How To Preserve Wedding Flowers
At For Keeps Florals, we use a variety of natural preservation techniques to preserve the true beauty of your flowers. Every flower responds differently to the type of press, length of drying time, and pressure.
Make sure to consider the frame and materials you use; finding a frame that fits your bouquet and pressing style is often the hardest part! Learn about how we choose between acrylic vs glass for pressed flower frames, and why you might consider a wood frame for larger flower preservation pieces.
Book Pressing
Book pressing is a classic method that produces beautifully preserved flowers with minimal equipment. Here's how to do it:
Open a heavy book, such as a phone book or dictionary, to the middle pages.
Place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the open pages to protect the book.
Arrange the flowers between the pages, spacing them apart to prevent overlapping.
Close the book gently and weigh it down with additional books or heavy objects.
Leave the flowers to press for 2-4 weeks, checking periodically to ensure they are drying evenly.
Book pressing is suitable for a wide range of flowers, including delicate blooms like orchids, tulips, and hydrangeas. Once pressed, these flowers can be displayed in a pressed flower frame or used in various DIY projects.
Most importantly: start pressing flowers!
Mastering the art of pressing and drying flowers is a rewarding skill that allows you to preserve the beauty of wedding flowers and create timeless keepsakes. Whether you choose natural drying, microwave pressing, or book pressing, each technique offers its own unique advantages for flower preservation. Learn more about floral preservation and even how to make colorful flower preservation art by following along with our blog or reaching out with questions.
But most importantly, go ahead, get creative, and start preserving your cherished blooms today. We are here to help you make a beautiful bouquet, or we are happy to help recreate yours!
Preserving wedding flowers is a cherished tradition that allows couples to hold onto the beauty and memories of their special day for years to come. Whether you're a bride looking to preserve your bridal bouquet or a flower enthusiast eager to embark on a new hobby, mastering the art of pressing and drying flowers is essential. In this guide, we'll explore three popular techniques for preserving flowers: natural drying, microwave pressing, and book pressing.
Natural Drying
Choose fresh flowers with vibrant colors and minimal bruising.
Remove excess foliage from the stems, leaving only a few leaves near the flower head.
Bundle the flowers together loosely with a rubber band or string.
Hang the bouquet upside down in a warm, dry place with good air circulation, such as a closet or attic.
Allow the flowers to dry completely, which typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on the type of flowers and environmental conditions.
Natural drying is ideal for preserving flowers with sturdy petals, such as roses, lavender, and baby's breath. Once dried, these flowers can be displayed in a pressed flower frame or used in various craft projects.
Microwave Press
Microwave pressing is a quick and convenient method for preserving flowers, particularly for those with easy to lose colors. It is however very easy to mess up, because it’s such a quick process. Here's how to do it:
Place the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper, such as parchment paper or blotting paper.
Arrange the flowers in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
Place the flower stack between two ceramic tiles or microwave-safe plates.
Microwave the flowers on low heat for 1-3 minutes in short intervals, checking regularly to prevent overheating.
Once the flowers are dry and flat, carefully remove them from the microwave and allow them to cool.
Microwave pressing is perfect for preserving flowers like daisies, pansies, and buttercups. The pressed flowers can then be framed or used to embellish cards, bookmarks, and other crafts.
Resin Flower Preservation
Resin flower preservation is a difficult process that can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Make sure to use appropriate PPE and work in a well ventilated if you attempt this. Do not use this as a guide, we do not recommend you try this at home, this is a difficult and dangerous process.
Dry Your Bouquet: Hang it upside down in a cool, dark place to preserve its shape and color.
Choose a Mold: Opt for a flawless silicone mold that complements your bouquet.
Mix Resin: Follow instructions to mix clear epoxy resin and hardener.
Arrange Flowers: Place dried flowers in the mold.
Layer and Cure: Add resin layers, allowing each to cure for 24 hours.
