Your wedding day is finally here – congratulations, bride-to-be! After months of careful planning and preparation, you walked down the aisle and said “I do” to the love of your life. Now that the ceremony and celebrations are over, you’re left with memories that will last forever and a stunning bridal bouquet you never want to part with. Don’t worry, there are easy ways to preserve your bouquet so you can enjoy it for years.
Follow these simple steps to keep your flowers as fresh as the day you married. Your bouquet represents the blossoming of your new marriage – keep it close by as a reminder of this joyous new chapter of your life together! With some basic supplies and a little patience, you’ll be able to showcase your beautiful bridal bouquet and relive memories of your wedding day each time you see it.
Why Preserve Your Bridal Bouquet?
Your wedding day will come and go in the blink of an eye, but your bridal bouquet can last forever! Preserving your bouquet is a meaningful way to cherish memories of your special day for years to come.
As a bride, you’ve spent months planning every little detail of your wedding to perfection. Your bridal bouquet is a symbol of your style and theme, so preserving it allows you to relive the emotions you felt walking down the aisle. Your preserved bouquet also makes a sentimental gift for your mother or mother-in-law. What better way to say thank you for their love and support?
Dried or pressed flowers have been popular for centuries and remain timeless. Your preserved bridal bouquet will become an heirloom you pass down to future generations. Your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will appreciate this glimpse into your wedding day.
Don’t toss your bouquet in the trash after the reception! With the right preservation technique, you can maintain your bouquet’s shape, color, and beauty for a lifetime. Whether you display it in your home or keep it as a cherished memento, your preserved bridal bouquet will be a lasting reminder of the memorable beginning of your marriage.
Drying and Pressing Methods for Long-Lasting Wedding Bouquets
Brides, rejoice! There are easy ways to keep your stunning bridal bouquet looking as fresh as the day you walked down the aisle. Drying and pressing are two popular methods for long-lasting wedding bouquets.
Drying your bouquet is a simple process. Remove any leaves that will easily fall off and tie the stems together with twine to maintain the shape. Hang the bouquet upside down in a warm, dry, dark place. Check on your bouquet every few days and gently rotate and fluff the flowers to ensure even drying. In 2 to 3 weeks, your bouquet will be preserved for years as a cherished memento of your special day.
For pressed flowers, carefully place each flower of your bouquet between two absorbent papers, like blotter or craft papers. Place heavy books on top to apply pressure as the flowers dry. Replace the papers every few days. Pressed bouquets can take 2 to 4 weeks to fully preserve, resulting in gorgeously flattened blooms ideal for framing or using in other decorative crafts.
Brides, with either drying or pressing your beautiful blossoms will stay with you long after you’ve said “I do”. Both methods are natural, inexpensive ways to keep the memory of your wedding day alive for years to come. Your bouquet signifies your new beginning as a married woman, so cherish this symbolic floral arrangement by preserving it for a lifetime of happy memories together.
Creative Ways to Display Dried Bridal Bouquets
Congratulations, you’ve preserved your beautiful bridal bouquet! Now it’s time to show off your treasured memento. Here are some cheerful ways to artistically display your dried bouquet:
Hang it up! Frame your bouquet in a shadow box or bell jar and hang it on a wall. This eye-catching focal point will brighten up any room and remind you of your special day whenever you see it.
Pop it on a pedestal! Place your bouquet on a decorative pedestal, column, or cake stand. The elevation draws attention to your gorgeous flowers. Switch up the location for different seasons to keep things fresh!
Get crafty! Incorporate your bouquet into a DIY home decor project. Glue the flowers onto a plain vase, picture frame, or candleholder for a custom creation. Or use floral wire to attach the blooms to a wreath base for a stunning natural centerpiece.
Scatter the petals! Gently pluck some petals from the bouquet and scatter them around the base of the display for an enchanting floral confetti look. The loose petals accentuate the beauty of the full bouquet. Just be careful not to overpluck!
These cheerful display ideas will highlight your treasured bridal bouquet for years. Let your creativity blossom, and choose an option that matches your personal style. However you choose to showcase your flowers, your heart will fill with joy each time you look at the natural beauty of your wedding memories.
Alternatives to Drying: Preserving in Resin or Wax
Preserving your bouquet in resin or wax is a creative way to create a lasting memento of your special day. These methods allow you to capture all the details of your flowers in a glossy, glass-like coating. Your bouquet will be frozen in time, maintaining its shape and beauty for years.
Preserving in Resin
To preserve your bouquet in resin, you’ll need floral resin, hardener, mold release spray, and a mold. You can find resin crafting supplies at most art supply stores.
- Apply mold release spray to your mold and let it dry. This will allow easy removal of your resin craft.
- Mix the resin and hardener according to package directions. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
- Gently place your bouquet in the mould, arranging the flowers as desired. Secure any loose petals in place with floral wire or tape.
- Slowly pour the resin over your bouquet, coating the entire surface. Gently tap the mould on the table to release any air bubbles.
