George Boyle
Flowers are a big part of weddings, with many couples choosing to preserve their blooms as a memento of their special day. There are several ways to dry wedding flowers, including air-drying, pressing, and professional preservation methods such as freeze-drying. The chosen preservation method depends on factors such as flower type, desired keepsake, and budget. Acting quickly is essential to capture the flowers in their prime, and it's important to keep flowers away from direct sunlight during the drying process to prevent sun-fading. With proper drying and preservation, couples can cherish their wedding flowers for years to come.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to dry flowers | The day after the wedding |
| Techniques | Air-drying, pressing, dry evaporation, silica crystals, freeze-drying |
| Placement | Upside down in a cool, dark, dry spot away from direct sunlight |
| Preservation | Shadow boxes, memory books, phone cases, decoupaging, botanical candles, custom potpourri |
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What You'll Learn
Air-drying flowers upside down
To begin, carefully separate the stems and strip down all the unwanted foliage from them, leaving some of the top foliage surrounding the flower for a more natural appearance. Next, cut the ribbon and tying point. You can hang your bouquet as one, but it is recommended to separate the flowers and group them into smaller bunches to ensure they dry nicely and keep their shape. Stagger the stems when tying them together and hanging them so they are not sitting too closely together.
The best places to hang your flowers are in a dark, cool cupboard, a garage, or a garden shed that is mostly dark when the door is shut. Avoid hanging them in direct sunlight, as this will bleach the colour of the flowers. It is also recommended to hang them somewhere with good air circulation. The drying process can take a few weeks, so be patient!
Overall, air-drying your wedding flowers upside down is a great way to preserve your bouquet and create a lasting memento of your special day.
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Pressing flowers
To get started, you will need to prepare your flowers. It is best to use fresh flowers with thin petals and stems, as thicker flowers may be prone to mould or scorching. Remove any unwanted parts such as stems, thorns, and leaves, and cut off any browning or damaged petals. If you have rounder blooms, you can cut them in half or separate the individual petals from the stems.
Next, you will need to place your flowers between two layers of paper. Choose the side of the flower that will be facing down and arrange them on the paper, getting them as flat as possible. Then, place your second sheet of paper on top. You can use parchment paper, wax paper, or newspaper for this.
Now you are ready to begin the pressing process. The traditional method is to use a heavy book. Place the paper with the flowers inside the pages of a heavy book, such as a phone book or textbook, and add another book on top to weigh it down. You can also use heavy objects to weigh down the flowers if you don't have a heavy book. Leave the flowers to dry for 7 to 10 days.
If you are looking for a quicker method, you can use a microwave or iron to accelerate the drying process. For the microwave method, place your flowers between two ceramic tiles and microwave for 30-second increments, checking on them each time. When the flowers feel slightly dry, use another method to finish pressing them for a few more days. For the iron method, place the flowers between parchment paper and use the highest setting without steam. Press them for 10-15 seconds, being careful not to burn the flowers, and then let them finish drying for a couple of days.
Once your flowers are fully dried, you can display them in a frame or use them in other creative projects, such as making wall art, jewellery, or candles.
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Using silica crystals
Drying wedding flowers with silica crystals is a popular method for florists and craft enthusiasts alike. This is because silica crystals are an effective way to dry flowers while maintaining their colour and shape.
To dry your wedding flowers using silica crystals, you will need:
- Silica crystals
- Fresh flowers
- An airtight container
- Scissors
- Gloves and a mask
- A paintbrush
Firstly, ensure your flowers are as fresh as possible. The fresher the flowers are prior to being placed in silica crystals, the fresher they will appear once dried. Keep the flowers in fresh water and in a cool place, such as a basement or garage, until you are ready to place them in the crystals.
Next, trim the stems of the flowers at the base so that you are left with just the flower heads. You can then begin to place the flowers in the airtight container. Pour a layer of silica crystals about 1.5 inches thick into the bottom of the container. Then, place the flowers face-up on top of the crystals and slowly pour a small amount of crystals evenly in and around the petals until the flowers are completely covered but not submerged. This will allow the crystals to fall into place beneath the petals and support the weight of the flower, maintaining its shape while it dries.
