First, decide which types and colors of roses you will feature. Roses can impart either a formal or a casual atmosphere, depending on the varieties and colors you choose. Red roses are associated with passion, white, with purity. Yellow, peach, or pink roses lend a friendly, lighthearted feel. Miniature roses can be playful or stately, depending on how they're displayed. Once you've made this decision, you'll be able to choose clothing and decorations without the danger of ending up with colors that clash.
A perfect outdoor setting would be a rose garden, or any other garden or yard with a rose arbor. Be sure to pick a time of year when the weather's mild and the roses are in bloom! Your processional path could be strewn with rose petals.
The bride might carry a pair of red or white roses instead of a bouquet, then give one to the groom during the ceremony. Buds are prettier for this than the mature flowers, and the symbolism is more fitting.
Choose rose-patterned jewelry and hair accessories in a color that goes with your theme. Wear a touch of rose-scented perfume. The groom could wear a white tux with a rose-colored ruffled shirt and rosebud boutonniere.
If you'll be writing your own vows, why not create your own special version of the "Roses are red?" verse and recite it to your sweetie. You might also incorporate this idea into your invitations.
For an indoor wedding, spread freeze-dried petals around the room instead of fresh. These look just like the fresh ones and are less expensive. They won't wilt or become slippery, and they're less likely to stain carpets and floors. You could scatter these on tables, too, and include them in your invitations. They also have the advantage of allowing you to do much of your decorating in advance, so you'll be less stressed when it really counts.
Create a dramatic, "rosy" atmosphere with a pretty trellis attached to a wall with faux miniature-rose garlands climbing on it. Or decorate walls with rose wreaths, heart-shaped for love? Or perhaps a banner that says, "The future's rosy for?."
If you or someone you know has blooming roses growing in pots, these could be used either indoors or outdoors to line your path "down the aisle." If the pots aren't uniform, buy inexpensive larger pots all in one style (no drain holes if they'll be indoors) and set the old pots inside. Fill gaps with wadded newspaper and cover the tops with sphagnum moss. If you love gardening, stick decorated trowels or garden forks into the pots for a touch of humor.
Table decor might include glass bowls or wine glasses filled with rose-scented potpourri, rose-scented pillar candles ringed with rosebuds, or rose-shaped floating candles in glass bowls with layers of gold-glass "stones" covering the bottoms.
Rose-shaped scented soaps or candles make cute, useful favors. Or convey sentiment with single rosebuds preserved in polymer. If your guests aren't too numerous, you could pen a unique version of "Roses are red?" for each individual or couple. Be creative and let your sense of humor shine.
Indoors, a free-standing rose arbor, complete with faux climbing roses, set up over your cake table would make a fantastic background for photographs. Your cake could be rose-pink with white icing, and surrounded by rosebuds. If you can find it, or know someone who could make it, you could set a miniature rose arbor to shelter the couple topping your cake.
Another way to use a rose arbor indoors would be to set it up behind your gifts and sit together in it while opening them. A large, low wooden garden cart with a bow tied on the handle would make a perfect gift "table."
Rose-colored punch could be served, as well as sweetened rosehip tea. Organically grown rose petals are edible and could be used in a salad.
More than any other flower, roses say, "I love you." Your rose wedding theme will say it forever.
