August 19, 2020
10 Stunning Eco-Friendly Wedding Flower Alternatives
On the hunt for eco-friendly wedding flower alternatives for your big day?
It is no secret that the wedding flower industry can be incredibly wasteful. While wedding flowers add beauty to your special day, things like pesticides, plastics, and international shipping take a toll on our planet and the environment. Whether you are simply looking to add a unique flower-free touch to your wedding, searching for a budget-friendly flower alternative, or hoping to have a more eco-friendly, sustainable celebration, there are plenty of ways to accomplish all three!
Here are some of our best tips for incorporating eco-friendly wedding flower alternatives into your special day!
1. Dried flowers
One gorgeous wedding trend we love that is great for the environment is dried flowers! Using dried flowers is the perfect way to have out of season blooms in your wedding while avoiding some of the most wasteful parts of the floral industry. Before getting your dried flowers from just anywhere, we recommend looking into companies like Zero Waste Flowers, as they only use flowers that are leftover from local flower auctions and would otherwise be thrown away. Dried flower arrangements are especially dreamy for a fall or winter wedding, and you can keep your blooms as a reminder of your special day!
2. Wildflowers
Wildflowers are another great alternative to traditional wedding flowers, many of which are imported, use pesticides, plastics, and aren’t sustainably-grown. If you are lucky enough to live in an area with a plethora of wildflowers growing, you might just find yourself with a gorgeous and very budget-friendly bouquet! Wildflowers add a boho-chic touch to any wedding. If you are nervous about DIY-ing the arrangements, talk to a local florist, or look for a sustainable florist near you who could source and arrange these beautiful blooms for you.
3. Fabric flowers
One of our favorite budget-friendly and eco-friendly wedding flower alternatives are fabric flowers. You can either DIY or find a fabric bouquet online. For the most eco-friendly fabric blooms, try looking for natural materials such as organic cotton or burlap. These fabric bouquets and arrangements can make an excellent memento of your special day, as they will last for years to come!
4. Succulents
One huge wedding flower trend that we love are succulents. These low maintenance plants come in a variety of shapes and colors, and require very little water to grow, making them an excellent alternative to traditional wedding flowers. They look cute in bouquets, decorations, and other arrangements, and also make great take-home gifts for your guests!
5. Paper flowers
Paper flowers have come a long way in the last few years, and some of these arrangements look almost like the real deal! These flowers are an affordable way to incorporate a beautiful bouquet that lasts forever into your wedding. They also make beautiful backdrops!
If you decide against keeping these blooms after your event, you can simply recycle them. DIY them for a more homemade approach, or shop online for some gorgeous realistic-looking paper flowers. Bonus points if you can find a seller who uses all recycled paper!
6. Go green
If you want to keep your wedding fresh but avoid importing flowers into your wedding, consider going green…literally! Try sourcing in-season, locally-grown greenery such as herbs, evergreens, and other foliage. Though traditionally thought of as floral filler, these greens make stunning, natural bouquets and decorations when they become the star of the show!
7. Potted plants
Potted plants are another one of our favorite eco-friendly wedding flower alternatives. These living blooms are a great way to provide lots of beautiful wedding decor that lasts for more than just one day! When searching for potted plants to use for your nuptials, look local, and try to support small businesses in your community. After your wedding, you can give these decorations away as favors!
8. Rent faux flowers
Faux flowers don’t look so faux anymore! These silk blooms are oftentimes so realistic-looking you can’t even tell the difference. While there is a certain element of waste involved in the creation of faux or silk flowers, renting these blooms is a great way to not only cut costs, but ensure that these flowers will be re-used in other events. There are several faux flower rental companies that offer beautiful bouquets, boutonnieres, and even flower arches to add a traditional floral touch to your wedding. You can also consider going faux for your decorations and bridal party, while having traditional flowers for the bride and groom-in photos they’ll look nearly identical!
9. Think outside the box
What is the theme of your wedding? If you are going for something a little more quirky, try making a bouquet out of items included in your theme or that are special to you. Antique brooches, buttons, feathers, candy…the possibilities are endless when you start to get creative! With a little ingenuity, the list of eco-friendly wedding flower alternatives is endless!
10. Eco-friendly wedding flowers
So…these alternative wedding flowers aren’t quite working for you? That’s okay! There are so many ways to go eco-friendly at your wedding. If you still want to go with more traditional flowers, there are many ways to make your arrangements better for our environment. Limiting the number of flowers you use, sourcing in-season locally grown blooms, working with a sustainably-minded florist, and saying no to floral foam are just a few ways to make your traditional wedding flowers easier on your planet. Learn more about our favorite ways to make your wedding flowers more eco-friendly here!
Bonus tip: Donate your Eco-Friendly Wedding Flowers with Petals For Hope
Follow us on Instagram @petalsforhope for more great eco-friendly wedding tips and flower inspiration!
Whatever route you take when it comes to your wedding flowers, if you’re choosing wildflowers, succulents, potted plants, or traditional blooms, be sure to donate your flowers after your special event!
At our nonprofit Petals For Hope, we keep your special blooms out of a landfill and give them a second life benefitting those in need! After your wedding, we’ll collect your wedding flowers to recut, rearrange, and repurpose them before delivering your blooms to infusion centers, nursing homes, cancer treatment facilities, homeless shelters, schools, and more.
Your flowers will do good in your community and help our planet, as we compost any flowers or greenery unfit for use. An added bonus? You will receive an acknowledgment letter that can be used as a tax deduction.
We currently offer services in most U.S. States. Learn more about donating your wedding flowers with Petals for Hope here.
For more great tips on planning an eco-friendly wedding, check out these posts:
Eco-Friendly Wedding Flowers: 10 Essential Tips
Eco-Friendly Wedding Stationery: The Ultimate Guide
10 Delectable Tips for Eco-Friendly Wedding Catering
5 Essential Tips for Selecting Ethical, Eco-Friendly Engagement Rings
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