Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet: Tips For Keeping Your Flowers

Preserving your wedding bouquet is a great way to keep your wedding day memories alive. There are several ways to do this, from simple DIYs to professional services. Here are some options to consider:

- Air-drying: Hang your bouquet or individual flowers upside down in a dry, warm, and dark place. This method helps retain the shape and colour of your flowers.

- Pressing: Place your flowers between sheets of paper or parchment paper and press them using a heavy book or a flower press. This method results in flat flowers that can be framed or used in other crafts.

- Silica gel: Cover your flowers with silica gel crystals in an airtight container. This method absorbs moisture and preserves the shape and colour of your flowers.

- Resin: Dry your flowers first, then encase them in resin to create unique decorations or jewellery.

- Wax dipping: Melt paraffin wax and dip your flowers to preserve their colour and shape. This method is not permanent but can extend the life of your flowers by several months.

- Freeze-drying: This method requires a freeze dryer and is usually done by professionals. It effectively freezes flowers in full bloom, retaining their original shape and colour.

- Painting or commissioning a portrait: Create a permanent reminder of your bouquet by painting it yourself or commissioning a professional artist to do so.

Hang flowers upside down to air-dry

Hanging your flowers upside down to air-dry is one of the simplest ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. This method is perfect if you want to retain the shape and colour of your flowers.

Firstly, you will need to get your bouquet ready for drying. Untie your bouquet and cut away any tape or ties holding the flowers together. You should also remove any browning parts of the flowers, along with torn petals and extra leaves. Then, tie a piece of string to each stem. Hanging the flowers individually will help keep them in the best shape.

Next, you need to find a suitable place to hang your flowers. Look for a dry, warm and dark space, such as an airing cupboard, boiler room or closet. Hang the flowers upside down to dry. You can use a clothes line or coat hangers. Florist Simon Lycett recommends making hooks from florist's wire and gently poking them through the stems. This is because the stems will contract as they dry, so if you tie the flowers onto the line, they will slide off after a few days.

Finally, you need to be patient! The air-drying process can take anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on the temperature of the drying space. The colour of your bouquet will gradually fade, but it will still look nice displayed in a vase or hanging on a wall in your home. You could even tie any ribbons you've kept from your wedding to your dried bouquet to decorate it.

Press flowers in a heavy book

Preserving your wedding bouquet by pressing the flowers in a heavy book is a simple and cost-effective method. It does, however, require patience, as the flowers will need to be left to dry for at least a week, and possibly up to four. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the best results:

Preparation

Before you begin, separate any petals if needed. Then, arrange your flowers on a sheet of parchment paper, leaving at least 3/4-inch of space between them. Try to press flowers of similar varieties or thicknesses together.

Cover and Weight

Place a second piece of paper on top of the arranged flowers. Take care to flatten the flower face in the shape you’d like to achieve when pressed. Close the book and set a weight on top. You can also pile on more heavy books or a brick, but you’ll want something heavy enough to create even pressure.

Drying

The drying time will depend on the thickness of the petals and the environment in which the book is stored. For thicker flowers, you may choose to wait closer to four weeks. Store the book in a warm, dry place, and check on your flowers daily.

Display

Once your flowers are pressed to your liking, you can display your preserved flowers in a frame, either on their own or arranged on a sheet of paper using glue.

Preserve flowers with silica gel

Preserving your wedding bouquet with silica gel is a great way to keep your flowers looking as close to their original form as possible. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Prepare Your Flowers:

• It's best to use fresh flowers for the best quality preservation.
• Trim the stems of your flowers, removing any leaves, and pat the flowers dry.
• If you're preserving your entire bouquet, you may want to separate the flowers to keep them as fresh as possible.
• Place the flowers in fresh, room-temperature water, and keep them out of direct sunlight until you're ready to begin the preservation process.

Using Silica Gel:

• Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs moisture, helping to dry and preserve your flowers.
• Purchase silica gel from a craft store. You'll need enough to cover your flowers completely.
• Wear a mask and gloves when handling silica gel, as it can create fine dust that you don't want to inhale.
• Pour a layer of silica gel about 1.5 inches thick into an airtight container.
• Place your flowers face-up on top of the silica gel. If you're preserving the stems, you may need a larger container to accommodate the length.
• Gently pour more silica gel around and over your flowers, ensuring they are completely covered but not submerged. Take care not to damage the petals.
• Seal the container and let it sit in a dry place for 2-7 days, depending on the thickness of your flowers.

