Like your wedding rings, which constantly remind you of the vows you exchanged, your bouquet can also be a treasured keepsake. By preserving your bridal bouquet, you’re saving memories as timeless as the promise made at the altar. In this guide, you’ll learn easy preservation techniques, allowing you to cherish it just as you would your wedding ring. From air drying and pressing flowers to more intricate methods, you’ll find an approach that fits your style.

Why Preserve a Bridal Bouquet?

​​Every flower in your bouquet holds sentimental value — be it a favorite bloom or a chosen arrangement reflecting your style. Like wedding rings, the bouquet symbolizes love, and preserving it lets you revisit cherished memories anytime.

A bride and groom walking down the aisle, featuring a close-up of the wedding bouquet.

Immediate Post-Wedding Care: Preparing the Bouquet for Preservation

After your wedding, preserving your bouquet’s freshness is key. Act promptly post-wedding to maintain its beauty for preservation.

  • Right after the ceremony, place your bouquet in water, submerging stems but avoiding water on the blooms. If you need to transport it, lightly mist the flowers and wrap the stems in a damp paper towel secured with plastic.
  • To slow wilting, keep your bouquet in a cool, dark place or in the fridge (away from fruits). Avoid the sun, which can dry out or fade the flowers.
  • Be gentle with your bouquet to avoid damaging the blooms. Remove any wilting or discolored flowers to maintain freshness.

Just like storing your wedding rings safely when you’re not wearing them, proper care right after the event makes all the difference.

Common Methods for Preserving a Bridal Bouquet

There are various methods, whether you’re looking for a simple DIY option or a more professional approach. Popular techniques include air drying, pressing, and freeze drying, each offering its unique way to capture the beauty of your bouquet.

Air Drying: A Simple and Classic Method

Air drying is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to preserve your wedding bouquet. It’s perfect for brides who love a vintage, rustic look.

Here’s an easy-to-follow guide:

  1. Remove ribbons, wires, or tape from the stems. Discard damaged flowers and trim stems at a 45-degree angle.
  2. Separate flowers into bunches of five to eight stems, keeping similar types together.
  3. Tie each bunch with string or rubber bands, leaving a long piece for hanging.
  4. Find a dark, dry spot with good airflow, like a closet or attic. Avoid damp areas like basements.
  5. Hang the bunches upside down, ensuring they don’t touch.
  6. Let them dry for two to four weeks, checking periodically.
  7. Once dried, store the flowers in a box lined with tissue or display them.

One key benefit is that air drying retains the natural shape of the flowers, allowing you to enjoy the original look of your bouquet even after it has dried. However, air drying takes time and needs patience. Additionally, flowers can become fragile and prone to breaking, and colors may fade, affecting the bouquet’s look.

Pressing Flowers: A Traditional Keepsake Approach

Pressing flowers is a time-honored method of preserving flowers in a flat, two-dimensional form. This approach works best with naturally flat flowers like pansies, poppies, and violets.

Here’s how to press your flowers:

  • Individual flowers: Trim stems, remove moisture, and place flowers between absorbent paper. Press between the pages of a heavy book, add weight, and leave for two to four weeks in a warm, dry place.
  • Small bunches: For bouquets, divide into smaller bunches (5-8 stems), tie them, and press using larger books or a flower press.
  • Using a flower press: Place flowers between absorbent paper and cardboard sheets. Tighten screws and leave for two to four weeks, periodically tightening.
  • After pressing: Carefully remove dried flowers with tweezers for crafting.

One of the major advantages of pressing flowers is that they capture intricate details and delicate features that can be lost with other preservation methods. The flat form also makes it easy to display in various ways. However, this method may not work well for larger or bulkier bouquets.

Freeze-Drying: A Professional Preservation Method

Freeze-drying is for brides who want to preserve their bouquet in its most vibrant, 3D form. This method, typically done by professionals, involves deep freezing your flowers and slowly removing moisture to maintain their shape and color.

The freeze-drying process includes:

  1. Preparation: The bouquet is disassembled, and the flowers are treated to retain their shape and color.
  2. Deep freezing: The flowers are frozen at temperatures below -40°F.
  3. Vacuum chamber: Frozen flowers undergo a process in a vacuum chamber to eliminate moisture through sublimation.
  4. Post-treatment: After freeze-drying, the flowers undergo treatments to strengthen and preserve their colors.

Freeze drying offers some impressive benefits for flower preservation. However, it can be expensive and requires professional handling, making it less accessible for DIY projects. It’s also time-consuming compared to other preservation methods, so it may not be the best option if you want a quicker or more affordable approach.

Displaying Your Preserved Bridal Bouquet

Once you’ve successfully preserved your bridal bouquet, it’s time to think about how you’d like to display this sentimental keepsake. There are countless creative ways to showcase your bouquet, such as:

  1. Shadow boxes: A shadow box preserves your bouquet in 3D form, protecting it from dust and damage. You can personalize it with mementos like your wedding invitation, ribbons, or rings.
  2. Framed glass cases: Framing pressed flowers behind glass offers an elegant, timeless way to display them artistically.
  3. Dome displays: A glass dome display beautifully showcases preserved bouquets, ideal for air-dried or freeze-dried flowers, protecting them while allowing admiration.
  4. Keepsake jewelry: Brides can preserve their wedding flowers by turning them into keepsake jewelry, using resin or glass to create a unique and personal memento.

Use a preservation spray or varnish for dried or preserved flowers to prevent harm.

Pros and Cons of Each Preservation Method

Here’s a quick comparison of the preservation methods discussed:

Method Pros Cons
Air Drying – Simple and cost-effective
– Retains natural shape
– Can be done at home		 – Takes weeks
– Colors can fade
– Flowers become brittle
Pressing Flowers – Easy to DIY
– Great for flat displays like framing
– Preserves color well		 – Limited to flat flowers
– Takes two to four weeks
– Flowers are delicate
Freeze-Drying – Preserves 3D shape and color beautifully
– Professional results
– Long-lasting		 – Expensive
– Requires professional services
– Time-consuming

Air drying or pressing flowers is your best bet for a budget-friendly DIY method. Brides aiming for a fresh bouquet can opt for freeze-drying despite the higher cost.

Final Tips for Preserving Wedding Bouquets

Here are some final tips to ensure your flowers last as long as your memories:

  1. Your bouquet is delicate. The less you handle the blooms, the better.
  2. The sooner you start preserving your bouquet, the better the results will be. Fresh flowers retain their shape and color more effectively.
  3. Consider your end goal. Are you looking for a natural, DIY preservation or a flawless, professional look? Budget, time, and the desired result will guide your decision.
  4. If you’re interested in more intricate methods, it’s best to leave it to the experts. Reach out to a professional preservationist for assistance.

      5. With proper care and the right preservation technique, your wedding flowers can become a cherished keepsake.