Deborah Chan
Preserving your wedding bouquet is a great way to immortalise your big day. There are many ways to do this, from simple DIY methods to professional services. If you're craft-savvy, you may enjoy a post-wedding project and there are plenty of options to choose from, such as pressing, air-drying, or using silica gel. However, if you're jetting off on your honeymoon, you may want to enlist the help of a professional to preserve your bouquet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Simplest way to preserve | Air-drying |
| Air-drying steps | Remove browning parts, torn petals, and extra leaves; hang flowers upside down to dry in a dark, dry, and temperate area for at least two weeks |
| Silica gel | Absorbs moisture and dries flowers in 1-7 days; preserves the shape and colour of flowers |
| Silica gel steps | Place flowers in an airtight container with silica gel, ensuring flowers are completely covered; let dry for about a week, then remove and gently dust off any remaining powder |
| Epoxy resin | Can be used to create decorative shapes like paperweights, ring holders, or jewellery trays; requires drying flowers first |
| Resin steps | Pour a thin layer of resin into a mould, place flowers face-up, slowly pour resin into each flower, pop any air bubbles, arrange flowers, and let harden for about 24 hours |
| Wax | Extends the life of flowers for up to six months, preserving their original integrity and colour |
| Flower pressing | Place flowers between sheets of paper in a heavy book for about seven to ten days |
| Professional services | Various artists and companies offer bouquet preservation services, including pressing, framing, and resin products |
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What You'll Learn
Pressing flowers in a book
Preserving your wedding bouquet by pressing the flowers in a book is a simple and effective method. It is a great way to keep your flowers as a memento and can be easily done at home.
Firstly, you will need to prepare your flowers. Trim away any unwanted parts of the flowers, such as the stems, leaves, or any discoloured parts. It is important to note that you should not overcrowd the book, so select as many flowers as will fit comfortably.
Next, you will need to spread out your chosen flowers on a piece of clean wax or parchment paper. Arrange them in a way that you are happy with, as once they are dried and pressed, you won't be able to change their position. Place the flowers, along with the wax paper, inside the pages of a heavy book, such as a phone book or textbook. You can add another piece of wax paper on top of the flowers to protect them from any ink in the book. Close the book and weigh it down with something heavy, like a vase or more books.
Leave the flowers to dry for about seven to ten days. Keep an eye on them, as the time may vary depending on the temperature and humidity levels. Once they are fully dried and pressed, you can remove them from the book. Now, you can display your flowers however you like. Some ideas include framing them, creating a gallery wall, or even making a wreath with your dried flowers.
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Air-drying the bouquet
Air-drying your wedding bouquet is a simple and effective way to preserve your flowers. This method is a good option if you want to keep the original shape of your flowers, although slight shrinkage will occur.
First, prepare your flowers by removing any browning parts, torn petals, and extra leaves. Unwrap the bouquet and cut away any tape or ties. You should also trim the stems, leaving about half an inch at the bottom.
Next, tie a piece of string to each stem. Hanging the stems individually will help maintain their shape. Hang your flowers upside down in a dry, temperate area, such as a hallway or infrequently used closet. The ideal temperature is cool, and the area should be dark and out of direct sunlight.
Let your flowers air-dry for at least one week, but preferably two weeks or longer, depending on the temperature. The flowers will be ready when they are completely dry and brittle to the touch.
Once your flowers are dry, you can arrange them in a vase or create a wreath. If you have any ribbons from your wedding, you can use them to decorate your display. You can also salvage individual flowers or petals for other crafts, such as decorating candles.
Air-drying is a straightforward and cost-effective way to preserve your wedding bouquet, allowing you to enjoy your flowers long after your special day.
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Using silica gel
Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs water and dries flowers in one to seven days. This method keeps your flowers looking the closest to how they did on your wedding day. It preserves the colour and texture of the flowers, and is the best way to maintain both. It is also possible to use silica gel to dry flowers before preserving them in resin.
To dry flowers with silica gel, trim the stems at the base of the flower so that you are left with just the head. Place the flowers face-up on a layer of silica gel in an airtight container. Slowly pour a small amount of silica gel evenly beside each flower, allowing the crystals to nestle into the petals, supporting the weight of the flower and maintaining its shape. You can also carefully pour a small amount of silica gel inside the flower, being careful not to squish any petals. Repeat this process for as many layers of flowers as will fit in your container. Seal the container and leave the flowers to dry for at least three weeks.
Once the flowers are dry, gently remove them from the silica gel and brush off any excess crystals with a soft-bristled paintbrush. The flowers are dry when the petals are stiff, almost crunchy, and feel like paper. If the flowers are not completely dry, they will rot when preserved in resin.
To reuse the silica gel, spread the crystals in an oven-safe pan and heat at 250°F for at least five hours, or until the crystals have changed colour back to their original state.
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Wax dipping
Wax-dipping is a great way to preserve your wedding bouquet and can extend the life of your flowers for up to six months. The process is simple and cost-effective, and the result is beautifully preserved flowers that are almost indistinguishable from fresh flowers.
To begin, choose flowers that are in good condition, preferably with sturdy petals. Remove any excess foliage, thorns, and damaged parts from the flowers. If you're using paraffin wax, melt it in a double boiler over low heat. Beeswax can be melted using the same process. Alternatively, you can melt the wax in a microwave-safe container in short intervals, stirring between each interval until it is completely melted.
Once the wax is melted, hold the flowers by their stems and carefully dip them into the wax. Experiment with different dipping techniques to achieve the desired wax coverage and texture. Some flowers with delicate petals might not be suitable for wax preservation as it can weigh them down or alter their appearance. After dipping, hang the flowers upside down to dry.
Wax-preserved flowers are relatively fragile, so handle them gently to avoid damage. This method of preservation will keep your flowers looking fresh and vibrant, and it adds a lovely shine to the petals. You can also use wax-dipped flowers for other crafts, such as adding them to candles.
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Freeze-drying
If you're opting for a DIY approach, you'll need to purchase a freeze dryer. This option may not be cost-effective unless you plan on freeze-drying other items in the future. However, if you're passionate about flowers and plan on preserving them regularly, investing in a freeze dryer could be a good idea.
On the other hand, you can opt for a professional service, such as The Flower Preservation Studio or Petals & Lace, both of which have been in the business of freeze-drying flowers since 2005. These companies use the latest freeze-drying technology and 3D flower preservation techniques to transform your wedding bouquet into a cherished memento. They can preserve individual flowers or entire bouquets, ensuring that you can enjoy them for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
Place your flowers in a container and slowly pour silica gel over them, allowing the crystals to nestle into the petals. Cover the flowers completely, seal the container, and let the flowers sit for a week. Once dry, brush off any excess gel with a small paintbrush and use floral preserving sealant or hairspray to protect your flowers from moisture.
Remove any browning parts of the flowers, torn petals, and extra leaves. Tie a piece of string to each stem and hang the flowers upside down to dry in a dark, temperate area. Let them dry for at least two weeks—the exact time depends on the temperature. The bouquet will shrink slightly and the colour will fade, but it will still look nice in a vase or hanging on a wall.
Simply press the flowers into a book and let them dry. You can also send them to a company that specialises in pressed floral frames, or do it yourself using parchment paper, wax paper, or coffee filters.
You can hang your bouquet upside down to let it dry out naturally. You can also replant the flowers if they are succulents.
You can send your bouquet to a company that specialises in preserving flowers with resin. You can also have your bouquet made into wearable jewellery, or a painting.
