What To Do With Your Wedding Day Blooms When the Party's Over :(

The wedding blues are quite inevitable. I'm not going to begin by saying I have the cure to them, but I do think I have some ideas that may ease that sadness! And these ideas have to do with your wedding flowers... and all of the creative ways to continue spreading the flower love when your event concludes.

Because fresh flower designs are so time-sensitive, I wanted to provide you with some thoughtful ideas (less brain power for you!) before this detail gets lost in the wedding planning crazy. The last place your flowers belong is the dumpster, and without your wishes expressed, venues and clean up crews can sometimes prematurely resort to the garbage can at the conclusion of a long event day. By the end of your wedding day, a majority of your flowers likely still have some wonderful life left. Let's explore some options!

I'm Allison, the owner of Pictured Petals, a floral design company based in Colorado. I specialize in weddings & events, creating florals beyond your wildest dreams! I have no spending minimums and creative solutions to keeping costs down on a budget (hello, DIY & a-la-carte florals)! I thoughtfully curate floral visions for clients of all capacities, never wanting any two weddings to feel alike. Brides to Be - I believe it is so important to think about this detail before it's too late! Maybe it's because I put my blood, sweat, prayers, and tears into each design I create... but I promise your flowers deserve better than the fate of a trash truck!

Photo: Brody Lee Photo

FIRST, THINK ABOUT...    

A few factors can come into play before you choose a route to go. Consider:

• EVENT LOCATION | A mountain wedding is my favorite to flower for! In terms of figuring out flower repurposing in a smaller town like this, location can be impactful.

  • Also, the time of year of your event can factor into this! Some mountain towns may have less happening in slow seasons (think Winter/Early Spring).

• EVENT DAY OF THE WEEK | Some of the options below may be that you drop off at locations that have set hours. Ensure your avenue is open by checking operation hours - this is worth touching base via phone or email to confirm a drop off donation ahead.

• WHO TO ASSIGN | Donation of flowers after your event can take some thought ahead on who of your guests may be sticking around town. If you and your new spouse are interested in being the kind hands to pass things off, it's a pretty special activity as newlyweds! However, if you're straight off to a honeymoon, it may be best to assign this to a family member or friend who is great at spreading some joy!

  • Pictured Petals & team is always happy to offer handling floral donation as an included service with post-event strike, but if you're looking for free, recruiting the people you love (who are always seeking to help with wedding tasks) is the best way to go! Allow me to take the brainpower out of it for you below!

• KEEP SOMEONE IN THE LOOP | Whatever plan you develop, make sure it's well communicated so you and your honey can make your grand exit and have no need to call back in a panic. I suggest: your wedding planner/coordinator, maid of honor, mother of the bride/groom, or an organized friend who can help facilitate!

• KEEP EM' HYRDATED | Most of my clients opt for vase rentals. If you plan to donate your flowers in some way, let me know ahead so we can creatively collaborate in a way that gives your blooms an easy way to stay hydrated post-wedding when all rental vessels and containers are gone.

Photo: Brody Lee Photo

 KEEP THE PARTY GOING!    

Will you be having a send-off brunch or another post-wedding activity to keep the good vibes rolling? Let your blooms be a part of the fun, they'd hate to miss out!

ELDERLY CARE FACILITIES

How special would it be to brighten the day of some sweet & well-deserving folks as one of your first acts as a married couple? I promise you, they absolutely light up when seeing a bride and groom walk in with fresh flowers to share. The residents and staff are always elated! Your flowers can bring so much joy to these environments!

NON-PROFITS & OTHER WORTHY CAUSES   

I encourage you to think intentionally of a mission that ignites a passion for you as a couple. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:

• Cancer Treatment Facilities

  • Please take extra care when donating to places like this. When patients are undergoing chemotherapy, their immune systems can often be weakened and flower fragrance/pollen can be a disruptor. Call ahead to confirm the specific facility protocols in place.

• Hospitals

  • Please take the same precaution as above! Consider this for hospice care centers, children's hospitals, and more.

• Churches

  • This works especially well if your wedding ceremony takes place at a church! Often, church facilities - most especially Catholic organizations - accept floral donations to beautify the sanctuary for upcoming services.

• Women's Shelters

  • Those escaping heartbreaking situations could use the encouragement that they are not alone, despite the difficulties life has thrown their way!

• Funeral Homes

  • Sometimes families cannot afford to dress up a celebration of life with flowers - this is a really thoughtful use of donating your wedding day blooms!

BLOOM CYCLE | LOCAL NON-PROFIT SERVICE    

I'd love to introduce you to Judy & Kim, a passionate duo located here in Colorado's Denver Metro! Bloom Cycle was started to support and cheer members of our community who may be going through challenging times. Their mission: bring joy, hope, and healing through programs that focus on sustainability and creative enrichment. After flowers are dropped off to their new homes, they are happy to provide you with a tax-deductible contribution receipt.

You can find their website linked here, with a contact form to get in touch about blooms from your special day!

RENEWED POPPY | LOCAL NON-PROFIT SERVICE    

Based out of Boulder, Colorado, Joslynn takes your wedding blooms, carefully dries them, and turns them into lasting keepsakes for those impacted by cancer. Their focus on "Flowers for Fighters" allows your flowers a second life for women post-mastectomy, dedicated caregivers, or anyone in the family needing a little joy!

You can find more information on Renewed Poppy's website linked here,

BOUQUETS FOR GUESTS | ADDED SERVICE OFFERING   

This option is great if you have guests who live locally, or many who will stick around town. Consider having your flower friends (that's us, right?!) return to whip up some bouquets out of centerpieces, bud vases, altar florals, etc. and send your guests on their way with some keepsake blooms from your day!

DO expect for us to crash the party slighty earlier than usual for services like this! We want to make sure to have some bouquets ready to pass off before too many guests make their exit as the fun nears its end.

Photos: Brody Lee Photo

 STILL GOT EXTRAS?   

Here are a few smaller ways to pass along any remaining blooms...

• VENDORS | Your wait staff/catering crew & all vendors alike are never mad at hearing there are some flowers up for grabs!

• HOTEL STAFF | Wherever you have guests staying for accommodations, your blooms can be a thoughtful token of appreciation.

• FLORAL PRESERVATION | If you are getting your bouquet preserved (please tell me you are!!), gathering up some additional product for the artist to work with is really wonderful!

And to conclude...

Okay, now you have a solid framework for this wedding day logistic (who knew there could be so many right?!) I'm always happy to guide my clients in the right direction and help them figure out which may be the best route for them! If you know a bride-to-be who may find this post helpful for planning their wedding flowers (and what to do with them beyond wedding day), would you share this? I'd be so grateful!

Pictured Petals is a floral design studio based in Colorado, delivering one-of-a-kind floral designs focused on weddings and specialty events. When I have the chance, I love bringing floral pieces to life for everyday occasions as well. You can check out my work at www.picturedpetals.com or give me a follow over on Instagram @picturedpetals. XO!

KEYWORDS: wedding flower donation, what to do with your wedding flowers after your wedding, what to do with flowers leftover from your wedding, spread the flower love, wedding flowers, wedding florals, wedding florist, event flowers, event florals, event florist, every day flowers, colorado florist, colorado wedding florist, local flowers in colorado, colorado local blooms, locally grown flowers, locally grown flowers in colorado, colorado grown, colorado grown flowers, seasonal flowers in colorado, local wedding flowers in colorado

COVER PHOTO: BRODY LEE PHOTO