Your wedding day is an unforgettable experience, with every detail, especially the flowers, carrying with it a special meaning. Their beauty and fragrance add a touch of magic to the ambience.
But what if you could preserve this charm and sentiment beyond your wedding day as a beautiful keepsake?
Learn from the 4 most common wedding flower/petal preservation methods, exploring creative and brilliant ways to keep your wedding blooms alive for years.
1. Air Dry Preservation
Air Drying is a traditional and straightforward technique for preserving wedding flowers. It is favoured for its simplicity and the unique, rustic charm it imparts to the dried flowers.
It's particularly effective for individual flowers that retain their shape and colour when air-dried, like roses, lavender or baby's breath.
The process results in a naturally vintage appearance, making it a popular choice for those seeking to preserve the appeal of flowers in a classic, enduring style.
Here are the steps on how to air dry your flowers:
- Select and Trim Flowers: Choose flowers that are still fresh and trim any excess leaves. Fresh flowers are more resilient and retain their shape and colour when dried. Cutting extra leaves reduces moisture content, speeding up drying and preventing mould.
- Tie the Stems: Gather the stems and tie them together with a string or rubber band. Tying the stems keeps the entire bouquet together and ensures even drying. It's easier to handle and hang the bouquet this way.
- Hang Upside Down: Find a dry, dark, well-ventilated space and hang the bouquet upside down. An upside down position helps the flowers retain their shape during drying and allows for a uniform shape as the flowers dry thus preventing the heads from drooping downwards. It also facilitates better air circulation around each flower petal.
- Wait and Monitor: Leave the flowers to dry for about 2-3 weeks. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture. The duration ensures thorough drying. Avoiding sunlight and moisture is crucial to prevent fading and mould growth.
- Optional Finishing: After thoroughly drying, spray them with unscented hairspray to help preserve them longer. Spraying with unscented hairspray adds a protective layer, helping to lock in the flowers' form and extend their longevity.
2. Flower Pressing Method
The Pressing method is a classic approach to flower preservation, ideal for capturing the delicate beauty of delicate petals and smaller blooms. This method effectively flattens the flowers, allowing for easy display in frames or incorporation into artwork.
Here’s how you can press your flowers:
- Select and Prepare Flowers: Use fresh flowers for better colour retention. Choosing new, less bulky flowers ensures they retain their shape and colour better after being pressed.
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Arrange Between Paper: Placing flowers between sheets of absorbent paper aids in moisture removal and preserves the colour and shape. The proper arrangement helps evenly absorb moisture, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the flower's shape and colour.
Place the flowers flat on the paper and avoid overlapping petals as much as possible. To do this, place some flowers face up and others face down to capture different profiles and shapes. - Press Underweight: Using a heavy book or a flower press ensures even pressure, which is crucial for maintaining the flower's shape. Even pressure is vital for a uniform result, preventing misshaping or wrinkling of the petals.
- Wait for Drying: On average, flowers take about 2 to 4 weeks to fully dry and press using traditional methods. The duration ensures complete moisture removal, which is essential for long-term preservation. However, some flowers may require more time, especially if they are thicker.
- Careful Removal and Use: Gently remove the dried flowers for crafting or framing, maintaining their delicate structure. Gentle handling is critical to preventing the preserved flowers from crumbling.
If possible, use a mod podge. A mod podge is a popular brand of craft adhesive, sealer, and finish used in a wide range of arts and crafts projects. It can be gently brushed on for a more substantial protective coating.
There are different finishes available (matte, gloss, etc.), so you can choose according to the look you prefer. Be very gentle while applying to avoid damaging the flowers.
3. Silica Gel Dip Preservation
This next method for flower preservation uses silica gel, a substance known for its moisture-absorbing properties. Silica gel preservation is particularly effective for maintaining flowers' shape and vibrant colour.
Unlike air drying or pressing, the silica gel method can preserve the flowers in a more lifelike and fresh-looking state. It's a suitable choice for those who wish to retain the original appearance of their flowers as closely as possible.
Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare Flowers: Select fresh flowers and remove excess moisture or parts that may not dry well. Removing these extra parts helps silica gel work more effectively around each petal.
- Use Silica Gel: Place flowers in an airtight container with silica gel, ensuring they are completely covered. Silica gel quickly absorbs moisture from flowers, preserving their shape and colour more effectively than any other method than air drying.
- Seal and Wait: Close the container and leave it for a few days to allow the silica gel to absorb all moisture. Sealing the container enables the silica gel to create a controlled environment, optimising moisture absorption.
