Revitalizing Old Wedding Bouquets: Bring Back The Beauty

Wedding bouquets are often too beautiful to throw away, and many people want to preserve them as a memento. There are several ways to do this, from simple DIY methods to professional services. One of the easiest ways to preserve a wedding bouquet is to air-dry it. This involves hanging the flowers upside down in a dry, dark place for at least two weeks. Another option is to use silica gel, a desiccant that absorbs moisture, to dry the flowers. For a more permanent solution, flowers can be sealed in clear resin or dipped in wax, though this may not preserve them indefinitely. For the closest thing to a permanent reminder of the bouquet, a painting or photograph can be commissioned.

Hang the flowers upside down to dry

Hanging your flowers upside down to dry is one of the simplest ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. This method allows you to keep the whole bouquet intact, although you should be aware that the flowers will shrink slightly and the colours will fade.

To dry your bouquet, first remove any excess leaves, greenery, broken petals, and anything that has already started to rot or turn brown. Then, securely tie a piece of twine, yarn, or string around the stems. If it's easier, you can loop a rubber band around the stems and tie the string to that—this will also help if the stems shrink during the drying process.

Next, find a suitable place to hang your bouquet. Look for a dry, dark spot where the bouquet won't be disturbed, such as a guest room closet or kitchen pantry. Hang the bouquet upside down and leave it alone for at least two weeks, although some arrangements may take up to a month or more to dry out completely.

Once your bouquet is fully dry, you can showcase it in a vase or store it in a decorative glass box to protect it from dust, moisture, and bugs. Hanging your flowers upside down to dry is a simple and effective way to preserve your wedding bouquet and ensure you can enjoy it for years to come.

Press the flowers in a book

Pressing your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your flowers and add a new piece of artwork to your home. It's a fun and relatively easy process that will only take an afternoon to get started. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to press your wedding bouquet using a book:

Step 1: Prepare the Flowers

Ideally, start the preservation process as soon as possible after the wedding while the blooms are still fresh and bright. Carefully take apart your bouquet and remove any wilting petals, browning stems, or anything that looks past its best. Trim the ends of the stems and place them in a bucket or vase of fresh water. If you want to keep the stems, make sure to keep them spaced out so the flowers dry evenly.

Step 2: Arrange the Flowers on Acid-Free Paper

Lay out the stems on acid-free paper or another moisture-wicking surface. You can also use cardboard with paper napkins in between. Remove any extra leaves, thorns, or other parts of the flowers that you don't want to keep.

Step 3: Place the Flowers in a Book

Arrange the flowers in a way that you are happy with on a piece of clean wax paper. Lay the wax paper with the flowers inside the pages of a heavy book, such as a dictionary or textbook. Add another piece of wax paper on top to protect the flowers from any ink. Close the book and weigh it down with something heavy, like a skillet or more books.

Step 4: Let the Flowers Dry

Leave the flowers to dry for about two weeks. Check on them after a week to see how they are doing. If you have particularly juicy flowers, you may need to change the cardboard or paper. Make sure to keep them in a dry, cool place.

Step 5: Remove and Display the Pressed Flowers

Once the flowers are fully dry, carefully remove them from the paper and place them in a frame. Arrange the flowers according to your aesthetic preferences, being careful not to jostle them too much as they may break. You can also use your pressed flowers to create botanical-style pictures, phone cases, or even jewellery.

Submerge them in silica gel

Preserving your wedding bouquet with silica gel is a great way to keep your flowers looking as close as possible to how they did on your wedding day. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Materials Required

Before you begin, you will need to gather the necessary materials. These include:

• An airtight container with a lid, preferably made of plastic
• Silica gel crystals, which can be found at most craft stores
• Floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Green floral stakes
• Ribbon
• Pins

Preserving the Bouquet

Start by disassembling your wedding bouquet. Take pictures of the bouquet from all angles before you begin, as you will need to put it back together after preservation. Fill the bottom of your airtight container with silica gel crystals. Cut the stems of each flower, leaving only about an inch or two. Insert the flowers into the crystals, ensuring they are standing upright and that there is a little room between each flower.

