Why You SHOULDN'T Use Pampas Grass for Your Couples' Events
/Hot and Controversial Take: If a couple wants to use pampas grass for their event, JUST SAY NO.
And florists, venues, and event designers: this is going to be VERY important for you.
Let’s take it back: If you’re new here, I’m Caroline, and by day I’m a full blown lawyer, and by night/ weekends/ whenever else, I founded the Engaged Legal Collective for templates and education on legal ish for my wedding and events crowd.
And today, we’re talking about a HUGE blinking red sign that’s crossed my desk no less than three times this quarter (and it’s only May):
PAMPAS GRASS IS DANGEROUS.
I’ll explain.
What is Pampas Grass?
The “official definition:”
“Cortaderia selloana is a species of flowering plant in the Poaceae family. It is referred to by the common name pampas grass, and is native to southern South America, including the Pampas region after which it is named”
Basically, it’s the floofy, boho-looking grass that we see gracing the pages of wedding magazines and styled shoots. Popular in the 70s, it’s exploded again in popularity, especially for wedding and event decor.
Why is Pampas Grass Bad?
Before the Pampas Grass lobby comes for me, Pampas grass isn’t inherently bad. It’s beautiful! It’s not super-duper expensive! You can get it shipped months in advance, unlike flowers!
The issue is that it is very unsafe.
Let me explain.
When you or your couple buys Pampas Grass, it comes dried. It’s a dried plant. There is no moisture in it. And dried plants without moisture are mostly made of highly-combustible materials. Think about a Christmas Tree after New Years— if you light that thing on fire, it goes up like a firecracker.
Pampas grass is the same.
Think about how wildfires start and grow so quickly, so dangerously. It’s the dry, dead grasses that catch sparks and burst into fast-moving flames.
Additionally, Pampas grass is considered an invasive species, which means it comes in, takes over, and kills native plants. So that part is, I suppose, inherently bad.
Why is Pampas Grass so Dangerous in Event Decor?
As I mentioned before, Pampas grass isn’t necessarily evil. The issue pops up when we combine Pampas grass with candles.
Many event designers rely on candles to give an ethereal glow to a room. Candlelight sets the MOOD.
But combine candle flames with gorgeous installations made of extra flammable materials? We’re literally playing with fire.
Whether or not the candles are in votives, a single spark from the flicker of a candle can send an entire arrangement of Pampas grass up in smoke almost instantly. Pampas grass doesn’t just “catch on fire”— it goes full blown Katniss Everdeen “Girl on Fire” in Hunger Games:
Ok Sounds like something we should be aware of, but you’re overreacting.
Look, I love a boho theme as much as anyone else does. But I’ve seen THREE weddings that have had massive fire damage due to Pampas grass catching on fire just this quarter. I heard about one venue that burnt to the ground after a Pampas grass installation caught on fire, Thats millions of dollars in damage and a wedding night that they will never get to relive.
And while I can’t share any specific details about legal cases involving Pampas grass that I have from my “day job,” try this article, about a bride’s pampas grass bouquet that caught on fire when she put her bouquet down for her first dance.
So what’s the risk?
The risk is getting sued for negligence by either:
1) the couple
2) the venue, or
3) a guest (for injury/ death)
If you’re involved in arranging a Pampas grass install, floral arrangement, or if you are someone who lights candles, your neck is on the line. Even if you aren’t one of those individuals, you can get named in a lawsuit (and you’ll have to hire a lawyer to get you out of it, even if you’re not at fault).
Why are you at risk?
Because when insurance companies are dealing with claims, they name everyone and cut people out as they get deeper into the case. They cast a wide initial net and then slowly focus in on who can get them money. Be prepared to be named as a defendant in that lawsuit.
So… what do we do if our couples demand Pampas Grass?
This is where you are going to need to put those “big kid panties” on.
Venues: I recommend that you simply disallow Pampas grass and dried grasses in the same room as candles. You are the ones with the most to lose, and if a venue burns down, you are out of revenue generation for months or years.
Florists: Discourage your couples from Pampas grass by educating them. You are the expert here, and you need to show them the risks involved. If they demand the Pampas grass, require that they have event insurance and that they name each vendor as an additional insured.
Event Designers: Tell them that they can use either Pampas grass OR candles. They can’t use both. If they need an explanation, tell them that it is too much of a fire risk. And for the love of all things holy, don’t let someone come around last minute and place candles next to Pampas grass installs.
⭐And Generally, for ALL Event Pros: Any vendor involved in a wedding should ALWAYS have:
1) A liability waiver
2) an indemnity clause
3) a requirement that the couple purchase event insurance, and
4) your OWN general liability insurance.
Good thing I know where you can get a contract template with each of those clauses AREADY written in! 😜 (shameless self plug )
TL;DR: Pampas grass is a fun fad, but it’s not worth the risk to your business and the couple’s event. Just say NO to the Pampas grass— and say YES to keeping you and your couple and their guests safe!
