How Can I Repurpose My Wedding Flowers
Photo Credit: Karen Ann Photography - Floral Credit: Fleurish Floral Design
Repurposing your flowers - this may be something new that you have never heard of before, or maybe you did hear about it and are looking for some ideas to do so. Either way, I am here to break it down for you. There are many benefits to repurposing your wedding flowers, not only can it save you some money, but it will also be a way to give back. It can be so heartbreaking to think all these beautiful flowers that meant so much to your special day, just go to waste at the end of the night. Am I right? Well, I am here to tell you they don’t have to go to waste. Let’s make sure you give them a good purpose or repurpose.
Versatile Arrangements
When planning your wedding work with your wedding planner and florist to come up with arrangements ideas that can be used in multiple ways throughout your wedding day. Whether you choose to do an arch or large scale arrangements with lots of visual impact, think of how you might be able to use them more than once in your wedding décor. For example, often times couples will have beautiful ceremony arch and aisle floral décor that we repurpose inside their reception space either at their sweetheart table, cake table or in other highly trafficked places around the space so that they are pulling double duty and your guests and you get to enjoy them over and over again throughout your day. Having versatile floral arrangements is not only more budget friendly when it comes to flower décor but it’s also creative and inventive and better for the environment. It’s a win-win!
Photo Credit: Hazel Lining Photography - Floral Credit: Fleurish Floral Design
Donating for a good cause
A great way to give back to the community, after your wedding, is to look for a local church, nursing home, hospital or women's shelter where you can donate all the flowers. Flowers always put a smile on peoples faces and what better way to give back to others then by bringing them joy?
There are actually even wonderful businesses out there who can help you pre-arrange floral donations and can deliver them to your desired location. One of those companies that I love working with is called Forget Me Knot. This thoughtful and wonderful business comes to your venue, once the wedding is over and picks up all the florals from your wedding. They then take them to their desired location or break them down into new small floral arrangements that their team takes to local hospitals and nursing homes to brighten patients days. They can even provide you with a printed letter letting your guests know that you plan to repurpose your flowers for a good cause and, they will even provide you with appropriate documentation for tax purposes for your charitable donation. This is such a thoughtful way to ensure your wedding florals are being put to good use after your wedding. As a wedding planner, I highly recommend this option because it’s something you can truly feel good about.
Options for The DIY-er
Dried flowers and greenery have become pretty popular these days. Basically, you can dry out your bouquet or arrangements and then use them all-around your home. For example, bunching up left over eucalyptus to hang in your shower is a great way to add some rejuvenation to your daily shower routine. Eucalyptus has great benefits and plus, it smells wonderful! One of my personal favorites. Create your own soap or candles with the left over dried up petals or create other fun craft projects with them. You can even give them away as Mother's Day or Christmas gifts which is a fun way to bring back all the memories of your special day! If you are a DIY-er there are so many options out there. Check out Pinterest, the options and ideas are endless.
Photo Credit: Morgan Taylor Artistry - Floral Credit: Fleurish Floral Design
Bouquet Preservation
If you want to keep your bouquet after your wedding, there are great options out there to get your florals preserved or redesigned for a new use. Some companies I recommend for this:
The Heirloom Bouquet - You mail your bouquet to them right after your wedding and they will dismantle your bouquet and redesign it as a work of art that they photograph (while your flowers are still beautifully intact). Then send you a framed photo of a breakdown of your bouquet to hang on a wall in your home. It’s modern, artistic and beautiful! And, it preserves the memory of your lovely flowers.
The Pressed Bouquet Shop - Similarly to the last option, you would mail your florals in to this company where they can turn your bouquet into custom pieces for your home such as a resin ring trays, decorative display trays, coasters or even just as a framed piece of art. Creative, beautiful and useful and will be a timeless reminder of your special day!
Leigh Florist - This option also would require you to send in your florals, immediately after the wedding, to be preserved in it’s intact state and arranged in a shadow box or terrarium along with other wedding mementos such as your shoes, vows or wedding invitations. This is such a sweet way to preserve your memories!
There are so many great options to choose from so pick the one that really make your heart happy to see over and over again in your home.
I hope reading some of these options has helped and inspired you on how you can repurpose, reuse and rethink your wedding day florals. There are so many great ways to extend their beauty and share that beauty with others so make sure your wedding day flowers don’t go to waste.
Happy Planning,
Naticia
