There’s something undeniably magical about fresh florals for your wedding – the way they transform a space, set the tone, and tell a story. But, what happens to those beautiful blooms once the vows are exchanged and the celebration winds down? Today on Polka Dot Wisdom, we’re joined by Sydney-based florist Kris McKee of Kris McKee Floral Design, whose passion for sustainable floristry is inspiring couples to think beyond the big day. Specialising in eco-conscious designs, Kris shares her smart, stylish tips for repurposing your wedding flowers so they can continue spreading joy well after the final toast. Whether you’re dreaming of reusing your blooms across multiple events or giving them a second life through donation, Kris has you covered.

Photography by Moments Photography & Film 

You’ve poured so much heart, time, and hard-earned money into planning your dream wedding, making every detail count. But, when it comes to your beautiful florals, have you considered how to truly maximise their impact? Wedding flowers are not just a beautiful detail, they’re an investment, and one that you can enjoy beyond just a few hours. Today we’ll dive into creative, practical, and sustainable ways to make the most of your blooms. Repurposing your wedding flowers is a brilliant way to keep their magic alive, letting them bring joy not only during your celebration but long after the last song plays.

When it comes to designing florals for weddings, we florists break the celebration down into three key sections: your personals (the flowers you carry, or wear), the ceremony designs, and the reception flowers. Each section serves its own unique purpose, creating a seamless flow of beauty throughout your wedding day. Let’s explore some ideas to ensure all those beautiful blooms are thoughtfully maximised to leave a lasting impression, well beyond the reception!

The Personals

If you decide to embrace the traditional route when it comes your personal florals you’ll find you have bouquets, buttonholes/lapel florals, and possibly hair florals, and corsages. These flowers are going to be worn or carried for the key moments of the day, and will therefore feature in many photographs. In order to get the most of them there are a couple of things you can ask your florist to consider when planning the designs.

The first step to maximising your florals is ensuring that designs without a water source, such as buttonholes, corsages, and hair flowers, are made with blooms that can withstand minimal hydration. This keeps them looking fresh throughout the day.

For your bouquets, consider having extra vases on hand so they can stay hydrated when not in use. A great idea is to set up a vase station at the reception, perhaps on your guest book or wishing well table. This way, the bouquets not only stay fresh but also serve as added decor and create a lovely photo opportunity.

By keeping your bouquet hydrated, you open the potential for several ways to preserve and enjoy it long after the wedding. Depending on the flowers you’ve chosen, you could dry your bouquet or have it pressed and framed. Both options allow your bouquet to become a lasting keepsake.

Ceremony and Reception designs

Arbours

Repurposing arbours depends on their structure. Solid, single-piece arbours are difficult to move, potentially causing damage and adding extra costs. However, multi-piece structures, like two towers, can be moved more easily, perfect for framing areas like the bar after the ceremony.

Plinths

Plinths with vase arrangements are ideal for repurposing. After the ceremony, they can be moved to greet guests at the reception or placed on the bar and wishing well table. Large urns can also be relocated but may need extra help and some touch-ups.

Other Repurposing Ideas

● Welcome sign arrangements: Easy to move if designed in a vase or low vessel.

● Aisle florals: If placed in vessels, they can be reused as reception table decor.

By planning with your florist, you can make some clever decisions to ensure your flowers are highlighted in the ceremony and then maximised across your reception space.

Photography by Amber Wynn-Jones

What Happens to Your Wedding Flowers After the Last Dance?

You’ve successfully repurposed some of your ceremony flowers into your reception decor, but what comes next? After all, you’ve invested in these beautiful blooms, which have been carefully tended to by growers and florists. It’s heartbreaking to think they might just end up as green waste at the end of the night.

Here are some mindful options to make sure your florals continue to bring joy:

  • Donate to hospitals, nursing homes, or shelters  – flowers have the power to uplift spirits, evoke happy memories, and spread joy. Consider asking your florist to carefully pack and rewrap your wedding flowers into bouquets, which are then delivered to hospitals, nursing homes, or women’s shelters the next day. This is an additional service that not all florists will offer, so remember to ask about this during the early stages of planning.
  • Distribute to guests – if you’d like your guests to take home some of the floral arrangements, such as centrepieces or bouquets, be sure to plan ahead. Consider including affordable vases or vessels in your arrangements, making it easy for guests to bring a little piece of the celebration home with them.
  • Wrapping service for guests – an alternative to sending flowers home in vases is offering a wrapping service at the end of the night. Many florists now provide this as an additional service, where they’ll break down the arrangements into small posies, wrapping them beautifully for guests to take as they leave.
  • Compost – if you’re passionate about sustainability and have a garden, consider composting your own flowers. We can bag them into biodegradable sacks for you to collect and use as compost nourishing your garden and completing the life cycle of your flowers.

A Few Final Tips

  • Maximise your floral budget by focusing on designs that will feature prominently in your photographs. This strategic approach allows you to get the most out of your blooms, ensuring that their beauty is captured in images you’ll cherish for years to come. By prioritising arrangements that are visually impactful, you create a stunning backdrop for your special day while making the most of your floral investment.
  • Repurposing your florals increases the sustainability of your wedding and helps maximise the investment you’ve made.
  • Some designs may require extra hands to repurpose, so it’s worth factoring this into your labour costs. It’s often still more affordable than ordering additional arrangements.
  • Not everything can be repurposed, so be sure to discuss your options with your florist to understand what’s possible.

As a final note, seek out a florist who does not use floral foam, a single-use plastic material, in their practices. Engage with them about their strategies for reducing plastic waste and ask about any biodegradable measures they implement that positively impact the environment. If sustainability is a priority for you and your partner, it’s essential to partner with vendors who share your values and commitment to the planet.

By planning ahead, you can ensure your wedding flowers continue to spread joy long after your special day has ended. Embracing sustainable practices not only enhances the beauty of your celebration but also shows a commitment to the environment. By thoughtfully repurposing your blooms, choosing eco-friendly vendors, and considering the lifecycle of your flowers, you can make a positive impact on the planet while creating lasting memories. Your wedding can be a beautiful reflection of your love story and your values.

About Kris McKee Floral Design: Kris McKee Floral Design is an independent florist based in the inner west of Sydney on the border of Enmore and Marrickville. With a strong focus on creating products that are both beautiful and original, we aim to design and produce floral arrangements that bring joy. Using only quality floral materials, hand-chosen from the markets, we aim to use locally grown produce whenever possible. We have a strong focus on sustainable practices and make every effort possible to reduce any negative impact on our environment. We create everything from one-off bouquets to abundant and magnificent weddings and events.