George Boyle
There are many ways to preserve your wedding flowers, from drying and pressing them to creating resin pieces or paintings. The sooner you act to preserve your flowers, the better, as freshness matters. If you're travelling for your wedding, it may be difficult to bring your bouquet home, so consider taking plenty of photos so that you can replicate it later. If you're flying, you may also need to get your flowers cleared by agricultural inspections.
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What You'll Learn
Pressing flowers into glass frames
Pressing your wedding flowers into glass frames is an exquisite and timeless way to preserve your wedding bouquet. It is a captivating art form that allows you to showcase the delicate beauty of your wedding flowers in a timeless and elegant way.
To begin the preservation process, you will need to act fast. Fresh flowers tend to press more successfully than wilted ones. You will need a flower press or heavy books, absorbent paper (such as blotting paper or parchment paper), scissors, tweezers, and a frame with a glass front.
Once you have gathered your materials, carefully remove any excess foliage, thorns, or damaged petals from your bouquet. If the stems are too long, you can trim them to fit your desired frame size. Then, take a piece of absorbent paper and place it on the bottom of the flower press or between the pages of a heavy book. Arrange your flowers on top of the paper, ensuring they are evenly spaced and not overlapping. Place another sheet of absorbent paper over the flowers, and continue layering flowers and paper until your entire bouquet is arranged.
After three weeks, add more weight on top of the stack and let the flowers press for an additional two weeks. Once your flowers are fully dried, carefully remove them from the press or book using tweezers to avoid damaging their delicate petals. Arrange the flowers on a clean sheet of paper within the frame, creating a visually pleasing composition. Experiment with different layouts and orientations until you find the desired arrangement.
Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, secure the flowers in place using acid-free adhesive or glue dots. Make sure to keep the adhesive minimal to avoid obscuring the intricate details of the flowers. Place the glass front over the flowers and seal the frame. Display your framed bouquet in a location where it can be admired, and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, excessive heat, or humidity, as these can cause the colours to fade over time.
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Hanging flowers upside down to dry
To begin, cut the stems just above a leaf or a leaf pair in the morning after the dew has dried. It is best to cut them before the flowers are fully open. Next, discard any bruised, damaged, or imperfect flowers and inspect for insects. Remove the leaves and any unwanted stems.
After preparing the flowers, make small bundles and secure them with rubber bands. Bunch them loosely to prevent mould. Hang the flowers upside down in a dark, warm, dry place with good air circulation. Ensure they are kept out of direct sunlight to avoid fading the colours. Flowers with low moisture content, such as baby's breath, lavender, and rose buds, dry very successfully using this method.
Once dried, take down the flowers and gently handle them to avoid damage as they will be delicate and brittle. You can further protect them by spraying them with unscented hairspray. You can then arrange the flowers to your liking and display them in a vase or frame them.
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Preserving in resin
Preserving wedding flowers in resin is a popular choice for many couples, but it can be a tricky process. It is a method that keeps flowers looking the closest to how they did on the wedding day. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you preserve your wedding flowers in resin:
Prepare the flowers
Firstly, trim the stems of your bouquet and ensure your flowers are completely dry. This is a crucial step as moisture can cause the flowers to rot and change colour within the resin. There are several methods to dry flowers, including using silica gel or air-drying. For silica gel, place the flowers in a sealed container with silica gel desiccant for several days or weeks. This method helps retain the colour and shape of the flowers. Alternatively, you can air-dry the flowers by allowing them to dry naturally in a vase or box.
Choose the right mould
Select a silicone or HDPE mould that showcases your flowers attractively. Measure the mould to determine the amount of resin required. Clean the mould with water or isopropyl alcohol to remove any dust or residue, and ensure it is completely dry before use.
Prepare the resin
Combine one part of Liquid Cast Floral Preservation Epoxy Resin with one part hardener, ensuring a thorough mix. Scrape the sides and bottom of the container while mixing to prevent any unmixed resin. This formula is suitable for thick pours and cures crystal-clear, making it perfect for flower preservation.
