How to Preserve A Wedding Bouquet?: Ways To Preserve Your Blooms

Ancient times tell us that brides carry wedding bouquets on their big day to ward off spirits and bad luck. And from times immemorial, hence, the practice of holding these fragrant flowers at the wedding holds major significance even today. So, if you too feel very sentimental about these bouquets and are looking for flower preservation techniques, then you are at the right place! For we, in this article, shall teach you how to preserve a wedding bouquet. Yes, with a few little effective techniques that we will talk about here, you will have this auspicious flower arrangement with you forever, reminding you of the D-day. And how much does it cost to preserve a wedding bouquet, is what you are wondering then let me tell you, most of the methods that we have provided below will barely cost you any penny. So, now, take a chill pill and go ahead and scroll down.

How To Preserve A Wedding Bouquet: Methods Explained

Below is a roundup of some fantastic ideas for your wedding bouquet preservation that you must try. You can thank us later!

Dried Bouquet

If you are looking for a simple yet effective method for floral preservation, then this is it. Drying a bouquet allows you to keep the entire flower arrangement in place. The flowers, with time, will shrink, though, and their colors too would eventually fade, but you can still have them with you for the rest of your life. Now, read the steps mentioned below and learn how to preserve your wedding bouquet yourself.

1. Say “goodbye” to the extra leaves, the broken petals, along with anything in the bouquet that has begun to turn brown or rot already.
2. Now secure the stems with yarn, a string, or maybe a twine piece for a more aesthetic vibe. You might also want to loop a piece of rubber around right around those stems and then tie them with a string—this will be helpful when the stems begin to shrink while drying the bouquet.
3. Now, take the bouquet to a dry or a dark spot and hang it upside down. A guest room (when there are no guests) or even a kitchen pantry would be great for this because you must avoid any disturbances.
4. Once this is done, you can leave the arrangement there for about two weeks or so. Some bouquets might also take a month or even more to dry out completely.
5. When you see that the bouquet has dried up thoroughly, you can bring it back to wherever you want to place it and put it in maybe a vase or any other decorative boxes. Glass boxes will do great too. Make sure you protect the arrangement from bugs, dust, and moisture.

Do it With Glycerin

Glycerin basically replaces the content of water present in the flowers and allows those flowers to remain bold and supple, which is why using it to preserve your bouquet turns out to be one of the best choices. With this method, you will allow the bouquet to look fresh, although it darkens the color of stems and leaves. So let us find out how to preserve a wedding bouquet using glycerin.

1. Pour lukewarm water and then glycerin into a vase.
2. Position the stems into that vase
3. Leave it like that for about two or three to absorb.
4. Hang your flowers upside down to allow the glycerin to reach all the petals if they begin to look wilted.

Silica Gel Bouquet

The silica gel method works wonders when you want to maintain the original color and shape of the bouquet just as they are, although, of course, you might notice a slight shrinkage of the flowers. Silica gel absorbs the moisture present in the flowers in your bouquet. Now let us see how to preserve a wedding bouquet with silica gel. Follow the steps given below. But, hey, here is a critical thing to keep in mind before getting started. Try this method on some test flowers first instead of your wedding bouquet.

1. Silica drying gels are readily available in craft stores. Purchase them.
2. Now grab a paintbrush and cover those flowers with silica powder.
3. Take an airtight jar or a container and place all the silica-covered flowers into it.
4. If there is any unused space in the jar, cover it with the silica powder.
5. Now seal the jar’s lead.
6. Allow the flowers to dry out completely. This might take a week or so.
7. Now take the bouquet out and remove any remaining silica powder on it.
8. Once the bouquet is completely dry, add some protective sealant spray on it and then place the arrangement in a display box or a vase.

This process is best for those flowers that can endure a tad bit of pressure. Ranunculus, peonies, and roses are some of those flowers.

Pressed Bouquet

Okay, so, if you don’t mind saving only a few flowers and not the whole bouquet, then this pressed wedding bouquet method will do just great. Don’t worry if you don’t have a flower press kit because you can do it with books that are heavy. Think of an encyclopedia or a dictionary; these will work as well. They will put the right weight on the flowers and press them perfectly flat. Now let us find out how to preserve your wedding bouquet at home with this method.

