Eucalyptus Pressing: Framing Wedding Memories With Nature's Beauty

Pressed flowers are a great way to preserve the memories of your wedding day. They can be used to create a new piece of artwork for your home, and they are also a sustainable way to extend the life of your wedding bouquet. One way to do this is by pressing and drying your wedding flowers. This process is pretty easy and only takes an afternoon to get started. You can press flowers by using a book or a microwave, and then display them in a glass frame. Another idea is to use pressed eucalyptus leaves to create a romantic backdrop for your wedding ceremony. You can also incorporate eucalyptus into your wedding invitations, seating charts, and other decor.

Pressing flowers using the book method

Step 1: Prepare your flowers

Before you begin, separate any petals if needed. Choose flowers that are close to full bloom and avoid ones with blemishes or dark spots. Pick flowers from a garden in the morning once any dew is gone, and ensure they are completely dry. For large flowers with layered petals, consider separating the petals before pressing and then reconstructing the flower later.

Step 2: Arrange your flowers

Lay your stems out on acid-free paper or another moisture-wicking surface. You can use pieces of cardboard with paper napkins in between. Make sure to keep the stems spaced out so the flowers dry evenly. Take off any extra leaves, thorns, or other parts of the flowers you don't want to keep.

Step 3: Cover the flowers and close the book

Place a piece of paper or cardboard on top of the arranged flowers, and then close the book. You can also use a heavy object, such as a brick, to weigh down the book and create even pressure. If you are using a particularly heavy book, you may not need an additional weight.

Step 4: Wait for the flowers to dry

Allow the flowers to sit and dry for one to two weeks. Check on them after a week to see how they are doing. If you have particularly juicy flowers, you may want to change the cardboard or paper. Make sure you leave them in a dry, cool area to prevent moulding.

Step 5: Remove the flowers from the book

Once the flowers are dry, carefully remove them from the paper and place them in your desired frame. Arrange the flowers to fit your aesthetic preferences and be careful not to jostle them too much, as you don't want to accidentally break off the petals.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful piece of art that will remind you of your special day for years to come. This method is a great way to preserve your wedding flowers and create a meaningful keepsake.

Pressing flowers using the microwave method

Pressing flowers in the microwave is a quick and easy way to preserve your wedding flowers and is a fun way to add a new piece of artwork to your home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Gather your flowers and supplies:

You will need fresh flowers or greenery such as eucalyptus, paper towels or cotton rags, and a heavy microwave-safe dish or container to use as a weight. It is recommended to use flowers that are naturally flatter, like daisies, aster, and chamomile, as they are easier to press. Thicker flowers like roses can be cut in half before pressing or dried individually.

Step 2: Prepare the flowers:

Remove any extra leaves, thorns, or other parts of the flowers that you don't want to keep. Cut the blooms and leaves as desired, either right below the bloom or leaving them on the stem. Place the blooms on top of a paper towel, ensuring that the petals are flat and smoothed out. Cover them with another paper towel.

Step 3: Microwave the flowers:

Place the flowers in the microwave and put the heavy microwave-safe dish on top. It is important not to press the dish down, especially if you have thicker flowers. Just set it gently on top as the flowers will flatten as they dry. Microwave at medium or half power for about 1 minute and then check on the flowers. The temperature is crucial – if you cook at full power, you will burn the flowers. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until the flowers are dry.

Step 4: Cool and arrange the flowers:

Once the flowers are sufficiently dried, remove them from the microwave and let them cool down. They will get stiffer as they cool. Once cool, arrange the flowers in your desired frame, being careful not to jostle them too much to avoid losing any petals.

Tips:

• The microwave strength will vary, so use the defrost setting if available.
• The cooking time will depend on the power of your microwave and the type of flowers you are pressing.
• To prevent burning the flowers, do not cook at full power or for too long at one time.
• Lower-moisture plants and fresh flowers press best using the microwave method.
• White flowers are more challenging as they tend to discolour when heated, so brighter colours are recommended.

Choosing the best flowers to press

The best flowers to press are those that are easy to press and have 'super qualities' that make them press well. Flowers with flat faces and single layers of petals are ideal. Wildflowers are a great option as they usually have little water content, which means they dry and press quickly.

• Sweet peas come in a beautiful range of colours and flower throughout the year, giving you plenty of opportunities to perfect your pressing technique.
• Pansies are easy to get hold of as they flower for a long time, including in winter. Their flat faces and striking colours make them simple to arrange and press.
• Love-in-the-mist (also known as Nigella flowers) is a flower that self-seeds and spreads easily, making it abundant in the wild. Its soft, spikey, sage-green foliage dries quickly and creates beautiful silhouettes when framed.
• Daisies hold little water in their stems or heads, meaning they dry and press quickly. They also evoke nostalgia for bygone summers spent making daisy chains.
• Forget-me-nots are tiny flowers that are perfect for use in pressed flower jewellery. They retain their baby blue colour well when dried and have a charming structure when pressed on their curving, willowy stems.

