Potpourri From Wedding Bouquets: A Fragrant Memento

Making potpourri from your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your bouquet and create a unique keepsake or gift for others. The process is simple and only requires a few basic steps and easily accessible materials. You can dry your wedding bouquet in an oven on a low temperature setting or by hanging the flowers upside down in a warm, dry place. Once the flowers are dried, you can place them in a jar or bowl and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to enhance the fragrance. You can also add fixatives like orris root powder to help the scent last longer. Finally, display your potpourri in a non-metal container or create sachets to scent your clothes and closets.

Choosing flowers: Select blooms from your garden or use purchased bouquets

When it comes to choosing flowers for your potpourri, you can select blooms from your garden or opt for purchased bouquets. If you're making potpourri in the winter, store-bought bouquets with a variety of flowers are perfect. It's important to pick way more flowers than you think you'll need, as flowers shrink when they dry.

Roses, rosebuds, and lavender are popular choices for potpourri as they hold their colour and shape well during the drying process. You can also include herbs like bay leaf, thyme, and lemon balm for extra fragrance and texture.

If you're selecting flowers from your garden, pick them in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Avoid flowers with bruised or damaged petals for the best results. You can also add eucalyptus leaves, dried rose hips, seed heads, small pine cones, and other natural materials you gather from the woods and fields around your home.

If you don't have access to fresh flowers, you can also use dried petals and add your choice of scented oil.

Drying flowers: Air-dry flowers or use a oven/microwave

Drying flowers is a great way to preserve a special bouquet as a memory or to create decor for your home. There are several ways to dry flowers, including air-drying, using a oven, or a microwave.

Air-Drying Flowers:

Air-drying flowers is a simple method that requires some string and a cool, dry place to hang the flowers. Here are the steps to air-dry flowers:

• Remove any leaves and browning petals from the flowers.
• Gather the stems in small bunches and trim them to your desired length.
• Secure each bundle with string.
• Hang each bunch upside down in a cool, dry place.
• Allow the flowers to completely dry, which usually takes about 2-3 weeks.
• Keep the dried flowers away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Oven-Drying Flowers:

Oven-drying flowers is a quicker method than air-drying, usually taking around 1-2 hours. Here are the steps to oven-dry flowers:

• Preheat your oven to a low temperature, ideally between 150°F (65°C) and 200°F (93°C).
• Prepare the flowers by removing excess foliage and trimming the stems to your desired length. Remove any thorns as well.
• Place the flower heads onto a baking sheet, making sure they don't touch each other.
• Set a timer for at least 1 hour, checking on the flowers every 30 minutes to avoid over-drying.
• The flowers are done when they are dry and crispy to the touch.
• Allow the flowers to air dry to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container.

Microwave-Drying Flowers:

Microwave-drying flowers is the quickest method, taking just a few minutes. However, it is important to note that flowers dried in the microwave will come out flat. Here are the general steps to microwave-dry flowers:

• Place the flowers onto a piece of white office paper and fold the paper over them.
• Put the paper with the flowers inside into a folded paper towel.
• Place a heavy, flat-surface item on top of the paper towel to press onto the flowers during microwaving.
• Microwave on high in 30-second increments until the flowers are dry.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs and the type of flowers you are using.

Adding fragrance: Use essential oils to boost the scent

Adding fragrance to your potpourri is a simple yet crucial step in making your homemade potpourri smell wonderful. Here is a detailed guide on using essential oils to boost the scent of your potpourri made from a wedding bouquet:

Choosing the Right Essential Oil:

The first step is to select an essential oil that appeals to your sense of smell. Rose oil, cinnamon oil, honeysuckle oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, orange oil, and bayberry oil are all popular choices for potpourri. You can also create your own unique blend by mixing different essential oils that complement each other.

Adding Essential Oil to Dried Flowers:

Once you have chosen your essential oil, it's time to add it to your dried flowers. If you are using fresh flowers from your wedding bouquet, make sure to dry them completely before adding the oil. You can do this by hanging them upside down in a cool, dark place or baking them at a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C) for about 1-2 hours.

When the flowers are dried, place them in a container and add the essential oil. For a small batch, start with 2-3 drops of essential oil for every few cups of dried flowers. Use an eyedropper to distribute the oil evenly over the flowers. Gently toss the mixture with a spoon to ensure the oil coats all the petals.

Adjusting the Fragrance:

After adding the initial drops of essential oil, take a moment to smell the mixture and determine if you would like a stronger fragrance. If so, add an additional 1-2 drops of essential oil at a time, mixing well after each addition, until you achieve the desired scent intensity.

Displaying Your Potpourri:

Once you are happy with the fragrance, it's time to display your potpourri. Place the scented flowers in a decorative bowl, jar, or sachet. You can also add decorative elements such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, or small stones to enhance the visual appeal.

Refreshing the Scent:

Over time, the scent of your potpourri may start to fade. To refresh it, simply add a few more drops of essential oil and gently mix. You can do this several times until the potpourri no longer holds the fragrance.

Making potpourri from your wedding bouquet is a beautiful way to preserve the memories of your special day. By following these steps and choosing the right essential oils, you can create a wonderful fragrance that will fill your home with joy.

Fixatives: Use orris root powder to make the scent last longer

To make your wedding bouquet potpourri last longer, you can use a fixative like orris root powder. Orris root powder is a traditional fixative made from the dried, powdered root of the sweet iris flower (*Iris pallida*). It is used to prolong the fragrance of the potpourri by absorbing and retaining the essential oils you add.

To use orris root powder, you will need to add it to your dried floral mix. The recommended amount is one to two tablespoons of orris root powder for every two cups of dried flowers and herbs. You can then gently toss the mixture to combine.

If you don't want to use orris root powder, there are alternative fixatives you can try. These include gum benzoin, oak moss, cellulose, ground gum benzoin, and fiberfix. You can also use certain tree resins, flowers, roots, leaves, seeds, or less volatile essential oils. Some specific examples are cinnamon powder and sticks, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oils like sandalwood and cedarwood.

However, keep in mind that if you're using a fixative that is not in powder form, your potpourri may not look as aesthetically pleasing.

Displaying: Use glass containers or sachets to store and gift your potpourri

Displaying your potpourri is a fun part of the process, as you get to choose how to show off your creation! Glass containers or sachets are both great options for storing and gifting your potpourri.

Glass Containers

Glass containers are a popular choice for displaying potpourri. Jars with lids are ideal, as they allow you to easily transport your potpourri and give as gifts. You can tie a ribbon around the jar to add a decorative touch. If you plan to store the potpourri for a while, glass is a good option as it prevents the fragrance from seeping into the container, unlike plastic.

Sachets

Sachets are another common way to display and gift potpourri. You can purchase or make your own sachet bags and fill them with your potpourri mixture. Sachets are perfect for scenting clothes and closets, and can also be used in cars or other small spaces. If you're feeling crafty, you can sew or tie together a scrap of pretty fabric or a lacy handkerchief to create your own unique sachet.

Other Display Ideas

While glass containers and sachets are the most popular options, you can also get creative with your display. Baskets, bowls, and jars are all suitable for holding your potpourri. Just be sure to choose a non-metal container, as metals can react with the essential oils. If you have pets or small children, opt for a container with a perforated lid to prevent curious hands or paws from getting into the potpourri.

Frequently asked questions