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10 Pro Tips on Preserving Wedding Flowers From Your BIG Day
If you’ve been paying attention to the wedding industry this year, you know flower preservation is on everyone’s mind. Brides everywhere are preserving their wedding flowers to make stunning pressed flower frames and floral art displays, and we know you want all the details. So if you’re planning a wedding or getting married soon, prepare to learn everything you need to know to start your flower preservation journey today. As part of our wedding florist tips, we teamed up with the experts at For Keeps Florals to compile a list of ten pro tips on preserving wedding flowers from your big day, so we can introduce you to our favorite flower preservation methods and displays and help guide you to getting your own stunning wedding keepsake.
Get your own stunning wedding keepsake. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
First, A Bit About Weddings and Flower Preservation
Flower preservation is a timeless horticulture practice that allows us to give eternal life to our favorite blossoms. There are many ways to preserve flowers and even more ways to make art or display them in your home. And of course, your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, filled with love, joy and – obviously – gorgeous flowers! Preserving those beautiful blooms allows you to hold on to the romance and memories long after the day has passed. Whether you want a sentimental keepsake or simply wish to enjoy your bridal bouquet a little longer, here are ten delightful tips to help you with preserving your wedding bouquet.
Preserving those beautiful blooms allows you to hold on to the romance and memories long after the day has passed. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 1: Start with the Fresh Flowers
Think of your wedding flowers as the stars of the show—they deserve the best care. Starting with fresh, high-quality flowers and a unique design for your bridal bouquet ensures that your preserved blooms will retain their beauty and charm. Make sure to keep your flowers in water and in a cool environment until you’re ready to begin the preservation process. Freshness is key to maintaining their vibrant colors and shapes.
Flower preservation is a timeless horticulture practice that allows us to give eternal life to our favorite blossoms. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 2: Choose the Right Preservation Method
Just like finding the perfect wedding dress, choosing the right preservation method is crucial. Each method has unique techniques and outcomes, from air drying or pressing to using silica gel or a freeze drier. Air drying is easy and natural, but it can take time and results in a delicate bouquet. Pressing creates a classic, flat look that is great for making a stylish pressed flower frame or DIY flower preservation art, while silica gel helps maintain the flowers’ shape and color while quickly dehydrating them. Find what suits your style best and go for it!
Tip 3: Prepare Your Flowers Properly
Before diving into the preservation process, make sure your flowers are prepped and ready. Remove any excess foliage and trim the stems to your desired length. Trim any brown or discolored petals, and make sure the flower isn’t too thick or bulky to dry. Take care to press or dry them in the desired end shape, because they’ll be stuck that way! Ensure the flowers are completely dry before creating your artwork, to prevent mold and mildew. Proper preparation is the foundation for beautiful, lasting preserved flowers.
Prepare your flowers properly. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 4: Use a Microwave Press, Freeze Dryer, or Silica Gel for Fast Results
For those who are eager to see quick results and want their flowers to be as colorful as possible, using a microwave press, freeze dryer, or silica gel is the way to go. These methods speed up the preservation process while retaining the flowers’ beauty and physical integrity. The microwave press is perfect for a quick DIY project, while a freeze dryer offers professional-grade results. Silica gel, on the other hand, is a versatile option that works wonders for various flower types but can be a little messy to use.
Tip 5: Practice Makes Perfect
Like anything in life, practice makes perfect. Each type of flower may require a different technique for preservation, and every display has its own nuances to account for while processing. Experiment with different methods and flowers to hone your skills, and make sure you have the right blooms in your bouquet. Try following a guide or tutorial if you don’t have any experience – it can be a steep learning curve and the professionals really do get good results!
Practice makes perfect. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 6: Pressing Flowers for a Classic Look
Pressing flowers is like capturing a moment in time—timeless and elegant. To press flowers, place them between sheets of parchment paper and press them using heavy books or a flower press. This method works wonderfully for flat-petaled flowers like roses and pansies, and we love it because it’s totally free. The result is a stunning, classic look that can be used in frames, cards, or even as a special keepsake. Traditional pressing can cause some flowers to lose a lot of color, but for others, it’s the only option as rapid temperature or humidity changes can destroy them. That’s why we say practice practice practice!
Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 7: Create a Floral Keepsake Frame
One of the most beautiful ways to preserve your wedding flowers is by creating a pressed flower frame to display in your home. This method can not only protect the flowers from UV light, but also allows you to create a professional and museum-quality display that replicates your bouquets shape and look while still being sleek and stylish. For a truly exquisite result, consider using a professional flower preservation service that offers custom UV protective framing and expert preservation techniques to create one of a kind art display, like For Keeps Florals.
Tip 8: Preserve Flowers in Resin for a Modern Touch
Preserving wedding flowers in resin creates a sleek, contemporary keepsake that’s both stunning and durable. The resin encases the flowers, preventing them from aging and keeping their vibrant colors intact. However, bubbles are inevitable in large pieces, and large resin displays will visibly yellow over time, especially with light contact. Resin displays are best kept to small pieces, and not for displaying an entire bouquet. Consider resin for a small item like jewelry, or maybe make a DIY coaster with some of your flowers!
Tip 9: Proper Storage and Display
To ensure your preserved flowers remain as beautiful as the day they were preserved, proper storage and display are essential. Keep them away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and humidity to prevent fading and damage. Handle the preserved flowers with care to maintain their delicate beauty, and make sure your display isn’t being moved or disturbed too often. Choose a spot where they can be admired and cherished without being exposed to harsh conditions or physical damage.
Proper display. Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Photo courtesy of For Keeps Florals
Tip 10: Plan Ahead, and Consider Professional Flower Preservation
Preserving your wedding flowers will be a ton of work. Maybe you want to leave for a honeymoon after your wedding, maybe you don’t have the patience for DIY, maybe you don’t have the time to hone your preservation skills before the big day, or maybe you just have an appreciation for perfection – keep in mind that professional wedding flower preservation can be an invaluable service, that can make preserving wedding flowers super simple.
With prices ranging from $250 up to $1000, there are preservation options to fit all budgets and styles, and the expertise that you get from a pro will guarantee your flowers look their best for years to come. Remember to plan ahead though! You don’t want to be scrambling to find a preservation artist after your wedding, and with flower preservation being such a popular service, many providers are often booked for in advance.
Preserving wedding flowers from your BID day is a delightful way to keep the memories of your special day alive and blooming. By starting with fresh flowers, choosing the right preservation method, and taking proper care of your keepsakes, you can be sure you’ll create beautiful, lasting reminders of your wedding day. Plan ahead and consider hiring a professional, and be sure to use these tips so you’ll have stunning floral keepsakes that to cherish for years to come. Happy preserving, may your love flourish and flowers bloom!
