Inquiring with florists about reusing flowers?

I don't think they'll do that. They run a business to make money.

Astalina for the winarina.

You could reach out to a bridal group for your area on FB. I honestly doubt that a florist that you have no relationship with would be willing to connect you with someone in order to use their designs at no cost.

They probably won't share that information if they are a reputable company. Most have a policy against sharing customer info. I'd stick with your websites or maybe ask the venue to reach out to brides for you, kind of play middle man as it were.

You could always ask florists if they have clients around your date that expressed interest in donating their flowers. I would definitely expect that you'd need to pay the florist for coordinating and it may end up being more trouble than it's worth

Check your local facebook groups. There were a couple of people in my area selling their excess flowers.

I don't think many vendors would be comfortable giving out that info, nor should they be.

The florist probably wouldn't want to do that. They would be losing money.

I don't think this would happen, the florist would potentially be losing money and a client if they did that.

I agree with PP, your best bet is to post something in local wedding groups to see if you can find any brides willing to do this.

I literally have no idea if a florist would do this. Maybe put "Paging Rachel" in your title. She's a florist, right?

Even though they still look pretty the next day, mine certainly did not look fresh, especially the bouquets..

I don't think a florist will help you with this, what's the incentive for them but lost business (obviously that isn't an incentive). I would check your local Facebook wedding group.

Some venues have Facebook groups for their brides. If yours has that, it'd be a good place to look.

I have heard about people reusing their flowers from the ceremony for their reception. I have never heard of any florist doing this and while it sounds like something good for you, a florist would potentially be losing money and in all honesty doubt that they would be okay with that. Like other people mentioned, they have a business to run. Plus the flowers wouldn't be all that great the next day.

There's a reason those websites don't take off.

1. Floral centerpieces are usually taken home by guests

2. You have no way of predicting if the personal flowers will hold up another day

3. Boutonnieres often get crushed by hugs or can fall off during drunken shenanigans

Your best bet is to shop around and either find a florist in your budget range, check out supermarkets like Whole Foods that have florists (they are generally much less expensive than florists), and check Costco, Sam's, BJs for their wedding packages. You can reduce costs by having non-floral centerpieces and décor and just having personal flowers. You have a whole year to shop around.

I only had personal flowers (bride bouquet, MOH bouquet, flower girl bouquet, corsage for my sister, 5 boutonnieres and 2 small boutonnieres for the ring bearers). I must have gotten quotes from 12 florists and everyone was over $800 (on Long Island where I live and Brooklyn, where I was getting married). I went to a local florist and she quoted us $287. I could not believe it and was starting to worry what they would look like for so little money. They were exactly what I wanted! Keep looking and you will find it.

P.S. Our DOC repurposed the 3 bouquets and put them on our sweetheart table.

I doubt a florist would be willing to give you any contact info for their other clients or do this in place of making a sale to you.

Along the same lines as what Asta pointed out, we did have a guest that took a centerpiece at the end if the night, as well as one of the BM bouquets that had been left behind. I know the girl that caught the bouquet also took the toss bouquet with her. I think it would be hard for another couple to ensure all of their florals are kept at the end of the night.

It may actually be a violation of the contract for another bride to sell the flowers to you, given that they aren't her work product and the original seller isn't getting paid for the second use of those flowers.

Asta - Yes! I've been to weddings where the actual bouquet was tossed and the recipients also took it home. I could not imagine going up to the recipient and asking for it back.

If you're trying to cut costs think about looking for used silk wedding flowers or using alternatives for bouquets/flowers, such as lanterns, candles, old books, etc.

I feel like this route is going to be way more work than it's worth...

What if you find a bride that agrees, but then the flowers all wilt, or people take them home, or they get damaged? Would you have backup replacement flowers?

Are you looking for bouquets and boutonnieres as well?

I personally wouldn't want to go that route, especially since I've seen wooden/Sola flowers at a fraction of the cost of a real floral arrangement.

To clarify, I'd never ask them to share a client's info without the florist obviously asking that client if it's something they'd be interested in first. Essentially doing what Bloomerent does, but without the website, since there are no listings relevant to my location/date.

For all replies that didn't focus in on the absurd idea that a florist would be giving out another bride's contact info without her consent, I appreciate the feedback! I'm not willing to compromise on real flowers (though I love so many of the Sola flower arrangements I see on here! just not my personal style), which is why I'm exploring this route. I'll look to see if there are FB groups local to where my wedding will be held!