The Mediterranean culture has definitely affected people the world over in the form of music, cuisine, and décor. You can see the Mediterranean influence everywhere, from terracotta flooring and stucco walls to lovely patio furniture and beautiful olive trees that characterize it perfectly. Not to mention the amazingly sunny and warm weather most regions experience that influences the Mediterranean people, making them spend quite a lot of time outdoors, attending to their outdoor spaces with meticulous care. The result is magnificent. With that in mind, sheer curtains paired with plush and comfy pillows and native pottery, alongside plenty of outdoor seating, are all important elements that should be added when considering infusing a Mediterranean style to your special day.
That aside, for a Mediterranean inspired wedding, here are some of the best décor ideas to impress and please your guests and create long-lasting memories.
What makes the Mediterranean so attractive and magical? If you have been to a Mediterranean country, it is impossible to haven’t fallen in love with the heart-stopping sights, citrus scents and smells, flavors, romantic sunsets, wild vegetation, and all the blessings Mother Nature seems to have given in abundance in these regions. No wonder so many newlyweds decide to have their wedding in a Mediterranean location, be it a beach, a city overlooking the sea, a heart-stopping island with magnificent sea views, a quaint small church up in the mountains, or any other. Diversity is the key word here. Decide where you want your wedding to take place or bring the best features of that place to your wedding. Simply put, organize your Mediterranean style wedding in a perfect microcosm! This means that you may need to book a terrace overlooking the sea, and have the wedding just as the sun sets, with floral decorations and centerpieces that bring a gust of an Aegean breeze, a pinch of the Adriatic freshness, or a note of the Balearic Sea.
The most suitable shades? Of course, blue, but also coral, yellow, and tones of fishing.
The wedding feast? The mirror of the gorgeous Mediterranean lands is fish, but there is incredible plentiful in foods as well, so you get to choose what you fancy more.
The flowers? An olive and rosemary branch is definitely a head turning combination. The same applies to pink Bougainvilleas, especially when against a whitewashed wall or an 18th-century wall. Perfect for a vintage Mediterranean wedding! But, we will talk more about it later…
Or, you could walk barefoot on a beach, with your bandana styled like a veil if you want something more innovative!
Image: scenemakers
It is always a nice idea to try to figure out ways to include fruit or flowers in your table settings. For example, you can have a detail in the napkin rings. Terracotta plant pots and tea lights in glass jars look amazing, too. Place them randomly to create a magical atmosphere. And, if you really want to be pioneering, you can add picnic blankets on your checklist. It would be lovely for your guests to be able to relax and stretch out a bit after dinner!
You may also want to consider having hand-stitched ceremony programs and write a few short notes for your other half on them (you are not supposed to know what your sweetheart has written for you!). These notes are to be read after the ceremony. Consider them your personalized vows, which is very romantic, especially if you are using traditional vows during the wedding ceremony!
Tip: Indian weddings are hugely impressive. You may also want to draw a few elements from there, too!
Image: Intimate Weddings
For a touch of rustic elegance paired with vintage notes, you can have rusted lanterns and light fittings, iron plant stands (even old candelabras are a superb option here), full of flowers. To spark things up, you can line the stands with moss!
If you prefer a more relaxed and natural look for your wedding, you can draw ideas from the full of herbs Mediterranean lands and have, for example, bouquets with herbs, foliage, and ivory, tied with a lace ribbon. Another idea is to have small white roses or herbs in the buttonholes! For the church, if it is a rustic one, there is no need for much decoration. Just stick to plain white flowers and an impressive marquee with small red, yellow, and blue flower arrangements interspersed with herbs. Geraniums are also an excellent choice. Grow them in terracotta pots and place them on the marquee entrance.
Of course, some brides want an elaborate European bouquet instead. Let me throw an idea here: passion vine, clematises, cream garden roses, lavender, and wild berries for the bouquets of the bride and bridesmaid, and arrangements of jasmine, fig branches, clematises, lavender, and eucalyptus (maybe some olive branches as well) for the long dining tables. If you want, you can also have lavender springs into the boutonnieres and complete the set!
The most important thing to consider? Keep it simple and let the magic of the Mediterranean awaken all your senses for a truly memorable wedding day! And, if you feel like having a more laid back and relaxed wedding, here are some interesting Caribbean wedding decor ideas! Or do you fancy an Indian-themed wedding? Whatever your heart desires, you got you covered!