- Let the resin cure as directed, usually 24 to 48 hours. Once hardened, remove it from the mold.
- Display your resin-preserved bouquet on a tabletop or hang on a wall. Enjoy for years to come!
Preserving in Wax
Preserving flowers in wax is similar to resin but more DIY-friendly. You’ll need paraffin wax, a double boiler or crock pot, and a mould.
- Melt the wax in a double boiler or crock pot according to package directions. Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Gently place your bouquet in your mold, arranging it as desired. Secure loose petals with floral wire.
- Carefully pour the melted wax over your bouquet to coat. Let harden completely, usually 3 to 6 hours.
- Once hardened, gently remove your wax-preserved bouquet from the mold.
- Display and enjoy your wax-preserved bridal bouquet for years to come! Your flowers will be perfectly preserved, bringing back memories of your wedding day.
Tips for Photographing Your Bridal Bouquet Before and After Preservation
Congratulations, bride-to-be! Your wedding day is fast approaching, and you’ve picked out the perfect bridal bouquet to carry down the aisle. Now it’s time to consider preserving your bouquet so you can cherish it for years. Here are some tips to capture stunning photos of your bridal bouquet before and after preservation.
Take ‘Getting Ready’ Photos
Have your photographer snap some shots of your gorgeous bridal bouquet while you’re getting ready on your wedding day. Get close-up photos of the bouquet alone, photos of you holding it, and smiling shots of you smelling the fresh blooms. These behind-the-scenes photos will capture the bouquet looking its absolute freshest!
Pose with Your Bouquet
Get lots of photos posing with your bridal bouquet during your wedding photo session. Hold it casually at your side, cradle it in your arms, or raise it up near your face. Spin around, walk towards the camera, and capture all angles of your stunning bouquet! Get solo shots with your new spouse and group shots with your bridesmaids holding their bouquets.
Post-Preservation Shots
Once your bridal bouquet has been preserved, schedule another photo session to get pictures of the final product. These post-preservation shots will showcase how beautifully your bouquet has been preserved and provide a lasting memento of your wedding flowers. Get close-ups of the preserved bouquet as well as shots of you holding it or displaying it on a side table.
Creative Display Photos
Take creative photos of how you display your preserved bridal bouquet at home for an extra special touch. Photograph it on your fireplace mantel, hung on a wall, or showcased under a cloche. You can also get shots of it alongside other wedding keepsakes like your veil, garter or wedding album. These photos will give you decorating inspiration and capture your bridal bouquet on display for years to come!
With these tips, you’ll have gorgeous photographs to cherish along with your preserved bridal bouquet. Best of luck and congratulations again, bride! May your big day be as beautiful as the flowers you’ll carry.
Conclusion
You’ve spent months planning the perfect wedding and finally made it down the aisle with your gorgeous bridal bouquet in hand. Now that the whirlwind of your wedding day has come and gone don’t say goodbye to your bouquet just yet. With some simple preserving techniques, you can enjoy your bridal bouquet for years and showcase it as a beautiful memento of your special day. So gather some supplies, find a space to work, and get ready to preserve your bouquet. By taking the time to properly dry and display your flowers, you’ll create a lasting reminder of the magical moments you shared with friends and family on your wedding day. Your bridal bouquet represents the start of your new adventure as a married woman, so keep it close and let it be a source of joy and inspiration. With love and care, your bridal bouquet can become a cherished heirloom to pass down for generations. So take a walk down memory lane and preserve your bouquet – your wedding day was just the beginning!
FAQ
Preserving your bridal bouquet allows you to cherish the memories of your wedding day for years to come. It’s a meaningful way to relive the emotions you felt walking down the aisle, making for a sentimental gift for loved ones. Drying and preserving methods help maintain the bouquet’s shape, color, and beauty, turning it into a cherished memento.
The two popular methods for preserving bridal bouquets are drying and pressing. Drying involves hanging the bouquet upside down in a warm, dry, dark place while pressing involves placing the flowers between absorbent papers and applying pressure. Another creative option is preserving the bouquet in resin or wax, capturing all the details in a glossy, glass-like coating.
There are several creative ways to display a dried bridal bouquet. You can frame it in a shadow box or bell jar and hang it on a wall, place it on a decorative pedestal, or incorporate the flowers into DIY home decor projects like vases, picture frames, or wreaths. Scattering the petals around the display adds a charming floral confetti look.
Before preservation, capture the bouquet during your “getting ready” moments, posing with it during your wedding photo session. After preservation, schedule a photo session to showcase the preserved bouquet. Get close-ups and creative shots of it displayed in different ways at your home, alongside other wedding keepsakes for a beautiful touch.
Preserving your bridal bouquet symbolizes the continuation of your wedding day memories. It represents the start of your new adventure as a married person and serves as a source of joy inspiration and a cherished heirloom to pass down for generations. It’s a way to keep the magic of your wedding day alive.
