Trending Now: Terra-Cotta Wedding Décor

terra cotta decor name cards on a decorative plate
Lynette Boyle

There are so many different types of wedding styles and themes that call on earthy décor. Rustic, bohemian, and garden-inspired celebrations, for example, all utilize natural elements to achieve their aesthetics' full potential. Believe it or not, it's possible for a single motif to speak to and work across all three of these different style types. One of these versatile mediums is terra-cotta. The clay-based material is most often used to create flower planters (you likely have a few of these pretty pots at home!), but terra-cotta goes far beyond floral décor.

The following ideas are proof. Ahead, you'll discover all of the ways to weave this rust-colored clay—in all its forms—into your wedding's landscape. While some couples stuck with terra-cotta's standard use (potted plants as centerpieces, hanging installations, and even seating chart displays), others thought entirely out of the box. Some duos actually opted for broken planters, which they had calligraphed with everything from guests' names to hors d'oeuvre menus. Others chose tile interpretations (like the skinny escort cards seen here, which were personalized by Brown Fox Calligraphy) to decorate place settings or stand in as table numbers.

If you're drawn to the color of terra-cotta (we love the sienna hue!) more than its fabrication, you're also in luck. We were sure to include a few terra cotta-inspired ideas—be sure to bookmark the upcoming wedding cake and invitation envelope, which pay homage to the material's earthy color. Ready to see all of these inspired ideas for yourself? Click through for all the ways to use terra-cotta on your big day, whatever its style.

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Planter Seating Chart

terra cotta decor planter seating chart
Anna Delores Photography

You'll be hard-pressed to find a seating chart that's more bohemian than this one by Wild Heart Events. Sophie Loves Letters' calligraphed a mix of different vessels (including terra-cotta vases!) with table numbers and guest names. Gold-rimmed mirror, neon sign, slices of gemstone, metallic dream catchers, and potted plants from Forage Florals rounded out the rest of the display.

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Cohesive Centerpiece

terra cotta decor centerpiece pot with pink flowers
We Are Origami Photography

We love how this Flinders & Mitchell centerpiece's terra-cotta base referenced its color palette: pink, gold, and rust.

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Place Setting

terra cotta decor place setting cup
Marcie Meredith Photography

The subtle chip on this mini pot, calligraphed by The Weekend Type, brought a realistic garden touch to the tabletop. The entire look was created by Sweet Sunday Events, Lindsey Zamora, and Without Wax Katy.

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Name Cards

terra cotta name cards
Kayla Barker

Channel Blue Eye Brown Eye's calligraphy work by adding your attendees' names to terracotta shards. Then use them anywhere they're needed—at individual place settings or on the favor table.

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Terra-Cotta-Inspired Cake

terra cotta decor cake with vases and flowers
Charla Storey Photography

This 2 Tarts cake's rust-colored fondant was an exact color match for terra-cotta—the subtle tonal shifts (note how it went slightly darker in some areas) only added to its realism.

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Gold Accent

terra cotta decor gold accent to floral centerpiece
Kitty Wheeler Shaw

A strip of gold metallic paint adds contemporary vibes to terra-cotta, an otherwise natural medium. We love Merrie & Bright's interpretation of this idea. Calligraphed just one-shade darker than the clay, these table numbers stood out against Willowgold's lush florals thanks to their eye-grabbing rims.

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Bride's Spot

terra cotta decor place card and brides plate
Jessica Kettle

Mark the woman of the hour's place setting with a terra-cotta tile, just like this one personalized by Betlem Calligraphy. Amorology Events and The Dainty Lion were responsible for the tablecape's design and florals, respectively.

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Terra-Cotta Envelopes

terra cotta decor envelopes and boutonnière
Jenrette Fowler Photography

There's a way to integrate a love for clay and terra-cotta into your big day without actually using either. We're loving this terra-cotta-colored envelope from My Lady Dye for its natural, earthy contribution to an otherwise bright-white paper suite.

