Creating A Preserved Flower Wedding Bouquet

Preserving your wedding bouquet is a great way to keep the memories of your special day alive. There are several ways to do this, from pressing the flowers to creating a resin decoration. Here are some tips and methods to help you get started:

Preparation:

First, it's important to prepare the flowers as soon as possible after the wedding while they are still fresh. Take photos of the bouquet from all angles, then carefully take it apart. Remove any wilting petals and browning stems, trim the ends of the stems, and place them in a bucket or vase of fresh water. If you want to keep the bouquet intact, skip the tradition of throwing it and use an artificial bouquet instead.

Air-drying:

Air-drying is one of the simplest and most traditional ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. Find a dry, warm, and dark space, such as an airing cupboard or boiler room. Hang the flowers separately to ensure proper air circulation, and leave them for around four weeks.

Silica gel:

Silica gel is a desiccant with a crystal texture that absorbs moisture. This method will give you blooms that look pressed but still retain their dimensions. Cut the stems short and replace them with wires to speed up the drying process. Place the flowers in a box with silica gel, cover them completely, and seal the box. Check them after a few days.

Resin:

You can create beautiful jewellery or ornaments using dried flowers and resin. However, this method usually requires industrial quantities of resin, so it's best to choose your favourite blooms rather than preserving the entire bouquet. The flowers need to be completely dry before being encased in resin, and the silica gel method above is an excellent way to achieve this.

Wax:

Dipping your flowers in wax won't preserve them forever, but it can extend their life by several months. Melt paraffin wax in a heat-resistant container, then dip each flower into the wax, turning carefully to remove any excess. Double-dipping will give you even better results. Dry the flowers upright after dipping so that they are preserved with the petals open.

Freeze-drying:

Freeze-drying is not a cheap option, but it will give you exceptional results. Specialist florists offer this service, and they will advise you on how to prepare your flowers and how long the process will take.

Pressing:

Pressing is one of the easiest ways to preserve wedding flowers, but it will result in flat rather than three-dimensional flowers. You can use a flower press or simply press them between the pages of a heavy book. This method works best with delicate blooms, as there is a risk that larger flowers will rot before they dry out. Allow two to four weeks for the flowers to be fully pressed.

Pressing flowers

Firstly, you'll want to select the flowers you want to press. It's best to choose flowers that are fresh, flat, and dry. Flat flowers, like pansies or daisies, press better than spherical ones, such as roses. If you do have rounder blooms, you can cut them in half to press, or press the individual petals.

Next, you'll need to gather your supplies:

• A trimmer, such as scissors or garden snips, to remove any unnecessary parts of the flower, like thorns and foliage.
• Paper to absorb water from the flowers as they dry. Coffee filters, parchment paper, printer paper, thin cardboard, or untreated facial tissue all work well. Avoid textured paper towels as they can leave an imprint.
• A buffer, like a book or cardboard, to create a layer between the absorbent paper and the weight.
• A weight, like a stack of books, to apply pressure to the flowers.
• Tweezers to handle the delicate dried blooms.

Now you're ready to start pressing! Here are two methods you can use:

Arrange your flowers on a piece of acid-free paper or another moisture-wicking surface, such as cardboard with paper napkins in between. Remove any extra leaves, thorns, or other unwanted parts of the flowers. Make sure to keep the stems spaced out so the flowers dry evenly. Then, cover them with a heavy book or another flat weight. Leave the flowers to dry for one to two weeks, checking on them occasionally to ensure they're drying properly. Once they're dry, carefully remove them from the paper and display them in a frame or another desired way.

Lay your flowers out on a paper towel, spacing them out evenly. Cover them with another paper towel or cloth and place them on a piece of cardboard. You can secure the cardboard with a rubber band or place a heavy plate on top. Microwave at medium power for about one minute, checking on the flowers to ensure they don't burn. Once they're sufficiently dried, set them aside to cool. You can combine this method with the book or cardboard method to finish drying the flowers.

Tips for Pressing Flowers:

• The fresher the flowers are, the better they will preserve. Try to press them before they start to fade or brown.
• Avoid pressing flowers directly in a book, as the pages may get damp. Instead, use the book as a weight.
• If you're using the book or cardboard method, allow the flowers to dry for at least seven to ten days.
• If you're short on time, the microwave method can speed up the process, but be careful not to overheat the flowers, as they can turn yellow and become brittle.
• To avoid mould, ensure your flowers are completely dry before displaying them.

Air-drying flowers

• Untie your bouquet and cut away any tape or ties.
• Hang the stems one by one, upside down, in a dry, temperate area such as a hallway closet.
• Leave the flowers to air-dry for at least a week, or longer if the temperature is cool.
• Once dry, arrange the flowers in a vase or create a wreath.

If you want to preserve as much of the flower's original shape and colour as possible, try drying them in the dark. However, this method will likely cause the blooms to become muted or darker in colour.

