Brides have been carrying bouquets for hundreds of years. In ancient times, bridal bouquets generally consisted of garlic, herbs and spices to keep evil spirits away. By Victorian times, fresh flowers had replaced the garlic, herbs and spices, and many of these flowers carried special meanings, like innocence, faith and love. Floriography, the language of flowers, continues to this day, with some brides researching flower meanings and basing their bouquet selections on those meanings. Floriography isn’t the only trend in bridal bouquets. There are many others. Here is a brief review.

Bridal bouquets are traditionally pale in color, but today’s brides are branching out and choosing bolder colors, like burgundy, red and purple. Bouquet color schemes can be monochromatic—all shades of purple, for example—or complementary. With bouquets getting brighter, they have become a real feature in wedding photography, in particular black and white photography with selective coloring.

Roses remain a bridal bouquet standard, but other flowers are starting to make their way into the mix. Daisies, hydrangeas, lilies, peonies and tulips are popular choices, as are orchids. Many brides, in fact, are asking for more tropical flowers in their bouquets, either because of their theme or for a unique twist.

While cascades of flowers were once the norm in bridal bouquets, many brides today are opting to take a simpler route. Hand-tied bouquets are a popular choice. With the flowers gathered together and wrapped in ribbon, the bouquets are easier to handle and have a contemporary look to them.

While today’s bridal bouquets might be somewhat simpler in design, brides can still add some dazzle to them with beads, crystals, feathers, pearls, sequins and other accessories. Brides with themed weddings can take it a step further and incorporate extra special touches into their bouquets, like miniature seashells, pinecones or butterflies. Bouquets featuring vintage brooches are also becoming popular.

Bridal bouquets can run the gamut from the traditional all-white hand-tied rose bouquet drenched in crystals to the sassy gold, red and purple bouquet cuffed by feathers. It is up to the bride how she wants her bouquet to be. Brides should check out some samples, talk to their florist and select a bouquet design that speaks to them.

How to preserve wedding bouquets and arrangements

By MetroCreative

A bride’s gown may garner its share of attention come her wedding day, but floral arrangements also tend to impress guests. Fresh flowers make a wedding and the ensuing reception more inviting and appealing. According to The Knot.com, couples can expect to spend 8 percent of their wedding budget on flowers.

For the average wedding, that equates to roughly $2,000 for various arrangements and bouquets. That can be a considerable expense for fragile flowers with a shelf life of only a day or two.

But instead of tossing beautiful bouquets and other flowers into the garbage once the wedding day has come and gone, couples can employ various methods to preserve those impressive displays for years to come.

Air drying

One of the easiest ways to preserve flowers is to dry them out. This is best done by hanging blooms upside down so they will remain straight and not warp or wither while drying. Secure flowers in small bundles and hang from an out-of-the-way spot in a cool, dry area. The flowers may need to remain hanging for up to three weeks before they are completely dried out. After which, gently remove the flowers and arrange them in a vase or another container. Otherwise, reassemble a bouquet how it was and carefully display.

Pressing

Pressing is another way to preserve floral bouquets and arrangements. To press flowers, find a few heavy books to stack or another weighted object. Place the flowers between parchment paper or waxed paper and lay the heavy items on top. You also can place the flowers in tissue paper between the pages of a book so they are not jostled. Leave the blooms for a week or two and then check on them before putting them in a shadow box or photo frame.

Chemical drying

Silica gel, borax and regular sand can be used to dry and preserve flowers as well. These can be handy for people who desire to preserve an entire bouquet as-is. Silica gel is a desiccant commonly found in small packets inside of new shoes and purses. It also can be purchased at home improvement retailers and is used to dry out musty basements and other areas. Fill a deep container halfway with the silica gel or other drying material.

Put in the bouquet and then gently add more product to the top of the flowers so they are completely submerged. Place a snug cover over the top of the container and let everything sit for about a week. Slowly the moisture will be absorbed from the flowers. Some people choose to spray dried flowers with a sealant to keep them looking nice longer. An all-purpose craft spray might work. You also can ask for recommendations from the florist who handled your arrangements, and that florist may even preserve the flowers for you for an additional fee.