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Careful Removal: Once dry, gently remove the flowers, being mindful of their fragility. A gentle hand helps flowers dried with silica gel maintain their delicate, preserved state. Most flowers will take between 2 to 7 days to dry completely when using silica gel.
Thinner flowers, like daisies or violas, may dry in as little as 2-3 days while thicker flowers, like roses or orchids, can take 5-7 days or sometimes longer. The most noticeable sign is the texture of the petals. They will feel completely dry to the touch, similar to paper. - Storage or Display: Store or display the dried flowers away from direct exposure to humidity and direct light. Proper storage or display like airtight containers stored in a cool and dry place minimises exposure to elements that can degrade the preserved flowers.
4. Resin Preservation Method
Resin preservation is a unique and modern method for prolonging the life of wedding bouquets. The method involves encasing the flowers in resin, a wax-like, durable material that hardens to create a protective shell around them.
This technique is admired for its ability to maintain the flowers' three-dimensional structure and vibrant colours, effectively capturing their beauty in a long-lasting and artistic form.
Flowers preserved by resin can be turned into decorative items like paperweights, jewellery, or display pieces.
Here’s how you can turn your florals into resin art:
- Prepare and Dry Flowers: First, dry the flowers to remove all moisture. Drying removes moisture and preserves the flowers in resin without decaying.
- Arrange in Mould: Place the dried flowers in a mould in the desired arrangement. Placing flowers in the mould sets their final display position.
- Mix Resin: Prepare the resin according to instructions provided by the manufacturer. Proper resin preparation ensures a clear, stable encasement.
- Pour Resin: Gently pour the mixed resin over the flowers in the mould. This step encapsulates the flowers, preserving their shape and colour.
- Cure and Harden: Allow the resin to cure and harden which typically takes about 24-72 hours to cure to the touch, but it can take up to 7 days to fully cure and harden. The curing process solidifies the resin, protecting the flowers inside.
- Remove from Mould: Remove the preserved flowers from the mould once fully cured. This final step reveals the preserved flowers in their decorative form.
Conclusion About Wedding Flower/Petal Preservation Methods
Preserving wedding flowers and petals is a beautiful way to capture memories of your happiest day. It's a process that turns fleeting moments into lasting keepsakes, allowing you to cherish them for years.
Whether using traditional drying methods, resin preservation, or freeze-drying, each technique offers a unique way to hold onto those precious blooms.
With proper care and technique, these preserved flowers can become timeless mementoes, symbolising the beauty and enduring nature of love and commitment celebrated on your wedding day.
Are you still looking for the perfect wedding florals? Shop now at The Daily Blooms where we have the perfect collection of fresh flowers and preserved flowers! We offer free delivery upon $35 of purchase!
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Flower/Petal Preservation Methods
Can I Incorporate Preserved Flowers Into Home Decor?
Preserved flowers can be beautifully integrated into home decor to remind you of your special day. They can be displayed in shadow boxes, frames, or encased in decorative items like ornaments.
This adds a personalised touch to your home and turns the flowers into a focal point of interior design, blending memories with aesthetic appeal.
What Is The Cost Range For Professional Flower Preservation?
Professional flower preservation costs vary widely, depending on the method used and the provider. Simple drying or pressing can be relatively affordable.
At the same time, more sophisticated techniques like freeze-drying or resin preservation can be more costly, often ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The bouquet's size and the complexity of the design also affect the price. You can find the blooms of your budget here at The Daily Blooms.
Are There Any Environmental Considerations With Flower Preservation?
Environmental considerations in preserving flowers include the sustainability of the materials used, especially in resin encapsulation, and the energy consumption of methods like freeze-drying. Choosing eco-friendly preservation methods, like air drying or pressing, can minimise environmental impact.
Additionally, some preservation techniques may use chemicals or non-biodegradable materials, which should be considered if sustainability is a priority.
Can Preserved Wedding Flowers Be Shipped If I'm Moving Out Of State?
Shipping preserved wedding flowers can be challenging due to their delicate nature. While some preservation forms like resin-encased flowers can be shipped with additional care and cost, others, particularly those involving glass displays, often need to be more suitable for shipping.
If moving, coordinating local pickup or delivery with the preservation service is advisable to handle these fragile keepsakes safely.
How To Save Flower Petals In A Jar For Weddings?
To save flower petals in a jar for a wedding, start by thoroughly drying the petals either by hanging the flowers upside down in a dry, dark place for a few weeks or using a microwave with silica gel.
Once completely dry, carefully place the petals in a clean, dry jar, layering them gently to avoid crushing. Seal the jar tightly to preserve the petals and display them as a beautiful keepsake from your special day.
