How To Dry And Preserve Your Wedding Flowers

Wedding flowers are a beautiful but fleeting part of the big day, so it's no surprise that many couples want to preserve their floral arrangements for as long as possible. There are several ways to dry and preserve wedding flowers, from professional services to simple DIY methods. Dried flowers can be used as decor, jewellery, or statement pieces in the home, serving as a living memory of the celebration.

Air-drying flowers

Air-drying is one of the most traditional methods of drying flowers, although it is more time-consuming than other methods. This technique works best for bouquets or larger floral arrangements, as well as bigger flowers such as sunflowers, roses, and lavender.

• Strip excess foliage from flowers and cut stems to the desired length, ensuring they are no shorter than six inches. To help flowers retain their colour, keep them out of direct sunlight.
• Split your flowers into smaller bunches of the same type, with no more than six or seven flowers in each bunch.
• Hang the flowers individually or use a rubber band to secure the stems together if you want to hang a bouquet.
• Find a dark, dry area with good ventilation, such as an attic or unused closet. Secure the bottom of the flowers' stems to a hanger with unflavoured dental floss, ensuring that they hang upside down to dry.
• Leave the flowers for two to three weeks until they are completely dry.
• Remove the flowers from the hangers and spray them with unscented hairspray to protect them.

It is important to note that dried flowers are prone to sun-fading and can be damaged by dust mites. Therefore, it is best to keep them away from direct sunlight and moisture to ensure their longevity.

Pressing flowers

Picking the Flowers

Start by choosing flowers that are close to full bloom, avoiding any with blemishes or dark spots. Pick flowers from a garden in the morning, once any dew has evaporated. Ensure the flowers are completely dry, as wet or damp flowers can become mouldy. If you're using a bouquet, keep it in water until you're ready to press. Cut stems at an angle and place the flowers in a vase with flower food to maintain freshness. Replace the water daily and remove any leaves below the waterline.

Pressing the Flowers

There are several methods for pressing flowers, including using a book, a wooden press, a microwave, or an iron.

Book Method

Arrange the flowers on a sheet of absorbent paper, such as parchment paper, blotting paper, or coffee filters. Place another sheet of paper on top. Close the book and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a brick or another book. Leave the flowers to dry for about two weeks.

Wooden Press Method

This method is similar to the book method but uses a wooden press instead. Cut two pieces of cardboard to fit inside the wooden press. Lay a piece of blotting paper on top of the cardboard and arrange the flowers. Place another piece of cardboard on top, followed by the second piece of wood or MDF. Screw in bolts and tighten wingnuts until secure. Leave the flowers to dry for about two weeks.

Microwave Method

Arrange the flowers on a piece of fabric or absorbent paper. Microwave for an initial burst of about 25 seconds, then continue in short bursts of 10 seconds until the flowers feel paper-thin. Allow the plates to cool between bursts to prevent browning or scorching.

Iron Method

Arrange the flowers between two pieces of absorbent paper. Turn off any steam settings and iron the flowers on low heat for 15-30 seconds at a time. Allow the flowers to cool before pressing again.

Displaying the Pressed Flowers

Once the flowers are pressed, you can display them in a variety of ways. You can frame them, create bookmarks or photo frames, decorate cards, or make a collection recording the plants in your garden.

Using silica gel

Wedding flowers can be preserved using silica gel, which is a desiccant that absorbs moisture. This method is highly effective in maintaining the colour and shape of flowers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dry wedding flowers using silica gel:

Step 1: Prepare the Flowers and Silica Gel

• Use fresh flowers, as the fresher the flowers are, the fresher they will appear once dried.
• Keep the flowers in water and a cool place, such as a basement or garage, until you are ready to place them in silica gel.
• Wear gloves while handling the flowers to avoid bruises, which can become apparent once the flowers are dried.
• Ensure you are using new or recharged silica gel. Silica gel can be recharged by placing it on a baking tray in the oven at 250°F for at least 5 hours. Check the instructions on the silica gel packaging for specific recommendations.
• Pour a thin layer of silica gel into the bottom of your container.

Step 2: Trim the Flower Stems and Place in the Container

• Trim the stems of the flowers at the base, leaving just the flower heads.
• Carefully place the flowers face-up on the silica gel.
• Slowly pour a small amount of silica gel around and inside each flower. Ensure that the silica gel falls into place beneath the petals to support the weight and maintain the shape of the flowers while they dry.
• Continue to slowly build up the silica gel, alternating between pouring it around and inside the flowers. This will prevent the weight of the silica gel from squishing the flowers and help maintain their shape.

Step 3: Cover the Flowers and Let Them Dry

• Once the first layer of flowers is completely covered in silica gel, add another layer of flowers and repeat the process.
• Seal the container and let the flowers dry for at least 3 weeks. Thicker flowers, such as rose buds or zinnias, may need closer to 7 days.

Step 4: Remove the Flowers from the Silica Gel

• After the flowers have dried, carefully remove them from the container and shake off any excess silica gel.
• To check if the flowers are fully dried, ensure that the petals are stiff and feel like paper. If they still bend and feel spongey, they need more time to dry.
• If you plan to preserve the flowers in resin, ensure that they are completely dry, or they will rot.