Pour the resin
Pour the first layer of resin into the mould and allow it to harden slightly. Then, arrange your flowers on the semi-hardened resin and pour another layer, carefully covering the flowers. Continue pouring additional layers of resin, ensuring that your flowers are completely encased.
Final steps
Allow the final layer of resin to cure completely. Then, remove the mould to reveal your preserved floral block. You can optionally apply a doming layer of epoxy resin to add a finishing touch. Now, your wedding flowers are beautifully preserved and ready to be displayed or gifted!
Preserving wedding flowers in resin requires some preparation and craft skills. If you are unsure about the process, consider seeking professional help or an artist to create these keepsakes for you.
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Getting a painting of the bouquet
Although it is not a method of preserving the actual flowers, getting a painting of your wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve the bouquet's beauty and your special memories. Here is a guide to help you get started:
Choose a Medium
The first step is to decide on the medium for your painting. You can opt for traditional paint, such as acrylic or watercolour, or explore other artistic styles like digital gouache-style portraits or line drawings.
Find an Artist
You can choose to paint the bouquet yourself, which is a fun way to connect with your artistic side. Alternatively, you can commission a professional artist or wedding painter to create a custom painting for you. Artists on platforms like Etsy specialise in creating beautiful interpretations of wedding bouquets, and some can even work from photographs if you no longer have the actual flowers.
Framing and Display
Once you have your painting, you can select a frame that complements the artwork and showcases it in your home. Consider the size, colour, and style of the frame to enhance the overall presentation. You may also want to include other keepsakes from your wedding, such as your wedding invitation, to create a unique display.
Additional Options
If you're feeling creative, you can explore other artistic mediums beyond traditional painting. For example, you could have your bouquet embroidered on a sweatshirt or preserved in resin as a decorative item or jewellery. These options provide unique ways to showcase your wedding flowers and turn them into lasting mementos.
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Freezing flowers
Freeze-drying is a popular method to preserve wedding flowers. This process involves removing moisture from the petals, preserving their original colour, shape, and even scent. Flowers are placed in a freeze-drying machine, where they are frozen in full bloom, and then the temperature is gradually raised to stimulate sublimation (the process of ice crystals changing directly to water vapour). This process takes 12-15 days, and the flowers will be preserved in their original shape.
Freeze-drying requires a large and expensive piece of equipment, so it is recommended to hire a professional for this service. Before sending your flowers, ensure they are in the best condition possible. Recut the flower stems, and keep them out of direct sunlight and well-hydrated. You have up to 10 days to send your flowers, but the fresher they are, the better.
After the flowers have been freeze-dried, they can be kept in airtight containers or glass cases to be displayed. However, it is important to note that freeze-dried flowers are fragile and require careful handling.
Another method of preservation is freezing. This method works well for hardy flowers and helps preserve their original appearance. To freeze flowers, ensure they are completely dry and moisture-free. Place the flowers in an airtight or vacuum-sealed bag and seal tightly to prevent freezer burn. Then, place the container or bag in the freezer, maintaining a consistent temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to preserve your wedding flowers, including:
- Pressing them into a book or using a traditional flower press.
- Hanging the bouquet upside down to air dry.
- Using silica gel to dry the flowers.
- Submerging the flowers in epoxy resin molds.
- Wax dipping.
- Freeze-drying.
Basic preservation services such as pressing or simple drying usually cost between $150 and $250. More ornamental framed or resinized keepsakes are $300 to $500 and more. Customized specialty items such as large shadow boxes, sublimated 3D displays or resin blocks can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000, depending on size and complexity.
There are two main reasons for outsourcing wedding flower preservation: timing and project difficulty. Certain preservation methods require you to act quickly, so your flowers can be immortalized in the freshest possible state. This can be challenging if you're going on your honeymoon immediately after your wedding. Another good reason to hire a professional is if the preservation method you've chosen is beyond your DIY skillset.
