.

Sprinkling petals around candles and flower-filled votives is another way to create centerpieces that look pretty, but cut down on flower usage (and cost).

Image: Studio 1923

Petals beautifully complement a wedding cake, too.

Image: Studio 1923

How romantic would it be to twirl under these gorgeous hanging flower petals for your first dance? This is a DIY project that is fairly simple, and the effect makes us swoon.

Image: W. Scott Chester Photography

Don't forget to exit your ceremony or reception in a shower of soft flower petals, like Hedda and Ben did!

Image: Orchard Cove Photography

Just remember that, unfortunately, roses are one of the most heavily pesticided crops in the world and their production often leads to human health problems, so it's important to go organic for your petals.

The good news is that you can now get dried organic petals online or buy fresh petals from many organic farms.

Be sure to ask you florist about organic alternatives!