1. Position the flowers between two sheets of paper of that heavy book and tuck them into the center.
2. After two weeks or so, check the progress.
3. If they are not fully dry yet, then repress them.
4. When the flowers have dried out, get a frame and flaunt them in it.

Resin Bouquet

Encase your gorgeous wedding flowers in resin. Resembling a glass-like material, resin just starts out just as liquid, and therefore, allows you to bring together the flowers in mold. Now go through the steps provided below to carry out the resin flower preservation.

1. Wear a PPE to prevent yourself from any harmful reactions caused by resin.
2. Grab a large mold of the shape of your choice.
3. Place the flowers and leaves on the mold.
4. Now pour your resin right on top of the floral arrangements gently.
5. Allow it to harden.
6. You can now remove the mold and get your eyes on this unique keepsake.

This process will require some practice. So we recommend you approach an expert who knows how to preserve wedding bouquets in resin.

Freeze-dried Bouquet

This method can be a little pricey and should be taken care of by an expert. But, the result is worth the price. The bouquet will look very much like the way it did on your D-day. So check out the steps and go for it:

1. The expert will spray starch on the flowers first.
2. Once sprayed entirely, the expert will place the arrangement inside a freeze-dryer to gently eliminate the moisture.
3. Let the preservation do its magic. After about three months, you will witness the result.

Sand-dried Flowers

If you had a beach wedding and you wish to go on with that beach vibe forever, then this one’s for you. Let us check out the steps.

1. Bury the flowers into a bowl containing sand.
2. Place the bowl in a cool and dry place.
3. Let it stay in it for some weeks.
4. After some weeks, gently remove the sand from the flowers and take the flowers out.
5. The flowers have dried up, so, now, you can display the flowers the way you want to.

Wax-dipped Flowers

Although it is important to note that this method will not preserve your wedding flowers forever, it will allow you to have them with you for at least six months. Yes, the shape and color of the flowers will not undergo much change. Also, you would not require trimming them way too short. Now, let us go through the steps.

1. Let the wax melt in a cooking pot for about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also do the same in a double boiler.
2. Dip the flowers into the wax twice.
3. Now carefully hold the bloom for three minutes or so and let the wax set properly. You can keep the flowers upright by placing them into a glass.
4. Once you see that the wax has entirely set on the bloom, carry out the dipping process for the stems too.

With the methods and steps mentioned above, preserving flowers to turn them into wedding keepsakes, and your wish to make your bright and gorgeous wedding bouquet a lasting memorabilia will be fulfilled. Apart from the fun-filled wedding photographers going through which you smile and get emotional as time flies, it is these little significant objects that manage to overwhelm you and add beauty to your house too. The wedding bouquets are thoughtfully arranged, so preserving them, indeed, becomes essential. Now that you have a pretty good idea of how to have these blooms with you forever, go and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with dead flowers from the wedding?

You can preserve the flowers and get creative with them. You can frame them or add them as decorative pieces to your furniture (like a coffee table). You can use the petals to make resin jewelry as well.

How do I keep my flowers fresh for the wedding?

Keep the bouquets in a refrigerator to keep them fresh. Place them in vases with water once you shift them to the wedding venue. Keep misting the flowers if they are outdoors for a long time before the wedding.

What is the average cost of flowers for a wedding?

The average cost of flowers for a wedding is approximately $1500-$1800, depending on the arrangement, the flowers used, and the number of flowers used. If you want to keep the cost low, go for native flowers.

How do I preserve my wedding bouquet with hairspray?

Hang the flowers upside down, on a hanger or using a rope, so they can air-dry. Once they have dried (the water has been soaked up), spritz two to three light layers of hairspray over the flowers and leave them to dry. Then, gently place the bouquet in a vase filled with water. Keep doing this every hour to keep the flowers fresh.

What do you spray on flowers to preserve them?

You can spray water, a special hydrating mist, or hairspray to keep your flowers fresh.

How do I preserve my wedding bouquet in a shadow box?

You need to dry or preserve your flowers first. Then, cut off the stems of the flowers. Place the flowers facing upward in the shadow box. Arrange them as you would like. You can now keep the floral shadow box as a display piece.

Illustration: How to Preserve A Wedding Bouquet?: Bridal Bouquet Preservation

Want to preserve your wedding bouquet and the memories you made with it? Check out this video for simple steps to preserve your flowers.

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