After your wedding, you can preserve or repurpose flowers to extend their beauty. Common methods include drying, pressing, or creating new arrangements.
Preservation techniques allow you to keep your wedding flowers indefinitely. Air-drying is the simplest method: hang stems upside down in a dark, dry place for 2-3 weeks. For faster results, use silica gel, which absorbs moisture within hours. Silica gel works best for delicate blooms like roses and peonies, while air-drying suits hardier flowers like baby's breath.
Another option is flower pressing, which flattens blooms between heavy books or a specialized press. Pressed flowers work well for framed art or bookmarks. The University of Florida recommends pressing flowers at their peak freshness for best results.
| Method | Best For | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Air-drying | Baby's breath, eucalyptus | 2-3 weeks |
| Silica gel | Roses, peonies | 2-7 days |
| Pressing | Small blooms, foliage | 1-4 weeks |
Instead of throwing away wedding flowers, repurpose them for home decor. Dried petals make colorful potpourri, while preserved leaves create unique wreaths. You can also freeze fresh flowers in ice cubes for centerpieces at post-wedding events.
For a sentimental touch, incorporate preserved petals into homemade candles or soaps. Some couples even encase blooms in resin to create paperweights or coasters. A lesser-known idea is to use dried flowers as confetti for anniversary celebrations.
Many people assume that all flowers preserve equally well, but delicate blooms like tulips and daffodils often crumble during drying., some believe that artificial flowers are a suitable substitute, but preserved real flowers offer more authentic textures and colors.
Another myth is that preserved flowers lose their scent. While most methods remove fragrance, some techniques like freezing retain it temporarily. For a fragrant keepsake, consider making sachets from dried lavender or rose petals.
To make a wreath, start with a wire or foam base. Attach dried flowers using floral wire or hot glue. Space blooms evenly, leaving gaps for greenery like eucalyptus. For a 12-inch wreath, you'll need about 20-30 medium-sized flowers. Hang the finished piece on a wall or door for a rustic accent.
I made a wreath from my sister's wedding flowers last year. She chose a mix of roses and baby's breath, which dried beautifully. The wreath still looks vibrant six months later, and it's a cherished reminder of her special day.