Bouquet Preservation: How to Keep Your Wedding Bouquet Alive

You just said “I do” and danced the night away with the love of your life. Now you’re home with the most beautiful souvenir of it all, your wedding bouquet. But as you look at those perfect blooms, a little worry creeps in. They will soon start to droop. The thought of tossing them in a few days feels heartbreaking. After all, this bouquet walked you down the aisle! 

You may think professional bouquet preservation is a luxury you didn’t budget for. But what if you could keep those memories alive? The good news is, you absolutely can. Preserving flowers is certainly not as expensive or complicated as it sounds. In fact, by using a few simple and time-tested methods, you can transform those flowers into a lasting keepsake that’s uniquely yours. And what are those steps? 

Roll your sleeves as we're here to discuss the easy and affordable ways to hold onto a piece of your wedding day magic. 

Essential First Steps Before You Preserve

Flower preservation is like a mini-mission after your big day to save it. A little bit of planning can help you make sure that it remains in perfect shape for its transformation. Think of it as giving your flowers the best chance to stay as beautiful as they looked on your wedding day. 

Act Quickly:

Ideally, you should begin your chosen preservation method within 24-48 hours of the wedding. Bouquet preservation works best when the flowers are fresh. 

Remove Excess Foliage:

Gently strip any leaves or small bits of greenery that sit below the main flower heads. These tend to hold moisture and can become slimy or moldy during the drying process. 

Trim the Stems:

Give those stems a diagonal cut. This small change helps the flowers absorb any water if you’re giving them a quick drink before drying. It also allows for better moisture release if you’re air-drying.

Keep It Away From Moisture:

This might sound counterintuitive. But moisture is the real enemy when you’re ready to dry. Hence, make sure your flowers are completely dry before bridal bouquet pressing. 

Choose the Right Method:

The right method for your flowers can not only save them but also maximize their lifespan. Take some time to research which bouquet preservation method is best for the type of flowers you have.

Not sure which flower preservation method is right for your flowers? Let’s discuss that!

Budget-Friendly Bouquet Preservation Methods

Figuring out which method is best for your flowers can feel stressful and overwhelming. Plus, the hefty price tag of professional bouquet preservation is enough to scare anyone off. 

Given below are some of the best flower preservation techniques that deliver meaningful results, no matter what type of flowers you have.

Air Drying:

This is the most straightforward method. It only requires a little more than string and a spare closet. You simply need to gather your bouquet into small bundles, tie the stems with rubber bands, and ultimately, hang them upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated area for a few weeks. 

Pressing Flowers:

Do you love the idea of creating gallery-wall art? Bridal bouquet pressing can be a perfect match for you. This method works best with flatter blooms, such as daisies, pansies, or individual rose petals. In order to press your blooms, carefully place them between the layers of parchment paper or newspaper. Then, press them inside a few heavy books. Framing them is a beautiful way to display your flowers.

DIY Shadow Boxes & Frames:

This is where you can truly make your bloom reflect your wedding day story perfectly. You use your creativity to the fullest. With shadow boxes or frames, you can give it a finished look. 

Now, if you’re confused about how to display your pressed bridal bouquet, we have solutions for that as well.

Creative Ways to Display Preserved Bouquets

Once you’ve preserved your flowers, the next (most fun) step is deciding how to show them off! Move beyond the vase. It’ll allow you to integrate this beautiful reminder of your day into your everyday life in surprisingly personal ways.

Framed Wall Art

You can arrange pressed flowers in a simple and elegant pattern or recreate the shape of your original bouquet behind glass. A large matted frame makes a stunning statement piece for your bedroom or living room. It turns your floral memories into a permanent part of your decor.

Table Decor

For a keepsake you can interact with daily, consider tabletop displays. A deep-set shadow box can stand on a shelf or mantel, often incorporating your invitation or a photo alongside dried blooms. For a modern twist, preserving a single, perfect flower in a clear resin block creates a beautiful, durable paperweight or decorative object that catches the light.

Jewelry or Keychains

This is a beautiful way to carry a piece of your wedding day with you literally. A small and delicately pressed petal or bud can be sealed in resin to create a unique pendant, pair of earrings, or perhaps a keychain. It’s an intimate and wearable keepsake that turns a memory into a personal treasure.

Scrapbooks or Memory Books

If you have a variety of pressed flowers and petals, a scrapbook is the perfect home for them. Combine them with your wedding photos, your program, the menu, and other paper memorabilia. This tactile approach lets you tell the full story of your day in one cherished album you can flip through for years to come.

Choose the Right Professional for Your 

If you're wondering how to preserve your bridal bouquet, a professional can minimize the risks. In fact, they can help you achieve a flawless and gallery-quality result. DIY can be a fun project. But a preservation artist can help you preserve the color as well as the shape of your flowers by using procedures such as pressing and air drying.

At The Olive Branch Studio, we specialize in transforming your bouquet into a lasting treasure. We offer personalized preservation services with the added convenience of nationwide shipping. Our team offers specialized services to meet your needs, whether you're in Fort Myers, Naples, or somewhere else.

The process is simple! You just need to get in touch with us. And we will arrange for your bouquet to be shipped to our studio using a prepaid shipping label. Our artisans will work with you to select the perfect bouquet preservation method and display option once we receive your flowers, from elegant framed arrangements to stunning resin creations. We handle every detail with the utmost care. And we make sure your bouquet is transformed into a timeless heirloom you'll treasure for a lifetime.