Post-Wedding Blooms: What's Next?

Flowers are a beautiful addition to any wedding, but what happens to them after the big day? Well, it's up to you! You could donate them to a nursing home, hospital, or church, or let guests take them home. You could also preserve them by drying, pressing, waxing, or freeze-drying them, or by using silica gel or resin. Alternatively, you could give them to a professional flower preserver, or turn them into something new, like jewellery, candles, or bath salts.

Donate to a hospital or nursing home

Donating your wedding flowers to a hospital or nursing home is a wonderful way to spread joy to those in need of a smile and brighten their spaces. Flowers have been proven to have health benefits for seniors, easing depression, inspiring social networking, and refreshing memory.

There are several organizations that can help you donate your wedding flowers to hospitals and nursing homes. These organizations recycle, reuse, and repurpose flowers, creating smaller arrangements to place on bedside tables. Some of these organizations are:

• Random Acts of Flowers: This organization is present in several cities across the United States, including Chicago, Knoxville, Pinellas, and Silicon Valley. They create repurposed bouquets for local healthcare facilities to increase emotional well-being and mental health. They also recycle all materials.
• Repeat Roses: A nationwide organization that collects flowers from weddings and creates new arrangements to donate.
• Petals With Purpose: A Florida-based charity that accepts flower donations and creates new arrangements.
• Flower Angels USA: Based in Massachusetts, this charity collects and repurposes wedding flowers to donate to those in need.
• Floranthropy: Operating in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, Texas, this Christian-based charitable organization collects flowers from weddings and events and takes them to area assisted living homes, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.
• ReVased: ReVased coordinates the donation of event flowers to local charities, including hospitals and nursing homes. They also provide a donation acknowledgment receipt, which can be used for tax deduction purposes.
• Bouquets of Aloha: Located in Maui, Hawaii, this organization recycles donated flowers, restyling them into bouquets for delivery to seniors in nursing homes and senior centers.

If there are no specialized organizations in your area, you can also contact your local hospital or nursing home directly to see if they would accept a flower donation. It is best to call ahead to ensure that your donation will be welcomed.

Give them to guests as favours

Flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding, but what happens to them after the big day? Well, one option is to give them to guests as favours. This is a great way to show your guests how much you appreciate them and it also gives them a tangible reminder of your special day.

If you're going to give flowers to your guests as favours, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the size of the flowers. Mini plant favours are not only adorable, but they're also more affordable and easier to transport. You can also give out bud vases filled with blooms, or even just the stems themselves. If you want to get really creative, you can make flower crowns for your guests to wear during the wedding and then take home as a memento.

Another option is to give out seeds or bulbs as favours. This is a unique and interactive favour that your guests can plant and grow themselves. You can even get creative with the packaging and use it as an opportunity to display your guests' seating assignments.

If you're looking for something a little more low-maintenance, you could opt for faux flowers. These can be gifted as-is or incorporated into other favours, like a wreath, a picture frame, or a piece of jewellery. That way, your guests can enjoy the beauty of the flowers without having to worry about keeping them alive.

Finally, don't forget about the power of a simple bouquet. You can set up a bouquet station at your wedding reception, where guests can create their own arrangements to take home. This is a great way to let your guests choose flowers that speak to them and it also ensures that the flowers won't go to waste.

Press and frame them

Pressing your wedding flowers is a great way to preserve your bouquet and create a unique piece of art to display in your home. Here are some tips on how to press and frame your wedding flowers:

Choosing Flowers to Press

Not all flowers press well, so it's important to select the right blooms for pressing. Choose flowers that are fresh, flat, and dry. Fresh flowers will ensure that the colours stay vibrant and prevent browning. Flat flowers, such as pansies or daisies, press better than spherical ones like roses. If you have round blooms, you can cut them in half or press the individual petals. Make sure the flower heads are free from water droplets to avoid mould.

Supplies for Pressing Flowers

You will need the following supplies for pressing your wedding flowers:

• Trimmer or scissors to remove unnecessary parts like thorns and leaves.
• Paper to absorb water from the flowers as they dry. Coffee filters, parchment paper, printer paper, thin cardboard, or untreated facial tissue work well. Avoid textured paper towels as they can leave imprints.
• Buffer, such as a book or cardboard, to create a layer between the paper and the weight.
• Weight, like a stack of books or anything else heavy and flat, to apply pressure and help preserve the flowers.
• Tweezers to handle the delicate dried blooms.

How to Press Flowers from a Bouquet

• Prepare your flowers by trimming off the stems, thorns, and any leaves or petals you don't want to press.
• Place your flowers between layers of paper, choosing which side of the flower will be at the back. Get the flowers as flat as possible to avoid any bent or folded parts.
• Put your buffer over and under the flowers to protect them and keep them flat. Slide the paper into the pages of a heavy book or between pieces of cardboard.
• Set your weight on top and leave it in a flat, level place.
• Check on your flowers regularly and change the paper every few days to prevent moulding.

