Going “Green” by Nixing Some Green

Going “Green” by Nixing Some Green

July 8th, 2009 @ 11:31 am by Mrs. Mouse
Share

I’m in love with flowers at weddings. I’m just putting that out there. I want big, luscious, overflowing centerpieces full of antique hydrangeas and fluffy garden roses. I want a boutique brimming with peonies, ranunculus, and anemones (never mind that those three flowers are out of season in Texas in September). I want the reception table centerpieces to look like they were plucked out of a blooming English garden in Springtime. But let’s face it: fresh-cut flowers are not so great for the environment. They’re going to die in a day’s time, and then they will rot in a landfill (unless my venue composts–maybe they compost!). At any rate, even if the flowers are grown locally, they will have to be transported to our venue, which creates an impact on the environment.

Source

I’m trying to keep our wedding-day flowers down to the bare essentials, but it is hard. And no, I don’t know anyone who has their own organic flower garden in their backyard who would be willing to supply me with “greener” flowers. To make matters worse, I live in Austin, Texas.

Austin is technically in the sub-tropic region of the United States. We have palm trees here, people. It gets ridiculously hot every summer. Back in September of 2005, there was one day where the heat index was 117 degrees. The sun is not effing around here. All the flowers I love–the big, fluffy English-y ones–yeah, they melt in this weather. Which means that, likely, some of oru flowers will have to be imported. I have some guilt over this, as I really want our wedding to be as green as possible. But I just cannot bear to give up on my floral dream!

However, if I were to nix all our fresh-flower centerpieces, there are a ton of great alternatives floating about on the interwebs.

Check out this adorable felt topiary centerpiece sold on Etsy! It’s perfect for anyone having a French or English garden wedding or for someone having a bird-themed wedding.

Source

I’m also in love with these alternative centerpiece ideas I saw a few weeks ago. The veggie basket is super cute, but I especially love the wine glass votive holders with the mini-lamp shades on top. They look so elegant!
Um, how perfect would this be for a tropical or a summer wedding? I heart citrus.

Source

OK, so there are some great options out there for those of you who want to save money or keep your wedding eco-friendly by cutting back on the fresh-cut flowers. Or for those of you who simply want to buck tradition. Happy planning!

Are you “greening” your centerpieces? What ways are you finding to help reduce waste on your wedding tabletops?

Tags: flowers |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

19 Responses to “Going “Green” by Nixing Some Green”

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

Love the citrus option. How pretty would that be using all kinds of fruit? (Lemons, blood oranges, grapefruit…)

7/8/09 @ 11:34 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Star (message) 2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I love the alternative stuff you picked out, but I don’t blame you for wanting to stick to your gorgeous floral inspiration!

7/8/09 @ 11:40 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Peep Toe (message) 1,804 posts, Buzzing bee

The one thing I really wish I did to make my wedding more green- donate my flowers after the wedding. The next day it was heartbreaking to leave the centerpieces at the hotel- since no one lived in the area and we were off on our honeymoon.
So see if you can set up someone to take the centerpieces to a local hospital or retirement home!!

7/8/09 @ 11:42 am (reply)

Member

evelinej (message) 370 posts, Helper bee

Succulent plants as centerpieces are an option. Guests can then take them home and nurture them. Aeonium “Zwartkop” is a dark burgundy flower and it’s really pretty. I have a few at home. Check out this blog http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/page/2/.

7/8/09 @ 11:43 am (reply)

Member

msashleymarie (message) 616 posts, Busy bee

I’m actually using the last picture (with the limes) as our centerpieces! Hooray!

7/8/09 @ 11:51 am (reply)

Member

Gerbera (message) 4,481 posts, Honey bee

Not intentionally “greening” the centerpieces. But yes, not do floral because of th fact that they cost so much $$$ and will day in a days time. I LOVE citrus centerpieces and might do that.
Other options would be using pots of herbs (or perennial flowers) and doing like a mystery raffle (or a # under a chair) to give it away at the end of the night. I really wanted to do the pots of herbs but my side won’t use it and his side are travelling so who wants to bring home a pot of herb on a 8hr drive. But I would love to do a centerpiece that can be reused and given away to our guests at the end of the night.

7/8/09 @ 11:53 am (reply)

Member

DesignerBee (message) 103 posts, Blushing bee

FI and I hate that flowers die so quickly. I asked my florist if he could create english/european/french gardens (whatever they call them depending on who the florist is) and he was totally up for it. I’m super excited because I can keep them or give them to guests and they’ll live to bloom another day!

7/8/09 @ 11:59 am (reply)

Bee

Miss French Bulldog (message) 7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

I am so in love w/ citrus centerpieces right now. If I was to plan another wedding it would totally be citrus

7/8/09 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

Member

infamia (message) 169 posts, Blushing bee

I just got the wine glass votive holders with the mini-lamp shades They are gorgeous!

7/8/09 @ 12:07 pm (reply)

10.

Member

bree72 (message) 2,086 posts, Buzzing bee

Mrs. Peep Toe I’m with you! I didn’t realize just how many flowers are in 22 centerpieces! I just figured it would be easy to find people to take them after the reception, but no one remembered. The next day a few family members divided them up, but I really wish I had thought about donating them to a retirement home! I still feel guilty about it (6 months later)!

7/8/09 @ 12:10 pm (reply)

11.

Member

Champagne Wishes (message) 1,187 posts, Bumble bee

I was thinking about alternating floral and wine lamps on each table.
I love the idea of donating the flower to charity!
Here is a template for the wine lamp shades if you want a DIY…

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/bevfabriccrafts/pattern.pdf

7/8/09 @ 12:57 pm (reply)

12.

Member

pvaulter718 (message) 2,116 posts, Buzzing bee

We’re doing lemons and limes in my wonderful garage sale buckets, vases, etc. Then, for the day after luncheon, the venue is making lemon/limeaid My favorite!

7/8/09 @ 2:00 pm (reply)

13.

Member

coleyjean (message) 64 posts, Worker bee

I’m doing branches/nests and fabric flowers. October isn’t a great time for flowers, anyway…

7/8/09 @ 2:42 pm (reply)

14.

Guest

tinab1181

For an English garden party theme you could alternate your big puffy flower arrangements with potted live lavender. Pretty, smells nice, and the grey color is pretty neutral. Plus, people can take ‘em home and plant them afterwards. Maybe just splurge on a nicer pot, or wrap the pot they come in in some natural material (birch, burlap, etc.).

7/8/09 @ 2:56 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

laura

I’m doing tissue paper and crepe paper flowers for the centerpieces. If I decide that I don’t want them, or if guests don’t want them, the paper can be recycled as well as the glass from the vases.

For fresh flowers, I will buy whole plants that I can have at home afterward.

7/8/09 @ 4:40 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Amy

That picture of the sliced limes has been in my inspiration folder since I started planning! I’m really against cut flowers, myself, so I’ve looked at a lot of nontraditional options for centerpieces and even bouquets. It will be interesting to follow your journey and see what you pick!

7/8/09 @ 6:02 pm (reply)

17.