Candles, lanterns, and floral displays along the pool’s perimeter double as safety measures and stylish décor. You can also personalize the area with monogrammed flower installations or by painting your initials at the pool’s bottom. Want to go further? Floating elements—like blossoms, petals, or lanterns—will brighten the setting while discouraging impromptu dips.
Need ideas? Here’s how 15 real-life couples beautifully transformed their venue pools into unforgettable features of their wedding celebrations.
01. Go All Natural
At a cocktail hour beside the pool at Beaulieu Garden in Napa Valley, California, lanterns crafted from natural materials shielded tall pillar candles from evening breezes, blending practicality with elegance.
02. Choose Coral and Citrus
Vivid pink and orange florals added lively energy to this Indian and Western fusion wedding in California. The arrangements lined the pool, complemented by glass hurricane candles glowing softly at dusk.
03. Add Orange Appeal
For this Hindu-Christian, Wes Anderson-inspired wedding, the bride’s directive was clear: “Marigolds everywhere.” The iconic orange blooms, symbols of love in India, even floated across the ceremony pool.
04. Create a Pool Deck Garden
At The Pearl Hotel in Point Loma, San Diego, Natalie and Steven transformed the pool deck into a vibrant, floral-filled reception. The garden-inspired setup featured muted rainbow blooms echoing the eclectic furniture and fabrics.
05. Add Twinkling Candlelight
In Joshua Tree, earthy tones defined this poolside celebration. Long dining tables bordered the water, where dozens of pillar candles, enclosed in hurricanes, cast romantic reflections through the night.
06. Adorn a Backyard Pool
This Lake Geneva wedding, inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night, used floating florals and wooden lanterns to add whimsical color to the pool—a stunning visual during cocktail hour.
07. Pack It With Petals
A vibrant floral canopy set the tone for this San Miguel de Allende celebration. Below, the turquoise pool was filled with hot pink petals, tying the entire reception design together.
08. Make an Initial Impression
At Corey Golden’s wedding in Westhampton Beach, personalized details included the couple’s initials, formed with flowers and floating in her grandparents’ pool—a charming, sentimental nod.
09. Put the Music in Motion
Unexpected rain brought a tented backup plan to this English garden wedding. Musicians performed from mini platforms floating in the pool, surrounded by hanging greenery and moody drapes.
10. Go Above and Beyond
At La Fortaleza in Mallorca, a mirrored aisle spanned the courtyard water features. Warm-toned florals and old-world architecture brought romance to this European destination wedding.
11. Install Overhead Lighting
A Palm Springs disco-inspired bash featured clear acrylic chairs reflecting the aqua pool tiles. Overhead, feathered lanterns and disco balls completed the fun, retro-chic theme.
12. Create a Custom Candle Layout
This maximalist Guatemalan wedding brought vibrant colors poolside. Over the water, suspended frames held dozens of flickering candles, with multicolored roses lining the pool’s border.
13. Spell It Out
After more than a decade together, Christina and Cam celebrated their Big Sur wedding with humor and heart. Oversized floating letters in the pool spelled out their engagement mantra for all to see.
14. Make It Personal
At Angela and Justin’s Riviera Maya destination wedding, the venue surprised the couple by painting their custom wedding logo onto the bottom of the pool—an unforgettable gesture.
15. Add Romantic Lighting
At this Malaga, Spain wedding, deep green pool water reflected surrounding vines and dramatic tropical plants. As night fell, dozens of floating lanterns bathed the space in romantic, ambient light.