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Unique Planter

ashley adam wedding texas centerpiece terracotta
Apryl Ann Photography

Here's proof that the medium—so often associated with garden and bohemian wedding themes—can also feel modern. These pots, made by Rico Terre, allowed for a unique and contemporary approach to flower arranging. The smaller holes on the exterior of the vessel were filled by smaller, shorter blooms, which added dynamic depth to the entire display.

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Cocktail Hour Menu

jeannette taylor wedding portugal appetizers
Abby Jiu Photography

Broken clay pots can be repurposed in so many ways. Take this cocktail hour menu sign, for example—a few lines of pretty script by Written Word Calligraphy transformed a shattered planter into a piece of intentional décor.

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Cookies

terracotta colored hexagonal cookies
Branco Prata

A wedding cake isn't your only dessert option. These one-of-kind treats from T Bakes, made to look like pieces of tile, were a great addition to the dessert table.

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Chargers

blue plate placesetting succulents
Desi Baytan

Combined with cerulean dinnerware, a macramé runner, clay mugs, and multi-colored floral arrangement, this tablescape's terra-cotta chargers set a scene that's equal parts southwestern, bohemian, and rustic. Justina Blakeney was responsible for the tabletop's design.

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Bar Menu

terra cotta decor bar menu written on plate
Fondly Forever Photography

With a little help from your calligrapher (in this case, Shindig Chic), displaying your signature cocktails on a terra-cotta plate is a breeze.

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Escort Cards

terra cotta decor escort cards
Tamara Gruner

Swap out traditional paper escort cards for tiny terra-cotta slabs, like these by Layers of Loveliness.

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Succulent Centerpiece

terra cotta decor Succulent Centerpiece
Marcos Sanchez

Lush, overgrown floral centerpieces not your thing? Look to the desert's form of flora for inspiration. We love how rust-colored terra-cotta pots (the succulent vessel of choice!) pop against all types of green cacti, which were arranged by The Best Day Ever.

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Simple Table Numbers

terra cotta decor simple table numbers
Lynette Boyle

Table numbers should be identifiable, but that doesn't mean that they can't be simple. These subtle terra-cotta tiles, emblazoned with no-nonsense script by Brown Fox Calligraphy, illustrate how a smaller moment can still stand out.

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Clay Coasters

terra cotta wedding decor clay coasters
Kayla Barker

Netural clay coasters make for cool drink holders or the prettiest display pieces, especially for detail shots. The Wildflowers incorporated these round beauties when styling a few boutonnières, which were created by Bows + Arrows.

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Potted Plant Seating Chart

terra cotta decor potted plant seating chart
Emily and Steve Photography

This seating display is a perfect example of how easily terra-cotta planters fit into wedding DIY projects. All you need to recreate this "chart" (which was created by the bride and groom!) is an old ladder, various potted plants, extra-large popsicle sticks, and chalk.

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Soft Tablescape

anika max wedding small reception table with linens flowers and table settings
A Fist Full of Bolts

Terra-cotta's warmth partners well with other earthy shades, like sunny yellow and muted beige. We love this romantic, soft tablescape by Bash Please (featuring blooms by Isa Isa), which included all three shades via the taper candles, linens, and terra-cotta centerpiece.

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Small Vases

terra cotta decor small vases and flowers with candles
Evangeline Lane

If you're a fan of cluster centerpieces, you'll enjoy this minimal vignette, which was curated by Layne Kula for Rosé Events and Best Day Ever Floral Design. Thanks to their earthy color palettes, the dried thistles and smoke bush acted as extension of their clay vessels.

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Lounge Accents

terra cotta decor lounge accents wooden table
The De Jaureguis Photography

Dress up a reception lounge with an end table topped with a natural arrangement, like this peachy rose and peony display by Bash Please. Its terra-cotta pot paired prettily with the wood motifs used through the cozy nook.

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Hanging Floral Installation

terra cotta decor hanging floral installment
Rebekah J. Murray Photography

Terra-cotta pots look just as pretty floating above tables as they do on them, as evidenced by this dreamy installation by Sweet Root Village and Grit & Grace Inc.

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