The wedding bouquet is often a big part of the bride’s big day, as it accompanies her all day long, and gives that special touch to her outfit. It is chosen carefully and lovingly, creating an emotional bond between the bride and the bouquet, that’s why some brides would like to keep it forever, as a souvenir.
The only way to keep your wedding bouquet for dozens of years, is by drying it.
Here are some useful tips on how to do it yourself:
- First off, you need to dry the bouquet in a warm and dry place, away from sunlight. Hanging it upside down would allow it to keep its shape (the closet would be the best option). Try not to wait too long after the wedding to do so, the next day would be ideal.
- When flowers dry, their stems shrink, so before hanging it, remove the ribbons and keep it attached with just an elastic.
- If you can buy a generous amount of Silica Gel (which can be expensive), it would be best to keep the flower’s original form, shape and color. Unlike its name, Silica Gel does not come in a gel form, but rather hard granulated silicon. You must’ve seen it when you bought yourself a new handbag, or a new pair of shoes. It is usually inside the box/bag, in a small white paper bag.
Silica Gel helps absorb the moisture, and when it does, it changes color, so you’ll know when your flowers are ready.
You can fill up a container of Silica Gel and put it under your bouquet.
- Allow your bouquet a few days before it is ready. You can check on it every day so you know when it’s ready.
- The final thing to do, is to spray your bouquet, as it is very fragile and would allow it to keep its shape. Hairspray would be fine.
- After everything is done, your bouquet is ready to be displayed. Putting it in a glass box would be best, as it keeps it away from any harm that might come to it.
- Some people would rather just keep a few flowers, and not the whole bouquet. You can choose the flowers you want and press them into a thick book (a dictionary), and frame them when they’re dry. It is also much easier that to dry the whole bouquet.