Lyla Dejesus
Wedding flowers are chosen with care and creativity, and it is no surprise that couples want to preserve their wedding bouquets as a reminder of their special day. There are many ways to save your wedding bouquet, from simple DIY methods like pressing flowers in a book or hanging the bouquet upside down to dry, to more complex professional preservation techniques like pressing flowers in resin or frames. Some couples opt for creative ways to preserve their flowers, such as turning them into jewellery, paintings, or home decor. With the right approach, you can transform your wedding bouquet into a lifelong keepsake that captures the emotions and memories of your big day.
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What You'll Learn
Press flowers and frame them
Pressing and framing your wedding flowers is a great way to preserve your wedding bouquet. This method allows you to showcase the natural beauty of your flowers and turn them into a stunning piece of art. Here are the steps you can follow to achieve the best results:
Prepare the Flowers:
Handle the flowers gently to avoid damaging the delicate petals and stems. Remove any excess foliage or leaves before pressing, as they can cause mould or decay. Choose flowers with a single layer of petals and flat faces for pressing, such as roses, vincas, pansies, or zinnias. For larger flowers, you can preserve the whole flower through drying methods or separate the individual petals from the stems.
Pressing Techniques:
There are several pressing techniques to choose from, including the traditional book or wooden press method, where you arrange flowers between sheets of parchment or wax paper and place them in a heavy book. You can also use a household iron on low heat to press your flowers. Place the flowers between parchment paper and iron for 15-30 seconds at a time, letting them cool between presses. Microwaving is another option, although it may not yield the same quality results as other methods.
Framing:
Once your flowers are pressed and dried, you can move on to the framing process. Start by removing the back of your chosen frame and any existing artwork or matting. Clean the glass or acrylic glazing for a clear display. Arrange your pressed flowers on acid-free archival paper or cardstock, being mindful of their placement and composition. Use acid-free adhesive or glue dots to secure the flowers, being careful not to damage them. Finally, secure the back of the frame in place, and your pressed flower artwork is ready to be displayed!
Additional Tips:
Avoid exposing pressed flowers to excessive humidity or temperature fluctuations to prevent deterioration. If you're short on time before your honeymoon, consider outsourcing flower preservation to professionals who can create customised pieces. You can also incorporate pressed flowers into other crafts, such as resin jewellery, bookmarks, or scrapbooks.
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Hang flowers upside down to dry
Hanging flowers upside down to dry is a simple and beautiful way to preserve your wedding bouquet. This method allows you to naturally dry out the flowers and create a lasting keepsake. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:
Firstly, it is important to act quickly after your wedding to ensure the flowers are in the freshest possible state. Trim away any unwanted parts of the flowers, such as the stems, leaves, or any discoloured portions.
Next, prepare a space where you can hang the bouquet upside down. A cool, dry, and dark area, such as a closet or a room with the curtains drawn, is ideal. Use string or twine to securely tie the stems of the bouquet together, leaving a long enough length to hang it from a hook or a nail. Make sure the flowers are not crowded together, as proper air circulation is essential for even drying.
The drying process can take several weeks, depending on the type of flowers and the humidity levels in the environment. Check on your bouquet periodically to ensure it is drying properly and to prevent any potential mould issues. The flowers are ready when the petals and leaves feel crisp to the touch.
Once the flowers are fully dried, you can create a smaller bouquet or arrange them to your liking. You can then display your preserved bouquet in a vase or hang it on your wall as a decorative piece.
While hanging flowers upside down to dry is a straightforward method, it is important to note that it may not result in the same level of preservation as professional services. The flowers will still be fragile, and over time, you may notice some colour fading and browning. However, with careful handling and storage, you can extend the lifespan of your wedding bouquet and cherish the memories it holds.
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Use epoxy resin to preserve flowers
Preserving your wedding bouquet in epoxy resin is a wonderful way to capture its natural beauty and create a stunning, long-lasting keepsake. By encasing the delicate blooms in a crystal-clear resin, you can create unique jewellery, paperweights, coasters, or decorative pieces that will retain their vibrant colours and textures for years to come.
Prepare your flowers:
Before you begin the preservation process, you'll need to select and prepare your flowers. It is recommended to dry your flowers before encasing them in resin, as live flowers tend to fade in colour and bubbles may form due to the release of natural moisture. One quick and easy way to dry flowers is by using silica gel. Place the flowers upright in a container filled with silica gel, allowing them to rest and slowly release their moisture while preserving their form.
