by A.N. Carter

Created on: December 03, 2008

Special events like weddings can generate a ton of waste! So, as you pack up your belongings, put on your green' cap, and get ready to put convert your trash into treasure.

Food.

Local guests will always appreciate being able to pack up extra food and take it home. Simply make an announcement as the reception comes to a close that you would like your guests to take home leftovers. If there is still a good amount left, package it up and donate it to your local homeless shelter. Contributions are always appreciated.

Flowers.

Live flowers have many uses. Most churches and religious organizations will accept them as contributions, but you may want to hang onto them for sentimental reasons. You can hang them upside down for about a week to dry them out. When they are ready, peel all the petals off and dispose of the stems. You can place the petals in sachet bags or bowls and use them as potpourri. To give them a better smell, you can pick up oil fragrances from your local craft store and add a few drops to the mixture. These can be kept for your home, your clothing drawers, or even as a thank you for your guests.

Fake flowers also have many uses. If you want to donate them, enquire at local churches, film schools, theater groups, universities, production studios, and prop companies. If you want to get a bit of money for them, sell them on online auction sites. You can also keep them, along with leftover ribbons, as decorations for Christmas and birthday gifts.

Dress Material.

Some brides walk away with plenty of leftover dress, veil, and suit material. If you are not very crafty, find a friend that is and offer it to them. The uses are plentiful! You can make little pillows for favors, sachet bags for the aforementioned potpourri, or coverings for bassinettes. You can also use them to tie the bouquets of the bridal party as they walk down the aisle, or place bows throughout the garlands in your ceremony and reception.

Paper goods.

If you want to keep invitations and place cards, you can add them to scrap books. Some couples even have them framed to commemorate the date. If you have a great many, send them to a local recycling facility for reuse. You can also shred them up, place them in a vase, and place a candle on top. This fills out the empty space of the vase and will always be a reminder of your wedding day. You can also use any blank portions of the cards as tags for any future presents.

The possibilities are endless for reusing wedding day items. All you need is a bit of creativity!

Learn more about this author, A.N. Carter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.