After designing and setting up numerous floral arrangements since 2005, brides, grooms, and event planners often asked us how to preserve wedding flowers. 

You’ll spend time and money thinking about and ordering flowers. When you don’t preserve them, you may waste precious items that can be beautiful reminders of your wedding day. For such a reason, I’m sharing different preservation methods to keep the special memory your flowers hold as time passes.

How to Preserve Wedding Flowers

Among the best ways to preserve wedding flower arrangements include air, silica gel, press, and freeze-drying. Another effective method is to wax the flowers or preserve them in resin. Each technique offers different advantages and results in the appearance and longevity of the preserved flowers.

Ultimately, preserving these meaningful blooms allows couples to relive their wedding day memories and adds a touch of sentimental beauty to their home. I’ll help guide you through selecting the proper method to ensure your wedding flowers can be admired for years.

Methods of Preserving Wedding Flowers 

Flower preservation involves various methods to keep flowers fresh and vibrant for an extended period. Each method has pros and cons, so choose the best approach that suits your preferences.

Method	Best For
Air drying	Preserving several flowers
Silica gel drying	Keeping original colors
Press drying	Creating a vintage look
Freeze drying	Retaining the original shape without using resin
Waxing	Giving a fresh look
Preserving using resin	Creating floral keepsakes

What Are the Different Ways of Preserving Wedding Flowers

When I work with clients who want to preserve their flowers from the wedding, I give them different options to preserve their bouquets or corsages. These are my proven ways to maintain blooms and capture their beauty.

Air Drying

I find air drying to be the most efficient method because of the simple steps. This is perfect if you have several flowers from the entourage to preserve. Air drying typically takes two to three weeks, so patience is critical. 

1. Find a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area to hang your bouquet. This will prevent any color fading or wilting throughout the drying process.
2. Remove any foliage or damaged petals.
3. Using a rubber band or string, tightly secure the stems together.
4. Hang the bouquet upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space.
5. Wait for two to three weeks, checking periodically for even drying.
6. Carefully remove the bouquet from its hanging location.

Silica Gel Drying

I sometimes prefer silica gel drying over air drying because this technique is a better way to maintain the vibrant color and shape of the flowers. To dry your wedding bouquet with silica gel, follow these simple steps:

1. Gather the flowers, desiccant silica gel beads, an airtight container, and pruners or scissors.
2. Trim the flower stems, leaving about an inch or two.
3. Fill the bottom of the airtight container with silica gel beads.
4. Insert the flowers vertically with the blooms pointing upward.
5. Ensure that the flowers don’t overlap, leaving space between them.

Press Drying

Press drying is an effective method for preserving wedding floral arrangements, although it may alter the colors of some blooms. Regardless, I find that the flattened, vintage look of pressed flowers adds a unique charm to your wedding keepsakes. To press dry your wedding flowers, follow these steps:

1. Choose the flowers you want to preserve from your bouquet.
2. Gently spread the petals or remove the leaves if necessary.
3. Sandwich the flowers between sheets of wax or parchment paper.
4. Place the sandwiched flowers inside a heavy book, such as a dictionary or encyclopedia.
5. Add more weight on top of the book to ensure even pressure.
6. Leave the flowers to dry for about two to three weeks, checking periodically to ensure they dry evenly.

Freeze Drying

Freeze drying is another excellent method for preserving wedding flowers, as it helps maintain their color, shape, and texture. The process involves removing moisture from the flowers while keeping them cold to prevent wilting. Here’s a simple guide to freeze-drying your cherished blooms from the wedding:

1. Wait until your flowers are mature and open.
2. Pre-freeze the flowers by placing them on a tray and putting it in the freezer for several hours.
3. Transfer the frozen flowers into a vacuum chamber, where the low pressure will gradually extract the moisture.

Waxing

One of my favorite methods to preserve wedding flowers is by waxing them. I tend to choose this technique when I want to give the flowers a fresh look by sealing in moisture. Here’s the process for waxing your flowers:

1. Trim the stems of your flowers to about eight to 10 inches long, which makes it easy to dip the heads into the wax.
2. Melt soy wax flakes in a microwave-safe container, using the candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. Aim for around 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Carefully dip the flower heads into the melted wax, ensuring the petals are fully coated.
4. Hold the flowers upside down and allow the excess wax to drip off.
5. Once the wax has hardened, place the stems into your bottle or vase to cool and set.

Preserving Using Resin

By using resin to preserve your wedding bouquet, you can create unique and long-lasting romantic floral pieces, such as ring holders, coasters, and trinket trays. Here’s my simple process for preserving flowers in resin.

1. Dry the flowers for two to three weeks to remove any moisture.
2. Prepare the resin according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Arrange the dried flowers in a mold, considering the final layout and design.
4. Slowly pour the resin into the mold, fully covering the flowers.
5. Allow the resin to cure for the specified time, usually 24-48 hours.
6. Carefully remove the preserved flowers from the mold, revealing your beautiful creation.

Related Questions

How Long After a Wedding Should You Preserve Flowers?

Ideally, you should start preserving your wedding flowers within two to three days after your wedding to ensure the best results. Flowers start losing their freshness after that time, which could affect the outcome of your preserved bouquet.

How Do You Make Wedding Flowers Last Longer?

To make your wedding flowers last longer, choose the right way to preserve them. Keeping the flowers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight is also vital. Avoid placing them in areas with high humidity, which can lead to mold or mildew.

How to Store Preserved Flowers?

To preserve flowers, opt for containers made of acid-free materials that won’t damage the flowers over time. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate your preserved flowers without squishing them. You can also put the flowers in personalized frames.

Conclusion

After creating beautiful and whimsical floral arrangements for your wedding, preserving them is a wonderful way to cherish those special memories. With the right approach and commitment, you’ll be able to create a beautiful, long-lasting keepsake that serves as a testament to your special day.