Gently pour more silica gel crystals over the petals, completely covering them while trying to maintain the original shape of the flowers. Fill the container to the top and seal it with the lid. Allow the flowers to dry for three to five days.

Reassembling the Bouquet

After the flowers have dried, gently remove them from the silica gel and shake off any excess. Use floral wire to puncture the stem and wrap it around, attaching it to a green floral stake. Cover the wire and stake with green floral tape. Repeat this process for each flower.

Now, carefully reassemble the bouquet to replicate its original look, using the pictures you took as a reference. Use floral tape to hold all the stems together, and even out the ends of the floral stakes with garden shears. Wrap the stems with a ribbon, ensuring the stems are not visible, and secure the ribbon with pins.

Displaying Your Preserved Bouquet

You can display your preserved bouquet in a variety of ways. Place it under a glass cloche to prevent dust and protect it for years to come. Alternatively, put it inside a shadow box and hang it on a wall. Choose a spot in your house that is visible, so you are reminded of your wedding day every time you see it.

Dip the flowers in wax

Dipping flowers in wax is a great way to preserve a bouquet and keep its glorious colours. This method won't preserve flowers permanently, but it will make them look almost indistinguishable from how they looked on your wedding day. The flowers will last for a few months, so it's a good option if you want to display the bouquet at a specific event.

To dip your bouquet in wax, you'll need to carefully take the bouquet apart and tidy the stems. You can use paraffin wax, soy wax, or melt wax from unscented, uncoloured candles. You'll also need a heat-resistant container that is long enough to dip your flowers in, and a vase or bucket to hold the dipped flowers.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Melt the wax in your heat-resistant container.
• Allow the wax to cool slightly so it is warm, rather than hot. If the wax is too hot, the flowers will wilt.
• Dip each flower into the container of wax, turning it carefully to remove any excess wax.
• Remove the flower from the wax and dip it a second time to ensure longevity.
• Place the dipped flowers in a vase or bucket to dry. You can hang them upside down or place them upright in a vase so the flowers dry with the petals open.

Some additional tips:

• The ideal temperature for the wax is around 100° F (37.7° C).
• If the petals brown or shrink, the wax is too warm.
• Double-dipping the flowers will give you an even better result.
• Make sure to cover your work surface with scrap paper to catch any dripping wax.
• You can also place the dipped flowers in a shot glass to let the wax harden.
• If you want your flowers to last indefinitely, feed the live flowers a solution of 2 parts warm tap water to 1 part glycerin for 3-5 days before preserving them in wax.

Create a painting of the bouquet

Painting your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your special day. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful painting of your bouquet:

Preparation:

Before you begin painting, it's important to prepare your bouquet. This process should happen as soon as possible after the wedding while the flowers are still fresh. Take photos of the bouquet from all angles, then carefully dismantle it. Remove any wilting petals and browning stems, trim the ends of the stems, and place them in a vase of fresh water.

Choose your medium:

Decide what type of paint you would like to use. Watercolour, acrylic, and oil paints are all great options for creating vibrant and textured floral paintings. You can also use charcoal for a more understated effect.

Set up your workspace:

Gather your art supplies, including paint, brushes, a palette, and a canvas or paper. Choose a well-lit area to work in, and consider setting up near a window to benefit from natural light. You may also want to use a reference photo of your bouquet to guide your painting.

Start painting:

Begin by sketching the outline of the bouquet on your canvas. You can use light pencil marks to map out the placement of the flowers and foliage. Then, start adding paint, focusing on one element at a time. Build up layers of colour and texture to create depth and dimension. Use different brush sizes and techniques to capture the delicate details of the petals and leaves.

Final touches:

Once you're happy with your painting, let it dry completely. You can then add any final touches, such as highlights or additional details, to bring your bouquet to life. Sign your masterpiece and consider adding a date or a title to commemorate the occasion.

Framing:

Choose a frame that complements your painting and showcases it beautifully. Consider the size, colour, and style of the frame to enhance the overall presentation of your artwork. You may want to display your painting in your home or give it as a gift to a loved one.

Frequently asked questions