Flower Preservation or Pressing Flowers
When the wedding day is over, brides often wonder what to do with their beautiful bouquets. Many are torn between two popular options: wedding flower preservation and pressing flowers. Both methods have their benefits, but how do you know which is right for you? Let’s dive into the details of each process and the pros and cons of both.
What is Wedding Flower Preservation?
Wedding flower preservation is a technique used to preserve your bouquet in its original 3D form. One of the most popular methods is resin preservation, where the flowers are sealed in a clear resin block or keepsake. This method captures the bouquet in all its vibrant color and shape, allowing it to be displayed in various ways, such as shadow boxes, ornaments, or even paperweights.
Wedding flower preservation offers brides the chance to keep their bouquet looking almost exactly how it appeared on their wedding day, making it a timeless keepsake.
What is Pressing Flowers?
Pressing flowers is an ancient method of flattening flowers between sheets of paper and applying weight or pressure until the moisture is completely removed. Once pressed, the flowers are typically used for creating framed art or placed in albums or journals. Pressed flowers take on a delicate, dried appearance and work best when arranged into a design or layout before framing.
Comparing the Two Methods
Now that we understand both methods, let’s look at the key differences and which may work best for you.
1. Aesthetic
- Wedding Flower Preservation: This method captures the bouquet in its original form. Your flowers will retain their natural shape, texture, and even color. With resin preservation, you can display your bouquet in a shadow box or use parts of it to make personalized jewelry or keepsakes.
- Pressing Flowers: Pressed flowers lose their 3D shape and take on a more vintage, artistic feel. They are flat, and while some color remains, it will generally fade over time. Pressed flowers are often used for creating sentimental wall art.
2. Durability
- Wedding Flower Preservation: When properly preserved, flowers encased in resin or other preservation methods can last for decades. The sealed nature of the resin helps protect the flowers from damage due to light, air, or moisture.
- Pressing Flowers: Pressed flowers are delicate and need to be handled with care. Over time, they may become brittle or lose their color, and they can be more vulnerable to fading or breaking if not stored properly.
3. Cost
- Wedding Flower Preservation: This is generally a more expensive option due to the specialized materials and time it takes to preserve flowers in resin. However, it is often seen as a more long-lasting investment.
- Pressing Flowers: Pressing is a more affordable option as it doesn’t require as many materials or professional services. Many brides can even press their flowers themselves with minimal supplies.
4. Display Options
- Wedding Flower Preservation: There are many creative ways to display preserved flowers. From framing them in shadow boxes to embedding them in jewelry, the options are endless. Resin blocks and other 3D displays allow you to see the flowers from every angle.
- Pressing Flowers: Pressed flowers work well for artistic displays, such as framing them in a picture frame or creating scrapbook pages. They add a romantic, vintage touch to your home decor.
Which Should You Choose?
When choosing between wedding flower preservation and pressing flowers, the decision depends on your personal style and the importance of keeping your flowers in their original form.
- Choose Wedding Flower Preservation if…
- You want to maintain the 3D shape and vibrant colors of your bouquet.
- You’re interested in long-lasting, durable keepsakes.
- You’re willing to invest in a more expensive preservation method for a permanent, meaningful display.
- Choose Pressing Flowers if…
- You prefer a more delicate, vintage look for your bouquet keepsake.
- You enjoy DIY projects or want a more budget-friendly option.
- You want a simple, flat design to frame or display in an artistic way.
Both options are wonderful ways to commemorate your wedding day, but each offers a unique way to capture your bouquet’s beauty. Whether you opt for 3D preservation or the timeless art of flower pressing, the key is to choose the one that best matches your personal taste and desired outcome.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to keeping your wedding bouquet forever, there’s no wrong answer. Both wedding flower preservation and pressing flowers offer a meaningful way to hold onto those beautiful blooms. Each method has its own charm and benefits, so consider what matters most to you—whether that’s keeping the bouquet in its full, lifelike form or creating a vintage piece of art.
Ready to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet?
If you’re unsure which method is right for you, or if you’d like to discuss options further, contact us at Endless Florals. We specialize in wedding flower preservation and are happy to help you choose the perfect option to keep your bouquet memories alive forever.