Flower power

Traditionally, wedding flowers have a large and decorative role to play when it comes to weddings.

The bridal bouquet is certainly a much anticipated part of the white wedding, perhaps more for the throwing of it than for its arrangement! If you do decide to go for fresh wedding flowers, why not think about how you can minimise the environmental impact?

If you or someone you know has a garden, you could consider growing your own bouquet. Going for seasonal wedding flowers will usually give you a better bloom and avoid the need for hot houses, harmful chemicals, or clocking up air miles by transporting them from hotter climes.

You can read about some of our brides who are GIYing it (grow it yourself...): GIY Brides

The organic flower option is great if you can find it. A small number of flower growers are beginning to grow organic in the UK though it is currently taking off in a bigger way Stateside. Check out Butterflies of Blairgowrie, The Organic Flower Company Snapdragon, or Wiggly Wigglers

Ask your florist for organic wedding flowers and let them know the consumer demand is there, even if they can’t meet it yet.

If you do opt for blooms from abroad, try to find fair trade wedding flowers, where the workers should not be subjected to the long hours and poor pay of standard hot houses. See our post on our search for fair trade flowers.

When you think of it, who says you have to have a bouquet? A single stem can be just as striking and stylish as a whole bunch…if not more so.

And if you haven’t thrown the wedding flowers, why not donate your bouquet and those of your bridesmaids, together with any centrepieces to a local old people’s home or hospital where they can be appreciated while you’re relaxing on your honeymoon.

And there are alternatives too. See our blog for fair trade fabric flowers that will last a lifetime from Utani-UK, or carry a delicately decorated fair trade purse, that could also be a gift for your bridesmaids – and give you somewhere to store your lippie!

Next week we'll have a look at eco flower options when decorating your wedding reception venue. In the meantime...

Happy planning!

Katie
Ethical Weddings