20 Succulent Wedding Centerpiece Ideas We Love

light brown reception table with greenery centerpiece with succulents and tall candles — Photo by Emily Nicole

While a floral-centric centerpiece will always be a classic choice for your reception tables, you might be wondering if there are a few ways to kick the wow factor up a notch. While you can choose entirely unique details—such as large trees, hanging statements, and even books—you don't have to reinvent the wheel to liven up your tabletop arrangements. To add a bit of greenery and a pop of color to your florals, give succulent wedding centerpieces a try.

Succulents work across any wedding theme, whether you’re planning a party in the desert or on the beach—or going boho or embracing modern minimalism. These hardy plants also add unique texture to any floral display and can withstand high temperatures (which makes them a great choice for summer events!). Best of all, there are countless ways to incorporate them into your tablescape design.

Ahead, find our favorite succulent wedding centerpiece ideas to inspire your own party decorations.

01 of 20

Display a Garden of Cacti

tall centerpiece of cacti in a gold vessel on a table with a gold velvet tablecloth — photo by elyse hall

Love the idea of something bold in the center of your table? Take inspiration from large floral arrangements, but swap blooms for cacti. This glossy gold vessel created the perfect base for cacti and added height to the tablescape.

02 of 20

Use a Terracotta Base

wedding succulent centerpiece in terracotta dish on table with white tablecloth — Photo by Alicia Lucia Photography

Want to make succulents the stars of your wedding centerpieces? Incorporate a variety paired with moss. Use a flat terracotta dish—your floral designer can source them from a hardware store—which will ensure the greenery stands out and keeps your arrangements low to the table (this promotes better conversation among guests!).

03 of 20

Mix With Pastels

greenery and flower wedding centerpiece garland with blue candles and succulents — Photo by Emily Nicole

Are you designing your wedding around a pastel color palette? If so, you're probably envisioning flower-filled tablescapes—but don't overlook the power of succulent plants in the color department. They'll add a perfect shade of pastel green to complete the look—especially if you opt for tonal varieties, like the ones used on this sweetheart table at this barn wedding.

04 of 20

Use Succulents and Fruit

outdoor wedding reception table with succulents, apples, and small flower arrangements — Photo by Golden West Photography

If you're planning a fall wedding, try combining floral arrangements, harvest fruits (try apples or pomegranates), and succulents, like this duo did for their outdoor event in California. When paired with amber glassware and olive tea lights, they create the perfect autumn display.

05 of 20

Showcase Plenty of Cacti

outdoor wedding table with row of cacti in terracotta pots — Photo by Marcos Sanchez

Cacti fall under the succulent family and can make for a unique wedding centerpiece option when they are used in place of a greenery runner. At this desert-inspired wedding, for example, the couple incorporated plenty of cacti in terracotta pots, opting for plants in a mix of heights, varieties, and colors for a nuanced, dynamic display.

06 of 20

Make a Statement

large succulent and cactus wedding centerpiece with pampas grass and copper details — Photo by Megan Welker Photography

Succulents are often used in smaller ways, whether they're displayed inside or out of pots. Switch things up by opting for a larger arrangement; try pairing big pieces of cactus with other textured elements, like pampas grass and un-bloomed protea.

07 of 20

Mix and Match

wedding centerpiece with white flowers, greenery, navy pillar candles, and succulent accents — Photo by Luna de Mare

While succulents aren't the focal point of this display, they still hold their own. We love the idea of mixing vases of romantic white blooms in varying heights, chunky pillar candles, and succulents for texture and dimension, like these brides did at their spring wedding in Aspen.

08 of 20

Pair With Candles

simple wedding centerpiece with blue taper candles in gold holders, gold tea lights, greenery ring, and succulents — Photo by Emily Nicole

Hoping to make candles the primary element on your big-day tablescapes? Surround tall tapers in any shade (we're partial to the cerulean blue options seen in this simple setup) with a single ring of greenery to keep things light and bright. A few succulents dotted throughout the circle will complete the look without distracting from your lit-up centerpiece.

