What to do with your wedding flowers after your wedding
Preserving Memories: What to Do with Your Wedding Flowers After Your Wedding Day
Congratulations! on your wedding!
As a Nottingham-based wedding photographer capturing beautiful moments across Nottingham, Derbyshire, and the Midlands, I understand the importance of every detail on your special day. One detail that holds sentimental value long after the vows are exchanged is your wedding flowers.
In this guide, we’ll explore creative and meaningful ways to preserve and repurpose those gorgeous blooms.
01. The Sentimental Keepsake—Pressed Flower Art
Your wedding bouquet is a work of art in itself. Extend its lifespan by turning it into a timeless piece of pressed flower art. Pressing your flowers allows you to create unique framed pieces or even incorporate them into your wedding album. Brides often cherish these pressed flower artworks as a beautiful reminder of the love and joy that surrounded their special day.
02. Blooming Memories: Seed Paper Keepsakes
Give your wedding flowers a second life by transforming them into seed paper. Seed paper is embedded with flower seeds, and when planted, it blooms into a beautiful reminder of your wedding day. Brides love this eco-friendly option as it not only preserves their bouquet but also contributes to the environment.
03. Fragrant Reminders: DIY Potpourri
Immerse your home in the sweet scents of your wedding day by creating personalised potpourri from your dried wedding flowers. It’s a delightful way to capture the essence of your special day and add a fragrant touch to your home. This DIY project is not only easy but also a budget-friendly option for brides looking to make the most of their wedding flowers.
04. Framed Floral Displays
Why not consider framing your dried wedding flowers in a picture frame or shadow box? The result is a stunning piece of home decor that preserves the beauty of your bouquet. Pressing flowers is a simple yet effective way to achieve this. Place your flowers between the pages of a book, stack more books on top, and in about two weeks, your flowers will be beautifully dried and flattened. To add a personal touch, include other keepsakes from your special event, such as ticket stubs or small photos. Hang the frame on your wall or place it on a desk or table, allowing you to admire your bouquet for years to come.
05. Illuminating Memories: DIY Flower Candles
Transform your wedding flowers into luxurious and cosy candles with a personal twist. Incorporate dried flowers into the wax for a visually stunning, homemade candle. While the flowers won’t add scent (for that, you’ll need fragrance oils), they will infuse a unique charm into your candle. Drying flowers for this project can be done quickly using the microwave method using silica sand. Simply cover the flowers with sand, add a cup of water, and microwave in 30-second intervals until the flowers are dry.
06. Floral Wall Art
Unleash your artistic side by creating one-of-a-kind wall art using dried flowers. Press the flowers and arrange them in a frame, on a canvas, or even directly on your wall using adhesive. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to express your creativity and transform your wedding flowers into a unique piece of decor that captures the essence of your special day.
07. DIY Bath Products
If you’re a bath enthusiast wondering what to do with your bouquet, try making bath bombs or bath salts using your dried flowers. Follow a simple online recipe, combining ingredients like Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, baking soda, and your favourite essential oils. Add in the dried flower petals or buds for a touch of natural beauty. In just a few minutes, you can create a relaxing, floral-infused bath experience.
08. Pressed Flower Phone Cases
Give your phone a touch of boho chic by crafting your own DIY pressed flower phone case. With a clear phone case as your canvas, arrange the pressed flowers in any design you like. You can either leave them loose or secure them with clear adhesive (allow them to dry overnight). Once the glue is completely dry, snap your phone into place and carry the beauty of your wedding flowers wherever you go.
09. Eco-Friendly: Composting Blooms
For an environmentally conscious farewell to your flowers, consider tossing them into your compost bin or garden. This simple yet impactful gesture not only enriches the soil but also contributes to sustainable gardening practices. Ensure the flowers are free of any harsh fertilisers before composting. It’s a great way to give back to the earth and maybe even grow your own flowers if the seeds are included!
10. Embracing the Beauty—Leaving Flowers As Is
Sometimes, the beauty of dead flowers is in their simplicity. Embrace the natural elegance by leaving them in their vase or hanging them in your home. Bundles of dried flowers effortlessly transform into chic and inexpensive wall decor, adding a touch of rustic charm to any space. Even in their dried state, these flowers continue to radiate beauty and can be repurposed to enhance your home’s aesthetic.
Cherishing the Blooms Beyond the Aisle
Your wedding flowers are more than just decorations—they are a symbol of love and joy that deserves to be cherished beyond the wedding day. Whether it’s through pressed flower art, seed paper keepsakes, or DIY potpourri, there are countless ways to extend the life of your blooms and create lasting memories.
As a wedding photographer based in Nottingham, I’m thrilled to help you capture not only the moments of your special day but also provide ideas for preserving the beauty that comes with it. If you’re in Nottingham, Derbyshire, or the Midlands and you’re ready to make your wedding unforgettable, let’s connect and create magic together.
