Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

The stunning images alone tell the story of how incredible a tropical banana grove wedding can be. Even if you don’t live in the tropics, you can recreate this theme with everything from the wedding cake to the decor.

Grab your inspiration here and have fun emulating the bouquet. We love it!

Outdoor Wedding Ideas for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

If you live in or near a true tropical destination, you are in luck – you likely have everything you need to pull off a lush, tropical banana grove-inspired wedding. These weddings are all about natural beauty, so when choosing your wedding venue, consider an outdoor venue with a tropical feel – palm trees, shady lawns or a bright garden.

This can be one of the less expensive parts of your wedding budget – depending on your location and season, you’ll be able to forgo a lot of expensive adornments in favour of letting the environment shine. Set up your reception tables under a shady palm grove, like these brides have done, and host your ceremony nearby under an arch or gazebo decorated with colourful flowers.

Outdoor weddings are also a great opportunity to make less formal or non-traditional fashion choices. Short or tea-length dresses, sandals, floral crowns and breezy fabrics fit in perfectly with the theme, and you’re already set for the warm weather.

What to Look For in a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding Venue

Wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes, can be indoor, outdoor or a combination of the two. If you plan on hosting a tropical banana grove-inspired wedding and reception, an outdoor venue is ideal. If you live in a cooler climate or want to create a little bit of summer in the winter, any space can be given a tropical look.

You may want to consider a spacious venue, since tropical designs often feature large prints, flowers and leaves. Life-like decorative palm trees also take up a good amount of space, and you don’t want your guests to feel crowded. Spanish-styled design elements such as stucco walls, arched doorways and tile roofs have a tropical appeal, but any space with a soft, neutral colour scheme can work with the right accessories.

Colour Palettes for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

Choosing tropical wedding colours opens up a lot of options, as there are several ways to express a banana-grove inspired colour palette. Many tropical flowers, fruits and fabrics come in rich saturated colours like pinks, yellows, teals and reads, which all go well together and can make any venue pop with excitement and energy. These wedding planners have chosen bright teal and pink combinations that go well with the dark green banana leaves.

Another option is a soft, pastel colour palette reminiscent of colour-washed sunrises and sunsets. Soft pinks and off-white colours make beautiful bouquets and table settings, and hints of gold or silver can keep soft colours from looking static and faded.

Wedding Cake Ideas for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

Not only does a tropical theme provide a wealth of options for the design of your wedding cake, it also allows you to experiment with flavours you might not normally associate with wedding cakes. Coconut, lemon, orange, mango, papaya, banana and other tropical fruits not only taste amazing, they can also add a splash of colour to a typically white-frosted cake.

If you’re in love with vanilla, or, less frequently, chocolate wedding cake, consider adding tropical fruits for beautiful, edible decorations. Mangoes and dragon fruits, which these brides have chosen to use, add a pop of vivid colour to a neutral cake. If you like the look of a buttercream-iced cake rather than fondant, you can flavour the icing as well – how about a vanilla cake with beautiful shade of teal coconut frosting?

Food for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

One of the best perks of a tropical-inspired wedding is that the food, which is equally stunning for both meat-eaters and meatless eaters alike. Whether you want to serve an unforgettable meal or encourage guests to graze over amazing signature cocktails, there are many options for fresh, colourful fare worthy of Instagram adulation.

For a stunning main course, you can choose from a variety of proteins and meat-free meals with a tropical flare. Chicken, fish and pork all lend themselves well to light, fruity flavours, and many Asian fusion dishes inspired by tropical flavours often use meatless alternatives such as tofu. Offering a fresh fruit bar along with the wedding cake for dessert will appeal to everyone, and it’s a perfect chance to take advantage of those beautiful colours and flavours.

Table Setting Style for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

Wedding reception table settings are an important part of tying together a theme for both the ceremony and after-party. If you’ll be celebrating outdoors, you already have a head start, because tropical-themed designs rely on natural beauty to make an impact. Fresh flowers, understated china and decorative glassware make a statement without being overdone. These brides have chosen to use plain tableware with colourful floral napkins and gold-accented glasses for a luxurious but simple look.

