Everlasting Wedding Invite: Dried Flowers, Cherished Memories

Dried flowers are a beautiful and eco-friendly way to decorate wedding invitations. They come in a variety of types and can be used in many different design styles. Whether you choose to use pressed flowers, a flower wreath, or just a small accent, incorporating dried flowers into your wedding invitations can add a touch of natural beauty that will make them even more special. In this article, we will explore the different ways to make a dried flower wedding invite, from pressing your own flowers to using pre-made kits. We will also discuss the pros and cons of using dried flowers on your invites, and provide tips for creating a stunning and memorable invitation suite.

Pressing flowers: use cardboard, loose-leaf paper, and books to press flowers

Pressing flowers is a great way to preserve wedding memories and can be used to decorate cards and invitations. Here is a guide on how to press flowers using cardboard, loose-leaf paper, and books:

Preparing Flowers for Pressing:

• Pick flowers that are close to full bloom and avoid those with blemishes or dark spots.
• Collect flowers in the morning after any dew has dried to avoid excess moisture, which can cause mould.
• Ensure flowers are completely dry before pressing.
• For large flowers, consider separating the petals and reconstructing them later.
• Choose flowers with single layers of petals and flat faces, such as roses, pansies, and delphiniums.

Pressing Flowers with Cardboard, Loose-Leaf Paper, and Books:

• Place the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper, such as parchment, blotting, or newspaper. Avoid paper towels and textured paper, which can leave marks on the flowers.
• Cut cardboard and paper to fit inside a heavy book, leaving space around the edges.
• Arrange the flowers on the paper, leaving space between them, and cover with another sheet of paper.
• Place the cardboard and paper inside the book, close it, and weigh it down with heavy objects, such as bricks or other books.
• Leave the flowers to dry for 2-4 weeks. The drying time will depend on the thickness of the petals.

Additional Tips:

• If using a book, choose one that you don't mind potentially damaging, as flowers with high moisture content can cause staining or mould.
• You can also create a homemade wooden press by drilling holes in two pieces of wood and securing them with bolts and wingnuts. Place the flowers between cardboard and paper, then screw the bolts tight and wait for the flowers to dry.
• To speed up the process, you can use a microwave flower press or dry the flowers in an oven, but be careful not to scorch or burn them.
• Once dried, handle the flowers gently to avoid breakage and store them in a craft box or use them for your desired project.

Gluing flowers: use rubber cement to stick flowers to invites

Adding dried flowers to your wedding invites is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to decorate them. You can use pressed flowers, a flower wreath, or just a small accent—incorporating dried flowers will add a touch of natural beauty that will make your invites even more special.

If you're looking to glue flowers to your wedding invites, rubber cement is a great adhesive option. It's unique because it contains actual rubber, and it's repositionable for a while, making it perfect for art projects. Here are some tips for using rubber cement to stick flowers to your invites:

Preparing Your Materials

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary materials, including your dried flowers, invites, rubber cement, and a brush (some rubber cements come with a brush built into the cap). Work in a well-ventilated area, as rubber cement can be toxic if ingested and is flammable.

Applying the Rubber Cement

Brush a thin coat of rubber cement onto the area of the invite where you want to place the flower. You can also apply a thin coat of rubber cement to the back of the flower itself. Be careful not to apply too much, as this can cause the cement to squeeze out from the sides when you press the flower and invite together.

Drying Time

Allow the rubber cement to dry for a few minutes. You'll know it's ready when it loses its shine and feels dry. If you move forward too early, your flower may not adhere properly, and if you wait too long, the cement may become too dry and won't stick.

Attaching the Flower

Once the rubber cement is dry, carefully place your flower on the designated area of the invite and press down gently. You can adjust the placement for a few minutes after pressing, as rubber cement remains tacky for a while.

Creating a Permanent Bond

If you want to ensure a strong, permanent bond, apply rubber cement to both the invite and the flower, and let it dry almost completely before pressing them together. This technique works well with paper, cardboard, and foam board.

Clean Up

Don't try to clean up excess rubber cement while it's still wet, as it will make a mess. Instead, wait for it to dry and then pick it off with your finger or use a rubber cement pick-up device, which looks like an eraser.