Finishing and Displaying:

• After the drying time has passed, open the container and carefully remove your flowers.
• Brush off any excess silica gel with a soft paintbrush.
• If needed, you can finish your flowers with a protective sealant spray, hairspray, or fixative spray to protect them from moisture and fading.
• Display your preserved flowers in a shadow box, vase, or decorative glass box.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you're short on time, you can use the microwave method. Place your flowers in a microwave-safe container with silica gel and heat in one-minute intervals until dry (usually 1-3 minutes total).
• To check if your flowers are fully dry, look for stiff, almost crunchy petals that feel like paper. If they still bend and feel spongy, they need more time.
• Silica gel is reusable. To recharge it, spread the crystals on a baking tray and heat in the oven at 250°F for at least 5 hours or until the colour of the crystals changes back to the original (usually blue).

Make a resin paperweight

Preserving your wedding bouquet in resin is a great way to keep your flowers in their original shape and colour. You can get creative by encasing your flowers in different moulds, like a sphere or a cube, and adding glitter to your mould. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a resin paperweight using your wedding bouquet:

Step 1: Prepare the Flowers

Before you start, make sure you have selected the flowers you want to preserve. You can use the whole bouquet or just a few flowers. If you want to preserve the entire bouquet, consider drying the flowers first to maintain their shape. Remove any ribbons, pins, or wires that are holding the flowers together. Cut about half an inch from each stem and place the flowers in fresh, room-temperature water. Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight and change the water daily until you are ready to preserve them.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

To make a resin paperweight, you will need the following materials:

• Clear epoxy resin
• A mould in the shape of your choice (e.g., sphere, cube)
• Mixing cups and stir sticks
• Gloves
• A disposable work surface
• A micro butane torch (optional)
• A nail file

Step 3: Prepare the Mould

Spray your mould with a mould release and conditioner spray. Allow the mould to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Mix and Pour the Resin

Mix the epoxy resin according to the instructions on the package. Be sure to mix it thoroughly to ensure that it is completely combined. Pour the mixed resin into your mould, filling it about halfway. There will be bubbles, which you can pop using a micro butane torch or by slowly exhaling over the resin. Allow the first layer of resin to cure completely, which may take about 24 hours or more, depending on the temperature of the room.

Step 5: Add the Flowers

Once the first layer of resin has cured, it's time to add the flowers. Arrange the flowers delicately in the fluid, being careful not to introduce new bubbles. You can use fresh flowers or dried flowers for this step. If using fresh flowers, consider spraying them with a resin sealer before adding them to the mould.

Step 6: Fill the Mould

Slowly pour more resin into the mould, filling it to the top. Take your time to ensure that the flowers are arranged perfectly before the resin sets. You won't be able to change the arrangement once the resin dries.

Step 7: Let it Dry

Allow the resin to dry completely, which may take 24 hours or more. The warmer the room, the faster it will cure.

Step 8: Remove from the Mould

Once the resin is fully cured, carefully remove the paperweight from the mould. You may need to gently pop it out by pushing on the mould with your thumbs or manoeuvring it around.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

Use a nail file to gently smooth out any rough edges on the paperweight. Your resin paperweight is now ready to use! You can also add a magnet to the back and stick it to your fridge, or display it on your desk with an inspirational quote.

Dip flowers in wax

Wax-preserved flowers are not permanent and will only last up to six months, but they are a great way to keep the original integrity and colour of your wedding bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dip flowers in wax to preserve them:

Step 1: Prepare the paraffin wax

Cut the paraffin wax into small pieces of about 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm). You can also use wax from unscented, uncoloured candles.

Step 2: Melt the wax

Place the wax in a double boiler or a large saucepan with water and a smaller metal pot inside. Heat the wax until it is liquified and smooth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. If using a double boiler, turn the heat down to low once the wax is melted. If using a saucepan, carefully pour the melted wax into a heat-resistant container.

Step 3: Prepare the flowers

Remove any dead or wilted petals and leaves from the flowers. Cut the stems to about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in length. Tie a piece of string to each stem.

Step 4: Dip the flowers

Holding the flower by the stem, gently dip it into the melted wax until it is completely coated. You may need to swirl the flower around to get an even coating. Be careful not to coat the stem yet. Repeat this process for all the flowers.

Step 5: Hang the flowers to dry

Tie the string around a clothes rack or something similar, and hang the flowers upside down to dry. Place a sheet of wax paper or newspaper underneath to catch any drips.

Step 6: Dip the stems

Once the flowers are dry, carefully remove one from where it is hanging and untie the string. Dip the stem into the wax, swirling it around until it is completely coated. Lay the flower on a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet to dry. Repeat this process for all the flowers.

Tips:

• Place your waxed flowers in a vase or container, just like you would with fresh flowers.
• Waxed flowers are great for display, but beware of high temperatures as the wax may melt.
• Waxed flowers used for display will usually discolour after about 4-6 months. If you want to keep them as souvenirs, store them in a dark, dry, and cool place, and they can last for over 50 years.
• If you are using soy wax, you can melt it in the microwave.

Frequently asked questions