Sustainable Flower Selection: 5 Green Tips for Your Maui Wedding
So you’re planning a destination wedding. Congratulations!
Maui is home to a range of vibrant, tropical flowers that make a stunning impact on couples’ big day.
The truth is that picking the right floral arrangements is key to an unforgettable ceremony. That said, our island is grappling with the effects of climate change. Sea levels have risen up to 18 inches in certain areas, and many beaches are receding. Even the Hawaiian Islands’ biodiversity is depleting.
This is where a green take on wedding planning comes in. A sustainable approach can make a real difference—and your floral arrangements are no exception.
With that, here are five sustainable tips for selecting your wedding flowers:
Shop for seasonal arrangements.
Not only are flowers that bloom naturally the month of your wedding less expensive, but they require less resource-heavy maintenance (meaning shorter transportation distances, and therefore less fuel). Talk about eco-friendly decision-making.
So, consider choosing your flowers based on seasonality. To go the extra mile, you might focus on flowers native to Maui instead of arrangements from Latin America.
Choosing local—and shopping seasonally—can work wonders in protecting the environment. Let this guide the decisions you make for your destination wedding.
Skip the floral foam.
Though its green shade and mossy feel give off a natural look, floral foam is far from sustainable. In fact, it’s actually a significant contributor to the plastic pollution crisis.
Made from non-biodegradable materials, floral foam even contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde.
So why not skip this synthetic product? Hawaii features an abundance of tropical blooms, from lush hibiscus to aromatic lavender depending on the season. With ample local flora at your disposal, you can craft a 100% sustainable flower arrangement for your Maui wedding.
Source vintage vases.
As eco-friendly Maui wedding planners, we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t mention the importance of reducing waste. This is where a collection of vintage vases may come in.
Carefully-selected mismatched vases make for vibrant flower arrangement vessels. And in addition to helping you leave a light footprint, they’re captivating! Some florists offer their own collections—but if you don’t find the right fit, you’ll find tons of vintage vases at second-hand shops.
Give your flowers a second life.
If you opt for cut flowers, you may want to donate your blooms to a local hospital or retirement home after your ceremony. No doubt your flowers will brighten others’ day the same way they brightened yours! Just be sure to make the donation arrangements in advance.
Ultimately, repurposing vessels, selecting recycled glass, and using potted flowers or even herbs and succulents are all low-impact ways you can decorate your venue. Waste-free native plants offer a unique appeal and can also be repurposed at the end of your wedding.
Don’t forget to compost.
If after your destination wedding you haven’t found a second home for your flowers, please be sure to compost them. This green approach is seamless and features a number of benefits for the Maui ecosystem.
Composting helps to enrich the soil, retain moisture, and minimize plant diseases and other pests. It also lessens the need for chemical fertilizers, as composting can create nutrients and build new plant life. We don’t know about you, but this sounds pretty appealing to us.
Contact A Maui Wedding Day to Plan Your Sustainable Event
Have questions about crafting a sustainable floral arrangement for your wedding day?
As your green Maui wedding planners, A Maui Wedding Day is here to assist with your every need. We help plan eco-friendly events and will walk you through all the details so you can bring your vision to life.
