How to Dry Wedding Corsages

Drying and saving wedding corsages preserves wonderful memories of your wedding day. Years later, looking at these lovely dried arrangements will remind you of that exciting day and raise a smile. Here’s how to save wedding corsages.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic container with lid or drying box
• Silica gel
• Scissors

1. To preserve the shape and natural color of a corsage over time, it’s best to use a desiccant such as silica gel. Silica gel is available at garden centers and craft stores.

2. Snip off any damaged leaves or petals. These won’t dry well, and may rot.

3. Fill a drying box, such as a plastic container with tight-fitting lid, half full with the gel. Place the corsage gently on top of the gel, then gently cover everything with gel.

4. Place the box in a warm, dry area, and let it sit for 1 to 3 weeks. If there are “fleshier” flowers in the arrangement, such as tight rose buds or thick-petaled flowers, wait at least 3 weeks.

5. Gently shake aside the silica gel and inspect the corsage to make sure everything is fully dry. If in doubt, re-cover with the gel and let sit for an extra 2 to 3 weeks.

6. Once dry, remove the silica, place the corsage in an airtight box with a packet of silica gel, and store in a cool, dry place.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect flowers to lose a certain amount of their vibrant colors as they dry. Some stay more colorful than others. Reds tend brown out a bit, while whites look more beige.
• Another option is to contact your local florist. Some florists offer drying services for wedding flowers, and will properly dry your boutonniere and place it in a memory box for permanent storage.

Resources

• How to Save and Store Flowers