Select your resin:
The type of resin you choose will depend on the size and depth of your project. For larger projects, such as paperweights, deep pour epoxy is recommended as it allows for thick layers without excessive heat buildup. Smaller items like jewellery can be created using UV resin or tabletop epoxy.
Prepare your workspace:
Gather all the materials you will need, including your dried flowers, resin, clean silicone mould, scissors or trimming tools, and any other necessary equipment.
Mix and pour the resin:
Follow the instructions provided with your chosen resin for mixing and pouring. Mix the resin and hardener in the specified ratio to create a solid foundation for your arrangement. Pour the first layer of resin into your mould and lay your background layer of flowers or greenery on top. Cover and let it cure for 24 hours.
Arrange your flowers and add more resin:
After the base layer has cured, start arranging your flowers carefully. Handle the dried flowers gently as they can be brittle. Mix a second batch of resin and slowly pour it around your flowers, working in layers to avoid excessive heat buildup. Allow each layer to cure for at least 6 hours before adding the next one. Continue until you reach the desired height.
Final steps:
Once you've added all your flower layers and resin, let the final layer cure for 24 hours. Then, remove the preserved bouquet from the mould and trim or sand any imperfections. You may also need to do some light sanding between layers if the resin has already cured. Your beautiful, preserved wedding bouquet is now ready to be displayed and cherished!
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Replant flowers after the wedding
If you're looking to replant your wedding flowers, it's important to note that not all flowers can be replanted. Some florists cut off the nodes on stems for aesthetic purposes, and these nodes are where roots grow, so not every flower in your bouquet can be replanted. Flowers with many nodes, like succulents and lavender, are the best for replanting.
To replant your flowers, start by identifying the nodes on the stems. Cut the stems right below the node, keeping around three to four additional nodes on the stem if the flower has multiple nodes. Then, place the flowers in cool, fresh water, keeping them away from sunlight, and refresh the water daily. Once the flowers have been prepped, you can try one of several DIY preservation methods.
One option is to air-dry the flowers. Hang the stems individually in a dry, temperate area, such as a closet, to ensure the flowers retain their shape. Leave them to dry for at least a week or longer if it's cool. You can then arrange the dried flowers in a vase or create a wreath.
Another method is to use silica gel, which is a porous sand that absorbs water and dries flowers in one to seven days. Place a layer of silica gel in an airtight container, nestle your blooms in the sand, and gently pour more silica gel around the petals until the container is full. After a week, remove the flowers and spray them with fixative or hairspray.
You can also press the flowers. Place them in a heavy book, such as a dictionary, with parchment paper or coffee filters to protect them from ink. Add weights on top of the book and leave the flowers to dry for about two weeks. Pressed flowers can be displayed in a frame or used in other crafts, such as jewellery or wall hangings.
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Commission a painting of the bouquet
Commissioning a painting of your wedding bouquet is a wonderful way to preserve your wedding flowers. It is a creative and unique way to immortalise your bouquet, and it can be done in several ways.
Firstly, you could paint the bouquet yourself. This is a fun, cost-effective way to create a permanent reminder of your wedding day. You can use any medium you like, such as charcoal, watercolour or acrylic, and then frame your artwork to display in your home.
However, if you would prefer a professional finish, you can commission an artist to paint your bouquet. Websites such as Etsy offer a range of artists who can create a custom painting of your bouquet. You can send them photos of your bouquet and specify any favourite colours or additional details you would like included. You could even add an insect to your painting to symbolise the transformative aspects of your union. The artist will then create an original flower painting for you, which you can hang in your home or give as a gift.
If you would like to preserve the actual flowers, there are several DIY methods you can try, such as pressing the flowers and placing them in a frame or hanging your bouquet upside down to dry out. However, if you are short on time or would prefer a professional finish, you can enlist the help of a florist or bouquet preservation specialist, who will use methods such as freeze-drying or pressing flowers and placing them in resin to preserve your bouquet.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to save your wedding bouquet. You can press the flowers and frame them, hang the bouquet upside down to dry, or place the flowers in resin.
To press flowers, place them in a book or between pieces of parchment paper inside the pages of a weighted hardback book. Leave the flowers for around 7-10 days. You can also use a flower preservation service, which will press the flowers and place them in a frame.
Simply hang the bouquet upside down and leave it to dry out naturally. Once the flowers are dried, you can arrange them into a smaller bouquet and hang them on your wall or put them in a vase.
First, dry the flowers by hanging them upside down or pressing them. Then, find a suitable container and fill it halfway with epoxy resin liquid. Arrange the flowers in the fluid and fill the container to the top with resin. Leave it to dry.
