If you have been searching for a way to bring lush, effortless greenery into your wedding, an artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding decoration might be exactly what you need. Elegant, versatile, and incredibly low-maintenance, eucalyptus garlands have become one of the most popular choices for modern weddings across the UK and USA — and it is easy to see why.
Whether you are planning an intimate countryside ceremony or a grand reception hall, this guide walks you through everything: what to look for, creative styling ideas, common mistakes to avoid, and honest tips to help you achieve a look that feels genuinely beautiful.
What Is an Artificial Eucalyptus Garland?
An artificial eucalyptus garland is a length of faux greenery crafted from high-quality silk or fabric leaves, shaped to replicate the soft, rounded foliage of real eucalyptus. Unlike fresh stems, which wilt within days and carry pollen that can trigger allergies, artificial garlands stay looking their best throughout the entire event — from setup to the final dance.
Modern faux garlands have come a long way. When made well, the leaves carry realistic colour gradients, a gentle flexibility in the stems, and a natural drape that is almost indistinguishable from fresh greenery in photographs. Many couples opt for them precisely because they photograph so beautifully while costing a fraction of the price of fresh floristry at scale.
Garlands are typically sold in lengths ranging from 150cm to 200cm, making them easy to link together and arrange across large spaces. A good-quality option, such as the 180cm Artificial Eucalyptus Garland available at Eucalipto, offers a flexible rattan core that you can bend and shape to your exact vision.
Why Couples Choose Artificial Over Fresh Eucalyptus
Fresh eucalyptus is undeniably beautiful, but it does come with practical challenges. It wilts quickly in warm venues, the scent can be intense in enclosed spaces, and sourcing large quantities for decorating an entire venue adds significant cost. For many couples, these are real concerns.
An artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding décor solves most of those problems. They are allergy-friendly, weather-resistant, and can be purchased and arranged weeks before the wedding day. If you are decorating a marquee in July or an outdoor ceremony in unpredictable British weather, artificial greenery simply performs more reliably. After the event, they can also be reused, repurposed for home décor, or gifted to guests — making them a more sustainable long-term choice in many cases.
Creative Ways to Use an Artificial Eucalyptus Garland for Wedding Decoration
There is no shortage of ways to incorporate an artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding design. Here are some of the most loved ideas among UK and USA couples right now.
Ceremony arch and arbour decoration — Draping garlands around a wooden arch or metal frame creates an instantly romantic focal point. Wind the garland in loose, natural spirals around the uprights, then let it cascade freely across the top. Mix in white or blush dried flowers, small fairy lights, or trailing ribbons for a layered, editorial look.
Reception table runner — Rather than relying solely on floral centrepieces, lay garlands flat down the centre of banquet tables. Pair them with pillar candles, glass bud vases, and scattered seasonal blooms. This approach works particularly well for long trestle tables at barn or greenhouse weddings.
Wall and backdrop greenery — A foliage-covered backdrop wall is one of the most photographed elements at any modern wedding. Secure multiple garlands to a trellis, pegboard, or hanging frame to build a full lush backdrop behind the top table or cake display. The effect is stunning in photographs and requires very little time to set up.
Staircase and balcony draping — If your venue has a staircase, winding garlands along the bannisters adds a touch of old-world elegance. This works especially well in stately homes, manor houses, and historic wedding venues.
Chair garlands and pew ends — Tying short lengths of garland to the ends of ceremony chairs or wooden pews creates a cohesive, gallery-style aisle. It is a simple touch that makes a significant visual difference in ceremony photographs.
Styling Tips for a Natural and Luxurious Look
The difference between an artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding use that looks genuinely beautiful and one that looks obviously artificial often comes down to how it is styled, not the garland itself.
Firstly, fluff and shape your garlands before use. Most faux garlands arrive slightly compressed from packaging. Take a few minutes to gently separate the leaves, fan them outward, and adjust individual stems so they point in different directions. This single step transforms the look immediately.
Secondly, mix garlands with other textures. Layering your eucalyptus garland with dried pampas grass, gypsophila, white roses, or trailing ivy breaks up the uniformity and creates the kind of organic, layered aesthetic that feels genuinely natural. Real greenery mixed with artificial garlands is a trick many professional florists use — no one will be able to tell the difference.
Thirdly, consider scale. One 180cm garland will beautifully dress a chair back or frame a small mirror. For a full wedding arch or a long banquet table, you will want several linked together. Measure your spaces before ordering so you have exactly what you need.
Finally, use floral wire or cable ties hidden beneath the leaves to secure garlands firmly. Loose draping looks beautiful in photographs but can shift during a long reception. A few discreet fixing points make all the difference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the most thoughtful decoration can fall flat if a few simple things go wrong. Here are the pitfalls worth knowing about before your wedding day.
Leaving garlands still compressed from the box is perhaps the most common issue. It takes under ten minutes to fluff and shape each length properly, and it makes an enormous visual difference.
Choosing garlands that are too short for the space is another frequent mistake. Always measure generously and order slightly more than you think you need. Leftover garlands can always find a home as table accents or photobooth props.
Using garlands that do not match your colour palette can also undermine the overall look. Most artificial eucalyptus garlands come in soft sage green or silvery green — check the exact shade against your other décor elements before committing.
Finally, ignoring the hanging method can lead to garlands slipping at the worst moment. Always test your fixing approach the day before, particularly for ceiling or arch installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use artificial eucalyptus garlands outdoors?
Yes. Unlike fresh eucalyptus, faux garlands are not affected by heat, humidity, or light rain. They hold their shape and colour throughout an outdoor ceremony or garden reception without any special treatment. The wedding planning experts at The Knot recommend greenery as a top choice for outdoor weddings.
How many garlands do I need for a wedding arch?
This depends on the size of your arch, but for a standard 2-metre wooden arch, most couples use between four and six 180cm garlands. Use more if you prefer a very lush, full look, or fewer for a more minimalist style.
Can artificial eucalyptus garlands be reused after the wedding?
Absolutely. One of their great advantages is longevity. After the wedding, garlands can be used to decorate mantlepieces, bedroom headboards, staircase railings, or seasonal displays at home. They last for years with minimal care.
Do artificial eucalyptus garlands look realistic in photographs?
When properly shaped and styled, high-quality faux garlands are virtually indistinguishable from fresh eucalyptus in photographs. Mixing them with a few sprigs of real greenery or dried flowers adds extra texture and authenticity.
A Simple, Beautiful Choice
Eucalyptus greenery has become a signature of modern wedding design for good reason — it is timeless, elegant, and effortlessly versatile. An artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding decoration gives you all of that beauty with none of the stress of fresh floristry logistics.
Whether you are draping a ceremony arch, building a lush table runner, or creating a foliage backdrop that your guests will be photographing all evening, a well-chosen artificial eucalyptus garland for wedding décor is one of the most effective tools in your wedding toolkit. For more wedding greenery inspiration, Brides Magazine features beautiful greenery décor ideas worth exploring. With a little preparation and the styling tips above, the result can look genuinely stunning — and no one will ever know it was not freshly cut.