Junior Rasmussen
Wedding flowers are often very expensive and hold a lot of sentimental value, so it's no surprise that many couples choose to preserve their wedding bouquets. There are several ways to do this, including professional services that press and frame the flowers, dip them in wax, or preserve them in resin. Some couples also choose to hang their bouquets upside down to let them air-dry, or create paintings or other DIY crafts with the flowers. While it's best to act quickly after the wedding to preserve the flowers while they're still fresh, it is possible to preserve them even a week later.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to preserve | Sentimental value, cost of the bouquet, aesthetic value |
| Timing | Flowers should be preserved when petals are vibrant, colourful and unstained; ideally within a few days of the wedding |
| Preservation methods | Wax preservation, glycerin preservation, air-drying, pressing, submerging in epoxy resin, painting |
| Cost | $250-$400 for professional pressing and framing services |
| DIY or professional | DIY requires craft acumen and preparation; professionals can deliver a high-quality finished product |
| Planning | Preservation methods should be planned in advance, especially if using a professional service |
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What You'll Learn
Wax preservation
To preserve your wedding bouquet using wax, you will need paraffin wax and a saucepan. Begin by melting the wax in a saucepan with boiling water until it reaches a smooth and even consistency. Reduce the heat to low, allowing the wax mixture to cool slightly while remaining warm. Select your best blooms, ensuring they are not stained or wilting, and gently dip them into the wax solution. Remove any excess wax by slowly turning the flowers as you take them out, and hang them upside down to dry. You can also place the waxed flowers upright in a vase to dry with the petals open.
For added longevity, you can dip your flowers a second time. Once dry, you can display your waxed flowers in any vessel you like, just as you would with fresh flowers. You can also incorporate your waxed flowers into other crafts, such as candle-making. Light a tea candle and use the softened wax as a glue to attach dried petals or flower sprigs to plain taper candles.
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Glycerin preservation
Preserving your wedding bouquet is a great way to create a special keepsake of the blooms you carried down the aisle. One unique way to do this is by using glycerin, which replaces the water in the blooms and keeps them looking just as they did on your wedding day.
To preserve your wedding bouquet using glycerin, start by filling a vase or container with two parts lukewarm water and one part glycerin. You can purchase glycerin from a high-street chemist. Be sure to use a narrow container so that your mixture sits at a reasonable depth. Next, place your flower stems into the container and wait two to six weeks for the absorption process to complete. You will know that the process is working when you notice brown shading on the leaves of your flowers as the glycerin makes its way through the stems. Once the colour has changed completely, remove the flowers from the glycerin solution. If you leave your stems in the solution for too long, the glycerin will start to ooze out of the leaves, leaving them sticky.
If you are short on time after your wedding or would prefer not to take the DIY route, you can also seek the help of a professional flower preservation service.
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Pressing and framing
Wedding flowers are often very costly and hold a lot of sentimental value, so it's no surprise that many brides and grooms choose to preserve their wedding bouquets as a special keepsake. Pressing and framing your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your flowers and create a beautiful piece of artwork for your home.
The process of pressing flowers has been popular since Victorian times, when women would press blooms in the pages of books. To press your wedding bouquet, you will need to act quickly as the flowers need to be fresh, vibrant, and unstained. You can use a wooden flower press, a microwave flower press, or simply place the flowers between the pages of a heavy book. If using a book, separate the types of flowers and place them between blotting papers, then place the book under weights or bricks for two weeks. If using a microwave, separate the flowers and place them between blotting papers, then place on a microwave turntable and weigh down with bricks. Heat on high for 30 to 60 seconds, then remove and repeat until the flowers are dry but not browned.
Once your flowers are pressed and dried, you can arrange them in a frame. You can use a glass floating frame or create your own by removing the glass from a picture frame and placing the flowers between two pieces of glass. Be careful when arranging the flowers as the petals may be delicate and prone to falling off. You can include other items in the frame, such as your wedding invitation, to create a unique arrangement.
If you don't want to press the flowers yourself, you can send them to a professional who will press and frame them for you. This option can be costly, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and you will need to get the bouquet to the professional within a few days of the wedding. However, it can be a convenient and stress-free way to preserve your wedding bouquet.
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Resin preservation
Wedding flower preservation is a great way to have a special keepsake of the blooms you carry down the aisle. There are several ways to preserve your wedding bouquet, including air-drying, waxing, using silica gel, and resin preservation. This article will focus on the latter.
To preserve your wedding bouquet using resin, you will first need to dry and preserve the flowers. This can be done using silica gel or by air-drying. It is important to note that fresh flowers can rot in resin, so they must be completely dry before proceeding. Once your flowers are dry, you will need to purchase resin and a mold. You can find these at your local craft store or online.
When you are ready to begin, fill your mold halfway with resin and delicately arrange the flowers in the fluid. Then, fill the mold to the top with resin and let it dry. Once the resin has dried, you can remove your bouquet from the mold. You will now have a beautiful decoration that will keep your wedding bouquet preserved forever.
If you are unsure about tackling this project yourself, you can always send your bouquet to an artist or use a professional wedding flower preservation service. These services can be pricey, but they will ensure that your bouquet is preserved correctly and beautifully.
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Professional preservation services
Wedding flowers are often very costly and hold a lot of sentimental value, so it's no surprise that many brides want to preserve their wedding bouquets. Professional preservation services can help you turn your bouquet into a lasting keepsake, and there are a variety of methods to choose from.
Pressed flowers are a popular option, and many companies offer to press and frame your bouquet. While pressed flowers will eventually fade and brown, they can still be a beautiful reminder of your special day. Resin preservation is another common choice, as it encapsulates the colour of your flowers and can be used to create decorative shapes like paperweights or functional pieces like trays and coasters. Wax preservation is also an option, though it is not permanent and will only extend the life of your flowers for up to six months.
If you're interested in professional preservation services, it's important to plan ahead and budget accordingly. Many companies require that your bouquet be delivered within a few days of your wedding to ensure the flowers are still fresh. You'll also want to research different vendors and compare prices, as costs can vary depending on the size and type of preservation you choose.
Some popular vendors offering professional bouquet preservation services include dbandrea, Element Design, and Bloomsake. dbandrea uses a proprietary technique that guarantees beautiful, lasting results, and has been the Official Flower Preservation Partner of Miss America. Element Design offers pressed and resin preservation services and has positive reviews from customers who appreciate their easy ordering process and beautiful results. Bloomsake uses high-quality, professional-grade resin and framing materials and welcomes last-minute brides, as long as your flowers are fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding flowers are often very costly and hold a lot of sentimental value. Preserving your bouquet allows you to hold on to those memories and showcase a special keepsake in your home.
Timing is important when it comes to flower preservation. It is best to act as soon as possible, preferably within a few days of the wedding, while the flowers are still fresh. However, even if a week has passed, you can still preserve your bouquet.
There are several DIY methods for preserving your wedding bouquet, including air-drying, wax-dipping, using glycerin, pressing, and submerging in epoxy resin. You can also paint your bouquet or send it to an artist to create a custom painting.
Using a professional service ensures that your bouquet is preserved correctly and can save you time and hassle. Professionals can offer various preservation methods, such as pressing, drying, and resin casting, and can provide guidance on the best option for your flowers.