How to Speed up the Drying Process

If you want to speed up the drying process, you can gently add a heat source. Here are two methods to try:

• Microwave: Use two ceramic tiles as a mini-press and follow the same steps as above. Microwave for 30-second increments, checking on your flowers each time. Once they feel slightly dry, finish pressing your blooms for a couple of days.
• Iron: Place your flowers between parchment paper and use the highest setting on your iron without steam. Press for 10-15 seconds, lifting the iron carefully to check on the petals. Let the flowers finish drying by pressing them for a couple of days.

Framing Your Pressed Flowers

Once your flowers are pressed and dried, it's time to frame them! Here are some tips:

• Use a white background or clear glass to showcase your blooms.
• Arrange your flowers in a pleasing composition, perhaps with your wedding invitation or other mementos.
• Secure the flowers to the back of the frame with glue or double-sided tape if needed.
• Display your framed flowers in your home as a beautiful reminder of your special day.

Make potpourri

Making potpourri from your wedding flowers is a great way to preserve your bouquet and centrepieces as a meaningful memento. The process is simple, requiring only a few additional ingredients and materials. Here is a step-by-step guide to making potpourri from your wedding flowers:

Step 1: Drying the Flowers

Collect the flowers you wish to use for your potpourri and allow them to air dry. You can also dry the flowers in an oven at a low temperature (around 93°C or as cool as your oven will go) for one to two hours. Another option is to use silica gel, a drying agent found in craft stores, which is quicker and less messy than air-drying.

Step 2: Preparing the Flowers

Once your flowers are dry, remove the petals and place them in a bowl or container. You can also experiment with using whole roses or rosebuds. If you are using roses, it is recommended to pick or purchase untreated, fragrant, homegrown roses or scented English garden roses, as many shop-bought roses have been genetically modified to remove their scent and are often sprayed with pesticides.

Step 3: Adding Fragrance

To enhance the scent of your potpourri, add a few drops of essential oil. Scents like rose, lavender, honeysuckle, lemon, orange, and cinnamon are popular choices. You can also add spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, or star anise, or dried herbs like rosemary, peppermint, and lavender.

Step 4: Adding a Fixative (Optional)

To make your potpourri last longer, you can add a fixative like orris root powder, which will help retain the fragrance. Fixatives can make up to a quarter of your potpourri mix. Simply mix in one tablespoon of fixative for every two cups of dried flowers and other materials.

Step 5: Mixing and Displaying

Gently mix the dried flowers, fragrance, and fixative (if using) in a bowl. You can also add decorative elements like cloves or eucalyptus leaves. After mixing, display your potpourri in a jar or bowl without a lid so that the scent can permeate the room. You can also create sachets with small fabric bags or handkerchiefs filled with your potpourri mix to scent drawers, wardrobes, or storage boxes.

Your wedding flower potpourri should retain its scent for a few months and can be refreshed by adding a few more drops of essential oil. Enjoy your homemade potpourri and the memories it holds!

Create a bouquet station at the wedding

A bouquet station is a great way to add a personal and unique touch to your wedding. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a bouquet station at your wedding:

Planning and Setup:

• Location and Space: Choose a location for the bouquet station that is easily accessible and has enough space for guests to move around and assemble their bouquets. A large table or multiple tables can be set up to accommodate the flowers, supplies, and guests.
• Flowers and Fillers: Select a variety of flowers and fillers in different colours, sizes, and textures to give your guests options for customisation. Consider the season and choose flowers that are in bloom and will hold up well. You can source flowers from local florists, flower markets, or even your own garden.
• Supplies: Ensure you have all the necessary supplies on hand, including floral scissors or snips, floral tape, floral wire or twine, ribbons or lace, pins or corsage pins, buckets or vases for the flowers, and a large roll of kraft paper for wrapping the bouquets.
• Signage: Create signage to guide your guests through the process. A "Bouquet Bar" or "Create Your Own Bouquet" sign can be a fun addition, along with chalkboard signs or framed art with instructions.
• Theming: Consider a theme for your bouquet station to tie everything together. For example, you could name the flower bundles after specialty cocktails, as mentioned in the Keira Lennox article, or go for a rustic theme with twine and brown paper wrapping.

During the Wedding:

• Timing: Choose a time during the wedding when guests will have enough time to enjoy creating their bouquets. This could be during the cocktail hour, as a pre-wedding activity, or even as a take-home gift after the wedding.
• Assistance: Have a few helpers at the station to guide guests, especially if you have a large number of attendees. They can provide suggestions for flower combinations, assist with wrapping, and ensure the station stays organised.
• Instructions: Provide clear and simple instructions for guests to follow. You can also offer a few pre-made examples to inspire their creations.
• Music and Refreshments: Create a fun atmosphere with some soft music and refreshments nearby. This can enhance the overall experience and make it a memorable activity for your guests.

A bouquet station is a wonderful way to involve your guests in a creative and hands-on activity. It adds a unique and personalised touch to your wedding, and your guests will cherish the experience and their beautiful creations.

Frequently asked questions