It’s not a secret that little potted succulents and cacti can be a perfect wedding decor detail as well as a unique keepsake for each and every of your lovely guests. As they are simple and stylish, there is no reason to restrain yourself for going for those living beauties, right? Unless, of course, you are over-thinking the presentation of the plants themselves.
Don’t worry, that’s why I am at your service! Here are the 7 sustainable ways to present potted succulents and cacti as a wedding favours.
1. Skip the packaging all together
Less is more when it comes to packaging. Just put a name tag on the plastic pot you’ve purchased the plant in and voilà! I wouldn’t be worried about the soil or water dripping from the bottom of the pot – succulents love dry soil anyway so you shouldn’t be over-watering them anyway especially before the Big day. If the opportunity of soil particles messing the place up really bothers you, for example if you wish your little pots to be sitting on the serving plates just reuse some old printed sheets or paper envelopes. Cut a small circle of paper and stick it onto the bottom of the pot to prevent any dirt appearing on the table.
2. Support small businesses
If keeping the pots naked is not something you are after and if your wedding budget allows, why not to support small business and get bespoke pots in colours matching the wedding theme? At the end of the day, sustainability is not only about reusing or recycling, it is also about well functioning societies. Ideally the pots would be biodegradable and/or made from recycled materials and the chosen business would be supporting circular economy ideas.
3. Wrap potted plants in (recycled) paper
In the picture below the little succulent plants are just wrapped in kraft paper. While the latter can be made of recycled material, please note, that that’s not always the case. If you cannot confirm the origin and recycled content within the paper you wish to purchase, you can always make your own recycled paper at home. Trust me, I’ve tried and that’s not complicated at all. Here is the tutorial I used when I first made my own handmade paper from recycled materials.
4. Reuse some burlap
Remember that old burlap sack which was sitting for ages in your storage? The time has come for it to serve again for different purpose.
Psssst…. One could think that this idea goes well only with a rustic theme wedding. However, just look to this baroque style mirror used as a tray. Burlap is certainly suitable for more eclectic styles as well.
5. Reuse vodka glasses as miniature pots
The tiny yet usually very decorative vodka glasses are probably not the attribute you’d easily find in modern home nowadays, but for sure my both grandmas have a lot of them in their cupboards. And if yours have them too but are not ready to part with them just yet, more often than not it is possible to find many of these little treasures in the charity shops or car boot sales and markets.
6. Go for natural stone
You’ve probably noticed that in nature there are stones and rocks that have some natural holes in them. Those can usually be found by the rivers, lakes or on the beach. Here you go – some natural little pots for your succulent plants and cacti. Ideal for small family wedding because only a few ‘pots’ like this (which are not so easy to find) would be needed.
7. Try zero waste swaps
Well, this can be the least visually attractive option but for sure it is the most eco-friendly and a zero waste one. Yey! The only thing you need to do is to collect all jars, tins and other waste containers from your kitchen and use them as succulent pots.
Have some more great presentation ideas for your succulent plants? Please share them in the comments!