Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Wedding DIY: Preserving Your Flowers At Home

I wasn't bridezilla until after the wedding. The night after, I sobbed inconsolably because my wedding flowers were gone. I had plans to turn them into decorations, into a Christmas ornament, and to display them. I wanted to save them forever, but they were stolen out of our hotel room after the wedding.

I was heartbroken. I was so upset that Pete actually "found" them and had them delivered to the apartment two weeks later (if that story sounds familiar, it's because I posted it here). It made me so happy knowing how much he cared -- and to know that I was able to do what I wanted with them.

Everyone I know who has saved flowers has either put them in the freezer (and then forgot about them, like my prom corsage) or dried them. But I decided to try silica gel. I had never used it before and wasn't sure my wedding bouquet was the place to try it on but I decided if it didn't work, I could always get a second replacement bouquet. Thank goodness I didn't have to. This worked amazingly.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Preserving Your Flowers At Home


What You'll Need:



Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

What You'll Do:

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Cut the stems off the flowers.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Pour a layer of silica gel in the bottom of the box.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Fill your flower with silica gel (filling it will help it hold its shape, overfilling it will help it fall apart).

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Place the flower in the box.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

You can fill any type of flower.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Just rest it in the box with the other.

Silica

Fill an entire layer with flowers and greenery.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Top it with a layer of silica gel.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Add another layer of flowers and greenery.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Repeat with silica gel and flowers.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

And then again until the box is filled. Don't put the flowers right on top of each other or too close to each other, but layers of flowers and gel is okay.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Fill to the top with silica gel.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

Close the lid and wait at least two weeks.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

After I had the flowers in the box, I strung a few together and hung them from the guest closet. I figured if silica gel didn't actually work, at least I would have these. I then left the rest of the bouquet whole on my desk and that dried pretty nicely, actually. I figured that would work for a memory if silica gel flopped.

But it didn't.

It was amazing.

Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

I opened the box, gently removed the flowers, and was shocked. They are as bright, beautiful, and clean as the day I put them in the silica gel. The whites were white, the greenery was green, and my flowers held up their shapes too.

My only regret was not buying a bigger box so I could preserve more of my flowers this way.

You can tell the rose I overstuffed fell apart, but I actually wanted petals for another craft. I'm going to purchase glass ornament balls and fill them with petals, then use the ribbon we used for our wedding favors to embellish and tie them.

But of course, I had to run in the other room to compare them to the dried flowers, just to make sure this process and the money invested was worth it.
Silica gel isn't something you should just toss. It can do AMAZING things, like preserving your wedding flowers at home. Seriously, it is SO MUCH BETTER than drying. Find out how to do it on www.abrideonabudget.com.

The top photo is dried flowers from the ones hanging on the closet. The bottom photo is the same flowers (Picasso calla lily, white rose, orchid, respectively). The picture speaks for itself.

From now on, any time I'm thinking about preserving flowers at home, this is the method I'm using.

BRIDAL BABBLE: Have you ever used silica gel for preserving your flowers at home? 


Deciding on your wedding flowers?


Check out our Ultimate Wedding Flowers Guide post.


Ultimate-Wedding-Flowers-Guide



73 comments:

  1. Ive never even heard of this until this post - wish I had known about this back when I was getting married!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Had not heard about this silica stuff for flowers. What a difference it makes! I have flowers that are air dried, and they look so terrible that they are not even worth keeping.

    Aria H.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is truly amazing. I never knew that stuff existed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've always feared drying flowers this way for some unknown reason... Safe to say I will be using this method from now on!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have never used silica gel before, but the results are amazing. I will have to keep this in mind.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I never knew I could preserve flowers with silica gel. Wow, your flowers were amazing after taking out of the box. They still looked like fresh flowers. I will have to remember this method when I dry flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this! I need to do this next time I get flowers from hubby.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for sharing. I didn't know silica can also be used to preserve flowers. We usually use silica to keep moist from shoes and photography equipment.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Silica gel also works for drying out electronics that have been dropped in water.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That's awesome I'm not getting married but I'm gonna try this

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting share and what a different it made with the flowers

    ReplyDelete
  12. My friend is the ultimate bride on a budget, and she has a whole closet dedicated to drying flowers she's collected from random yards, to use IN her wedding!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope she's gotten permission before taking flowers from random yards.

      Delete
  13. They look absolutely fresh! What a great suggestion to remember

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's amazing! I had no idea you could do that!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, that is just amazing. They're so gorgeous! I can't believe the way they retained their shape and color. I'm definitely pinning this to try. Thanks so much for sharing at Inspire Me Wednesday. Featuring you in next week's issue.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just loved how your flowers turned out. What a great way to preserve those special flowers and be able to enjoy them for years. I will have to remember this.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, what a find. I'm assuming the silica gel can be used again. Thanks for sharing this flower preserving technique with #theWeekendSocial. Please stop by again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. Pinned!

