Lyla Dejesus
Wedding bouquets are often an important part of a couple's special day, so it's no surprise that many brides and grooms want to preserve their flowers as a memento. There are several ways to do this, including DIY methods such as air drying, pressing, and using silica gel or resin, as well as professional services that offer flower beautification and pressing or resin services. With a little preparation and care, you can ensure your wedding bouquet lasts a lifetime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Request that your florist does not spray preservatives on your bouquet as this causes browning when pressed. Take photos of your bouquet from all angles before you start to dismantle it. |
| Preservation methods | Air-drying, pressing, silica gel, resin, wax dipping, freeze-drying, artist rendition |
| Air-drying | Find a dry, warm, and dark space to hang the flowers separately, ensuring good air circulation around each stem. |
| Pressing | Place flowers between sheets of paper and then press them between the heaviest books available, or use a traditional flower press. |
| Silica gel | Separate flowers into groups of similar sizes and place them in boxes of silica gel. |
| Resin | Dry flowers using air-drying, pressing, or silica gel before encasing them in resin. |
| Wax dipping | Dip flowers in wax to prolong their life and display them in a vase or enclosed in a terrarium or shadow box frame. |
| Freeze-drying | Extract moisture from flowers and then flash-freeze them in a freeze-dryer. |
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Air-drying flowers
Air-drying is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. This method is perfect if you want to retain the shape and colour of your flowers.
Firstly, prepare your flowers. Trim away any unwanted parts, such as the stem, leaves, or any discoloured parts. Place your flowers facing up on a sheet of parchment paper. You can also remove the stems and hang the flowers individually to keep them in the best shape.
Next, hang your flowers upside down to dry in a dry, dark, and temperate area that is out of the way, such as an infrequently used closet. The air-drying method can take about two to three weeks, depending on the temperature of the drying location.
Once the flowers are dry, you can display them as you wish. You can create a wreath with your dried flowers or use them in a variety of crafts, such as enclosing them in a terrarium or a shadowbox frame to display in your home. You can also use dried petals as a meaningful addition to simple white tapers, which you can burn during romantic dinners at home.
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Using silica gel
To dry your flowers with silica gel, start by placing your flowers face up. This allows the gel crystals to reach the centre of the flower and prevents the flower from losing its shape. Then, pour a thin layer of silica gel into the bottom of your container. You can buy silica gel from any craft store for less than $10. Next, lightly nestle the flowers into the gel, being careful not to overcrowd them by overlapping flowers. Get in between all the layers of the petals, but be gentle so the flowers stay intact.
Once there is a little layer of silica gel holding the outside of the flower, slowly pour a small amount inside, being careful not to squish any petals. Continue to alternate with this technique. This way, the level of silica gel will raise fairly evenly on the outside compared to the inside. You can also adjust the shape of the flowers and use the silica gel to hold them in place. Make sure the flowers are completely covered, and then seal the container.
Leave the flowers to dry for at least three weeks. Once they are dry, carefully remove them from the gel and brush off any excess crystals with a soft-bristled paintbrush. You can then display your flowers in a shadow box or a vase.
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Pressing flowers
Next, prepare your flowers by trimming away any unwanted parts such as stems, leaves, or any discoloured parts. You can also ask your florist not to use any spray preservatives on your bouquet, as they can cause the petals to brown when pressed. Then, place the flowers in cool, fresh water, and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Now you are ready to start pressing your flowers. Place the flowers between sheets of parchment paper, wax paper, or clean coffee filters. You can also use cardboard. Then, put them inside a heavy book, like a dictionary, so that the weight of the book presses the flowers flat. Put another heavy object, like a skillet, on top of the book to add more pressure. Leave the flowers to dry for about one to two weeks.
Once your flowers are dry, you can display them in a variety of ways. You can frame them in clear glass or on a white background. You can also use them to create bookmarks, phone cases, pendants, or cards.
