So, the wedding is over, and your dress has been preserved, your cake slice is in the freezer, and your shoes…well, you trashed them anyway tearing up the dance floor! But what about your beautiful bouquet? What do you do about wedding flowers once the wedding is over? There are many craft options to choose from that actually can make beautiful art and artifacts for generations to come. In addition, there are some ways that the flowers can be preserved to last for a bit longer than they might have just sitting out. Many flowers dry beautifully on their own, and can be allowed to dry out in a vase or on a mantelpiece for posterity, and you and your new hubby, to enjoy. After all, you spent time, money, and possibly some of your own sweat and tears making your bouquet, centerpieces, and other floral arrangements at your wedding. Why should they just last for one day, only to be remembered in photographs? At the very least, stick them in the fridge!

The fridge. Well, the freezer to be exact. You do not want to simply stuff your flowers into the freezer and say “see you guys later, enjoy your new neighbors, the peas!” First, make sure the flowers are in a tightly-sealed plastic bag or box. For mom’s corsage especially, if you are preserving it, simply use the plastic box the arrangement came in. Since the flowers will give off moisture in the freezer, be sure to check on them once in a while and re-wrap them if necessary. Although they will not last forever via this method, they will be available for you to look at for a few months at least.

Who says pressing flowers is just for grannies? This method of wedding flower preservation can be one of the most satisfying. Be sure to use acid-free archival paper, which can now be easily found in most craft stores, and press the flowers not just in the book, but with other weights, for example other books, on top. Check on the progress multiple times daily, as some flowers with a high moisture content will need refreshing. In fact, it is a good idea to let your flowers dry out ever so slightly before you press them. Another great aspect of this method of preservation is that you can also write, add other artifacts and mementos of the day, and really create a document that you will have for generations to come. Just think of the fun you would have showing your grandchildren not only the photos of your wedding, but the actual flowers that are in the photos, so vibrant on the page, and beautifully pale and fragile in their pressed form. If the craft bug has truly bitten you, you can explore the old art of pressed flower art. By arranging the flowers in patterns and around printed poems or texts, you can create frame-worthy art with flowers that mean so much to both you and your husband. Items like this on your walls add a homey feel while also serving as a daily reminder of your love.

If you would like to truly preserve your bouquet as it looks on your wedding day, or close to it, a professional preservation service is for you. There are many options available today, so just do your research online and find the best one for your needs and your budget. Once the finished product arrives, you can create a display box, a shadow box, or even a glass topped, sunken coffee table display for your gorgeous bouquet. Read the rest of this entry »