It's possible that you'd like to continue enjoying your
flowers after your wedding, but you don't know how to keep your bridal bouquet
fresh. Learn how to preserve your flowers so you can use them as a perpetual
reminder of your wedding.
A wedding bouquet is what?
A bride traditionally carries a floral bouquet on her
wedding day, also referred to as a bridal bouquet. The bridal bouquet and other
wedding flowers, such as boutonnieres, corsages, bridesmaid bouquets, and
centrepieces, can be ordered from a florist, or you can make your own using
flowers from the store, your garden, or even wildflowers.
Why Are Wedding Bouquets Preserved?
You may want to keep your wedding bouquet as a keepsake to
remember your special day, or as a work of art to display in your home instead
of fresh flowers. You could also start a tradition of passing down your wedding
flower bouquet to your children and future generations. Alternatively, you can
save your floral arrangement to give to your spouse on your wedding
anniversary.
How to Preserve a Wedding Bouquet
There are several options for wedding bouquet preservation.
Prepare your flower arrangement ahead of time by asking your wedding florist
not to spray preservatives on your bouquet, keeping it out of direct sunlight,
and using a different floral arrangement for the bouquet toss. To preserve your
flowers, choose one of the following methods:
1. Air-dry: Air-dry your flowers by tying a piece of
string or twine around the stems and hanging them upside down in a dry
temperate location after removing any browned flowers or leaves. Depending on
the temperature and humidity, the drying process can take anywhere from two
weeks to a month. Although dried flowers may shrink slightly and fade over
time, dried wedding bouquets retain their original shape.
2. Commission a painting of your wedding bouquet: While
commissioning a painting of your wedding bouquet will not preserve the actual
flowers, it will provide you with a visual remembrance and a framed piece of
wedding décor that will last a lifetime. You can use acrylics, watercolors, or
any other technique you like, and then paint it yourself or hire a professional
to do it for you.
3. Freeze-dry: While professional freeze-drying is more
expensive than home drying, freeze-dried flowers retain their original colors
and resist fading. Your wedding florist may offer freeze-drying preservation
options, or you can find a freeze-drying floral preservation company. The
entire procedure takes about three months.
4. Preserve in resin: You can preserve your bouquet in epoxy
resin, which can be purchased at a craft store, and turn it into a paperweight
or decorative piece by using a square, heart, or half-sphere mold. Allow your
flowers to airdry before filling your mold halfway with epoxy resin and
arranging your flowers as desired in the fluid. Fill the mold to the brim with
resin, then set it aside for at least 24 hours before removing your floral
keepsake.
5. Preserve in wax: Preserving your flowers in wax will keep
your bouquet looking as fresh as the day you married. Melt paraffin wax in a
saucepan, then gently dip your flowers in it before hanging them upside down to
dry. If you want to keep your wedding bouquet for a longer period of time,
avoid using wax preservation.
6. Press your flowers: To press your flowers, spread the
entire bouquet or individual flowers on wax or parchment paper. Place the
flowers in a flower press or inside the pages of a heavy book, then pile heavy
items on top of the flowers until they flatten. Allow two weeks for your
flowers to dry before framing them in a picture frame or shadowbox.
7. Soak in silica gel: Use the drying properties of silica
gel (a type of sand that absorbs moisture) to keep your flowers in the same
condition as they were on your wedding day. Purchase silica gel from your local
craft store, then create a base of the gel in an airtight container, place your
flowers in the gel, and pour additional silica gel around the flowers to the
top of the container. Allow seven days for the flowers to dry before spraying
with hairspray or sealant spray.