    ReplyDelete
  18. That is pretty neat. Glad you were able to save them! Thank you for linking up on Frugal Friday. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. That really shows how well the silica gel works.

    slehan at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I had no idea you could do this, thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have never used silica gel but what an amazing difference it makes. Will have to try it next time instead of just drying them.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am wondering if you can do this while keeping your bridal bouquet basically intact instead of cutting up??? Could you fill the flowers and put in a larger container to keep it upright and intact? Anyone know??? Anyone Tried?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara,

      I haven't tried it personally, but I can absolutely see it working. The only things you would run into would be finding a container large enough to fit your entire bouquet AND it would require a lot of silica gel. Honestly, though, it would be worth it to keep your wedding flowers.

      Delete
  23. Are the flowers crunchy? Trying to get idea of texture. Thinking of doing this before the wedding so I can use my own flowers I have grown and know they will last.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, not crunchy. The silica gel keeps them pretty fresh feeling.

      Delete
  24. When you made the ornament, how did you get the petals into the glass ornament without breaking them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I dried my flowers at home with silica gel, which leaves them more malleable than if you dry them traditionally. Ones that are just dried by hanging will probably crack, but the silica gel ones flex.

      Delete
  25. Do you think you could do this with the whole bouquet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you had a large enough box and a lot of patience, it could work. Part of what makes this work is getting the silica gel inside each flower and around its edges. So if you really carefully place your bouquet standing up and fill it from the top, you can do it. But if you lay your bouquet on its side and just pour the silica gel on top, it won't work.

      Delete
  26. Can the box be just a Sterlite container or does it have to be completely air tight

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie,

      You can use a Sterlite container, but I would recommend one that closes fully all the way around (like this: http://amzn.to/1QFa9wE) rather than the ones that have the two snap handles on the sides.

      Delete
  27. Hi all, so I have used silica gel and the flowers are looking very pretty and brittle. What is the best way to store them. Do they shave to be kept in an air tight container? or can they be put in a shadow box. I guess my question is, will moisture in the air affect the colour and presence of the flowers after they are dried. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. After they've dried in the silica gel, you can put them in a shadow box. I've put them in Christmas ornaments too, and the rest are still in an air tight container (but they don't NEED to be).

      Delete
  28. Hi there, I'm getting married in April and I just saw your tutorial: it's great ! I was wondering though: how long do the flowers last once you've dried them with silica gel ? I mean: do they rot at some point or not ? Because I want to try and preserve some of my wedding bouquet flowers with your technique :) Thxs a lot for sharing !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As long as you store them properly, they will last basically forever. I wouldn't get them wet after, but keeping them in a shadow box, an ornament, etc. will be just fine.

      Mine are almost two years old and still look just as great as day 1.

      Delete
    2. Hi Lisa, do you think the flower needs to be enclosed in something to be "stored properly"? I was considering preserving some of them with the stems and leaving them out in a vase... In other words, are there any other limitations besides not getting them wet? (I've also heard you should avoid direct sunlight.) Thanks!

      Delete
  29. Do you have to clip the stems so short or is it possible to keep them long? I know it is done to stand the flowers up to maintain their shape, but just out of curiosity, is it necessary to clip them?

    Thanks so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I heard of silica gel flower preservation. Maybe 10 years ago, I used to watch the Linnet Jennings tv show. This was one of the projects she had done. Though I had forgotten the name of the material to use for years and only in the last couple of years thought of it again. But with the recent passing my last grandparent I decided it was now the time. The flowers and bouquets from the wake and service are too lovely and beautiful to let pass to the test of time. So I will be trying this method per your instructions. Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your flowers look beautiful. I see this is an older pic, what do they look like today? I just got married on Friday and already used this method on my bouquet this morning. I'm super excited for the weeks to go by so I can start my shadow box. Hurry father time.

    ReplyDelete
  32. ^Same! Married 3 days ago and ANXIOUSLY waiting for father time!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Im doing this with my wedding boutique today, but with a twist. I plan to use a 5 gallon clean paint bucket with a lid and put the entire boutique into into it. Ive used clean scoopable cat litter in the past as well and it works quite good also. My plan is to use the cat litter in the bottom of the bucket, insert the bouquet and fill with cat litter to bottom of follage and blooms at bottom of bouque, then use silica gel around the flowage and blooms. I cant wait to see how it turns out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did the entire bouquet dry as you desired? I wanted to do this but worried about the center of the bouquet not completing the drying process and beginning to mold since they are wrapped so tightly. I was wondering if I must unwrap the bouquet and dry the flowers separately and then try to re-wrap the bouquet.

