Businessmatter-logo
Businessmatter-logo

Advertisement

GettyImages-1270509088-1.jpg

How to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet

How to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet


Lady Manson Staff
Updated: Dec 12, 2024

Advertisement

You put a lot of time, effort, and money into your wedding bouquet. Why not make it last? Flowers come and go, but there’s no reason you can’t surround yourself with the beauty of your special day by saving your prized arrangement.

Advertisement

01
Hanging upside down to dry
Hanging upside down to dry
shutterstock_379037359.jpg

This traditional method lets you keep your full bouquet intact and only costs a few minutes of your time. While it won't have your flowers looking fresh, they'll end up as an attractive addition to any wall or vase. Find a warm, dry area in your home. Tie the bouquet upside down in a spot that won't be disturbed. Wait a few weeks, and your arrangement will be ready to display.

Advertisement

02
Preserving in silica
Preserving in silica
shutterstock_1585476565.jpg

Silica is a low-cost absorbency powder available in most craft stores. If you're preserving your wedding bouquet as a DIY project, this at-home method will provide you with results that best mimic the original look of your arrangement. Keep the bouquet in an airtight container with silica for a week. After removing, spray it with hairspray or fixative gel.

Advertisement

03
Freeze-drying
Freeze-drying
shutterstock_1845510781.jpg

This one is best left to the professionals. Freeze-drying is a service offered by many florists, and the results are astonishing. If you want your bouquet to look as fresh as it did on your wedding day, this is definitely the route to take. Just keep in mind that freeze-drying averages three months to complete.

Advertisement

04
Use a wax dip
Use a wax dip

Quickly dip your bouquet in melted paraffin wax, then dry it upside down. Preserving flowers like this is a surefire way to keep them identical to their appearance on your wedding day. This method, however, is not long-term. Wax dipping extends the life of your blossoms for around six months.

Advertisement

05
Glycerin preservation
Glycerin preservation
GettyImages-1269062790.jpg

This method replaces the water in the flowers with glycerin, making them appear fresh, though the leaves and stems will darken. Add one part glycerin to two parts warm water. Set your bouquet's stems in a vase of this mixture for two or three weeks. Hang the bouquet upside down afterwards so the glycerin can reach the petals.

Advertisement

06
Sand drying
Sand drying
shutterstock_664451758.jpg

To dry your wedding bouquet with sand, you essentially follow the same steps as silica. For this method though, you'll need at least two weeks of drying time. Plus, sand works better with a sturdier arrangement. If you have delicate flowers, they likely won't withstand the weight of the sand.

Advertisement

07
Pressing methods
Pressing methods
GettyImages-1137281664.jpg

One of the most common ways to preserve flowers is through pressing. This won't keep your bouquet intact, but it will allow you to save all the best parts. Buying a pressing kit works well, but if you don't want this investment, use books. Pick the blossoms you want, and trim the stems. Place parchment paper or coffee filters within the pages. Add your flowers, then put additional weight on top. Let this sit undisturbed for at least three weeks.

Advertisement

08
Epoxy resin crafts
Epoxy resin crafts
shutterstock_1544498657.jpg

For a unique way to display your bouquet blossoms, casting them in resin works nicely. Create a paperweight for your home or office, design suncatchers, or make a sculpture. Professionals can produce a magnificent work of art, or if you're confident in your crafting skills, do it yourself. Fill a mold halfway with resin. Add your selected flowers in a majestic arrangement. Pour the rest of the resin on top. Let it dry for the recommended amount of time before removing the mold.

Advertisement

09
Painting the arrangement
Painting the arrangement
shutterstock_1500882173.jpg

Maybe you're not the type to keep flowers around your home. That's okay; consider the idea of a painting or sketch instead. You can do it yourself or commission your favorite artist for the job. The best part is that you can turn your bouquet into any style of art to fit your taste and decor.

Advertisement

10
Get creative
Get creative
GettyImages-573038105.jpg
Turn your bouquet into functioning art. Get creative by drying it into potpourri, making clay coasters, crafting a wreath, or fabricating jewelry. Add petals to homemade candles, or use them as a floral bath soak. Keep them or give them as gifts. No matter what you do, it will keep the memory of your special day alive.

Advertisement


Scroll downfor the Next Article

You May Also Like