“Let’s be real, flowers are expensive!” says Melanie Levin, owner of LuckEleven Events. “The best way to cut down your floral budget is to repurpose flowers from your ceremony to your reception.” Here, industry pros share their secrets.
Use your altar as a photo backdrop
“My favorite way to repurpose floral is utilizing your altar install during your reception. Whether it’s a backdrop for an Instagram-worthy photo moment, or utilizing the half-moon shape of floral you got married in front of to frame your sweetheart table, the possibilities are endless.”
—Ashley Lachney, Owner of Alston Mayger Events
Repurpose aisle décor for cocktail tables
“We love to reuse as much from the ceremony as we can, seeing that most ceremonies are 30 minutes or less. Aisle decor can easily be repurposed on cocktail tables or in front of a sweetheart table, and larger pieces can be used at entrances to the reception, behind the head table or around the cake table. Flower can cost a lot, so the more times you can repurpose your wedding flowers on your wedding day, the better!”
—Jamie, Cape Cod Celebrations
Use your bouquets as extra décor
“Reuse bridesmaid bouquets that will otherwise be discarded onto a table and never seen again in vases at the bar, dessert table, or even throughout the head table centerpieces.”
—Melanie Levin, Owner of LuckEleven Events
Use tall centerpieces for aisle décor and reception pedestals
“Tall centerpieces can sometimes be used for both the aisle decor for the ceremony and then moved to a different pedestal for the reception on the tables.”
—Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning
Turn them into a keepsake
“Instead of throwing away your beautiful wedding day flowers, let us turn them into a forever keepsake so that you can display in your home or gift your family and bridal party.”
—Bloomsake
Potentially share florals with another wedding
“Work closely with your planner, florist, and venue to see if there are any weddings at the same venue on either side of your big day — is it worth sharing the florals? Can your florist maybe use the same flowers and re-jig them? In any case, the simple fact that you are thinking about this is a great step, do what feels right for you.”
—Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, La Fête
Use dried or silk bouquets for your wedding
“Dried and silk bouquets are such a great and eco-friendly choice for a couple on their wedding day. And the great thing is that you can keep this bouquet forever! Utilize it as a centerpiece in your home, surrounded by your beautiful wedding images. Yes, even the boutonniere is dried, too!”
—Vanessa Hicks Photography
Give floral arrangements to your guests
“Another option would be to have your planner gather all floral arrangements ready for all guests to take with them as they leave. That way, your guests can enjoy your wedding for days to come still!”
—Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, La Fête
Move florals from ceremony to reception space during cocktail hour
“We love getting the most out of wedding day florals when it makes sense to the design! One way we often encourage couples to do this is to repurpose ceremony florals to their sweetheart table, cake table, or even to the front of either a stage or DJ set-up. Moving things while guests are at cocktail hour allows plenty of time for this switch and can be done behind the scenes so no one even knows.”
—Danielle and Hannah, Joyfully Gathered
Disassemble large pieces into smaller décor
“We’ve disassembled over-the-top ceremony arches to become table runner centerpieces, or even stage décor. We have seen bouquets tied to the back of head table chairs to gussy them up a bit, or utilized in bathrooms to soften. Even greenery swags can be shifted to a variety of locations. The options are endless so work with your florist and planner to get creative!”
—Nora Sheils, Founder Bridal Bliss and Co-Founder of Rock Paper Coin
Repurpose them for an after-wedding brunch
“With all of the time, energy, and budget spent carefully selecting wedding florals, repurposing your arrangements is not only sustainable, but cost efficient. You can repurpose florals following the wedding as centerpieces for an after-wedding brunch.”
—HoneyFitz Events
Partner with a non-profit to deliver florals to a hospice or nursing home
“Lastly, there are services available either through your florist or a separate non-profit company who will come to your reception at teardown time, pack up the florals, and deliver to a hospice or nursing home facility.”
—Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning
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