If your venue is indoors, your table settings can help you create more of a tropical atmosphere, especially if the walls and floor are fairly plain. Banana leaves for place mats, coconuts and other whole fruits, tropical flowers and metallic-tinted accents for a little extra sparkle.

Wedding Dresses and Accessories for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

Whether you want to choose more traditional wedding attire or try something a little out of the box, tropical-themed weddings offer brides an opportunity to go less formal and incorporate colour and a light, breezy style. This bride has chosen to go with a bit of traditional combined with a splash of the tropics by selecting a white dress accented with a vibrant pink and flowers.

For accessories, bring a bit of natural to your look by incorporating fresh flowers – hair garlands or a flower behind the ear add a beautiful pop of colour and provide a soft, natural look. Jewellry or accessories with semi-precious stones such as pearls – especially pink, gold or oddly-shaped ones – add to the laid-back vibe of a tropical destination.

Groom Style for aTropical Banana Grove Wedding

If the groom isn’t interested in being buttoned into a tuxedo for a whole day, a banana grove-themed wedding may be just the answer. In the same way that brides may choose less formal wedding dresses, grooms can go with something lighter and possibly more comfortable as well. Everything from Hawaiian shirts and khakis to a linen suit is fair game – ties optional! If you’re truly getting married in a tropical destination, sandals can also be appropriate footwear.

Of course, formal attire will always look classic, but if you plan on hosting your wedding in a very warm climate, you may want to use lighter fabrics, less layers, or both to avoid discomfort, excessive sweating or even a heat-related illness.

Wedding Photo Shoot Ideas for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

The wedding photo shoot can be one of the most exciting parts of the big day, and a tropical theme offers many opportunity for fun, colourful photos. This couple chose to use the natural environment for their photos, posing with tropical plants and even an understated golden bunch of bananas, likely harvested from the very same grove. Colourful tropical plants such as hibiscus, lilies, ferns and bamboo make excellent backdrops for couple and family poses.

If you’re creating a banana grove theme at an indoor venue, there are options that are almost as stunning as an outdoor area. Consider renting a realistic-looking photographer’s backdrop of your desired location and dressing it up with accent pieces such as fake or potted palm trees and tropical plants. If you’re able to visit other locations, you may also find a beautiful spot at a local botanical garden, weather permitting.

Budget for a Tropical Banana Grove Wedding

A banana grove-themed wedding can be budget-friendly, depending on where you choose to allocate your funds. If you’re planning a destination wedding in or around an actual banana grove, you may end up spending less total, since your wedding will likely combine the event and the honeymoon all at once. You also may be able to save some cash if you choose less formal wedding attire and plan an outdoor ceremony and reception utilising the natural beauty around you.
If you choose an indoor venue, no matter the location, you can still create the banana grove atmosphere, whether you have a lavish wedding budget or are choosing to spend less. Many of the same cost-saving measure can be implemented, including less formal attire and fresh, simple food. If you have a large budget, you can choose to go big on décor, food and beverages and clothing.

Tropical Banana Grove Inspiration Shoot

Oh tropical wedding inspiration shoots – how I adore you! Creative, colourful, and bursting with warm summer feelings, this banana grove editorial from Jonathan Canlas embodies it all. With fantastic floral design & creative direction from Avery Solmssen of Green Honolulu and coordination by Nichole Weddings & Events, prepare yourself to go bananas for this inspiration shoot!

What amazes me most about this editorial (aside from the gold spray-painted bananas… those are epic) is that it manages to create such a cosy and intimate space outdoors. With a tropical leaf canopy creating the semblance of an indoor space, bistro lights, and a floral chandelier the entire reception set up is a dream. Every single detail in this inspiration shoot works perfectly with the natural, tropical beauty of the banana grove – it’s magical!

Credits: Photography: Jonathan Canlas // Floral Design & Creative Direction: Avery Solmssen of Green Honolulu // Coordination: Nichole Weddings & Events // Paper Goods: Bradley & Lily // Hair & Makeup: Dorys Foltin / Maleana Cosmetics // Dresses: Rebecca Beach & Handmade Dresses By Burgundy Cassiday // Cake: Cake Works // Rentals: Accel Rentals // Banana Grove: Kahuku Farms on Oahu.