How To Donate Wedding Flowers After Your Nuptials

Perhaps one of the biggest expenses you’ll have on your wedding day is flowers, from your bouquet to boutonnieres to the many centerpieces that will adorn your reception tables, your gorgeous arrangements will cost plenty of time and money. After all that soul-searching to find the perfect setting, it’s heartbreaking to think that most of these blooms will find their way into the trash bin. But you don’t have to let that happen!

There are more options than ever to recycle your wedding flowers, to not only cut down on waste but to ensure that they give someone the same joy that they brought you. Whether you’re looking to create a more sustainable wedding day or simply can’t bear the thought of your flowers being disposed of, there are ways that you can give these accents new life! Here are a few great services and recycling ideas to keep in mind after your wedding comes to a close.

Random Acts of Flowers

This organization has been in existence since 2007 and is a green recycling nonprofit that utilizes dedicated volunteer team that recycle wedding flowers and repurpose them to bring joy to individuals in healthcare facilities, retirement homes and hospice facilities. This organization is currently available in Chicago, Knoxville, Pinellas and Silicon Valley, but they also have an extended network of local affiliates that may be able to help as well. As an added bonus for your efforts, your gift will be tax-deductible!

Rebloom

Currently available in New York City and Boston with plans to expand in the near future, Rebloom lets you be charitable and put your efforts towards a charity or cause you believe in! The organization will accept your wedding flowers that will be sold for delivery the day after. The proceeds can then be donated to the charity of your choice so you can turn your investment into something lasting. The company is much like a flash sale service, which takes flowers that would have otherwise ended up in the trash and given them new life in a different context.

Re-Gifting!

Last but not least, if you’d like to share your floral creations on your own, make it a policy at the end of your festivities to allow your friends and family members to take your flowers with them so they can enjoy them long after the celebration. This will still give you the opportunity to hold onto a few of the more important floral arrangements you may want to save (bouquets, bouttonieres, etc.) while still helping serve your overall goal of cutting down on waste after your special day.

Community Gifting

Last but not least, you can always take it upon yourself to donate your used wedding flowers to local hospitals, churches and retirement homes where they can shine long after your special day. This is a wonderful way to spread joy in the area you call home, while ensuring that your wedding flowers will be a monumental investment that keep making people smile.Contact More.

Top 5 Wedding Transportation Tips To Keep Your Guests Moving

With the floral arrangements, food menu and decorations finally set, now it’s time to handle the more practical jobs you’ll have to tackle before your big day – transportation! While you may have a limousine or two lined up for your wedding party, your guests may need their own share of accommodations as well. After all, transportation expenses will account for the bulk of your guests’ expenses when attending your wedding, so making this process as easy as possible on them is a practical step that will make their experience all the more enjoyable.

Here are a few ways that you can creatively handle your guests’ transportation needs without breaking the bank.

1. Choose ideal timeframes

If your wedding ceremony and reception are split into two different parts of the day, you may want to rethink how you time your transport to suit your guests’ needs. A good rule of thumb is to inquire with transport companies to find out which time frames – daytime, day and evening and hourly – you’ll need, as well as when overtime charges could set in. This can allow you to create a more informed picture of your budgetary needs based on the major events of the day.

2. Book well in advance

Along with decorations, food and entertainment, transportation should be planned far in advance, so make sure this is at the top of your list of wedding preparations. There’s nothing worse than having to scramble to make last-minute preparations for a key aspect of your wedding festivities, which could leave you empty-handed or paying more than you ever imagined for the same service. This should absolutely apply to your transportation arrangements as well!

3. Accommodate out-of-towners

Wedding guests who may need a ride from their hotels to the wedding ceremonies is a great way to ensure that everyone gets home safely and avoids the desire to drink and drive. A charter or shuttle bus is a great option that can take multiple trips before and after the event, and it can even perform double duty for guests who will head back to their hotels earlier, while shuttles can hang around longer for the after-partiers.

4. Spatial constraints

Will your wedding vehicle have plenty of space for your gown, headpiece, and accompanying bridesmaid dresses? This is a key consideration to keep in mind to ensure that your attire will still be looking its best as you leave and enter each destination. Make it a point to review the sizes of vehicles beforehand so that you and your wedding party aren’t unnecessarily cramped by your transportation options.

5. Go for the gusto

Is a stretch limo really the pinnacle of wedding style? These days, you can find everything from an antique Rolls-Royce to a Hummer limousine as rentals. Weddings are monumental events, so make sure you have the wheels to match your style and the spirit of the occasion. If you have extra money in your budget, a dynamic transportation option could put the finishing touch on your festivities.Contact more .

5 Rules to follow when Shopping for Bridesmaid Dresses

As a bridesmaid, shopping for the dress you’ll be wearing at your friend or family member’s ceremony will either be a painless experience to pick up an outfit that is already set for you, or dealing with the stress of picking something that will fall into the bride’s guidelines. It’s the latter example that can be extremely tough for bridesmaids, as many brides are eschewing the full matching ensemble and allowing their wedding parties to impart their own sense of style to their dresses.

Having that freedom is where some bridesmaids may get into trouble! Before you head out to begin shopping for bridesmaids dresses, be sure to follow these tips from the style experts at Nanina’s in the Park!

1. Stick to the color palette

Even if the bride picks a specific color, there is still a huge range of shades within one color that will open up your style choices and allow you to find something that pairs well with your complexion. For example, if the color peach will wash out against the backdrop of your skin tone, opting for something coral for contrast can work beautifully. If for any reason you feel like the color may not work, talk with the bride to go over your options before you buy!

2. Location, location

What type of wedding will this be? Is it going to be held in a church? Is the overarching style more traditional or conservative? As cute as that strapless dress may be, it may not fit into the look and feel of the ceremony and may make you stand out in a negative light. Before you head out shopping, be sure to ask the bride whether a cocktail dress or more elegant gown will be more appropriate. This will help narrow down your choices and ensure that you match the atmosphere of the event.

3. Consider accessories

If you find yourself trying to decide between a simple dress and a more heavily-accented piece, it may be easier to go with the simple dress and punch up your look with accessories instead. Pay particular attention to the color and cut of the dress, and try to steer clear of ensembles that are heavy on embellishments. This will ensure that you adhere to the color palette and overall style, while letting your accessory choices be the symbols of your personal style.

4. Keep the bride in the loop

The bride will undoubtedly have plenty on her plate to prepare for her upcoming nuptials, but it’s vital to keep an ongoing discussion open. While you don’t want to bombard her with every detail regarding the color, cut and length of your dress, you should make an effort to check in before you make a purchase. This will help you avoid any last-minute changes and can pick out a dress that you know the bride is comfortable with.

5. Make it work for you!

Last but not least, one of the biggest perks of being able to choose your own bridesmaid dress is that it’s not forced on you and you can choose something that matches your own sense of style. Opt for something you’d like to wear again and think of it as an investment. It’s possible to strike a balance between your tastes and the bride’s needs, so find that middle ground to make it work! Contact More.