Once the flowers are covered in crystals, seal the container and leave them to dry for at least 3 weeks. After this time, check if the flowers are dry by gently removing one and shaking out the excess crystals. If the flowers are dry, carefully remove them all from the container and gently shake out any remaining crystals. You can then use a soft-bristled paintbrush to brush off any remaining dust or crystals.
Finally, place the dried flowers in a new airtight container for storage.
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Professional freeze-drying
Preparation
Firstly, select fresh, high-quality flowers that are free from moisture and dew. Recut the stems with sharp scissors or a knife, being careful not to smash or pierce the stems. Then, place the flowers in a vase or container with room-temperature water and let them absorb the water for 12 hours. This step ensures that the flowers dry in a full, plump shape. Remove the leaves and cut the stems to the desired length, considering how you plan to arrange or display the flowers.
Pre-Freezing
Next, place the flowers in a freezer to pre-freeze them. This step helps in the sublimation process by solidifying the water content in the flowers. The flowers should be placed flat in trays to avoid awkwardly angled petals, and the shorter the stems, the faster the freeze-drying process will be.
Vacuum Chamber
Once the flowers are pre-frozen, they are placed in a freeze-dryer's vacuum chamber. The vacuum pump slowly pulls the moisture and ice crystals out of the flower cells. This process, known as sublimation, involves the frozen water in the flower cells transitioning directly from a solid (ice) to a vapour without passing through a liquid phase. This can take several days, depending on the equipment and type of flowers.
Post-Freeze-Drying
Freeze-dried flowers are fragile and delicate, so they should be handled with care. They are best displayed in protective shadow boxes or glass frames to keep them safe.
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Displaying dried flowers
Dried flowers can be displayed in a variety of ways, both before and after a wedding. Here are some ideas for displaying dried flowers:
Hanging Flower Installation
Create a stunning visual by hanging dried flowers from the ceiling in a cascading arrangement. Use complementary colours to match your wedding theme, and consider making this the backdrop for the ceremony or reception.
Dried Flower Bouquets
Swap fresh flowers for dried flower bouquets. Choose an assortment of blooms in muted tones or a monochromatic palette for a cohesive look. These bouquets can be kept as keepsakes long after the wedding.
Dried Flower Garlands
Create elegant garlands with dried flowers and greenery, draping them across tables, archways, or along the edges of the venue. Garlands add a cohesive touch, tying various elements of the wedding decor together.
Shadow Boxes or Glass Cloches
Display dried flowers in shadow boxes or under glass cloches to protect them while allowing guests to admire their intricate details. You can place these on tables or incorporate them into larger floral arrangements.
Table Centrepieces
Enhance your table decor with dried flower centrepieces. Arrange them in vintage vases, wooden boxes, or antique teacups for a rustic touch. Mix and match with candles or greenery to add depth and texture.
Floral Wreaths
Adorn doors, chairs, or the backs of the bride and groom's chairs with dried flower wreaths. These whimsical circles of blossoms can be customised to match your wedding colour scheme.
Pressed Flowers in Frames
You can press flowers in a book or between pieces of wax or parchment paper, weighing them down until they are fully dried. Once dry, you can arrange and frame them as artwork to display in your home.
Dried Flower Cake Decor
Incorporate dried flowers into your wedding cake design, adorning the tiers or clustering them at the top for a unique and natural touch.
These are just a few ideas to showcase dried flowers at a wedding or in the home. Dried flowers offer a timeless, sustainable, and elegant option for wedding decor, allowing you to cherish those special moments.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to dry your wedding flowers, including air-drying, pressing, and using silica crystals. The easiest method is to hang your bouquet upside down in a dry, dark spot.
To air-dry your wedding flowers, first, separate the flowers and stems into smaller bunches and snip the ribbon. Then, hang them upside down in a dry, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight as this can bleach the flowers.
Pressing flowers is a nice way to preserve your wedding bouquet, although they won't keep their original shape. You can use the classic book method or speed up the process with an iron.
Daintier flowers tend to dry better than thick, marshmallowy blooms, which can go brown or mouldy in the middle. Flowers with multiple individual blooms like hydrangeas or delphiniums work well.
You can preserve your dried wedding flowers in an archival-quality shadow box to protect them from the elements. You can also display them in a vase, frame them, or put them in a memory book.
