Keep Wedding Flowers Fresh: Tips For All-Day Blooms

Flowers are a key part of many weddings, but they can be tricky to keep fresh. To make flowers last all day, it's important to keep them hydrated and away from direct sunlight and heat. This means storing them in water in a cool, shaded place until they're needed. When cutting stems, cut diagonally to improve water intake, and make sure to remove any leaves below the waterline. It's also important to use the right water temperature – cold water can shock flowers, while hot water will dehydrate them. Warm water is best.

Keep flowers in water until the last minute

Keeping flowers in water until the last minute is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your wedding flowers stay fresh. Flowers are often a huge part of a wedding, from the bridal bouquet to the centrepieces, so you'll want them to look vibrant and healthy throughout the day.

Firstly, when you receive your flowers, trim the stems diagonally and place them immediately in water. This will help the flowers absorb water more effectively. You only need around six inches of water, and any foliage that falls below this line should be removed. You can also add flower food to the water to help preserve the flowers.

Keep the flowers in a cool, shaded place, such as a basement or cool room, until you need to use them. Avoid displaying them in direct sunlight or near appliances that generate heat, such as ovens or radiators. You should also avoid placing them near open windows, heating or cooling vents, or ceiling fans, as these can cause the flowers to dehydrate.

If you have the time, you can also give your flowers a quick hydration boost in between wedding activities. For example, if there's a break between the first look and the ceremony, place the bouquets back in water after giving the stems a fresh trim.

Keeping your flowers in water will ensure they stay fresh and vibrant throughout your wedding day, so they are photo-ready whenever you need them.

Avoid heat and direct sunlight

Flowers are a huge part of a wedding, from the bridesmaids' bouquets to the reception centerpieces. They are a central aspect of the wedding and can be one of the most expensive elements. It is therefore important to ensure that your flowers are looking their best throughout the day.

One of the most common mistakes couples make is keeping their flowers in the sun and heat. This is especially important for summer weddings. Keeping flowers away from direct sunlight and heat is one of the best ways to preserve your flowers.

Flowers need the sun to grow, but once they are cut, sunlight causes them to decay faster. Keep your flowers in a cool, shaded place until you are ready to use them. A cool room with a stable temperature is ideal. Avoid displaying them near windows, heating or cooling vents, and ceiling fans as they can cause the flowers to quickly dehydrate.

If you are getting married outdoors in hot weather, choose hardy varieties for your bouquets and arrangements. Daisies, ranunculus, carnations, and protea are all great options. Succulents are another popular choice for this reason.

Trim stems and change water regularly

Trimming stems and changing the water regularly is essential for keeping wedding flowers fresh. Here are some detailed tips to help you with this process:

Trimming Stems:

When you receive your flowers, use garden shears or floral scissors to trim one to two inches off the bottom of the stems at an angle. Cutting the stems diagonally exposes the watering channels and allows for better water intake. This is because the angled cut prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase. After the initial trim, be sure to re-trim your bouquet once every few days or make fresh cuts along the stems each time you place them back in the water.

Changing Water Regularly:

It is important to change the water in your vases or buckets every two to three days. Always use room temperature, lukewarm, or warm water, as cold water can shock and wilt the flowers, while hot water will dehydrate them. Warm water helps flowers absorb water more easily, keeping them hydrated and fresh. When changing the water, also remember to clean the vases thoroughly and add a packet of flower food or a crushed aspirin to provide additional nutrients.

Additional Tips:

• Prune away any leaves or foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth and make your bouquet look neater.
• Store your flowers in a cool, shaded place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, drafts, or vents.
• If you are creating the bouquets yourself, buy your flowers right before the wedding and transport them carefully to the venue.

Use potted plants for fragile flowers

Flowers are a staple at weddings, but fresh flowers can be expensive and fragile. Potted plants are an eco-friendly, budget-friendly alternative that can be used in many creative ways to decorate your wedding venue. Here are some ideas for using potted plants for fragile flowers at your wedding:

Potted Plant Ceremony Backdrops

Use smaller potted plants to define and frame your ceremony space, or feature larger potted plants to create a cool backdrop. Grouping different types of plants together can add texture and visual interest to your ceremony decor.

Potted Plant Aisle Decor

Place larger potted plants on either side of the aisle to create a grand entrance for your wedding procession. You can also line the entire aisle with a mix of potted herbs to add fragrance to your ceremony or place blooming potted plants at the end of each pew for a pop of colour and texture.

Potted Plant Table Plans

Potted plants can be used as natural and sturdy table plan options, especially for outdoor weddings. Use larger plants as a canvas to write your seating chart, or place small potted plants on a table with name cards tucked among the leaves.

Potted Plant Centrepieces

Mix and match different sizes and styles of plants and pots to create unique and interesting centrepieces for your wedding reception tables. Include herbs such as sage, lavender, or rosemary to add subtle scents to your tablescape.

Potted Plant Place Settings and Favours

Mini cacti, succulents, and air plants make adorable place settings and favours for your guests. They are easy to care for and can be decorated with name cards. Your guests will appreciate having a lasting memento of your special day.

Other Creative Ways to Use Potted Plants

• Use potted plants to create a focal point or hide unsightly areas at your venue.
• Hang potted plants as displays or place them on raised pillars.
• Line the dance floor with potted plants to add greenery and hide extension cords.
• Use potted plants as creative unity ceremony decor.
• Incorporate potted plants into your wedding entrance decor.

Store flowers in a cool, dark place

Flowers are a beautiful but delicate part of any wedding. To keep them looking their best, it's important to store them in a cool, dark place before the big event.

Keeping flowers in a cool, dark place is crucial to preserving their freshness. While flowers need sunlight to grow, too much exposure after they've been cut will cause them to wither faster. A cool, shaded spot will prevent wilting and help them stay vibrant. Ideally, store the flowers in a vase or bucket of water in a cool, dark room until you need them. This will ensure they stay hydrated and fresh.

It's also important to keep flowers away from direct heat, sunlight, and drafts. Direct heat or sunlight will accelerate wilting, and drafts can cause dehydration. Additionally, avoid placing flowers near ripening fruit, as the ethylene gas released can reduce their longevity.

If you're storing flowers overnight or for an extended period, there are a few extra steps you can take. Firstly, ensure the flowers are in a vase or bucket with enough water, and trim the stems diagonally to expose their watering channels. This allows them to absorb water more effectively. You can also add flower food or a preservative to the water to provide additional nourishment.

By storing flowers in a cool, dark place and following these simple care guidelines, you can help ensure your wedding flowers stay fresh and beautiful throughout the day.

Frequently asked questions