SUSTAINABLE SWAPS – FLOWERS

Good day to you and welcome to the first post of our series dedicated to Earth friendly alternatives to common wedding features, kicking things off with wedding flowers.

Flowers are a staple at any wedding, whether you have a little or a lot. They add joy and cheer, and bring the celebrations to life.
Unfortunately this kind of beauty can come with a high price tag and unnecessary environmental consequences, and it’s not just the flowers themselves we need to take into consideration.

Floral foam (also known by the leading brand name, Oasis) is a block of foam, traditionally green in colour, that is used to keep floral displays moist and in place.
The reality is that this foam is just a block of plastic containing toxic components, including formaldehyde, and is the equivalent weight of 10 plastic shopping bags, according to a study by RMIT University.
The powder you see when you touch it? Microplastics, which enter our water courses, kill wildlife and contribute to our global plastic problem.
Thanks but no thanks.

The good news is we have some suggestions to help make your wedding flowers as green as can be.

SUSTAINABLE SWAPS

1. Say No To Floral Foam
Instead why not try sand, pebbles, gravel, wood chips, soil or even natural moss to keep your arrangements looking poised and fresh.
Additionally, creating a lattice out of sticks, string or wire and placing it over your chosen vessel can even out your display and keep your blooms in their correct places.

2. Reuse Floral Displays
To get the most out of your floral displays, move and reuse them from other areas of your wedding. Aisle arrangements, and bride and bridesmaid bouquets can be used as table centerpieces, garlands can be placed along tables or over doorways and floral arches can be used as photo backdrops or doorway decorations. This will reduce costs for you and leave some flowers in the garden for our bees and insects.

3. Employ a Local Florist
Opt for a local florist who specialises in seasonal flowers, preferably from their own cutting garden. This will give you the freshest and best quality posies with the least amount of travel, and the personal service you’ll get will be a nice little bonus.

TIP – Be sure to choose a florist who applies organic and sustainable practices.

4. Choose Seasonal Blooms
Transporting out of season flowers from overseas not only increases the cost for you but also creates an unnecessarily large carbon footprint. Your florist will be able to help you find the perfect seasonal flowers for the occasion without the airmiles.

5. Substitute Expensive or Unavailable Flowers
If you had your heart set on a particular bloom such as the Peony but found they’re likely to be unavailable, unless imported, at the time of your wedding, don’t panic, and speak to your florist. They can advise you on the best substitutions, some of which are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. You may even fall in love with a flower you didn’t know existed.

TIP – English Garden Roses make a fabulous alternative to Peonies!

6. Grow Your Own
How lovely would it be to have your own home grown flowers displayed at your wedding? Well, it’s entirely possible!
This is a fun and effective way to save money as well as provide pollen and food for our insects. If you’re planning a spring or summer wedding and have a nice sunny spot that you could dedicate to growing flowers, this is a great option for you. Select flowers that will be in bloom around the time of your wedding. Organisation is key here – plan ahead to avoid disappointment and a last minute dash to the florist.

7. Potted Flowers, Herbs and Trees
Potted plants are a great substitution to cut flowers. They’re more affordable and they make wonderful living floral displays. They can be taken home and planted, donated to a local community garden or given as wedding favours.
Potted trees can be hired to line the aisle or add drama and uniquness to your wedding reception, and best of all, they don’t end up being thrown away afterwards!

8. Dried Flowers
Dried flowers are another alternative making waves. With the proper care these beauties can last years meaning they can be enjoyed long after the festivities have finished. Look for a local, sustainable supplier or have a go at making them yourself.

8. Paper Flowers
Paper flowers are growing in popularity. Some are so convincing, you have to look quite carefully to see the difference. They last longer (years if cared for properly) than fresh flowers, meaning less waste. Remember to make sure the materials used are non-toxic, sustainable and recyclable.