When to Preserve Wedding Flowers: A Guide to Keeping the Magic Alive
Your wedding flowers don't have to fade with the day. Here's how and when to preserve them, so you can hold onto that joy forever.
At Earth Tone, I create pressed flower frames that turn your bouquet into floral artwork, handmade with care, meaning, and nature in mind. This post is all about knowing the best time to preserve wedding flowers so you can keep them looking their best.
Why Preserve Your Wedding Flowers?
Your wedding flowers are more than just a beautiful bouquet—they're an emotional keepsake from one of the most special days of your life. Preserving them allows you to hold onto that joy and bring a piece of your wedding day into your home as nature-inspired decor.
Preserving your flowers also ties into values important to many couples, like sustainability, handmade craftsmanship, and celebrating meaningful moments. Instead of letting your bouquet wilt and end up in the trash, you can transform it into a lasting work of art.
The Best Time to Preserve Flowers
The sooner you can preserve your wedding flowers, the better. Ideally, you'll want to do it within 24-72 hours after your wedding. This is when the flowers are freshest, making them easiest to press and dry without losing their vibrant colours and delicate shapes.
If you wait too long, the flowers will start to wilt, brown, and lose their structure, making it much harder to capture their original beauty. Even if you think you'll get to it eventually, the quality will degrade over time. So act fast to preserve those precious blooms!
This being said, there are times when brides have stored their bouquets for safekeeping to discover them years later. I have helped to create pressed flower frames to bring their bouquets back to life. See this reel to discover the results.
What to Do Right After Your Wedding
If you're not quite ready to send your bouquet off for preservation right away, there are a few things you can do to keep the flowers fresh in the meantime:
- Keep them in water. This will help them stay hydrated and prevent wilting.
- Store them in a cool, shaded space. Avoid direct sunlight and heat, which can cause them to deteriorate quickly.
- Ask someone you trust to be in charge of the bouquet if you're heading off on your honeymoon. That way, you don't have to worry about it while you're away.
Flowers That Press Well (And a Few That Don't)
Not all flowers are created equal when it comes to pressing. Some, like roses, daisies, delphiniums, and eucalyptus, press beautifully and retain their shape and colour. Others, like thick flowers such as succulents or calla lilies, can be a bit trickier.
That's why I always do a mix of pressing and drying when preserving wedding flowers. Pressing captures the delicate details, while drying helps maintain the structure of thicker blooms. This allows me to create the most authentic representation of your original bouquet.
What Happens Next — How I Preserve Flowers at Earth Tone
When you send your wedding flowers to Earth Tone, my process begins with carefully selecting and preparing each bloom. I gently press the flowers between acid-free paper, then arrange them by hand into a custom frame that reflects the vibe of your bouquet and the style of your home.
You get to choose the layout, add any personal notes or messages, and select the frame that best suits your space. It's your love story, preserved in a one-of-a-kind floral artwork.
Bringing Your Bouquet into Your Home
A pressed flower frame is more than just decor, it's a gentle, lasting reminder of the love and connection you celebrated on your wedding day. It becomes a natural part of your home, fitting seamlessly into hallways, bedrooms, gallery walls, and beyond.
Customers have shared how their Earth Tone frames have become a cherished piece that sparks joy every time they walk by. The flowers bring a sense of calm and beauty, connecting them to that special moment whenever they need it most.
Ready to Preserve Your Wedding Flowers?
If you're ready to turn your wedding bouquet into a timeless work of art, I'd be honoured to help. Reach out to me at Earth Tone, and we can discuss custom options, turnaround time, and any other questions you might have.
Don't let those precious blooms fade away; let's work together to preserve the magic of your wedding day, so you can enjoy it for years to come. Contact me today.