What to do with your flowers after the wedding

Did you know that flowers are one of the top five most expensive items couples book for their wedding day? According to a recent survey, after the venue, couples spend the most on a wedding dress, a band/DJ, a photographer/videographer, and then – the florist. 

After all, florals have the ability to set the mood for the day, whether they’re proudly displaying your carefully picked wedding colours, adding a personalised touch or transforming your otherwise bare venue into a vibrant, beautiful space.

So, when the morning after your wedding dawns, you’re wrecked and disappointed when all of those lovely flowers are destined for the bin – but they don’t have to be. We’ve saved you the trouble of researching and found the best ways to preserve or repurpose your floral arrangements after the big day. Here are your options…

Pressed flower frame

Turn your wedding florals into art by having your fresh flowers pressed between glass in a lovely picture frame. There are some talented creatives here in Ireland who offer this service, with gorgeous, bespoke designs flooding their portfolios. 

Keep in mind that this option usually requires sending the bouquet within 2-5 days after the wedding, so be sure to book this in advance to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Once you send off your bouquet, there’s typically a two to three-month turnaround – which gives you plenty of time to go on your honeymoon, and receive this stunning reminder of your big day after the wedding hype dies down. It’s the perfect piece to display your wedding bouquet in a modern way.

If you’re looking local, here are a few Irish suppliers:

• Síog Botanicals
• Pressed Flowers by Nell
• The Flower Bandits
• Flower Beauty Floral Art
• Eleme Creations

Shadowbox

If you’re seeking a more sentimental option, a shadowbox is a great way to not only preserve your flowers but a few key wedding elements altogether (ie your wedding stationery, menu, cake topper, etc).

And you don’t have to worry about it looking too cheesy; there are plenty of gorgeous, modern options out there on Etsy alongside local florists (pictured above is SIÓG Botanicals). Most suppliers will work with you on your preferred style and help create a tasteful shadowbox that you can then proudly display on your wedding wall or living room shelf. 

Tip: If you want to save money, you can have a go at creating a shadowbox yourself. They have some really affordable frames on Amazon or art shops online.

Resin

As a truly unique option, you can handpick a selection of your favourite flowers and turn them into a functional masterpiece by preserving them in resin. This could include anything from a living room tray and coasters, to book ends, to jewellery.

Take a browse through Pinterest for some inspiration, and then once you’ve decided on your option, there is a range of suppliers, both at home and abroad, to choose from online and on Etsy.

Note: If you’re choosing a supplier outside of Ireland, make sure to ask about customs fees, as these can often be a ‘surprise’ cost when your finished item arrives.

Repurpose

Another lovely idea I’ve heard is repurposing your wedding flowers in a special way. One bride I know took a few bouquets and laid them on her father’s grave, which was a lovely way to honour him and include him in the celebrations. 

Another bride turned hers into favours for her wedding guests. She set up a small flower wrapping station (aka Bouquet Bar) at the reception with twine, coloured glass vases, etc and encouraged guests to pull from the centrepieces at the end of the night and bring their own arrangements home – that way nothing went to waste.

Remember… a lot of these options require fresh flowers so it’s best to decide which option you want and arrange it ahead of time before the wedding. However, plenty can be done with dried flowers too, so if you have had yours hanging in the closet for a while, don’t despair! A shadowbox or pressed frame is best for older florals.