Before your wedding day arrives, you must spend months planning, shopping, and making sure every detail is perfect! However, when it’s all said and done, you’re left with an abundance of wedding items. Do you keep them all in storage? Do you donate them? Do you sell them? Below is a list of great options on how to recycle your wedding items to ensure they don’t end up in the trash.
Flowers
Unfortunately, flowers can’t last forever. In order to get the most use out of your wedding day flowers, consider sending your guests home with their own little bouquets!
Another great way to utilize your wedding day flowers is by donating them to local nursing homes and hospitals. This is a great way to cheer up those in need and make for a brighter environment.
Lastly, any other leftover flowers can be dried and pressed. These flowers work great in photo albums, framed pictures, and keepsake crafts!
Decorations
Your wedding decorations are a reflection of your personal taste – so why not use them to decorate your home? Any fairy lights, vases, mason jars, or candles could easily become a new kitchen table centerpiece, or a display on a book shelf. Plus, whenever you look at these decorations you’ll be reminded of your special day. It’s a win-win!
Food
At almost every wedding there is an abundance of food left over! Speak with your caterer to see if they can assist in packaging and donating your leftover food to a local meal center. This is a perfect way to use leftovers, help others in need, and reduce food waste in your area.
Dress
Some want to keep their dress as a keepsake or possible hand-me-down. If that’s the case – that’s okay! On the other hand, if you want to recycle your dress, the options are endless.
Consider selling or donating your dress, shoes, and accessories. There are plenty of websites that make the selling process super easy – they’ll even send you the shipping label! Consider using websites like Poshmark, Ebay, Depop, to sell and send your gown. If you are looking for a more local option, consider selling your dress on Facebook Marketplace. If you are donating in the La Crosse area, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Good Steward Resale Shop make the donation process simple!
If you’re not quite ready to let go of your dress completely, consider re-purposing it into something new! Bring your dress to your local seamstress and have them turn it into a christening gown, prom dress, or cocktail dress. You could even turn it into a keepsake item by turning it into a pillow, quilt, teddy bear, garter, or all of the above!
