Cherry Blossom Wedding Theme

A delightful spring wedding idea with an Asian flair, this cherry blossom wedding theme symbolizes new beginnings.

Cherry blossoms are the symbol of feminine beauty and fertility in China, while in Japan they symbolize the fragility and transition of life. It is also the unofficial national flower of Japan. ("Sakura" is the Japanese name for cherry tree.)

Wedding Colors

This beautiful Japanese flower can range in colors from white to a pale pink to dark pink. Some even come in a pale yellow, so you have a variety of color combinations that can be used with a cherry blossom wedding.

For example, pink and brown would be a beautiful combination (pink flowers, brown branches). How about pale pink, dark pink and white for another excellent color combo. Deeper pink, green (leaves) and brown (branches) is another option to choose from.

The easiest thing is to take a look at some cherry blossom trees and pull out the colors that you like best.

Cherry Blossom Wedding Invitations

Invite your guests to celebrate your new beginning as husband and wife with beautiful cherry blossom wedding invitations.

Cherry Blooms

Spring Cherry Blossom

Delicate Blossoms

Decorating Ideas This Spring Wedding Theme

Since cherry blossoms are naturally delicate, I would suggest you keep your decorating simple and fresh. Here are some ideas that will help to create an Asian spring flavor where these tiny flowers would flourish.

• For your guest table centerpieces, use tall white vases with only a couple of cherry blossom branches inside. Scatter some blossoms on the table around the vase. You could finish off with 3 light pink votive candles in clear holders on the table surrounding the vase.
• If you want the reception to have more of a Japanese wedding atmosphere, hang paper lanterns around the room.
• Use white napkins with pink, green or brown napkin rings (depending on the color scheme you chose) and slip a small cherry blossom branch under the ring to lie along the length of the napkin.
• For an interesting variation, have a different cherry tree mini-theme for each guest table. The most popular variety of sakura in Japan is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. There is also:
  
  
  • Tokyo Higan cherry
  • Yamazakura (wild cherry tree with delicate light pink blossoms)
  • Yaezakura (large flowers, thick with rich pink petals)
  • Shidarezakura (weeping cherry bearing cascades of pink flowers)
  • Yoshino cherry (white-pink flowers with dark green leaves)
  • Oshimazakura (white petals with pink and yellow centers)
  • Ichiyo (light pink flowers)
  • Fugenzo (white to slight pink, turning to a deeper pink later)
  • Kikuzakura (also called the Chrysanthemum Cherry - pale pink blooms with dark green leaves)
  • Shogetsu (white blossoms)
  • Kanzan (deeper pink with copper brown leaves)
  • Ukon (yellowish blossoms)
• Drape the main tables with pale pink tulle swags. Secure each swag with a darker pink (green or brown) bow and insert some small cherry blossom twigs into each bow.

Cherry Blossom Wedding Favors

Let your guests take home a bit of Japan with them. Here are ideas for wedding favors that are a perfect pick.

• Use white Chinese take-out boxes and stamp them with pink cherry blossoms. Fill 1/3 to 1/2 of the inside of the box with shredded pink and white tissue paper. Nestle a handful of cherry chocolates on top. Close the box and decorate the top with a white or pink tulle bow with a small cherry blossom twig secured on top (use fake silk flowers for this).

Delicate Cherry Blossom Design Silk Folding Fan Favors	Kate Aspen Set of 4 Cherry Blossoms Flower Tea Lights	"Cherry Blossoms" Frosted Glass Coasters
"Cherry Blossom" Scented Soap - Set of 50	Cherry Blossom Chopsticks (Set of 32)	Dozen Cherry Blossom Gift Boxes

Food and Drink With a Cherry Twist

Serve pink champagne for toasting and have some sort of cherry cocktail as a signature drink for your wedding. For guests who don't drink alcohol, have non-alcoholic cherry punch on hand.

Serve some dishes that contain cherries (but be sure to have a choice of something different for those that don't like cherries). Here are a few sites that feature cherry based recipes. They're a good source to browse through and get some ideas on what you can have the caterer prepare and serve.

Use the ideas above to springboard your creativity when it comes to planning your own spring or Asian wedding. And remember, if you happen to see a favor, decorating idea, cake photo or something else that you really like, but it's not the appropriate theme, get creative and think about how you can change it to reflect your cherry blossom wedding theme in a unique way.

Cherry Blossom Wedding Theme by Rose Smith © 2009-2010