When couples simply discard flowers after the ceremony, it can create unnecessary waste and regret. Since becoming a wedding flower specialist in 2005, my goal has been to help clients get the most value from their floral budget. In this guide, I’m sharing ways to repurpose your wedding flowers post-ceremony.
How to Repurpose Your Wedding Flowers Post-Ceremony
You can repurpose wedding flowers after the ceremony by preserving or turning them into reception floral arrangements. Another way to give the flowers a second life is to use them as home decor or accessories for DIY keepsakes. You may also donate the flowers to charities and organizations or share the flowers with loved ones.
Many couples aren’t sure how to reuse their flowers after the big event. Not knowing the best ways to repurpose them can lead to missed opportunities. That’s why I’m here to share some creative and effective ideas for transforming your wedding florals into lasting memories and meaningful mementos.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Wedding Flowers After the Ceremony
Repurposing your wedding flowers post-ceremony is a smart and eco-friendly way to continue enjoying their beauty and get the most value from your floral budget. Here are the best ways to do it.
| Ways to Repurpose Wedding Florals | How to Do It |
| Transform into reception flowers | Use the bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces to decorate the reception venue |
| Preserve the arrangements | Dry the flowers and put them in resin |
| Create keepsakes | Use the flowers as materials for home decor, arts and crafts, or jewelry |
| Donate | Donate to charity or organizations like hospitals, nursing homes, hospitals, or hospice care |
| Share the flowers | Give bouquets to friends, family, or guests |
Turn the Flowers Into Reception Arrangements
Another great way to give your bouquets a second life is by using them as decor for your guest card table or head table. While still following your theme, I can arrange the bouquets at the base of a tall centerpiece for a stunning presentation. This will add color and texture to your reception space source.
You may need many flowers for the wedding. Besides adding a beautiful touch to your wedding celebration, repurposing your flowers in this manner can also help you save costs on additional floral arrangements.
Preserve the Florals
As soon as the ceremony is over, begin the preservation process to ensure the flowers maintain their beauty. Some immediate actions include:
- Spritzing flowers with water to prevent dehydration
- Placing flowers in a cool, dry area away from heat and sunlight
- Removing any wilting or damaged petals
Once you’ve taken care of initial preservation, it’s time to choose the most suitable preservation method for your wedding flowers. Some popular methods include:
- Pressing petals in a book
- Hanging the bouquet to air-dry
- Drying flowers using sand or silica gel
Make Keepsakes
These projects can brighten up your space while reminding you of the special day. Here are a few ideas for turning your wedding florals into lovely keepsakes or home decor items after the ceremony.
- Home decor: I love incorporating flowers into my home decor. There are many beautiful ways to do this. For instance, place the bouquet in a vase as a classic centerpiece. Use individual stems to create smaller arrangements for various rooms, or dry the flowers and incorporate them into wreaths or garlands.
- Arts and crafts: Another way I repurpose wedding flowers is by creating art pieces or engaging in craft projects, such as pressing flowers and framing them as wall art. I recommend creating a flower-infused candle or making handmade paper using whimsical flower petals.
- Jewelry: I can turn flowers into resin pendant necklaces, delicate flower petal earrings, or bracelets with dried and preserved blooms. This way, you can carry a piece of your wedding day through beautiful, personalized jewelry.
- Paper weight: Dry the flowers using silica gel or hang them upside down. Place the dried flowers into a clear resin mold.
- Scrapbook or wedding album: Collect and preserve the most memorable flowers from your wedding, then add them to your wedding album or scrapbook. Attach dried flower petals to pages and include quotes, vows, or other meaningful texts.
Donate to Hospitals or Organizations
A study shows that patients generally have a more positive psychological state if there are flowers in their rooms. Another way I repurpose post-wedding ceremony flowers is to donate and deliver them to charities, nursing homes, or hospice care.
- Remove any wilted or damaged blooms.
- Trim the stems and change the water in the vases, if possible.
- Bundle the flowers in a way that keeps them upright and allows for air circulation.
Share the Flowers with Loved Ones
Flower waste hits around 20% from the wholesale level. Instead of letting the beautiful arrangements go to waste after the wedding ceremony, you can spread the joy they brought on your special day by gifting them to your family and friends.
- I can create smaller bouquets or arrangements from the larger pieces, using some ribbon or twine to hold them together. This way, you can easily hand them out as a token of gratitude for the love and support provided by your guests.
- There are people who will wear flowers at the wedding. Offer these reimagined floral gifts as favors for guests who have stayed to help clean up or for those who contributed their time and effort to the DIY wedding decorations.
Related Questions
Why Do You Need to Reuse Wedding Flowers?
You can reuse wedding flowers to minimize waste and save money. Repurposing flowers can allow for a more personal touch and unique aesthetic. You can use your creativity to transform the arrangements into something new and exciting for the reception.
What Does the Bride Do With Her Bouquet After the Ceremony?
After the ceremony, I usually recommend placing the bride’s bouquet in a clear vase to preserve and display it at the reception. This can be done at the head table or near the guest book, adding a personal touch and allowing guests to admire the beautiful arrangement.
What Happens to Floral Arrangements Post-Wedding?
Once the wedding is over, some flowers get discarded right away. This is why you should consider having the flowers professionally preserved or using them in DIY projects. Alternatively, you can donate, share, or reuse the arrangements in receptions or other events.
Conclusion
There are countless ways to give new life to your floral arrangements, whether through preservation, donation, incorporation into DIY projects, or event designing for weddings. Repurposing your wedding flowers post-ceremony is a creative way to make the most of your investment and thoughtful approach to commemorating your special day.
