14 Alternative Bridal Bouquets

il_570xN.401819851_q3p5Eco-feminism – it’s a thing! It’s known that environmental issues adversely affect women the most as a result of their higher exposure to poverty and lower access to healthcare and education. When it comes to living a green life, even the smallest gesture can help offset hurting the environment. Flower bouquets and arrangements can have huge carbon footprints if the flowers are out of season or shipped in from far away; not to mention, their short and expensive life can seem like a waste in the big scheme of things. When it comes to achieving the perfect wedding why not take the environment into consideration too, especially if down the road there’s a correlation to the condition of women’s equality and health? Even if you don’t think skipping one or two clipped flower bouquets will make a positive difference on the environment, there are plenty of other benefits and upsides to these bouquet alternatives. So for the feminist bride who is also an eco-feminist here are fourteen bouquet alternatives that focus on easily accessible (local), found, upcycled and recyclable bouquets that can either become a family heirloom for future brides or be easily dismantled with little negative impact on the environment.

Button Bouquet: Make sure to save the buttons on clothing you discard! This can be a classy and elegant option if done well and will last forever! Button Bouquet: Make sure to save the buttons on clothing you discard! This can be a classy and elegant option if done well and will last forever! Candy Bouquet: How sweet it is to have an edible bouquet to enjoy later or as an additional wedding dessert? Candy Bouquet: How sweet it is to have an edible bouquet to enjoy later or as an additional wedding dessert? Wire Bouquet: This one will surely last the ages or you can recycle it afterwards! Wire Bouquet: This one will surely last the ages or you can recycle it afterwards! Paper Flowers Bouquet: A delicate replacement for real flowers and one that won't wilt in the heat and will keep for the next bride. Paper Flowers Bouquet: A delicate replacement for real flowers and one that won't wilt in the heat and will keep for the next bride. Feather Bouquet: A soft and elegant touch (also useful for the honeymoon too - wink, wink). Try to use common feathers that are either humanely collected or at least come from food sources so that one knows all parts are being used and not wasted. Feather Bouquet: A soft and elegant touch (also useful for the honeymoon too - wink, wink). Try to use common feathers that are either humanely collected or at least come from food sources so that one knows all parts are being used and not wasted. Upcycled Book Bouquet: Use pages from your favorite book or sheet music to create beautiful paper flowers. This is slightly better than stock paper because it's recycled paper. Upcycled Book Bouquet: Use pages from your favorite book or sheet music to create beautiful paper flowers. This is slightly better than stock paper because it's recycled paper. Tie Bouquet: This is a really novel idea that honors someone special and/or could count as your something old. The best part is if you don't want to keep this post-wedding, the tie owner can just go back to using them or the bride can donate them. Tie Bouquet: This is a really novel idea that honors someone special and/or could count as your something old. The best part is if you don't want to keep this post-wedding, the tie owner can just go back to using them or the bride can donate them. Fern/Leaf Bouquet: The benefit to this type of bouquet over flowers is that the florist is probably not killing the entire plant for your short enjoyment. The plant will be able to recover and grow. Fern/Leaf Bouquet: The benefit to this type of bouquet over flowers is that the florist is probably not killing the entire plant for your short enjoyment. The plant will be able to recover and grow. Succulent Bouquet: The amazing thing about succulents is that even though they get cut for a bouquet they can be transplanted to become a new plant. Succulent Bouquet: The amazing thing about succulents is that even though they get cut for a bouquet they can be transplanted to become a new plant. Brooch Bouquet: A great option that's environmental, long-lasting and crosses off the "something old" element. Certainly a statement bouquet to hand down to future generations. Brooch Bouquet: A great option that's environmental, long-lasting and crosses off the "something old" element. Certainly a statement bouquet to hand down to future generations. Seashell Bouquet: If the shells are either personal collected or locally sourced this is a great green option. Perfect for a beach wedding. Seashell Bouquet: If the shells are either personal collected or locally sourced this is a great green option. Perfect for a beach wedding. Pine Cone Bouquet: This is a green material that can be locally, easily and cheaply sourced (find out how to eliminate sap though). Keep it long term or dismantle it and put it back in nature. Great for a fall or winter wedding. Pine Cone Bouquet: This is a green material that can be locally, easily and cheaply sourced (find out how to eliminate sap though). Keep it long term or dismantle it and put it back in nature. Great for a fall or winter wedding. Toy Bouquet: A great upcycled option for a playful bride, especially since most toys end up in landfills and can't be recycled. Toy Bouquet: A great upcycled option for a playful bride, especially since most toys end up in landfills and can't be recycled. Ribbon Bouquet: Ribbon flowers are just as beautiful as real ones and can become a bridal heirloom. The one downside to this option is  that it's not upcycled or recyclable like the other alternative bouquet options. Ribbon Bouquet: Ribbon flowers are just as beautiful as real ones and can become a bridal heirloom. The one downside to this option is that it's not upcycled or recyclable like the other alternative bouquet options.

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