Unpacking, Preparing, and Keeping Flowers Fresh

Unpacking Your Flowers

1. Inspect the Boxes Immediately – Open your flower boxes upon arrival and check for any signs of damage or wilting. Fresh flowers may appear slightly droopy after shipping, which is normal.
2. Remove Any Packaging Materials – Take out paper wraps, rubber bands, and any protective padding to allow air circulation.
3. Sort by Flower Type – Group flowers by variety to make the conditioning process easier.

Note: After travelling for two days, flowers need to be rehydrated. You will be surprised at how much water they will absorb and how fast they will bounce back. Always follow the instructions that are included with your shipment.

Preparing and Conditioning Your Flowers

1. Trim the Stems – Using sharp floral shears, cut at least 1-2 inches off each stem at a 45-degree angle. This increases water absorption.
2. Remove Excess Leaves and Foliage – Strip leaves that will sit below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
3. Place in Water Immediately – Use clean vases or buckets filled with lukewarm water to encourage hydration.
4. Let Flowers Hydrate for 4-12 Hours – Flowers need time to rehydrate and regain their structure before arranging.
5. Use Flower Food – Add commercial flower food to the water to prolong freshness.

Keeping Flowers Fresh Until the Ceremony

• How to store wedding flowers overnight: Keep flowers in a cool, dark room between 35-45°F (1-7°C). If you do not have refrigeration, choose the coolest area in your house and avoid heat sources.
• How often should you change water for wedding flowers? Replace water every 24 hours, ensuring that stems are trimmed at a 45-degree angle for maximum hydration.
• Best way to keep wedding flowers from wilting: Mist petals lightly using a fine water spray to prevent dehydration, but avoid soaking delicate blooms like hydrangeas or ranunculus.
• How to stop wedding flowers from turning brown before the ceremony: Keep them away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas, which release gas that speeds up decay.

Common Mistakes That Cause Flowers to Wilt (And How to Avoid Them)

1. Not Cutting Stems Properly – Always cut stems at a 45-degree angle to maximize water absorption.
2. Using Dirty Containers – Bacteria in unclean vases or buckets can shorten flower lifespan.
3. Storing Near Ethylene-Producing Fruits – Avoid placing flowers near ripening fruits like apples and bananas, which release ethylene gas and accelerate wilting.
4. Overcrowding in Buckets – Flowers need space for water absorption and airflow.
5. Ignoring Water Levels – Always ensure stems remain submerged to prevent dehydration.

Transporting Bouquets and Centerpieces

1. Use Sturdy Containers – Transport flowers upright in buckets or containers with 1-2 inches of water to keep stems hydrated.
2. Wrap Bouquets in Damp Towels – Keeps stems fresh during transit.
3. Secure Arrangements with Floral Foam – Prevents movement and damage to centerpieces during transportation.

Wedding Day Setup Tips

1. Set Up Early – Allocate at least 2-3 hours for floral setup at the venue.
2. Have a Dedicated Setup Team – Assign floral responsibilities to trusted friends or family members.
3. Keep a Spray Bottle Handy – Lightly mist flowers before the ceremony to maintain freshness.
4. Check for Wilting and Make Adjustments – Remove any flowers that show signs of stress and replace as needed.

Last-Minute Fixes for Drooping Flowers

1. Submerge Wilted Flowers in Cold Water – For quick revival, place drooping flowers in cold water for 30 minutes.
2. Use the Boiling Water Method – If stems are air-blocked, trim them and dip the ends into boiling water for 30 seconds before placing them in fresh water.
3. Mist Petals Lightly – A fine spray of water can help refresh dried-out petals but avoid excessive moisture on delicate blooms.
4. Keep Flowers Cool Until Setup – Use refrigeration or a cool storage area to maintain freshness.
5. Remove Any Fading Blooms – This prevents decay from spreading to healthy flowers.

How to Preserve and Repurpose Your Wedding Bouquet

Wedding flowers represent cherished memories from your special day, and preserving them allows you to keep those moments alive long after the celebration. Whether you want to display your bouquet as a keepsake, press flowers for decor, or repurpose them for home use, there are multiple ways to extend the life of your wedding blooms.

How to Reuse Ceremony Flowers for the Reception

Repurposing ceremony flowers for the reception helps reduce waste and maximize your budget. Here’s how you can transition floral decor between wedding events:

Creative Ways to Repurpose Flowers

• Aisle Markers → Guest Table Centerpieces – Simply transfer small aisle arrangements into vases.
• Wedding Arch Flowers → Sweetheart Table or Cake Table – Take arch flowers and drape them over the couple’s table for a seamless design.
• Bridesmaid Bouquets → Accent Floral Arrangements – Place bridesmaid bouquets in vases at the bar, guestbook table, or restrooms.
• Pew/Chair Flowers → Cocktail Hour Decor – Small floral ties on chairs can be moved to lounge areas.
• Floral Installations → Photo Booth Backdrops – Move large floral displays behind a photo booth to extend their use.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Assign a floral setup team – Have a trusted person or vendor responsible for moving and rearranging florals.
• Use floral foam or water tubes – Keeps flowers fresh when being transported.
• Prepare extra vases – Have empty containers filled with fresh water ready to store and rehydrate flowers.

How to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet

There are multiple ways to preserve bridal bouquets and floral arrangements, depending on how you’d like to display or repurpose them.

1. Air Drying for a Rustic Look

Best for: Aged, rustic keepsakes with a natural feel

• Method: Tie bouquet stems together with twine and hang upside down in a dry, dark space for 2-3 weeks.
• Best Flowers: Roses, baby’s breath, lavender, eucalyptus.
• Pro Tip: Spray dried flowers with hairspray or floral sealant to minimize crumbling.

2. Pressing Flowers for Flat Keepsakes

Best for: Framing, scrapbooking, or resin art

• Method: Place flowers between parchment paper inside a heavy book and press for 2-4 weeks.
• Best Flowers: Anemones, daisies, hydrangeas, violets, baby’s breath.
• Creative Uses: Pressed flowers can be framed, turned into bookmarks, or used for invitations.

3. Resin Preservation for a 3D Keepsake

Best for: Creating jewelry, coasters, paperweights, and home decor

• Method: Fully dry flowers, then encase them in clear epoxy resin using a mold.
• Best Flowers: Roses, orchids, peonies, ranunculus.
• Pro Tip: Work with a professional resin artist for a flawless, bubble-free finish.

4. Freeze-Drying for a Long-Lasting Display

Best for: Keeping flowers as close to their original state as possible

• Method: Flowers are placed in a freeze-drying machine to remove moisture while retaining color and shape.
• Best Flowers: Peonies, roses, tulips, calla lilies.
• Pro Tip: This method is best done professionally, as at-home freeze-drying can be difficult.

5. Creating a Bouquet Shadow Box

Best for: Displaying flowers as a framed keepsake

• Method: Place dried flowers in a shadow box frame, arranging them to maintain the bouquet’s shape.
• Pro Tip: Combine with wedding invitations, photos, or ribbons to create a personalized wedding memento.

How to Store and Preserve Dried or Pressed Flowers

If you’ve preserved your flowers, proper storage ensures they last for years.

• Avoid direct sunlight – Sunlight fades dried flowers over time.
• Store in a cool, dry space – Keep away from humidity to prevent mold growth.
• Use silica gel packets – Absorbs excess moisture in shadow boxes or storage containers.
• Dust regularly – Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust from framed flowers or dried arrangements.