There’s not much I wouldn’t have done to make my wedding last longer than one day! It truly was the most magical day of my life. Something about the endless laughter, the dancing that didn’t quit, and the coming together of our families was just pure magic. As a photographer, obviously, my photo memories were extremely important to me! But other than the photos, one other way I chose to extend the life of my wedding day memories was through bouquet preservation! 

There are plenty of different ways to repurpose your wedding bouquet after your special day, whether you want to save it as a keepsake, display it somewhere in your home, or even turn it into jewelry. These are the best ways to preserve your bouquet and keep it alive long after your wedding day. 

Dry and Preserve your Bouquet 

The most traditional way to preserve your bouquet is to have it dried and preserved. The process is easy, can be completed at home without the help of a professional, and makes a great ornament in your home. 

To preserve your bouquet, simply hang it upside down in a cool, dark place for a few weeks. Once it’s completely dried (bigger bouquets may take a little longer), you can display it in your home. Some of the most popular ways to display dried bouquets are with shadow boxes, frames, or glass domes. 

In recent years, it’s become increasingly popular to place dried bouquets in silica gel, which helps preserve the colors and structure of your bouquet for longer. 

Read More: Picking and Posing Your Wedding Bouquet: A Detailed Guide

Press your Bouquet 

A dried bouquet can be difficult to display at home if you live in a smaller apartment or house. Instead of drying your bouquet, you can have it pressed instead. If you’re new to flower pressing, the process is quite simple, with plenty of tutorials available online. You only need a flower press or a few heavy books to complete the entire process. 

If you’re unsure about trying flower pressing at home, you can do some practice runs with your table flower arrangements, or have a professional take care of it. Pressed flowers can be used to decorate cards or your wedding album, and they can also be framed to be displayed around your home. 

Create Jewelry 

Jewelry is a new and popular way to preserve your wedding flowers. All over the US, and the rest of the world, you can find specialists who turn your bouquet into beads, pendants, bracelets, or earrings. 

Preserved bouquet jewelry can be worn every day, so you have a personal keepsake from your wedding that goes with you everywhere and reminds you of your special day wherever you go. 

Use your Bouquet in Candles 

Candles are another creative way to preserve your bouquet, and they can be easily made at home or with the help of a professional. To create your own candles at home, you will first need to press the flowers between heavy books or a flower press before attaching the flowers to the outside of a candle. 

Once the flowers are attached and the candle is lit, the flowers are illuminated. Bouquet candles make for a great post-wedding gift for your bridal party and special guests after the wedding. 

Turn your Bouquet into Potpourri 

Creating potpourri is another great way to repurpose your wedding bouquet and can be displayed around your home while also filling it with beautiful fragrances. To make potpourri at home, simply mix your dried petals with essential oils and a selection of spices before placing them in decorative bowls around your home. 

Try this recipe for how to make DIY potpourri at home.

One of the best ways to keep the memories of your special day alive is by choosing the right photographer to capture your wedding! If you have an upcoming wedding or engagement shoot, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can start planning the wedding shots of your dreams.