One of the most common questions my clients ask me is what to do with the bridesmaids’ bouquets and aisle arrangements following the ceremony. I love to suggest unique and fun ways to repurpose these flowers as they end up going to waste and not used for the rest of the reception.
- Common + Traditional
The most traditional and common use for the bridesmaid’s bouquets is to place them in clear glass vases on the head table for instant texture and floral décor. Add votive holders with candles down the length of the table for a beautiful and cost-effective head table statement. As for the aisle arrangements they can be used as the centerpiece for guest tables (depending on what is selected for the aisle).
- Head Table
Have your girls lay the bouquets flat on the head table with the blooms facing the guest tables. Add garland and accented votive for candlelight. You can also use your bridal bouquet and place it in a clear vase, along with some additional garland and votive candles. If you have an arch and any flower decorations you can also use this for your head table or other banquet style tables.
- Gift/Dessert Table
Ask your floral stylist to provide containers that are similar in color and shape to those you have selected for your centerpieces. Have her/him place the matching vessels filled with some water (so they are ready to go) on the gift table, on the bar or water stations, or guestbook table. Once the ceremony is complete have the girls to pop their bouquets directly into the vessels. You can also use the aisle arrangements that will allow you to use the bridesmaid bouquets in other locations, you can mix and match as well to add height and depth.
I took advantage of repurposing my flowers during our wedding. I had all my “I DO Crew” place their bouquets (three coral calla lilies) in empty vases on each banquet table with turquoise table clothes so the coral stood out. I repurposed the hanging aisle bouquets in turquoise mason jars and placed them as centerpieces on all the woodsy tables. I used my bridal bouquet for our centerpiece at our sweethearts table using a turquoise mason jar to match the rest of the tables. I reused our arch bouquets for the dessert table and bar area. By repurposing our flowers, I was able to save money and spend it on other areas of our wedding that was important to us. I do get some clients worried what their guests will think if they see the same flowers from the ceremony to the reception, but I explain that most the time they do not notice as the atmosphere makes a completely different look and feel. Remember this day is about the two of you, you cannot always please everyone or worry about what others think!