Introduction
A wedding bouquet is a collection of flowers that the bride carries down the aisle during her wedding ceremony. The bouquet is traditionally thrown over her shoulder at the end of the ceremony in a bid to pass good luck onto any unmarried female guests. With such sentimental value attached to the bouquet, couples are often left wondering what to do with it after the big day.
Preserve the Bouquet
One option for what to do with a wedding bouquet is to preserve it. This takes time and effort, but the end result is worth all the hassle. By preserving the bouquet, you can keep it in its original form and display it as a timeless reminder of your special day.
Benefits of Preserving the Bouquet
Preserving the bouquet has a host of benefits, including:
- The bouquet will stay in its original form for years to come.
- It will make a beautiful centerpiece for your home.
- You can create a unique keepsake to look back on fondly.
Process for Preserving the Bouquet
If you decide to preserve your bouquet, there are a few simple steps you need to follow:
- Gently dry the bouquet. To do this, hang the bouquet upside down in a warm, dark area with good air circulation.
- Once the bouquet is completely dry, spray it with a preservation solution.
- Place the bouquet in a box filled with silica gel crystals.
- Seal the box and store in a cool, dry place.
Create a Shadow Box
Another option for what to do with a wedding bouquet is to create a shadow box. This allows you to keep the flowers on display while also adding other mementos from your special day, such as the invitation, photographs, and even the garter.
Benefits of Creating a Shadow Box
Creating a shadow box has several advantages, including:
- You can showcase multiple memories from the wedding.
- It’s easy to make and doesn’t require any specialist skills.
- It makes for a unique piece of wall art.
Steps to Create a Shadow Box
To create a shadow box, follow these steps:
- Cut the stems of the flowers.
- Choose a frame with a deep backing, such as a canvas frame.
- Arrange the flowers in the frame.
- Add other items such as the invitation, photographs, and the garter.
- Secure everything in the frame using pins or glue.
Make a Wreath
Making a wreath out of your wedding bouquet is another creative way to keep it around for years to come. You can hang the wreath in your home as a decorative piece, or give it away as a gift.
Benefits of Making a Wreath
Making a wreath offers many advantages, including:
- It’s a fun and easy project.
- It’s a great way to reuse old flowers.
- It can be hung in your home as a decorative item.
Steps to Make a Wreath
To make a wreath, carry out the following steps:
- Cut the stems of the flowers.
- Choose a wire wreath frame.
- Start by attaching the larger flowers to the frame.
- Fill in the gaps with smaller flowers.
- Add foliage and other decorative items.
- Secure everything in place with wire.
Donate the Bouquet
If you’re looking for a way to give back, consider donating your wedding bouquet. There are a number of organizations that accept donations of wedding bouquets, which they then use to create bouquets for those in need.
Benefits of Donating the Bouquet
There are numerous benefits to donating the bouquet, such as:
- It’s a great way to give back to the community.
- You can make someone else’s day special.
- It’s an eco-friendly option as the flowers can be reused.
Organizations to Donate the Bouquet
Some organizations that accept donations of wedding bouquets include:
Compost the Bouquet
Composting the bouquet is another great way to give back to the environment. It’s an eco-friendly option as the flowers can be turned into nutrient-rich compost that can be used to nourish plants.
Benefits of Composting the Bouquet
Composting the bouquet offers many advantages, such as:
- It’s an eco-friendly way to dispose of the bouquet.
- The nutrients in the compost can be used to nourish plants.
- It’s a great way to reduce waste.
Steps to Compost the Bouquet
To compost the bouquet, complete the following steps:
- Cut the stems of the flowers.
- Place the flowers in a compostable bag.
- Add the bag to your compost bin.
- Turn the compost every week.
- Wait for the compost to break down.
Pass it On
Finally, if you want to keep the sentiment of the bouquet alive, consider passing it on. This involves gifting the bouquet to someone who will appreciate it and get as much joy from it as you did.
Benefits of Passing it On
Passing the bouquet on has several benefits, such as:
- You can bring joy to someone else.
- It’s a great way to spread the love.
- It can become a cherished family heirloom.
Tips for Passing it On
If you decide to pass the bouquet on, here are some tips to help you do it:
- Choose someone who will appreciate it.
- Present the bouquet in a beautiful box.
- Include a note explaining the significance of the bouquet.
- Encourage the recipient to pass it on when the time is right.
Conclusion
Deciding what to do with a wedding bouquet can be a difficult task. However, there are plenty of creative options available, such as preserving, creating a shadow box, making a wreath, donating, composting or passing it on. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be able to cherish the memory of your special day for years to come.
