How to Dry a Wedding Bouquet

A dried wedding bouquet is a beautiful way to preserve the memories of your special day. It's a great way to keep the flowers looking their best without having to worry about them wilting or dying. Follow these steps to dry your wedding bouquet:

1. Gather Your Supplies:

- Your wedding bouquet

- Scissors or floral shears

- Rubber bands or twist ties

- Newspaper

- Books

- A large, flat surface

2. Prepare the Bouquet:

- Trim the stems of the flowers in your bouquet to about 6-8 inches long.

- Remove any leaves or extra foliage from the stems.

3. Create Bundles:

- Group together 3-5 stems of flowers and secure them with rubber bands or twist ties.

- Create as many bundles as needed to accommodate all the flowers in your bouquet.

4. Lay Out the Newspaper:

- Spread out several layers of newspaper on your flat surface.

- Make sure the newspaper covers a wide enough area to accommodate all your flower bundles.

5. Place the Flower Bundles:

- Place the flower bundles on top of the newspaper, spreading them out so they're not touching.

- Make sure the flowers are laying flat and not bunched up.

6. Add More Newspaper:

- Cover the flower bundles with additional layers of newspaper.

- Tuck in the edges of the newspaper to create a "nest" for the flowers.

7. Place the Books:

- Stack the heavy books on top of the newspaper, weighing down the flower bundles.

- Make sure the books are evenly distributed and pressing down firmly on the flowers.

8. Leave to Dry:

- Allow the flowers to dry under the books for 1-2 weeks, depending on the humidity level in your home.

- Check on the flowers periodically and remove any moisture that accumulates on the newspaper.

9. Check for Dryness:

- After the drying period is complete, carefully lift the books and newspaper to check if the flowers are dry.

- The flowers should feel brittle and dry to the touch.

- If the flowers still feel moist or damp, continue the drying process for a few more days.

10. Fluff and Arrange:

- Once the flowers are completely dry, gently fluff them up and rearrange them as desired.

- You can tie the stems together with ribbon, twine, or wire to create a beautiful dried bouquet.

11. Display:

- Display your dried wedding bouquet in a vase or hang it on a wall as a beautiful reminder of your special day.

- Dried bouquets can last for many years, preserving the memories and beauty of your wedding.

Tips for a Successful Dried Wedding Bouquet:

- Choose flowers that dry well. Some flowers, like roses and hydrangeas, dry beautifully while others, like lilies and tulips, don't dry well.

- Make sure the flowers are fresh and in good condition when you start the drying process.

- Avoid placing the flowers in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to fade or lose color.

- Be patient! Drying flowers takes time, but the end result is worth the wait.