Manic Mondays by Jennifer Diehl
Think about how much time you put into picking out the perfect flowers for your bridal bouquet. Then think of the amount of money you paid for them…and how most people throw it away at the end of the evening! Do you really want to throw them away after you’ve said ‘I Do!’? Try preserving your bouquet, so you can hold onto it as a keepsake or decorative piece for your home. There are three different methods to preserving your bouquet, using silica gel, pressing them, and using the freeze-dry method.
Preserving with silica gel is fairly easy and you can do it yourself! (We recommend being fairly adept at crafts and flower arranging to attempt this) All you need is a container big enough to fit your bouquet, silica gel (which can be purchased at any craft store), a can of clear acrylic spray, and a soft bristle paint brush. Then simply follow these steps!
1: Cover the bottom of an airtight container with 1” of silica gel
2: Place flowers face up so they aren’t touching
3: Make sure you completely cover the flowers with silica gel
4: Seal the container with the lid, and leave undisturbed for 5-7 days
5: Gently pour off the silica gel, and using the brush dust off any of the remaining gel
6: Spray with acrylic to help seal in the color and prevent breakage
7: Let dry
Another way to preserve your bouquet is by pressing them; this is a common method and can also be done yourself. All you need is a very heavy book, like a dictionary or a large textbook, or a flower press.
1: Place each flower individually between the pages of the book or the flower press
2: Leave them for at least two weeks to press and dry
After the flowers are pressed many people display them in a picture frame.
The last and most efficient way to preserve your bouquet is by freeze-drying them. It’s best to get this done by a professional. Professionals will spray the flowers with starch to set the colors and then “bake” the bouquet in a freeze-dryer. This method allows for open arrangements, offers the most life like results, and you can expect it to last a lifetime.
A few great places you can get your bouquet professionally freeze-dried are:
Whichever option you choose to preserve your bouquet it will last long after your big day!
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