How to Preserve Your Bouquet: Step-by-Step DIY Guide

🌸 How to Dry Flowers at Home: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Fresh flowers bring joy, beauty, and often sentimental memories—especially when they come from a special occasion like a wedding, anniversary, or celebration. But flowers fade fast… unless you dry them!

Whether you're saving your bridal bouquet or preserving a meaningful arrangement, this easy DIY guide will walk you through three simple ways to dry flowers at home—and when it’s worth calling in a pro.

🌼 1. Air Drying (Perfect for Bouquets & Roses)

Step-by-Step:

1. Trim leaves and remove damaged petals.

2. Tie the stems together with twine or a rubber band.

3. Hang the flowers upside down in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated area (like a closet or pantry).

4. Leave for about 2–3 weeks.

5. Once dry, spritz with hairspray for added strength.

Pros:

• Free and beginner-friendly

• Works well for sturdy flowers like roses or lavender

• Great for rustic or vintage-style decor

Cons:

• Flowers can turn brown or lose color

• Petals often become wrinkly or misshapen

• Dried flowers are fragile and break easily

• Hard to preserve the original shape or vibrancy of a bouquet

Pro Tip: Great for casual arrangements, but for once-in-a-lifetime florals like a wedding bouquet, a professional preservation method offers better color retention, shape, and durability.

🌷 2. Pressing (Best for Flat Flowers or Petals)

Step-by-Step:

1. Choose fresh, clean flowers (thin blooms work best).

2. Place flowers between parchment or wax paper inside a heavy book.

3. Stack more books or a heavy object on top for pressure.

4. Leave untouched for 1–2 weeks.

5. Carefully remove and frame or craft.

Pros:

• Ideal for flat designs like cards, bookmarks, or frames

• Inexpensive and easy to do at home

• Great for delicate flowers like daisies, pansies, or baby’s breath

Cons:

• Doesn’t preserve 3D shape (not ideal for bouquets)

• Some flowers lose color or fade over time

• Time-consuming if pressing a large quantity

🌹 3. Silica Gel Drying (Best for Color + Shape Retention)

Step-by-Step:

1. Pour a base layer of silica gel in an airtight container.

2. Place flowers bloom-up, and gently cover them with silica.

3. Seal and let sit for 2 weeks.

4. Remove flowers and gently brush off excess gel.

Pros:

• Best method for preserving flower shape and vibrant color

• Ideal for bridal bouquets or detailed blooms like peonies and dahlias

• Flowers look close to fresh after drying

Cons:

• Requires purchasing of expensive silica and containers

• Can be messy or tricky without experience

• May damage delicate flowers if not handled carefully

Pro Tip: Many professionals use silica-based methods with additional steps like floral sealants and humidity control. If you want flawless results, consider having your bouquet preserved by an expert who can turn it into a resin block, tray, or framed keepsake.

💎 Why Go Pro?

DIY flower drying is perfect for casual arrangements or craft projects—but for once-in-a-lifetime memories, professional floral preservation gives you:

• Superior color retention and shape

• Custom keepsakes in  resin  

• Expert care to protect delicate blooms

• You only get on shot at preserving your sentimental flowers

• A forever piece you’ll actually want to display

Whether you're a bride, celebrating a special moment, or honoring someone dear, we’re here to help you turn your flowers into something beautiful and lasting.

👉 Ready to preserve your bouquet or special blooms forever?

Book Today!
Brookesforeverflowers.com