What do you with your flowers after the wedding is over?

Good morning and good day folks! To continue our flower theme this week, we want to touch on a subject that sneaks up on us after every event, but gets little attention; what to do with your flowers after your wedding has been celebrated. Nobody wants to waste the chance to showcase beautiful flowers, whether in a wedding, at a rehearsal dinner, or even a bridal shower. Luckily, there are multiple ways to get every last possible use of your beautiful arrangements and floral accents.

1.      Donate to a nursing home near you. There are so many nursing homes more than willing to embrace your beautiful leftover floral décor! If you’re unsure whether or not the nursing home in your area will do so, simply check their website or give them a call.

2.      Flower recycling organizations and charities.  Believe it or not, there are non-profit organizations and charities whose sole purpose is to repurpose your leftover flowers. For example, Random Acts of Flowers is a non-profit organization dedicated to recycling and preserving the environment in a manageable and beneficial way. They deliver flower arrangements to individuals in healthcare facilities throughout the country, and even reuse materials the flowers come to them in; vases, ribbons, baskets, stands, moss, etc. Their mission is to spread joy by means of gorgeous bouquets—and what better way than helping to preserve the environment simultaneously?!

3.      Your own house décor. If you’re upset at the thought of dumping all your flowers in the compost after walking through a wonderland of petals on your special day, we recommend you carry on the dream throughout your week! Garlands, centerpieces, and pretty much any use of flowers you had on your wedding day can be used again in your own house. You can take the original arrangements apart and use your household vases, or simply use the same arrangements, just transport them to various locations throughout your house and garden.

4.      Repurpose your own bouquets as gifts. Instead of buying flowers for a friend or loved one, it’s easy (and much more cost efficient) to create a beautiful flower arrangement with your leftover flowers. Not only can you make a whole new bouquet, but you can add petal accents on baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and pies when food is your gift of choice!

Whether it’s through one of the ideas we’ve listed here or one of your own ideas, there are so many various ways you can utilize your beautiful flowers after your day has been celebrated. We encourage you to recycle and take advantage of the gorgeous natural elements you put so much work into for your wedding day! 

Photo by Melissa Kilner Photography, Flowers provided by Metropolitan Market

Hosting a (Traditional) Rehearsal Dinner

As if planning a wedding isn’t enough work, tradition forces us to plan a rehearsal dinner as well. But have no fear! After everything you’ve planned, the rehearsal dinner is a simple last step. Here are a few key etiquette tips to keep in mind when planning a traditional rehearsal dinner.

Hosts: The Groom’s parents traditionally host the rehearsal dinner, but as always with weddings, there is room for change. The idea behind this is that the Bride’s family is hosting the wedding so the Groom’s family hosts the rehearsal dinner.

Invitations: Can be much less formal then your wedding invitation and should be sent about four weeks before the rehearsal. Be sure to include the rehearsal information and timing for those who need to attend both that and the dinner.

Guests: Should include the obvious, wedding party, family (especially out of town family) and close friends. The rehearsal dinner should include more than just those who have to attend the wedding rehearsal but should still be a smaller guest list then that of the wedding day.

Toasts: Are prefect for a rehearsal dinner! This is a great way to include more than the standard best man and maid of honor toasts. It also gives a chance for those not in the wedding party to say a few words about the happy couple.

Gifts: Are optional but the rehearsal dinner is a great time for the bride and groom to give gifts to their bridal party and/or family! This night is much more intimate and calm then the wedding day and may be the best time to thank everyone in your wedding personally. Guests on the other hand, should not bring gifts to the couple at the rehearsal dinner.

How to use flowers in your wedding!

Happy Tuesday! A common struggle in the wedding business is finding the right representation of your chosen flowers in your wedding.  Therefore, in celebration of our flower theme this week, we are going to delve into a few creative ways to incorporate flowers in your wedding that is unique to your individual personality.

1.       Flower rounds.                                                                                     One gorgeous and elegant way to display your chosen flowers in your wedding is crafting a flower round.  These can be used in the ceremony as a backdrop during vows, near your dessert/cake table, and throughout your venue in various groupings wherever you desire.  These are a versatile and easy way to give a touch of floral anywhere you want.

2.      Flower chandeliers. Instead of using of a typical candle chandelier, why not adorn a few chandeliers in flowers? This introduces color overhead to create a soft ambience, muting the bright effect of a classic chandelier. If you’re aiming for that dreamy effect on your special day, this is the perfect avenue to create it!

3.      Hanging vases. If a flower chandelier is more your speed, then a few hanging vases here are an exceptional addition. You can line the aisle of your ceremony area with low hooks strong enough to support small vases or something even more creative, like teacups or mason jars.   

4.      Flower garlands. Flower garlands are something that have been around for hundreds of years, but aren’t utilized as often in this day and age. It’s a shame, because you can drape a flower garland is nearly any area of a venue! You can use them in your ceremony trellis as a backdrop for your vows, above doorframes, on outdoor gazebo structures, or along railings. The possibilities are endless!

Photo by Linda Kahle. Flowers by Sal Floral Design

5.      Flower crowns. If you’re looking for a way to incorporate flowers into your attire on your special day, flower crowns are a fashionable addition to any bridal party.  This integrates an earthy and natural beauty to your already gorgeous line up of dresses.

Photo by L. Cloawson Photography

6.      Pressed flowers. Something a little more intimate for a smaller wedding is including one or two pressed flowers in your programs. Not only does this showcase your signature flower, but guests will be filled with adoration when they see you’ve taken the time to add that personal touch.     

There are so many different and fun possibilities to present the flowers of your choice on your wedding day. We hope these ideas either come in handy the day you tie the knot, or ignite an original idea to make your day gorgeous and memorable!