Safety Precautions:

• When working with silica gel, wear a dust mask and gloves to protect yourself from the fine dust created when the gel is poured.
• Do not reuse containers that have been used for drying flowers with silica gel for food preparation, as the gel may have absorbed pesticides from the flowers.

Dipping flowers in wax

Prepare the Flowers

Strip any dead or wilting petals or leaves from the flowers. Cut the stems to around 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in length. This will make it easier to dip the flowers and allow them to cool upright in a vase.

Prepare the Wax

You will need paraffin wax or soy wax, a microwave-safe container, and a pot or double boiler to melt the wax. Cut the wax into small pieces of about 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm). Fill your container with wax and heat it until melted. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals to avoid overheating. Stir the wax to prevent lumps from forming.

Dip the Flowers

Holding the flower by the stem, dip it into the melted wax until it is completely coated. You may need to swirl the flower gently to ensure an even coating. Repeat this process for all the flowers. Place the dipped flowers in a vase to cool and harden.

Dip the Stems

Once the flowers have dried, carefully remove them from the vase. Dip each flower stem into the wax, swirling to ensure an even coating. This step is important to seal the stems and prevent the flowers from rotting. Lay the flowers on a piece of wax paper to dry.

Display and Care

Your waxed flowers are now ready to be displayed! You can place them in a vase or use them as part of a centerpiece. Waxed flowers will last about a month but can be preserved indefinitely if fed a solution of glycerin and water before dipping. Enjoy your beautiful, long-lasting flowers!

Using epoxy resin

Preserving wedding flowers in epoxy resin is a great way to keep them in their original shape and colour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Dry the Flowers

Before preserving your wedding flowers in resin, it is crucial to ensure they are completely dry. If there is any moisture left in the flowers, they will rot and change colour within the resin. There are several methods to dry flowers:

• Silica gel: Place fresh flowers in a sealed container with silica gel desiccant for several days or up to a couple of weeks. This method is ideal for colour and shape retention, but silica beads can cause indents on the petals, so it is recommended to use silica crystals.
• Air dry: Allow the flowers to dry naturally in a vase or box. This method is simple and does not require any additional equipment, but the flowers will lose some colour.
• Parchment paper: Place flowers between folded parchment paper and press them between the pages of a heavy book. This method is cost-effective and dries many flowers at once, but the flowers will be flattened.
• Microwave: Dry flowers in a microwave flower press for 1½ to 3 minutes. This is the fastest method, but it can be tricky to get right, and you may burn the flowers if you are not careful.

Step 2: Choose and Measure Your Mold

Select a silicone or HDPE mold that showcases your flowers effectively. Measure the mold to determine the amount of Liquid Cast Floral Preservation Epoxy Resin required. If your mold has an open centre, like a vase, you will need to take two measurements: the outer and inner walls. Subtract the inner volume from the outer volume to calculate the required resin amount.

Step 3: Prepare the Mold

Clean the mold with water or isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel to remove any dried epoxy resin or dust. Ensure it is completely dry before use. You can also apply a light layer of resin mold release to facilitate demolding and protect your mold against micro-tears.

Step 4: Measure and Mix the Epoxy Resin

Combine one part Liquid Cast Floral Preservation Epoxy Resin (A) with one part hardener (B), ensuring a thorough mix. This formula is ideal for thick pours and cures crystal-clear, making it perfect for flower preservation. Be sure to measure accurately and mix well, scraping the sides and bottom of the container to prevent unmixed epoxy resin in the final product.

Step 5: Pour the First Layer of Epoxy Resin

Pour the first layer of epoxy resin into the mold, approximately ¼” thick, keeping an eye out for bubbles. Use a heat gun to eliminate bubbles, checking the resin every 15 to 30 minutes until none form. Be careful not to overheat the resin or the mold.

Step 6: Allow the Resin to Harden and Pour Another Layer

After about 24 hours, the epoxy resin will be hard enough to arrange your flowers and pour another layer. Carefully dip the flowers into the resin or flood them with resin before placing them in the mold to prevent bubbles from forming under the petals. Pour another layer of resin, approximately ¼” thick, using a heat gun to prevent bubbles.

Step 7: Continue to Pour Additional Layers

Continue pouring additional layers of resin, approximately ¼” thick, every 24 hours until you reach the desired depth.

Step 8: Allow the Resin to Cure

Give the Liquid Cast Floral Preservation Epoxy Resin at least three days to fully harden, and possibly longer, depending on the size of your mold and the amount of resin used.

Step 9: Demold the Floral Preservation Cast

Carefully remove the cured epoxy resin from the mold. If necessary, apply soapy water to the silicone mold to facilitate removal.

Step 10: Apply a Doming Layer of Epoxy Resin (Optional)

If there are any sharp edges, you can carefully remove them with a utility knife. You can also apply an optional doming layer of resin on top of the finished cast to give it a professional finish and additional protection.

Step 11: Showcase Your Floral Preservation Block

Display your exquisite resin floral preservation block in a special spot, where you can enjoy the everlasting beauty of your wedding flowers.

Frequently asked questions