When choosing flowers to press, it's best to avoid flowers with thick, fleshy, water-rich petals, such as begonias and portulaca, as they may be prone to mould or scorch when pressed. Roses can also be tricky to press as they often have multiple layers of petals, but wild and dog roses with simpler structures can work well.

Tips for selecting flowers to press:

• Choose flowers that are close to full bloom and avoid those with blemishes or dark spots.
• Pick flowers from a garden in the morning after any dew has evaporated.
• Ensure flowers are completely dry, as wet or damp flowers can become mouldy.
• If using a bouquet, keep it in water until you are ready to press the flowers. Cut the stems at an angle and place the flowers in a vase with flower food to maintain freshness. Replace the water daily and remove any leaves below the waterline.
• For large flowers with layered petals, consider separating the petals before pressing and then reconstructing the flower later if desired.

Now that you know how to choose the best flowers for pressing, you can move on to the pressing process itself. There are several methods you can use, including pressing in a book, using a DIY wooden press, a microwave, or an iron. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs and the flowers you have selected.

Displaying pressed flowers

Choosing the Right Flowers:

Not all flowers press equally. Flowers with naturally flat blooms, such as violets, daisies, and single-petal roses, are the easiest to press. Ferns and other types of leaves also flatten nicely. Bulky flowers, like roses or carnations, can be pressed but may look better if trimmed, separated into petals, or sliced in half lengthwise.

Preparing Flowers for Pressing:

If your chosen flowers have obvious stamens, such as alstroemerias and lilies, remove the stamens to prevent staining. Trim the back of bulky flowers or cut them in half lengthwise to help them lie flat. For the most vibrant colours, condition your blooms by plunging the stems into water, then recutting them underwater at an angle. Place the stems in a vase filled with water and floral food.

Supplies for Pressing:

You will need blotting paper, printer paper, parchment paper, flat coffee filters, flat cardboard, or plain, untreated facial tissues to absorb moisture and aid drying. Avoid paper towels and waxed paper, as they can retain moisture and imprint textures on the petals.

Pressing Techniques:

There are several techniques for pressing flowers, including using a book, an iron, or a microwave. The book method involves placing flowers between absorbent paper and stacking heavy books on top. The iron method is similar, but uses a warm iron to press the flowers for 10 to 15 seconds at a time. The microwave method can speed up drying, but be careful not to burn the flowers. Place flowers between absorbent paper and "cook" at medium power in 30- to 60-second intervals.

Framing Your Pressed Flowers:

Purchase or remove the glass and back from a wooden picture frame. Cut a piece of paper to fit inside the frame, and design your flower pattern using tweezers. Carefully glue the flowers to the paper, being gentle as they are delicate. Allow the glue to dry for about an hour in a cool, dry place with good ventilation. Finally, secure your flower art inside the frame and display it on a wall or shelf.

Using pressed flowers in wedding invitations

Pressed flowers are a beautiful, natural, and affordable addition to your DIY wedding invitations. The process is time-consuming but is a great way to make a big impression on your guests. The physical acts of gathering, pressing, and gluing the flowers to your invites are definitely a labour of love, but your guests will be wowed by the results.

How to Press Your Flowers

There are a few different ways to press flowers, depending on how involved you want to be and how quickly you want the turnaround to be. One way is to use a microwave. Lay your stems out on a paper towel, spacing them out evenly. Once you have the stems laid out, put the paper towel on cardboard and place a heavy plate on top. "Cook" at medium power for about one minute and check on the flower. You don't want to cook at full power as you will burn your flowers. Once they are sufficiently dried, set them aside to cool.

Another way is to press your flowers in a book. Lay your stems out on acid-free paper or another moisture-wicking surface. Take off any extra leaves, thorns, or other parts of the flowers you don’t want to keep. Make sure to keep the stems spaced out so the flowers dry evenly and cover with a heavy book. Allow them to sit and dry for one to two weeks. Once dry, carefully remove the stems from the paper and they are ready to be placed in your invitations.

Adding Pressed Flowers to Your Wedding Invitations

Once you’ve pressed your flowers and they are completely dried, you can then adhere them to your invitations. It is recommended to use rubber cement for this job, as it’s very durable but also very forgiving. Start by placing your flowers onto your dry invitation to decide on placement. Once you’ve found an arrangement you like, then you can start gluing. Place each flower onto some scrap paper, with the front side (the one you want to see on the invitation) face down, and cover the back with adhesive. Then, gently place your flower on your invitation. Repeat until you have applied all of your flowers.

The great part about working with rubber cement is that it dries clear, so if you end up using too much adhesive, you can easily rub it away with your fingertips to clean up your design. Once your design is done, you can trim any flowers that “bled” off the edge using scissors or an X-Acto knife.

Frequently asked questions