Picture this: the music has faded, the cake is but crumbs, and you're back from your honeymoon. Yet there in your home, you still have the bouquet – the bundle of blooms that walked down the aisle with you.
Unlike real blossoms that brown and wilt, your fake wedding flowers (be they silk, satin, or sola wood) look as vibrant as the love they represent.
But how do you ensure these faux florals stay dazzling for years to come? Can you preserve them in resin and other creative ways?
This guide will walk you through cleaning, storing, and displaying your artificial wedding bouquet so that it remains a cherished keepsake of your special day.
Creative Ways to Preserve Your Faux Bouquet
Displaying your faux bouquet can be a wonderful daily reminder of your “I do” moment.
Here are a few charming and creative ways to keep that wedding spirit in bloom:
Vase Display: The simplest way is often the sweetest. Place your bouquet in a beautiful vase, just as you would fresh flowers. Set it on a dresser, mantle, or dining table.
Every time you walk by, you’ll get a little jolt of joy. (Bonus: no water needed, and it never wilts!) Many brides love using their bouquet as décor in their new home, turning it into a conversation piece that says “love lives here.”
Shadow Box or Glass Dome: For a more sophisticated keepsake, consider a shadow box frame or a glass display dome. These let you showcase the entire bouquet behind glass. Not only does it look like a piece of art, but it also protects the flowers from dust and damage.
You can add extras in the shadow box too – like a wedding photo, your invitation, or a ribbon with your wedding date. Hang it on the wall or place the glass dome on a shelf, and you have a 3D wedding memory capsule. It’s like time-travel for your bouquet, preserving it exactly as it was on your wedding day.
Resin Keepsake Blocks or Ornaments: One trendy display option is to have your faux flowers (or a few blooms from it) cast into resin art. Companies like Bouquet Casting Co. can set your flowers in clear resin blocks, ornaments, even bookends or coasters. Imagine your bouquet’s blooms encased in a glass-like block – it makes for a modern statement piece on your coffee table or bookshelf. Resin preservation gives a sense of permanence and can look stunning, capturing the essence of your bouquet in a design that fits your home.
Pressed Flower Art: If your bouquet is made of thinner materials (or even if you saved a few real petals), you could press some of the flowers flat and frame them. Pressed flower art turns your bouquet into a botanical print for your wall. It’s delicate, vintage-inspired, and very sentimental. You can DIY a pressed flower frame kit or have a professional do the pressing and arrangement for you. The result? A lovely piece of art that doubles as a daily dose of romance on your wall.
Pass It On or Reuse: Another heartfelt idea is to incorporate your faux blooms into future events. Perhaps use a few flowers in your anniversary decorations, or lend the bouquet to a friend or relative for their big day (“something borrowed” coming full circle). Because artificial flowers don’t degrade, they can become a family heirloom. One day, you might see your daughter walk down the aisle with the very same bouquet, and wouldn’t that be a beautiful continuation of your love story?
Preserve Your Faux Bouquet w/ Bouquet Casting Co
Cleaning Your Faux Wedding Flowers
Even the most beautiful silk or artificial flowers can gather dust bunnies or lose their luster over time. Regular cleaning is key to preserving that just-married magic. Here’s how to pamper your faux petals:
Dust Gently and Often: Make dusting your bouquet a part of your routine. Use a soft feather duster or a microfiber cloth to sweep over the petals and leaves. (Skip the paper towels – they can leave lint behind).
A quick dusting every week or two prevents buildup and keeps colors bright. For those hard-to-reach nooks between petals, a hair dryer on a cool setting or a can of compressed air works wonders. Just hold at a slight distance to avoid blowing the bouquet apart!
Try the “Fake Flower Shake”: Here’s a clever trick professional cleaners use – the salt shake method. Place your bouquet (or individual stems) in a large plastic bag with a few tablespoons of coarse salt. Gently close and shake it like a maraca for a minute. The grains of salt will gently loosen dust and grime, leaving your flowers clean and dust-free. It’s oddly satisfying and leaves your blooms looking brighter.
