The preservation of bridal flowers has been in existence since Victorian times, when it was recognised that the bride carried flowers individually chosen to represent bridal characteristics, e.g. white roses as a sign of purity, rosemary as a token of remembrance.
Nowadays, this craft has been perfected so that the bride's bouquet and accompanying flowers can be preserved by a process of dismantling and drying the bouquet on an individual flower basis. Once the individual flowers and foliage have been dried the bouquet is then reconstructed and mounted into a frame which will be a three dimensional picture. As a background to the flowers material from the wedding dress can be used to make it even more personal.
It is desirable that you advise your florist in advance that you intend having your bouquet preserved as this will influence the way in which the bouquet is put together.
It is also advisable to book well in advance, especially if you are planning a summer wedding.
"Flowers are love's truest language"
And of all the happy memories of your wedding day, the beauty of your flowers will be the one most treasured. Your bouquet, when dried and framed, makes a lovely picture that is uniquely yours, to stand alongside your wedding photograph - the one complementing the other.
After your wedding, keep your bridal flowers dry and cool as possible, in a cool room or garage would be ideal but do not place in the fridge or freezer. Do not spray your bridal flowers with water, however tempted as this spoils the flowers for drying.