Reception Flower Revival

When it comes to wedding flowers, I realized all that expense, hard work and creative energy just simply goes right into the trash when the celebration ends. It seems kind of sad, because those flowers are still so beautiful. On the other hand, you can think of those flowers as having fulfilled their flower destiny and purpose.

After my nephew’s wedding reception was over, I asked my mother what are we doing with the reception flowers that lined the tables. She said, “We just throw them away.” Those words shocked me at first. This is something I never really thought about until this moment. This was probably due to the fact that my sister-in-law and I helped my mother decorate all of the tables. It seemed like a waste to just trash them. We worked so hard to cut each flower and meticulously place each one to create a floral work of art.

What to do?

I told my mother that I would take the flowers home to compost them. As I emptied the enormous bag, separating out greenery and flowers, I had two thoughts:

1. I could create fun Fall wreaths; or
2. I could ask my friend if she wanted the flowers to decorate the food table at her son’s rehearsal dinner.

The second option is exactly what we are going to do. Although, I think I still should make a Fall wreath with some of the greenery. Regardless, I am happy that these beautiful flowers will be revived for another special event. And why the heck not?

After separating everything from the bag, I recut each and every flower and placed them in water. This is to extend their life for one more event the following evening. It does my heart good knowing more people will be able to take joy in the beauty of these flowers.

I know that cut flowers will eventually die. I know that these flowers were created for a specific purpose. But, I am happy to keep them alive even if for a very short time. The compost pile can wait.