Spot-Clean Stains Carefully: Spills happen – perhaps a splash of champagne or a smear of frosting found its way onto your bouquet. If you see any grime or spots, prepare a very mild cleaning solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the soiled areas (don’t drench them!) and dab with a clean cloth. Always test this on a hidden spot first to ensure the colors won’t run. And remember, less is more with moisture: some silk flowers have delicate dyes or glued parts that can be damaged by water or chemical cleaners. So avoid soaking or harsh sprays. After any damp cleaning, let the bouquet air-dry completely.
Fluff and Primp: Over time, your bouquet might look a tad flat or “tired.” Revive its shape by gently reshaping the petals and leaves. Separate and straighten any squished blooms – a little love goes a long way to keep them perky. Many artificial flowers have wire in the stems or petals, so you can reposition them to recapture that fresh, full look they had on your wedding day.
Expert Tip: Keep your faux flowers out of direct sunlight when on display. Even the best artificial blooms can fade under harsh UV rays. (One décor expert suggests limiting outdoor display of faux florals to just a few months a year to prevent colors from dulling.) So, showcase your bouquet in a spot with gentle light, not on a hot windowsill that gets blazing sun.
Storing Your Bouquet Safely
Maybe you rotate décor or you’re saving the bouquet to pass down as a keepsake.
Proper storage will guard your arrangement during those times it’s not on display.
Think of it as tucking your bouquet into a comfy bed until it’s time to shine again:
Clean Before Storing: Before you pack it away, be sure your bouquet is clean and absolutely dry. Dust it off (using the tips above) and make sure there’s no moisture. If it was outdoors for any reason (say, used in an outdoor photoshoot), give it time to air out and dry completely first. Storing damp artificial flowers can lead to mildew or color bleeding – yikes!
Choose the Right Container: Not just any cardboard box will do. For long-term storage, air-tight plastic bins or specialty storage boxes are ideal. They keep dust and pests out and also protect against humidity changes. You can even find padded floral storage bags made for wreaths or bouquets. These help cushion the flowers so they don’t get crushed. If a dedicated container isn’t handy, a clean plastic bin with a lid or a sturdy cardboard box lined with acid-free tissue paper will work. The tissue or bubble wrap between blooms can add extra protection against scratches or flattening.
Cool, Dark & Dry is Best: Store your bouquet in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Heat can cause warping or fading, and sunlight can bleach out those pretty petals. Ideal spots are a closet, under-bed storage, or a climate-controlled attic space. Avoid areas that get very hot or damp (think garages or basements prone to humidity). Think of Goldilocks: not too hot, not too cold, definitely not humid.
Mind the Arrangement: When placing your bouquet in a box, give it some breathing room. Don’t cram it in with heavy items on top. If you have other mementos (like your veil or ribbon) stored with it, ensure they aren’t pressing hard against the flowers. You might even store boutonnieres or bridesmaid faux flowers in the same box, but wrap each separately in tissue. Keep particularly fragile pieces separated so they maintain their shape. The goal is to avoid any squishing. A crushed bouquet is no one's idea of a happy memory!
By taking these storage steps, you'll find your bouquet just as beautiful when you retrieve it as when you packed it away. It will be ready to evoke a flood of happy wedding memories at a moment’s notice, with every petal in place.
Preserving fake wedding flowers is part art, part science, and all heart. With some mindful cleaning, careful storage, and creative display, your wedding bouquet will remain as gorgeous as the day you said “I do.” Every time you look at those everlasting blooms, you’ll be swept back to the swirl of your first dance, the sound of laughter, and the feeling of love all around. In the grand story of your wedding, the bouquet gets to write the epilogue – one that happily never ends.
Start Your Faux Bouquet Preservation w/ Bouquet Casting Co
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