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Wax dipping
Wax-dipping is a popular method for preserving wedding flowers and bouquets. It is a traditional Southern method that prolongs the life of flowers by preserving their colour and shape while adding a light sheen to each petal. The sheen makes the flowers look fresh and vibrant. Wax-preserved flowers can be displayed in a vase or enclosed in a terrarium or a shadow box frame.
To preserve your wedding bouquet using the wax-dipping method, you will need to first prepare the flowers. Choose flowers that are in good condition, preferably with sturdy petals. Remove excess foliage, thorns, and damaged parts from the flowers. Cut the stems to your desired length, making them easy to dip into the wax. If you want to preserve the entire bouquet, you can leave the stems longer.
Next, melt the wax. You can use paraffin wax, beeswax, or soy wax. Melt the wax in a double boiler over low heat or in a microwave-safe container in short intervals, stirring in between until the wax is completely melted. The wax should be melted at around 100° F. You can measure the temperature with a candy thermometer.
Once the wax is melted, you can start dipping the flowers. Hold the flowers by their stems and carefully dip them into the melted wax. Turn the flowers carefully to remove excess wax when you take them out. You can also dip the stems into the wax to cover the entire flower and prevent air from slowly killing the blooms.
After dipping, place the flowers in a vase or on wax paper to cool. Wax-preserved flowers are relatively fragile, so handle them gently to avoid damage. They will keep their shape better if they cool while upright.
Wax-preserved flowers will extend the life of your flowers for up to six months, keeping their original integrity and colour intact.
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Displaying in resin
Preserving your wedding bouquet in resin is a beautiful way to create a lasting memory of your special day. Resin is a material that, when properly used, can encase your flowers in a clear or coloured, glossy finish. This method showcases the natural beauty of your bouquet while adding a touch of modern sophistication.
If you're going to preserve your bouquet yourself, make sure you have all the necessary materials and practice beforehand. You can also ask your florist, as they might offer flower-preserving services or be able to point you in the right direction.
- Trim the stems of your bouquet and ensure your flowers are completely dry as moisture can cause them to rot and change colour within the resin.
- Choose and measure your floral preservation mold.
- Clean the mold with water or isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel to remove any dried epoxy resin or dust. Ensure it is clean and dry before use.
- Measure and mix the casting resin. Combine one part of Liquid Cast Floral Preservation Epoxy Resin with one part hardener, ensuring a thorough mix.
- Pour the first layer of casting resin into the mold.
- Allow the epoxy resin to harden, then arrange your flowers and pour another layer.
- Continue to pour additional layers of casting resin.
- Allow the casting resin to cure.
- Demold the floral preservation cast.
- Apply a doming layer of epoxy resin (optional).
Once your bouquet is preserved in resin, you can display it on a shelf, turn it into a paperweight, or incorporate it into various decorative projects or crafts. You can preserve the bouquet in virtually any shape: square, hexagon, sphere, or even letters!
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Frequently asked questions
There are several DIY methods to preserve your wedding bouquet. One of the most common methods is air drying, which involves hanging the bouquet or individual flowers upside down in a dry, dark and warm area. This method can take two to three weeks. You can also use the pressing method, which involves placing the flowers in a heavy book or using a flower press. If you're looking for a quicker solution, silica gel is a desiccant that absorbs moisture and can dry flowers in as little as two to seven days. Finally, you can preserve your flowers in resin, a type of plastic that can be moulded into any shape. However, the flowers must be completely dry before being encased in resin.
Before preserving your bouquet, you'll need to carefully take it apart and remove any ribbons, pins or wires. Cut about half an inch from each stem and place the flowers in fresh, room-temperature water. Take photos of your bouquet from all angles before dismantling it.
Yes, there are professional services that can preserve your wedding bouquet. Some companies dry and press flowers into glass frames, while others offer flower beautification" services, where they colour-correct the flowers after drying. These services can be found on platforms like Etsy and Instagram, with varying price ranges.
