make your wedding bloom
if fresh-cut flowers are a must, go organic
Check out nurseries and Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA) in your area for native, local, in-season and organic flowers. Organically grown flowers are beautiful and stand out from conventional wedding blooms like roses; without nasty pesticides, they’re healthier for your guests as well as for pollinators. Flowers that are native and in season are adapted to the local climate, so they require less water and other resources to grow. Using local flowers also means cutting down on the carbon cost of transportation.
ROSES for rent
There are several services that (depending on your location) can help you cut costs by renting out fresh-cut flower arrangements. Flower rentals tend to coordinate with other nearby weddings that have the same décor, which helps reduce the high climate cost of fresh-cut flowers. You can also skip the live flowers and opt for beautiful faux or dried flower arrangements instead. There are many reputable faux and dried flower rentals that are thoughtfully set up for easy delivery and return in the same packaging.
Nearly 80% of flowers sold in the United States are flown in from Colombia and Ecuador. The transport of flowers is so damaging that a 2020 analysis revealed one bouquet of imported flowers has a more significant impact than an 8-ounce steak raised on deforested land in Brazil and consumed in London.
bouquet alternatives
There are a lot of creative options to choose from besides fresh-cut flowers. You can get crafty with paper flowers (use recycled sheet music, maps, book pages or gift wrap tissue to make them unique) or use materials like thrifted fabrics for a festive vibe. Or replace flower decorations altogether with thrifted lanterns, paper fans, or potted plants that can also be taken home by guests.
spread the love
If you decide fresh-cut flowers are best for your occasion, choose to do some good with them after your big celebration is over. One idea is to donate your flowers to a hospital or nursing home so they can continue to be enjoyed by patients. Another option is to get your flowers preserved in resin as a tabletop or tray, or dried and pressed in a frame as a keepsake to hang.
Studies show that regular exposure to nature improves emotional health, increases happiness and results in greater life satisfaction, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that flowers have also been proven to be mood boosters.