How to BEST care for your bouquet after your wedding!

Your wedding bouquet not only adds beauty to your special day but also holds sentimental value. It symbolizes love, joy, and the beginning of a new chapter in your life. After your ceremony, it's important to care for your bouquet properly to preserve its beauty and longevity. In this guide, we will walk you through simple steps on how to care for your wedding bouquet after your event is over.

Immediate Care: Keep Them Hydrated: As soon as your ceremony ends, make it a priority to place your bouquet in a vase of water. The sooner you hydrate the flowers, the better. This helps them stay fresh until you can take them to a professional studio. Avoid exposing the bouquet to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures during this time.

Get Help from a Friend: Since you'll be busy enjoying your special day, it's a good idea to assign someone trustworthy to care for your bouquet. Choose a reliable friend or family member who can take care of the bouquet while you focus on being happily married. They can follow the next steps to ensure the bouquet stays vibrant.

Remove the Binding and Give a Fresh Cut: Once the bouquet arrives home from the venue, gently remove any binding or ribbon holding the flowers together. Take your time to unravel it without damaging the delicate blooms. Then, use sharp floral shears or a knife to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle. This helps the flowers absorb water effectively.

Place in Clean Water: Prepare a clean vase filled with fresh water. Remove any foliage that will be submerged in water to prevent bacterial growth. Place the bouquet in the vase, making sure all the stems are immersed in water. Choose a vase that accommodates the size of your bouquet without crowding the blooms.

Keep It Cool and Hydrated: To extend the life of your bouquet, it's best to refrigerate it. Just make sure not to set the refrigerator temperature too low, as freezing the blooms is a risk. Aim for a slightly above-freezing temperature. Refrigeration slows down the aging process and keeps the flowers hydrated. If refrigerator space is limited, find a cool, dark room as an alternative.

Timely Delivery to the Studio: While your bouquet can stay in the refrigerator for a few days, it's ideal to deliver it to the professional studio as soon as possible. Reach out to your florist and arrange a convenient time for drop-off. This ensures that your bouquet receives expert attention for preservation, drying, or pressing.

Caring for your wedding bouquet after your event is essential to maintain its beauty and longevity for floral preservation. By following these friendly and straightforward steps, from immediate hydration to refrigeration and timely delivery to a professional studio, you can ensure that your bouquet remains vibrant. Delegate the responsibility of caring for your flowers to a reliable person so that you can fully enjoy the joy of being married. Remember, your efforts in preserving your bouquet will reward you with lasting memories for years to come. In dry regions like Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California, it's crucial to prioritize keeping your bouquet well-hydrated and cool whenever possible. In more humid regions like Georgia, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and the South in general, the key lies in prioritizing the coolness of your bouquet at every possible opportunity.

Deanne Nixon