The bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, ceremony arbor, and other ceremony decor are such important pieces in the wedding design (that will be in so many of your key photos!); but even better they can be repurposed to your reception! If you’re wondering how to make the most of these pieces in your reception area, keep reading!

It is important to note in advance that every wedding planner/coordinator/florist is different in how repurposing is handled! In most cases with my couples they have hired a wedding coordinator who is available and willing to assist with repurposing (whether it be the venue coordinator or an outside planner) but be sure to communicate about your plan for repurposing. If your coordinator/planner is unable to assist with repurposing then for my services I can either provide instructions to a trusted friend/family member if it’s an easy move, or your florist may be able to add a post-ceremony repurposing fee to stay through the ceremony to move these pieces for you. This blog post reflects my thoughts/opinions on ideas I personally recommend for repurposing but please be sure to consult with your own florist/planner/coordinator for what will work best for your unique wedding.

Repurposing Bridesmaid Bouquets

Have you ever been a bridesmaid or guest at a wedding where the bridesmaid bouquets just end up laying (and wilting!) on a reception table because there’s no repurposing plan? The worst! Be sure to communicate with your bridesmaid party that your plan is to repurpose the bouquets after photos and before the reception so they know where to place them (or if they need to hand them off to a planner/coordinator/florist to place).

I’m noticing nowadays that bridesmaid parties are getting bigger (no judgment here-I had 10!) which just means more opportunities to use these pieces in your reception decor. All of my bouquet pricing personally includes a simple glass vase to make these repurposing ideas easy. Here’s some of my favorite ways to repurpose bridesmaid bouquets.

*Vendor Credit: Lily Morgan Photo, Tollehouse Events, Osbornia Farm, Brushed Beauty, Lilla’s Bridal*

Bridesmaid Bouquets as Decor for Your Guest Book Table/Lounge

These are always spots that deserve a little extra attention and using bridesmaid bouquets is an easy way to achieve this without using more of your budget for these pieces.

Bridesmaid Bouquets as Decor for Your Dessert Table/Cake Table

Adding a few bouquets to your dessert/cake table can make a big impact in an easy way.

*Vendor Credit: Tales and Trees Photography, Taryn Blake Events, Hazelwood Weddings*

This last photo is an idea I had never seen a couple do before! They laid and layered bridesmaid bouquets around the cake stand to achieve this look. Swoon!

2. Repurposing Ceremony Decor

Whether it’s just a simple piece on your arbor, a lush ceremony pillar design, or low grounded arrangements I am in favor of repurposing your ceremony decor into the reception space!

*Vendor Credit: Haseok Chung Studio, Hazelwood Weddings*

Ceremony Arbor As Sweetheart Table Decor

Depending on the size of your sweetheart table/entrance to the reception/type of arbor you have you could choose to either have the decor piece taken off the arbor and have it placed on/in front of the sweetheart table, or move the whole arbor behind your sweetheart table with florals attached (my favorite!)!

*Vendor Credits: Haseok Chung Studio, Hazelwood Weddings*

Ceremony Aisle Pieces/Low Grounded Arrangements As Decor for Your Sweetheart Table

I absolutely LOVE making grounded ceremony aisle/”arch” pieces (you can have them at the start of the aisle or going down the aisle!) because they are so easy to repurpose.

Ceremony Aisle Pieces as Misc. Reception Decor (Entrance to Reception, Photo Op)

You could literally place the ceremony aisle pieces anywhere you want in your reception-some examples include the entrance to your reception, a photo op/booth, in front of the DJ booth, etc!

I hope these ideas for repurposing are helpful to you! Again-please be sure to consult your florist and your planner/coordinator/venue to see how to achieve your repurposing floral dreams!

*all photos feature Woodland Floral Design Co’s work*