Repurposing wedding flowers is a great way to create continuity in your reception space, and we recommend it whenever possible. At Frances and Jane, we create intentional floral designs that elevate spaces, and the way we repurpose wedding flowers reflects that.
With that said, let’s talk about the best designs to repurpose and what we do and don’t do when repurposing wedding flowers!
Repurposing Aisle Flowers
Aisle flowers are perfect for repurposing at your reception space. We design them in movable vessels, and they look so natural and like they’ve always belonged once they’re placed around the reception area. Here are a few of our favorite places to repurpose aisle flowers:
- In front of the bar
- In front of the sweetheart/head table
- In front of the stage
- At the ends of rectangular tables
- Alongside entryways
- Around the cake table
- In front of welcome signs or seating charts
As you can see, aisle florals are so versatile and go a long way in making your wedding beautiful.
Repurposing Your Ceremony Feature
When repurposing a ceremony feature design, there are a few designs that allow this choice. This is possible when your ceremony space is within walking distance of the reception area, and it really makes a statement! A few of the floral designs that allow for this are floral columns, grounded floral nests, and statement urns.
Floral Columns
Depending on your reception space, we usually recommend placing the floral columns in one of the following places:
- Behind the cake table
- Alongside the main entryway
- Behind the sweetheart/head table
- On either side of the bar
Grounded Floral Nest
Grounded floral nests are created in several units similar to aisle flowers. We recommend placing the different units in the same places as we would with the aisle flowers.
Statement Urns
With statement urns, this will depend on your floor plan and the size of the floral designs. Here are a few places they could go:
- On a large focal-point table
- On either side of the bar
- On either side of the cake table
- At the main entryway
What We Avoid Repurposing
When repurposing wedding flowers, we do not create a new design from an existing floral design. Instead, we repurpose the entire original design and place it somewhere new to be admired at the reception.
Here are the main reasons we don’t create a new floral design from an existing design:
- Each flower stem is cut for a specific design and will not work in another arrangement
- There isn’t time to make new designs between the ceremony and reception
- The flowers may become damaged when removed from their existing design
Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
Usually, we don’t recommend reusing bridesmaids ‘ bouquets for reception table flowers because they are designed to be held and look their best from a specific angle. When placed in a vase, they tend to not sit correctly and will likely tilt. Furthermore, when it comes time for the reception, they have been out in the elements without water for most of the day and set down (or tossed aside) repeatedly.
They’re living plants, and when they’re not treated with great care, they can start to show the effects. Bridesmaids’ bouquets are intended to be held during photos and the ceremony, and table florals are intentionally designed to last well past the reception.
A Note on Repurposing Bridal Bouquets
Because a bridal bouquet is more substantial, this can look beautiful displayed in the proper vase– especially with a cascading silk ribbon. The following image of a bridal bouquet in a vase by PeytonRae Creative is a great example.
Planning Your Wedding Flowers
From aisle flowers to ceremony features, thoughtful placement can enhance the ambiance of your reception space and extend the life of your floral designs.
If you’re interested in including floral designs that can be repurposed after your wedding ceremony, let’s talk through it together! We’ll consider your venue, wedding season, floral investment, and preferences before we make suggestions based on what will make the best impact.
