The last song has been played, the leftover cookies have been packed up, and your guests have headed home for the night. Now that your big day is officially over, you might be wondering what to do with your bridal bouquet now after the wedding. Before you throw that beauty in the trash (seriously…please don’t!), here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy those flowers long after your I dos!
Preserve It
Floral preservation has come a long way. Long gone are the days of dried bouquets of muted colors behind a glass globe. Companies like Pittsburgh-based White Jasmine Lab are paving the way for a new trend. This isn’t your grandma’s wedding bouquet preservation. This sister company of Mocha Rose Floral and Event Design specializes in preserving your flowers in a clear epoxy resin for a look that is contemporary and fresh. The colors are vibrant, the flowers keep their shape, and the result is an artistic piece you’ll be excited to show off anywhere in your home. Local favorite Aja Maria Floral also offer incredibly unique floral preservation options in the form of wreaths, ornaments, pressed art (see below), and other artistic creations that will bring you joy long after the wedding is over. You can find both of them in our Burgh Brides Vendor Guide!
Press It
Remember when you were a kid and you’d put a flower or a leaf in the middle of a really heavy book to see how flat you could make it? Well, this is like the wedding edition of that…except this method is better left to the professionals. Artists like Aja Maria Floral can create a two dimensional version of your bridal bouquet using the pressed petals of the flowers. It can then be framed and hung as a pretty floral focal point in your home.
Paint It
Know what screams “I’m fancy!”? A commissioned piece of art. And there is no better subject than your bridal bouquet. There are several local artists who will create custom pieces like this; you just have to find the right one who fits your style. We can’t imagine a more endearing work of art than a rendition of something you carried on one of the most significant days of your life.
Donate It
If keeping a memento of your bridal bouquet isn’t really your thing, let someone else enjoy it instead. The flowers should keep for at least a few days after the wedding so it would be such a shame for it to end up in the trash at the end of the night. Look into organizations like Scent with Love, who repurpose wedding florals into arrangements for hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care facilities, and the like. Spread some cheer and give another life to your centerpieces…and throw in your bridal bouquet while you’re at it.
What are you planning on doing with your bouquet after your wedding is over? Former brides, we want to see what you did with yours! Upload a photo and tag @burghbrides and use #burghbrides so we can see how you’re enjoying those pretty posies even after getting married!
