by Shannon Morehouse

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: December 21, 2010

The day you have waited for your entire life has come and gone in a flash. You spent hours on end helping to create a magical wedding day. Before you dash off to your honeymoon, make sure you have a plan for the leftover wedding materials. Nobody wants to see these thoughtful items go to waste. Here are some strategies for putting your wedding leftovers to good use.

What to do with all of this food?

Your wedding meal was a big hit, but there's so much left! What do you do? Many local rescue programs will pick up leftover food items and deliver it to a homeless shelter that day. If you are one who likes to be "in the field," why not bring the food to a community center in a disadvantaged neighborhood? Your good deed and good food will be immensely appreciated! If you have any perishable items left, contact a local food bank and donate these items. To find a food bank near you, visit the Second Harvest Website.

And what about the leftover alcohol?

Alcohol is something many guests would probably be willing to take home. Have the DJ make an announcement toward the end of the reception and the odds are, you will take care of the leftovers in that department.

WHAT should I do with these beautiful flower arrangements?

Your flowers were a gorgeous accent for your ceremony and reception. Think of people who may be struggling with hard times and could certainly use these flowers to add some brightness in their life. First think in terms of the guests at your wedding. Is anyone going through a hard time a job loss, a loss of a loved one, suffering from depression or empty nest syndrome? If anyone comes to mind, offer the flower arrangements to them.

If you are fortunate enough that most of your guests are experiencing good times and are not struggling, think of places in the community that could use your flowers. Go to a local nursing home and ask the receptionist if there are particular people who could truly use the flowers. Or go to the hospital and offer them to patients who could really use them. Last but not least, you can bring some of the floral arrangements to a cemetery where loved ones are buried. They may have missed your wedding, but visiting their burial site and leaving flowers from the ceremony behind, is one sure way to feel their presence on your special day.

Any ideas for leftover wedding favors?

A lot of wedding favors are personalized. For those favors, why not send them along with the announcements for those invited guests who weren't able to attend

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