Sustainable Wedding Flowers: How to Reduce Floral Waste

Weddings are one of the most beautiful days of your life. But behind the scenes, they're also one of the most wasteful. From catering to décor, single-day events generate a surprising amount of waste, and flowers are no exception. The good news is that with a little intention and planning, your wedding florals don't have to come at a cost to the environment.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to reduce floral waste without sacrificing the wedding of your dreams.

Make a plan
By deciding how many floral pieces you need and how many flowers you’ll need to create them, you’re already making huge strides towards reducing waste. You’ll also be saving yourself a lot of last-minute stress by knowing you have what you need.

Be thoughtful about your materials
Put some thought into what will happen to your containers like vases, candles, and runners after your wedding is over.  Look into renting things like decor, vases, or candleholders and make use of what your venue already has. Second-hand vessels are also a great option and can be borrowed from friends, thrifted, or shopped on places like Marketplace.

Repurpose when possible
Ceremony pieces like aisle runners or ground arrangements can be reused at the reception and attendant bouquets can be used on cocktail tables or around the space.

Decide What will Happen with Leftovers
Send centerpieces home with guests, pass on candles or vases to a friend to reuse in another wedding, sell things online, and organize compost pickup. Centerpieces can be donated to assisted living homes, churches or community centers.

Compost When Possible
Fresh floral product (greens, stems, petals, flowers) can be composted as long as it is free from wire, tape and floral foam.

Your wedding day is a celebration and with a little planning, your flowers can be part of something that feels good long after the last dance. Small choices add up, and every stem counts. 

For more on how to DIY your wedding flowers be sure to check out our beginner-friendly DIY Floral Guides