      Delete
  34. Hi there, i've already tried drying flowers using both silica gel and cat sand (in separate containers). Once the dried flowers removed from silica gel or cat sand, the colour is bright and the texture is like a paper and fragile, but after a week or two why did the color and the texture change? They become darker and more brittle. Do they need a coating like clear spray or something? I keep them in a transparent cookies box after it being preserved. Please help me to solve this, thank you ��

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Lisa
    I too am going to try to preserve a whole bouquet in this way. It is 30 cm wide and about 30cm tall. How much Silica Gel ( by weight) did you use?
    THanks
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janet!

      I used nearly 9 pounds for the small portion of my bouquet (about 1/3 of my cascade bouquet).

      Delete
  36. This is awesome! Can you reuse the silica gel? I'm also curious if anyone's ever used an ornament capsule as a resin mold? Thinking of trying to preserve fresh flowers in one for a globe shaped paperweight.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you so much for such clear instructions!!

    I was wondering, does the entire flower have to be covered by silica gel?
    right now it's about 1/4th covered... should I go buy more tomorrow to completely cover it - but wouldn't it be too heavy/ruin the shape of the flowers then?

    thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. can you also do the stems? I've got about 8 flowers I want to preserve so how much silica would I need?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can do the stems. I did a few stems and leaves.

      For eight flowers, I would get two boxes of silica gel. You'll probably use about 1.5 boxes to fill your entire box, but you don't want to be short so one box is not enough.

      Delete
    2. thanks for the reply! how long do I leave the flowers in the silica gel?

      Delete
  39. I am preserving my friends bouquet while she's on honeymoon. I want to keep bouquet whole. Nd I got 2 5lb boxes of the silica gel. Can I do this? Do I need more? Can I lay bouquet on its side or does it have to be standing? Please help

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can lay it on its side. Just be mindful to put silica gel on the bottom of the box, then make sure it really gets inbetween the leaves of the flowers BEFORE you lay the bouquet on its side. You need the silica gel to stay between the pedals and I would worry it would fall out when you lay it on its side.

      How big is the box you are putting the bouquet in? You may need one more box of silica gel because you may have a very large box to fit the bouquet whole.

      Delete
    2. The bouquet fits perfectly on its side in the box with the lid on. I have 2 5lb cases of the Activa silica gel. Thank you so much for the quick reply, I'm so glad I found this chat. I am very nervous about doing a good job on them, she's my best friend, and asked me the day of wedding to take care of them for her. Now I just have to find a shadow box to put it in. Is one week enough time to leave flowers in gel?

      Delete
    3. Great!! I'm glad it fits so well =]

      One week is not enough time. You want to leave the bouquet in the container at least two weeks.

      You'll want to look for an extra deep shadow box. Amazon has a ton of them that you can see here: http://amzn.to/2k102Y3

      Delete
    4. It turned out great. And I would love to post a picture, I just don't know how to, lol...

      Delete
    5. Oh I'm wanting to do the same for a friend of mine! I'd love to see how your bouquet turned out~! Can you copy and paste a pic in a reply?

      Delete
    6. I am doing the same for a friend. Is it possible for you to copy and paste a pic in a reply box? I'd love to see how it turned out!

      Delete
  40. Just found this article... I'm getting married in a week and will definitely try this! What did you do with the silica dried flowers? And did you spray anything on them, like a sealing Krylon coat? I was thinking of gluing them into a shadowbox.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Isn't silica gels, gel forms. Are these silica sand by chance?

    ReplyDelete
  42. I'm doing this for my daughter in law. I want to put her bouquet in epoxy and then put into a glass dome. Do I need to the silica process first?

    ReplyDelete
  43. This is good to know. I've had fresh flowers that I wanted to save and never liked the dried ones. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story and we hope you will join us again next week.

    ReplyDelete
  44. That's amazing! What fantastic results! And how sweet of your husband to 'find' your flowers again. I'm so sorry they were stolen but what a gorgeous, romantic gesture. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful way to preserve wedding day flowers with us at the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Scheduled to pin. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I have my daughters wedding bouquet in the fridge since her wedding on 9/16/17. Can I still preserve them with the silica gel.

    ReplyDelete
  46. WherE can silica gel be bought. We just buried my grandmother and I'd love to preserve the roses from her casket.

    ReplyDelete
  47. This is probably a dumb question but I found this feed after my wedding (two weeks ago). Do you think it will still work when it’s already dried? To keep its shape versus color?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did my friends bouquet about a week after the wedding and it came out perfect. Make sure u get a container large enough to cover entire bouquet under silica and make sure it’s air tight. I wrapped the container with seran also just for Extra measure. She loved how it came out.

      Delete
  48. Can you use the silica gel again for preserving other flowers? Or do you have to throw it away and get some more. :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Can you reuse the silica gel for other flowers? :)

    ReplyDelete