Using silica gel

Preserving a wedding bouquet using silica gel is a great way to maintain the colour and shape of flowers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparing the Flowers

Before you begin the preservation process, ensure that your flowers are fresh and have been kept in water. The fresher the flowers are before preservation, the fresher they will appear once dried. It is also important to avoid touching the flowers more than necessary and wear gloves while handling them to avoid bruises, which can become apparent once the flowers come in contact with resin.

Materials Required

You will need an airtight plastic container, silica gel crystals, floral wire, green floral tape, and green floral stakes. It is also recommended to wear a dust mask and gloves for safety when working with silica gel, as it creates a fine dust when poured.

Disassembling the Bouquet

Start by taking a picture of your bouquet so that you can recreate the arrangement later. Then, carefully disassemble the bouquet by cutting the stems off each flower, leaving only about an inch or two.

Drying the Flowers

Pour a thin layer of silica gel crystals into the bottom of your airtight container. Gently place the flowers face-up on the crystals, leaving a little room between each flower. Slowly pour more crystals over the petals, making sure to get in between the layers of petals to support the shape of the flowers as they dry. Completely cover the petals, then seal the container and let the flowers dry for at least three days or until they feel stiff and crunchy.

Reassembling the Bouquet

Once the flowers are dry, remove them from the silica gel and shake off any excess. Puncture the stem of each flower with floral wire and wrap it around a green floral stake. Cover the wire and stake with green floral tape. Finally, reassemble the flowers to recreate the look of your original bouquet, using the picture you took earlier as a guide. Use floral tape to hold the stems together, and even out the ends of the floral stakes with garden shears.

Displaying Your Preserved Bouquet

Wrap the stems of your recreated bouquet with a ribbon and secure it with pins. You can display your preserved bouquet in a glass cloche or a shadow box to keep it dust-free and protected for years to come.

Dipping flowers in wax

Prepare the Wax

First, you will need to decide on the type of wax you want to use. Paraffin wax is a popular choice for flower preservation, but soy wax is also an option. Soy wax is a completely natural and renewable resource, has a lower melting point, and can be melted in the microwave.

If using paraffin wax, cut the wax into pieces of approximately 1 inch by 1 inch (2.5 cm by 2.5 cm). You will need a double boiler or a large saucepan with water and a smaller metal pot or bowl inside to melt the wax.

Melt the Wax

Place the wax in the double boiler or the smaller pot/bowl and simmer until melted. Stir constantly to prevent lumps and clots from forming. If using a double boiler, turn the heat down to low once all the wax is melted.

Prepare the Flowers

Strip any wilted or dead petals or leaves from the flowers, as these will not survive the waxing process. Cut the flower stems to a manageable length, leaving about 2-3 inches (7.5 cm) of the stem.

Dip the Flowers

Holding the flower by its stem, dip it into the melted wax until it is completely and evenly coated. Use a piece of string to tie the flower to a clothes rack or something similar to hang it up. Place a sheet of wax paper or newspaper underneath to catch any drips. Repeat this process for all the flowers.

Dip the Stems

Once the flowers are dry, dip the stems into the wax. Swirl them around until they are completely covered. Lay the flowers on a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet to dry.

Your flowers should now be beautifully preserved and can be enjoyed for months to come!

Using epoxy resin

Prepare the Flowers:

Before using epoxy resin, ensure your flowers are dried and pressed. Fresh flowers should be completely dried to prevent rot. There are several ways to dry flowers, including using a wooden flower press, placing them between the pages of a heavy book, or using silica gel. The drying process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the method chosen.

Gather the Materials:

For this project, you will need epoxy resin, which typically comes in a two-part system with a 1:1 mixing ratio of resin and hardener. Make sure to wear personal protective equipment, such as eyewear, a respirator, and gloves, when working with resin. You will also need a surface or silicone mould, mixing cups and craft sticks, tweezers, additives like gold flakes or glitter, a timer, and a butane torch (optional).

Mix the Resin:

Follow the package instructions for mixing the epoxy resin. Measure equal amounts of resin and hardener in separate measuring cups, and then combine them in a mixing cup. Gently stir the mixture slowly for about 3 minutes until it becomes clear and ready to pour. Be careful not to mix too fast to avoid creating bubbles in your piece.

Arrange the Flowers:

Pour the resin mixture into your chosen mould. Delicately arrange the dried flowers in the fluid using tweezers or a mixing stick. Ensure the flowers are properly placed and secured in the resin. If using a silicone mould, you may need to create the piece in two layers to prevent the flowers from floating to the top.

Cure and Demould:

Allow the resin to cure for at least 48 hours. Casting resin typically takes longer to cure than other types of resin. You can use a heat gun or torch to remove any bubbles that form during the curing process. After the resin is completely dry, gently demould your piece. If necessary, sand down the edges for a smooth finish.

Finishing Touches:

Your preserved wedding bouquet is now ready! You can add some final touches, such as gold flakes or glitter, to enhance the beauty of your creation. This unique keepsake will forever remind you of your special day.

Frequently asked questions