How to Preserve and Save a Bridal Bouquet
A bride's bouquet is one of the most important keepsakes from a wedding. It is a vibrant reminder of this special day; however, without preservation that reminder can start to wilt and fade within a few days.
Silica gel is arguably the best method of drying and preserving wedding flowers because it works quickly and preserves the flowers' color. Silica gel is not a gel at all, as it is derived from sodium silicate and comes in granular form. Silica gel is also easy to use and find and it is available in most craft, hobby and gardening stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Bridal bouquet
- Silica gel
- Large air-tight container with lid for drying
- Large air-tight container with lid for storing
Instructions
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1
Find a container large enough to comfortably hold your bouquet. The ideal container will have a sturdy bottom and an air-tight lid.
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2
Pour 1 inch of silica gel into the bottom of the container.
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3
Gently place the top of your bouquet on top of the silica gel, taking care not to crush the flowers. The bouquet should rest upside down in the jar.
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4
Hold the flowers straight while pouring more silica gel into the container. To avoid damaging the flowers, do not pour the granules directly on the flowers, instead pout them around the edges of the containers and shake until the blooms are covered.
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5
Seal the container and allow flowers to sit undisturbed for two to four days depending on the flowers you are drying. Most silica gel products come with a drying guide that lists popular varieties.
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6
Remove the flowers from the silica gel. Shake off any remaining granules and store in an air-tight container.
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Tips & Warnings
After using, the silica gel can be dried and re-used.
Make sure the storage container is air-tight or flowers will re-absorb moisture and will wilt.
References
- Photo Credit attractive young girl with a boquet of roses image by Andrejs Pidjass from Fotolia.com
