How to Preserve Your Wedding Flowers: Tips and Techniques for Brides
Your wedding day is one of the most special and unforgettable days of your life. You put in a lot of time, effort, and money into making it memorable, and one of the most important aspects of the day is the flowers. From the bridal bouquet to the centerpieces, flowers add a touch of elegance and beauty to the celebration. As much as you wish to keep your flowers forever, they eventually wilt. Fortunately, there are ways to preserve your wedding flowers so that you can cherish them for years to come. In this article, we will discuss the best ways to preserve your wedding flowers, whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional.
Choose the Right Flowers
Some flowers dry out better than others, while some lose their shape and color. The best flowers for preservation include roses, peonies, hydrangeas, daisies, and lavender. If you want to preserve your flowers, starting with the best options will help. If preservation is a priority, another option is to start with artificial flowers such as a wooden wedding flower bouquet or plastic floral arrangements. You can even mix and match artificial and real florals on your wedding day.
Preservation Techniques
There are several techniques for preserving wedding flowers. The most popular methods are drying, freezing, and using glycerin.
Drying
Drying is the most common method of preserving flowers. There are several ways to dry flowers, including air drying, pressing, and silica gel drying.
Air Drying: This is the simplest method of drying flowers. Hang the flowers upside down in a cool, dark place and leave them to dry for several weeks. This method works well for flowers with small blooms and delicate petals.
Pressing: This method is ideal for flat flowers such as pansies, daisies, and violets. Place the flowers between two pieces of paper or in a flower press and leave them to dry for several weeks.
Silica Gel Drying: This method is best for preserving the shape and color of the flowers. Pour silica gel into a container, place the flowers on top, and cover them completely with more silica gel. Leave them for a few days to a week, depending on the size of the flowers.
Freezing
Freezing is another effective way of preserving flowers. The technique of freeze-drying flowers involves a specialized process known as lyophilization. It operates by reducing the temperature of the flowers to a point lower than freezing, after which a high-pressure vacuum is utilized to eliminate the water content in the form of vapour. The vapour then condenses on a surface located outside the chamber, transforming back into ice and subsequently eliminated. This method works well for flowers with larger blooms and thicker petals. See this article on freeze drying flowers for more information.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a substance that can be used to preserve flowers by replacing the water in the blooms with glycerin. The glycerine is absorbed by the flower, effectively replacing the water content and keeping the petals supple and vibrant. To do this, all you need to do is immerse the fresh flowers’ stems in a solution comprising two parts lukewarm water and one part glycerine. Mix equal parts of glycerin and water, and submerge the flowers in the mixture for several days. See this article for more information on using Glycerin to preserve flowers.
Hiring a Professional
If you want to ensure that your wedding flowers are preserved perfectly, you can hire a professional. A professional florist can use specialized equipment and techniques to preserve your flowers. Before hiring a professional, make sure to check their portfolio, experience, and pricing.
Displaying Preserved Wedding Flowers
Once you have preserved your wedding flowers, you can display them in various ways. You can create a shadow box, frame them, or use them in your home decor. Preserved flowers can add a touch of elegance and sentimentality to your home and remind you of your wedding each and every day.
Conclusion
Your wedding day is a special day that you will never forget, and preserving your wedding flowers can help you relive those memories. Whether you choose to preserve your flowers yourself or hire a professional, it is essential to choose the right flowers and techniques
