As much as we love being a part of the wedding industry here at Juniper Flowers, we know the wedding industry can be wasteful and lead to a lot of unnecessary consumption. In the realm of florals, there are some things you can do to minimize your impact. The best way to do this is to ask your florist what sustainable practices they employ, and work with them to make the best possible choices! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Work with a Sustainable Florist to Minimize Waste
Ask your florist to use biodegradable or compostable materials for packaging & mechanics. Traditional floral foam is full of micro-plastics, but nowadays, there are tons of other options! A knowledgeable florist can prioritize more eco-friendly options and let you know if there are price differences. Sometimes, these options can be more labor intensive and have higher costs, but it's often worth it to know you're being as sustainable as possible.
Using chicken wire instead of floral foam in installations is a great way to minimize plastic waste
Use Potted Plants
Incorporate potted flowers, plants or herbs to minimize the use of fresh cut flowers. Doing this means you can source more things locally from your neighborhood nurseries versus buying flowers that have been airfreighted across the world.
Potted plants from a local nursery can cut down on transportation costs
Choose Local and Seasonal Flowers
Select flowers that are grown nearby and are in season. This reduces transportation emissions and supports local farmers. There are some great local growers here in AZ. Ask your florist if they're familiar with the Arizona Flower Collective, a local growers network in Arizona. They may be able to source some or all of your flowers from this network & can let you know what varieties might be available.
Responsibly sourced local wildflowers and greenery are another option, like this bouquet designed entirely with locally foraged and grown stems for an AZ bride
Don't Over-do the Floral Decor
It's easy to get sucked into the Pinterest world of wedding flowers, where you'll scroll through countless weddings where the floral budget is upwards of $10,000 or $20,000. While it's fun to dream, and external pressure can cause to you think you need to mimic these ideas, the truth is, you don't. Be mindful about where you truly need decor, both floral and other, to ensure you don't order more than you truly need. At the end of the day, your wedding is about the two of you, and spending time with your loved ones!
These cacti made a fun keepsake for the bride & groom