Your wedding day is a cherished moment that deserves to be commemorated in the most meaningful ways. While the memories you create will last a lifetime, there’s something truly special about preserving tangible reminders of your celebration. One of the most sentimental keepsakes you can hold onto are the flowers that adorned your ceremony at a gorgeous venue in the Lower Mainland (BC).
Flowers play a central role in weddings, from the bride’s bouquet to the boutonnieres adorning the groom and groomsmen. These delicate blooms symbolize the beauty, fragrance, and ephemeral nature of love. 48 Studio will show you how to preserve your wedding flowers and continue enjoying their splendor for years to come.
Significance of Wedding Flowers for the Bride and Groom
For the bride, her bouquet is a meaningful accessory that completes her wedding day look. Carefully selected flowers can coordinate with your dress, reflect your personal style, and even hold special significance. Many brides choose blooms that carry symbolic meanings, like roses for love, peonies for bashfulness, or calla lilies for magnificence. Preserving your bouquet allows you to revisit the emotions of walking down the aisle each time you look at the floral memento.
The groom and his wedding party also have a special connection to the flowers they wear. Boutonnières are a dapper touch that complement the men’s attire, but they also serve as a visual representation of their role in the ceremony. Saving a boutonnière enables the groom to fondly remember the pride and excitement he felt standing at the altar, awaiting his bride.
Beyond the wedding party, the flowers used to decorate the ceremony and reception sites can hold deep meaning. Archways, centerpieces, and other floral installations create the ambiance that sets the stage for the couple’s union. Preserving aspects of these arrangements allows the newlyweds to relive the magic of their wedding day setting.
When selecting a florist to bring their wedding flower vision to life, couples in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia have many talented options to choose from:
- Flowers by Janie – Based in Vancouver, Flowers by Janie is a boutique florist known for their elegant, artisanal wedding florals. They source flowers from local growers and design beautiful bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangements.
- Celsia Floral – With locations in both Vancouver and Whistler, Celsia Floral is a popular choice for couples looking for high-quality, innovative wedding florals. They are acclaimed for their unique, nature-inspired designs.
- Passionate Bloom Florals – Located in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia. Passionate Bloom Florals is a premier wedding florist and is known for creating lush, nature-inspired floral installations that transform event spaces into enchanting, personalized celebrations.
Preserve Wedding Flowers as a Meaningful Keepsake to Cherish
In the whirlwind of a wedding, it’s understandable that the you and the groom may not have the time or energy to properly preserve the flowers. However, taking the steps to do so can result in a beautiful memento that captures the joy and beauty of their celebration. With a bit of care and creativity, you can transform their fresh blooms into lasting keepsakes to display in your home or share with loved ones.
Tip 1: Choose Flowers with Preservation in Mind
When selecting flowers for your wedding, it’s important to keep preservation in mind. Some bloom types are known to preserve better than others due to factors like stem strength, moisture content, and overall structure. Roses, lavender, baby’s breath, and eucalyptus are excellent choices that tend to hold up well during the drying or pressing process.
It’s also wise to consider the size and appearance of the flowers you choose. Smaller, tightly clustered blooms like baby’s breath often preserve better than large, heavy flowers like peonies or hydrangeas. Sturdy, woody stems will also fare better than delicate, hollow ones. Be sure to discuss your preservation plans with your florist so they can help you select the ideal flowers for the look you want to achieve.
Tip 2: Handle Flowers with Care
Proper handling is crucial when it comes to preserving wedding flowers. Avoid touching the delicate flower heads as much as possible, as the natural oils from your skin can cause discoloration or wilting. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to carefully cut the stems at an angle, leaving several inches of stem attached to each bloom. Place the flowers in water immediately after cutting to prevent wilting before you can begin the preservation process.
Tip 3: Properly Condition Flowers Before Preserving
Once your flowers are cut, take the time to properly condition them before moving forward with preservation. This step helps extend the life of the blooms and ensures they look their best in the final product. Start by removing any leaves or thorns that will be submerged in the water, as these can promote bacterial growth. Next, add a floral preservative to the water, which provides nutrients to keep the flowers hydrated and prevents wilting. Allow the flowers to fully hydrate for several hours, or even overnight, before proceeding with preservation.
Tip 4: Air Dry for a Rustic, Natural Look
One of the simplest methods for preserving wedding flowers is air drying. This process results in a beautiful, natural-looking keepsake with a charming, vintage aesthetic. To air dry your flowers, hang them upside down in a cool, dark, and dry location. Check on them periodically and remove any blooms that begin to wilt or develop mold. Depending on the flower type, the drying process can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Tip 5: Press Flowers for a Flat, Artistic Display
For a more artistic floral keepsake, consider pressing your wedding flowers. This preservation method results in a delicate, two-dimensional display that can be framed or incorporated into other DIY projects. To press your flowers, place them between absorbent materials like blotting paper or newsprint. Apply weight, such as heavy books, to the stack and change the paper regularly as it becomes damp from the flower moisture. Depending on the flower type, the pressing process can take 2 to 4 weeks until the blooms are fully dry and flattened.
Tip 6: Encapsulate Flowers in Resin, Glass, or Acrylic
For a polished, museum-quality preservation, consider sealing your dried or pressed flowers in a clear, protective material like resin, glass, or acrylic. This preservation method creates a stunning, three-dimensional keepsake that can be displayed on a tabletop or wall. You can even incorporate the encapsulated flowers into personalized items like coasters, bookmarks, or decorative pieces. For the best results, consider working with a professional preservation service to ensure a flawless final product.
Preserving your wedding flowers is a beautiful way to hold onto the magic of your special day. Whether you choose to air dry, press, or encase your blooms, the resulting keepsakes become cherished reminders of the love you celebrated. As you plan your wedding, be sure to select flowers that will preserve well and handle them with the utmost care. With a bit of creativity and attention to detail, you can transform your fresh florals into stunning, one-of-a-kind mementos that will spark joy for years to come.
Beyond simply preserving the flowers and other physical details, couples should also invest in a talented photographer like those at 48 Studio to immortalize the meaningful moments shared with loved ones on their wedding day. Our skilled team knows how to artfully document the joy, laughter, and cherished interactions that make each wedding truly special. Couples who book 48 Studio can expect not only gorgeous imagery but also a stress-free, personalized experience from start to finish as their most precious memories are captured to be treasured for a lifetime. Contact us today!