09 of 20

Create a Terrarium

terrarium wedding centerpiece filled with cacti plants — Photo by Melissa Habegger

Terrariums are self-contained vessels that provide a great space to display plants. Consider creating a scene with terrariums filled with succulents, cacti, or a mix of both. This would be such a great option for those looking for a DIY centerpiece project!

10 of 20

Go Geometric

geometric terrarium succulent wedding centerpiece with flowers — Photo by Apryl Ann Photography

Here's another terrarium wedding centerpiece idea: Opt for a unique vessel, which will immediately make a statement on every station. This duo chose geometric gold and glass pieces, and filled them with succulents and florals.

11 of 20

Keep It Simple

single succulent wedding centerpiece on cocktail table — Photo by Amy Caroline Photography

Even if you're keeping things simple on the big day, succulents are sure to be the ideal fit. We love this tiny display of mixed mini succulents in a tin vessel. It's a great option for a reception at a restaurant—or even on cocktail tables.

12 of 20

Use Tiny Pots

potted cactus wedding centerpiece next to orange flowers — Photo by Rebecca Yale Photography

Considering a display that's bright and bold? While this table design incorporated floral centerpieces that flamed vibrant orange, cacti in terracotta pots were the perfect complement—and added an organic shade that tempered the look.

13 of 20

Incorporate Ferns

succulent wedding centerpiece with ferns, tea lights, and copper geometric objects — Photo by CK Photo

Succulents play prettily with any other types of greenery you'd like to showcase at your event. Consider pairing them with ferns for a centerpiece that's full of texture and interest. Copper geometric objects are the ultimate contrast.

14 of 20

Go Big

large succulent centerpiece with amber glassware — Photo by Golden West Photography

While most succulents are small, it is possible to utilize larger plants, instead. Don't be afraid to go big to make a statement—if you choose the right variety, you could end up with a succulent wedding centerpiece that's the size of your standard floral compote.

15 of 20

Pair With King Protea

cactus and king protea centerpiece in small vessels with rocks — Photo by Nicole Leever Photography

While king protea is a flowering plant, it gives off tropical succulent vibes. Create an interesting display by pairing it with other types of succulents and blooms in bud vases for a varied look.

16 of 20

Combine Cacti and Candles

cactus and candle wedding centerpiece with terracotta details — Photo by Tim Ryan Smith

Think cacti can't give off a romantic vibe? Think again! Pair potted cacti with plenty of pillar candles for a magical glow. Keeping their vessels—and the candles' accessories—varied will make your tabletops more visually impressive.

17 of 20

Mix and Match Pots

A mixture of potted cacti in different pots on a reception table with a white tablecloth — photo by Gaby J Photography

Channel an artistic vibe with cacti while keeping with a cohesive color palette. This design featured a variety of cacti in different pots all down the length of the reception table for a unique alternative to a floral garland.

18 of 20

Showcase a Single Succulent

small succulent with moss in a clear glass vessel next to a gold glass lantern — photo by dana cubbage weddings; planning and design by Intrigue Event + Design; floral design by branch design studio

When it comes to centerpieces, sometimes less is more. Consider showcasing your succulents by selecting tiny, clear vessels. We also love how subtly cohesive this setup is; gold detailing appears on both the succulent vase and the lantern right next to it.

19 of 20

Play With Pink

pink succulent wedding centerpiece with sand and baby's breath — Photo by Megan Robinson

Not all succulents have to be green! Paint them to match any color palette, like one couple did for their pink-hued party in the desert. Anchoring the plants in blush sand—and surrounding them with pink-tinged baby's breath—reinforced the one-shade color scheme.

20 of 20

Embrace Green and Gold

gold terrariums with succulents and wedding dinner menu — Photo by Tonhya Kae Photography

Succulents can absolutely work at a winter wedding—just be mindful of your palette. This display was a beautiful alternative to fresh blooms; pops of green shined within golden vessels, contributing to the cold-weather color scheme.

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