Choosing flowers: select dry flowers like hydrangea and baby's breath

When choosing flowers for a dried flower wedding invite, opt for blooms that dry well, like hydrangeas and baby's breath.

Hydrangeas are large, colourful flowers that can be dried to create vintage-hued blossoms. To dry hydrangeas, cut the stems in the morning, leaving 12 to 18 inches of the stem. Place the cuttings in a vase with water, ensuring each bloom has good air circulation. Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and let the water evaporate naturally. The petals will feel stiff and the stem will snap easily when they are ready.

Baby's breath, on the other hand, is a small, delicate flower that is commonly used as a filler in bouquets and arrangements. To dry baby's breath, cut the stems and bundle together five to seven stems with twine or a rubber band. Hang the bundle upside down in a dark, warm, and well-ventilated room. The flowers will feel papery to the touch when they are ready, usually after about five to seven days.

Both hydrangeas and baby's breath offer a lovely, romantic touch to wedding invitations and can be easily dried to create a memorable keepsake for your guests.

Flower placement: arrange flowers on invites, protecting work surface

To create a dried flower wedding invite, you'll need to carefully arrange the flowers on the invites while protecting your work surface. Here are some detailed steps to help you with the flower placement:

Prepare your work area by covering your table or work surface with a protective layer, such as newspaper or a plastic sheet. This will prevent any glue or flower residue from staining your work area.

Gather your dried flowers and decide on the arrangement. You can use a variety of dried flowers such as lavender, baby's breath, roses, or eucalyptus. These flowers come in different colours and can be used as accents or pressed into wreath shapes.

Before you begin gluing, lay out the flowers on the invites to get an idea of the final arrangement. Play around with different compositions and flower combinations until you find a design that you like.

Once you're happy with the layout, carefully lift each flower and apply a small amount of craft glue to the back. You can use a toothpick or a small brush to spread the glue evenly.

Place the flowers back onto the invite, pressing gently to ensure they adhere well. Be careful not to use too much glue, as it may seep through the flowers and create stains.

Allow the glue to dry completely before handling the invites further. You can use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process, but be cautious not to disturb the flower placement.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your dried flowers are securely attached to your wedding invites while also protecting your work surface from any potential mess. Feel free to experiment with different flower combinations and placements to create unique and beautiful invitations.

Trimming flowers: use scissors or an X-Acto knife to trim flowers

Trimming flowers is an important step in the process of making dried flower wedding invites, and it requires the right tools to get the job done effectively. Here are some tips and guidelines for using scissors or an X-Acto knife to trim flowers:

Scissors:

When using scissors to trim flowers, it is essential to opt for floral-arranging scissors, which are very sharp and made from hardened steel. They typically have short blades and no spring mechanism to keep them open. Scissors provide comfort and ease of use, but it is important to be cautious as they can crush the tiny vessels that transport water from the bottom of the stem to the bloom, leading to faster clouding of the vase water. To avoid this, specialized flower-cutting scissors are available at the professional level, which are designed to mitigate this issue.

X-Acto Knife:

An X-Acto knife, also known as a cut-flower knife, is a recommended tool for trimming flowers. It features a sharp locking blade that allows for clean cuts on almost any flower stem. The knife has a blade that is 2–3 inches long, with one sharpened side and one unsharpened side. The unsharpened side is held against the fingers for safety. To use the knife effectively, hold the flower stem in your non-dominant hand, underhanded. Then, with your dominant hand, hold the knife low and keep it relatively rigid. Ensure your thumb is parallel to the knife, not touching or crossing the blade. Finally, use your non-dominant hand to pull the flower stem through the blade. It is important to be gentle and avoid jerking the flower stem to prevent accidental damage to the flower head.

In summary, both scissors and X-Acto knives can be used for trimming flowers, but it is crucial to prioritize safety and choose the appropriate tool for your skill level. Scissors offer convenience and ease, while an X-Acto knife provides a clean cut and minimizes damage to the flower's water-conducting vessels.

Frequently asked questions