Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding flowers are a key part of any ceremony, but they can quickly wilt if not properly cared for. This is especially true in hot weather, where even flowers that are out of direct sunlight can quickly lose their freshness. Luckily, there are a number of ways to keep flowers looking vibrant and colourful, from using warm water to the addition of certain household ingredients.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature of water | Use warm water instead of hot or cold water |
| Sunlight | Keep flowers away from direct sunlight |
| Air | Keep flowers away from vented areas or rooms with a strong draft |
| Flower type | Select flowers with sturdy stems such as roses, carnations, hydrangea, peonies, lilies, daisies, and button mums |
| Storage | Store flowers in a cool, dry, and dark place |
| Flower sealant | Spray blossoms with a flower sealant |
| Ribbon | Wrap stems with ribbon |
| Lemon-lime soda | Pour lemon-lime soda into the water source to perk up flowers |
| Florist tubes | Use florist tubes filled with water to combat extreme heat |
| Silica gel | Use silica gel to dry flowers and preserve their appearance |
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What You'll Learn
Use hardy flowers like daisies, carnations, and roses
Selecting hardy flowers is a great way to ensure your wedding bouquets and arrangements stay fresh throughout the day. Flowers like daisies, carnations, and roses have sturdy stems and are less likely to wilt, even in warmer temperatures. Roses, in particular, if they are still pretty closed, will open more gradually throughout the day.
You can also combine hardy flowers with other techniques to ensure they stay fresh. Before the wedding, keep your flowers in a cool, dark place, such as an air-conditioned room, to prevent them from wilting before the ceremony. When storing them, trim the stems diagonally and place them in warm water, ensuring the water level is high enough to cover at least a few inches of the stems.
Additionally, you can spritz the flowers with water or a flower spray to keep them hydrated. If your wedding is outdoors or in a warm location, consider using florist tubes filled with water and disguised with ribbon. You can also add a quarter cup of lemon-lime soda to the water to perk up your flowers due to the combination of acidity and sugar.
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Keep flowers in water, ideally warm
Keeping flowers in water is a great way to prevent them from wilting, especially in warm conditions. Flowers can quickly dry out and wilt when out of water, so it is important to keep them hydrated. However, it is not as simple as using any water. The temperature of the water is very important. Hot water will dehydrate the flowers, and cold water will shock and wither the blooms. Therefore, it is best to use warm water. Flowers can easily absorb warm water, which helps them retain their form and enhances their longevity.
When preparing wedding flowers, it is a good idea to trim the stems diagonally and place them in warm water. The water should be approximately six inches up the stems. If the flowers are in a vase or container, ensure there is enough water, around two to three inches. If the stems are too long for the vase, cut them to a three-inch length. Florist tubes can be used to keep the stems in water if the wedding is in a hot location. Disguise the tubes with a ribbon wrap.
If the flowers are in a bouquet, the stems can be wrapped with ribbon, but ensure the bottom few inches of the stems are left exposed so that they can be placed in water. Keep the bouquet in a bucket of warm water until it is needed. If the flowers are being transported, keep the bucket with you and store it near an AC unit or in a cool, dry location.
Warm water is not the only way to keep flowers hydrated. A spray can be used to spritz the flowers and keep them from wilting.
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Avoid direct sunlight and drafts
Extreme temperatures and drafts can cause flowers to wilt. If your wedding is taking place in a location with high temperatures, consider keeping the flowers in a cool, dry, and dark place until you are ready to use them. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight or near vents and air conditioning units.
If you are using a bouquet, you can keep the stems in florist tubes filled with water and disguise them with ribbon wrap. You can also cut the stems to a length of about 2-3 inches and place them in water-soaked floral foam to keep them fresh. Additionally, you can spritz the flowers with water or a flower spray to keep them hydrated.
When selecting flowers, choose ones with sturdy stems such as roses, carnations, hydrangeas, peonies, and lilies. Some flowers, like tulips and hydrangeas, are more sensitive to heat and will wilt quickly, so it is important to do your research and select flowers that can withstand higher temperatures if your wedding is outdoors or in a warm location.
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Use a floral sealant or hydration spray
Floral sealant or hydration sprays are a great way to keep your wedding flowers from wilting. These sprays are designed to keep flowers and foliage hydrated, which is essential for preventing wilting. You can purchase these sprays from florists or online.
To use a floral sealant or hydration spray, simply spritz the finished flower arrangements until the flowers and foliage are coated. This will provide an extra layer of protection against wilting. It is best to spritz the flowers and foliage from a small distance away to ensure an even coating.
Floral sealants and hydration sprays are particularly useful if you are having an outdoor wedding or if your wedding is in a warm or sunny location. The sun and heat can cause flowers to wilt quickly, so using a floral sealant or hydration spray will help to protect them.
In addition to using a floral sealant or hydration spray, you can also take other measures to keep your wedding flowers from wilting. For example, you can store the flowers in a cool, dry location and keep them away from direct sunlight and strong drafts before the wedding. You can also trim the stems diagonally and place them in warm water, which will help the flowers absorb water more easily and enhance their longevity.
By using a combination of these techniques, you can help ensure that your wedding flowers stay fresh and beautiful throughout your special day.
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Store flowers in a cool, dry location
Storing flowers in a cool, dry location is one of the most effective ways to keep them from wilting. Keeping them away from vented areas or rooms with a strong draft is essential, as cut flowers are susceptible to wilting under direct air. A cool, dark room is ideal for storing flowers until the photo sessions or the wedding ceremony.
When storing flowers, it is important to consider the water temperature. While hot water will dehydrate the flowers, cold water can be too shocking for the blooms. Warm water is the best option, as it is easily absorbed and helps the flowers retain their form. Additionally, diagonal trimming of the stems and placing them in warm water can further enhance their longevity.
To ensure the flowers stay hydrated, it is recommended to keep the stems in water until it's almost time for the ceremony. Florist tubes filled with water can be discreetly wrapped with ribbons to keep the stems hydrated during the event. For extra hydration, a spray or spritz can be used on the flowers, mimicking the effect of rain.
Storing flowers in a cool, dry location is a simple yet effective strategy to keep them fresh. By maintaining a moderate temperature and providing adequate hydration, you can significantly reduce the chances of wilting and enjoy beautiful blooms throughout your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
If your wedding is outside in hot weather, consider using hardy flowers such as daisies, carnations, roses, or baby's breath. You can also put the stems of your flowers into florist tubes filled with water and disguise them with ribbon. Keep your flowers in a cool, dry, and dark place until you're ready to use them.
To keep your wedding bouquet from wilting, trim the stems diagonally and place them in warm water. The water should be approximately 2 to 6 inches up the stems. You can also add a quarter of a cup of lemon-lime soda to the water to help your flowers perk up.
Flowers such as tulips and hydrangeas wilt with the first contact with air and heat.
One way to preserve your wedding flowers is to use silica gel. Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs water and dries flowers in one to seven days. This method keeps your flowers looking similar to how they did on your wedding day.
