Planning a Garden Romance Wedding in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you’ve spent even five minutes on Pinterest lately, you already know ALL about garden romance. It’s having a moment in the spotlight, and honestly? I’m here for it. Because what isn’t to love about this wedding theme? Bright florals, elegant details, fresh air…it has everything.
As a Dallas-Fort Worth wedding photographer, I’ve watched the garden romance trend bloom over the last couple of seasons, and I‘ve seen just how well the idea can be executed. So if you’re a Dallas bride dreaming of a wedding that feels like a whimsical garden dinner party, pull up a chair. Here’s how you can plan the most magical day!
The Inspiration: An Editorial at Ashton Depot
Before we get into the tips, I have to point you to the editorial we shot at Ashton Depot in Fort Worth — it’s the perfect base for what I’m about to break down.
Lavish layers of florals. A palette of green, pink, orange, and yellow with depth and richness. Velvets and soft seating that practically begged guests to sink in and stay awhile. A custom illustration on the bar with floral components. A stationery suite that doubled as fine art.
When I say this day was perfect…I mean it!
Okay, now let’s talk about how to bring that garden romance energy into your wedding day.
Tip #1: Go Big on the Florals
It wouldn’t be a garden romance wedding without an abundance of flowers. But the difference between a “wedding with flowers” and a “garden wedding” is layering. And lots of it.
Think hanging installations over the tables, oversized ceremony arrangements, florals trailing down the aisle, blooms tucked into unexpected places (the bar, the escort card display, the cake table).
Don’t be afraid to mix textures either — the “perfectly imperfect” bouquet is a vibe!
Tip #2: Lean into a Layered Color Palette
A romantic garden wedding doesn’t have to be strictly pastels or even all bright hues (although those are gorgeous). The Ashton Depot editorial used a palette of green, pink, orange, and yellow, and the richness of those layered tones is what made the whole design sing.
But unexpected colors can be just as beautiful. Garden romance leaves room for color stories that feel collected and curated, not matchy-matchy.
Tip #3: Soften Everything with Texture
This is what ties it all together! Added, and varying, texture has the power to truly elevate a wedding look — especially if that wedding draws inspiration from nature like we see in a garden romance wedding.
Some easy ways to add or vary texture in your decor:
- Velvet: Velvet adds depth and makes everything feel a little more romantic. Try adding it to small, but noticeable, touchpoints — drink coasters, napkins, runners, and lounge furniture.
- Gold: Gold accents just have a way of making everything feel more elegant, don’t they? Opt for gold cutlery, gold flower pots, or gold-rimmed wine glasses.
- Linen: Flowing tablecloths in soft tones, ruffled or pleated edges, sheer overlays. Soft and understated, but grounding — it’s exactly what a garden fairytale calls for.
Tip #4: Print Floral Onto Everything (Within Reason)
Pretty paper? Sign me up! Your stationery is one of the easiest places to weave in the garden romance theme. Floral-print invitations, watercolor menus, painted save-the-dates, illustrated escort cards, custom monograms with botanical accents…there’s really no place you can’t add a touch of floral design.
We want to keep things elegant, not too on-the-nose, so try adding one or two floral elements to your stationery rather than making them the entire focus.
If you’ve got the budget, hire a calligrapher or watercolor artist to create custom illustrations of your venue, your pets, or your favorite flowers. That kind of detail is pure magic.
Tip #5: Add the Artful, Unexpected Detail
This is where you can really drive the garden romance vibe home. You don’t have to go all out. Instead, small, unexpected details will really shine here!
Some ideas:
- A hand-painted bar with botanical motifs
- Floral-printed cocktail napkins or matchbooks
- A custom monogram trellis backdrop
- Pressed-flower place cards
- A painted dance floor with garden details around the edges
These are the moments guests remember. They’re worth the splurge.
Tip #6: Style the Tablescape Like a Whimsical Dinner Party
The garden romance tablescape is intentional — like you’re hosting an extremely well-dressed dinner party in your favorite garden.
Mix candles of varying heights. Layer in low, lush florals, and use vintage glassware. And personal moments never hurt. A folded note at each setting, or a handwritten place card, can go a long way.
Best DFW Venues for a Garden Wedding
Clark Gardens | Dallas Arboretum (Check my Instagram for Tammie & Cleve’s wedding!) | The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens
Three Dallas-Area Florists Who Nail Garden Romance
Dreaming of Garden Romance?
If a romantic garden wedding in Dallas is the dream you’ve been pinning (and pining over) for months — I want to hear about it. Truly. There’s nothing I love more than capturing the kind of wedding day that feels like stepping into a love story, and a garden-inspired celebration is exactly that.
Fill out my contact form and let’s chat about the dreamy day you’re imagining, and how I can help you capture every moment. Can’t wait to hear from you!
