Weddings bring out the creativity in many of us. No matter where our aesthetics lie, it’s easy to find beauty in nature’s colors and flora. Naturally, we kick things up a notch when it comes to décor and flowers. It can be disheartening to imagine all those gorgeous arrangements going to waste, but fear not – some smart steps can help you find new homes for those leftover blooms.
Crafting Ideas for Crafty-Minded Couples
DIYers may look at their leftover flowers and see plenty of crafting opportunities. Writing for Bustle, Annakeara Stinson discusses drying flowers, a timeless and deceptively simple art form that lets you keep and preserve your bouquets. Stinson mentions a simple technique: Gather your flowers into bunches and hang them upside down from hooks. The Old Farmer’s Almanac also offers detailed instructions plus a quick guide to the varieties that are easiest to dry and dry the best.
Buzzfeed’s Gyan Yankovich has plenty of suggestions for using your dried blooms: scented room sprays, floral confetti, bath salts, and framed pressed displays. Pressing is just another way of drying your flowers, except they’re permanently flattened and preserved in a book. Allow several days for the process to complete, and check on your drying flowers regularly.
More Flower Preservation Options
Perhaps you don’t have the room or time for storing and crafting from your leftover flowers. Thankfully, there are professionals who can do it for you. Stinson mentions floral preservation companies that freeze or dry blooms for displaying in your home. Most of these firms are locally based, and some may specialize in both gown and flower preservation. As always, check feedback from past customers and be sure you understand what services you’re getting before you sign anything or spend money.
Free to Good Homes: Giving Away Your Bouquets
Maybe you don’t want to keep your floral arrangements at all. No worries – you can always donate them. Your two options are giving them away yourself or offering them to a charitable organization.
Country Living suggests creating bunches to give out to your guests or your vendors’ staff. You can also skip the rearranging part and send them home as-is, says Stinson. Remember that your florist will want its vases back, so make sure you request plastic liners for transporting the bouquets. Keep in mind that giving arrangements away may not be practical for attendees from out of town. And just to be safe, don’t forget to get the green light from your vendors before regifting flowers to their employees.
If you prefer to go the charity route, Here Comes the Guide lists several organizations that accept leftover bouquets. National charities include Repeat Roses and Random Acts of Flowers. Bloomerent is a nationwide marketplace that lets two close-by events share flower arrangements. Thinking outside of the box, you can also gift your arrangements to crisis shelters, hospitals, or long-term care facilities. However, don’t expect to show up at their doors with 20 centerpieces in tow – you’ll need to call them ahead of time to secure your donation.
Giving Your Old Flowers New Life
Couples are more mindful of their consumption and waste, especially when planning their nuptials. And who wants to trek home with a couple dozen arrangements after a busy day of festivities? Crafting with your arrangements, opting for professional preservation, or giving them away are all good ideas.
In the weeks before you tie the knot, don’t forget to work donation, preservation, or disposal of your flowers into your plans. Carefully consider your options, and choose the best ones for your situation. And finally, reach out to the appropriate organizations well in advance to schedule your pick-ups or drop-offs.
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