After the hoopla of the your wedding, both you and your spouse can only have enough energy to look forward to your honeymoon and relaxation. Traditionally, the photos and videos that captured your big day are enough keepsakes to preserve your memories. However, some people prefer an actual wedding memorabilia--like the bouquet--tucked in a frame, clear glass, or box. That they can touch and see these souvenirs will allow them to relive the memories of one of the happiest days of their lives.
Bridal bouquets wilt after the wedding, but not if you take time and effort to preserve the blooms. See how you can keep your bridal bouquet long after the wedding.
Hang it upside down.
One of the cheapest, easiest and least time-consuming of all the techniques, you can preserve your bouquet by simply hanging it upside down from a wire or string, in a place with the following ideal conditions: darkness, very good airflow, cool updrafts and appropriate humidity level (your closet is a good option). Make sure though that the flowers hang free from the walls so they are not flattened on one side. This method is best for low-moisture flowers, and is such a no-brainer that you can even have a family member do the work for you while you relax in a tucked away resort on a honeymoon. However, expect the blooms to look quite different after they've been dried. Air-dried flowers shrink considerably, and lose their original shape and color. The best candidates for this technique are roses, hydrangeas, peonies, sunflowers, strawflowers, goldenrods, celosias (crested & plumed types), Queen Anne's lace, statices, Xeranthemum and many of the "everlastings." Once the flowers are completely dried, a setting agent can be sprayed (a dried flower spray or even a hair spray will do the trick) to prevent it from crumbling.
Draw moisture away.
This method, best used with flowers with high water content, employs the use of drying agents like silica gel, borax and even dry sand, whatever is readily available. It does not come cheap though, as buying enough silica gel (which is the best agent of the three) to dry all the flowers in your bouquet can only save you a little more than having it done professionally. But if a DIY preservation satisfies you more, you must find a container that can hold the bulk of your flowers, and cover the bottom with the drying agent. Next, make small depressions where you can nestle the flowers individually and space them evenly apart, trying hard not to dent their underside. Slowly sprinkle the rest of the drying agent, gently shaking the container from time to time to accommodate the bloom's shape, until it completely immerses all the flowers. The container should then be put in a place devoid of light and moisture for about a week. This technique is the best option to dry your flowers while still preserving its hues and shape. Best candidates for this method are rose, aster, carnation, marigold, dahlia, larkspur, geranium, zinnia, chrysanthemum and delphinium. A warning though: these drying agents, particularly the silica gel can be toxic. Carefully read warning labels and follow directions when handling the drying agents. Use a face mask to avoid breathing in its dust.
Press it dry.
Like the air-dry method, dry-pressing flowers saves time, money and skills--that is, if you are not particular about color and shape preservation. The upside: the materials--like cardboard, newspapers, paper towels or tissues, a heavy book and a leaden weight--are readily available in your home like. To dry-press flowers, layer the cardboard, newspaper and paper towel or tissues (in that order) on top of each other. Lay the flowers flat on the cardboard, while taking care not to place one bloom on top of another. Finally, in reverse order as before, put the paper towels or tissues, newspaper and cardboard on top of your flowers. Once the stack is done, secure it with a heavy book and a leaden weight, and put it in a dark corner of your room. The whole process can take about four to six weeks, but the good thing about this process is that is all kinds of flowers can by dry-pressed.
Make potpourri out of it.
The sweet, intoxicating scent of your bouquet potpourri will help you relive memories of the big day. To make your bouquet into potpourri, remove the bloom's petals and place it in a bowl. Leave the bowl in a dark place for about two weeks. Once the petals have completely dried, transfer them to a decorative container and add just a drop of potpourri oil.
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