20 Beautiful Bouquets That Are NOT Made of Flowers
Of course, we love fresh blooms. But we also love a clever twist on a theme.
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While there's no denying the beauty of fresh-cut flowers, if you want to your floral arrangement to last longer than a week — even a lifetime — you have to get a little more creative. Whether you're about to walk down the aisle, or just crave a pretty bouquet on your office desk, draw some inspiration from these floral alternatives.
Luxe Legos
Who knew that the contents of your kids' toy box could look so chic? Just make sure you don't step on this one.
$210, etsy.com
Brooch Bling
For the sparkle-obsessed, go for the glam-meets-vintage vibe of a brooch bouquet.
Crepe Paper
Paper flower artist Livia Cetti has made impressively realistic arrangements for Anthropologie, Kate Spade, Bergdorf Goodman, and even the White House. Take cues from her book to make similar creations of your own.
Fluffy Feathers
Keep things light with a featherweight arrangement featuring all-white plumes.
$70, etsy.com
Mismatched Buttons
A button bouquet proves whimsy can come straight from a sewing kit.
$72, etsy.com
Forest Finds
Floral designer Torryne Choate used pheasant feathers, tigerwood twigs, and an antler for a display that will last all winter long.
Gathered Pinecones
These aren't your grandmother's scented pinecones. Fresh sprigs of boxwood keep the craft-store staple from feeling stale.
Blossoming Butterflies
Butterflies get the grownup treatment in a sophisticated nosegay that's sure to make your heart flutter.
Faux Cotton
Fake the real thing with egg cartons and cotton balls. Arrange branches alone or mix them with wildflowers or wheat for a seasonal display.
Painted Rocks
Now this is a cactus no one can kill: A set of stones with a coat of vibrant green paint.
Sculpted Newsprint
Recycle old newspapers or damaged books by preserving the pages as petals.
$24, etsy.com
Fruits and Veggies
It's the perfect excuse to play with your food. Colorful produce like peppers, lemons, or clementines are a cheery display in your kitchen.
Seaside Finds
Beachy brides and ocean lovers will agree that seashells can be just as beautiful as traditional blooms.
$64, etsy.com
Pussy Willows
For a bouquet that's just as pleasant to touch as it is to look at, gather some willow branches.
A Baker's Dozen
OK, so you probably shouldn't carry this one anywhere, much less down the aisle. Piped petals look like peonies, roses, and hydrangeas, but these cupcakes taste much, much better than their floral counterparts.
Paper Pinwheels
It doesn't have to be a windy day to enjoy this playful arrangement. Dozens of pinwheels look cheerful indoors or out.
$60, etsy.com
Golden Grains
A bundle of wheat can look unexpectedly elegant when dolled up with a satin ribbon.
$11, etsy.com
Kale Cuttings
Yes, it's a type of trendy salad. But different varieties of kale also make for quite the surprisingly fresh arrangement.
Fuzzy Felt Balls
There's no thorns on these blooms – perfect for an adorable flower girl.
$46, etsy.com
Comic Book Characters
Superhero lovers, rejoice! The exploits of your favorite comic book heroes can be put on display in this clever craft.
$130, etsy.com
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
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