How to Care for Your Wedding Bouquet: A Guide for Brides

Your wedding bouquet is one of the most cherished parts of your big day, representing your style, personality, and the love you and your partner share.

If you’re planning to preserve your bouquet as a keepsake, it’s important to take steps to keep it looking its best throughout the celebrations.

Here are my top tips for ensuring your flowers stay fresh and ready for preservation!

1. Hold it at the base

When carrying your bouquet, make sure to hold it by the base of the stems rather than gripping the flowers themselves. This helps avoid crushing the delicate petals and ensures your bouquet stays picture-perfect throughout the day.

6 tips to keep your wedding bouquet in excellent condition for preservation - hold it at the base

2. Keep it cool

Flowers are sensitive to heat and sunlight, so try to keep your bouquet in a cold, shady spot when it’s not in use. Direct sunlight can cause the flowers to wilt or fade faster, so find a cool corner or shaded area to place it when you’re not holding it.

3. Hydrate between moments

If there are breaks between photo sessions or during the reception, pop your bouquet into a vase of water to keep the flowers hydrated. A quick drink will work wonders for keeping the blooms fresh and vibrant.

keep your bouquet hydrated so that its in good condition for preservation

4. But don’t let your flowers get wet

Rain on your wedding day might be considered good luck, but it’s not so lucky for your bouquet! If your flowers get wet, they can rot prematurely or lose their vibrant colour during the pressing process.

To avoid this, try to keep your bouquet sheltered if rain is in the forecast. A bridesmaid can hold an umbrella over your bouquet during outdoor photos, and when not in use, store it in a safe, dry place.

Even if it’s just a light drizzle, moisture can quickly seep into the delicate petals, so extra care is key.

don't let your bouquet get wet on your wedding day as it can casue the flowers to rot

5. Delegate bouquet care

As the bride, you’ll have so much to enjoy and think about on your big day. Assign one of your bridesmaids to take charge of your bouquet. They can ensure it’s kept in water, placed in a shady spot, and generally well looked after while you focus on celebrating.

6. Skip the Toss (or use a substitute!)

I know tossing the bouquet is a time-honoured tradition, but throwing your delicate flowers into the air to be caught and fought over by a gaggle of girlies can cause significant damage, making preservation difficult or even impossible.

If you’d still like to take part in this tradition, consider using a “throwaway” bouquet or one of your bridesmaids’ bouquets instead. That way, your own bouquet stays safe and intact!

skip the bouquet toss to avoid damaging your flowers

Your Bouquet, Your Memories

Taking these small steps can make a big difference in the condition of your bouquet, ensuring it’s in perfect shape to be transformed into a lasting keepsake. After all, your bouquet isn’t just a collection of flowers—it’s a piece of your love story, and preserving it means keeping those memories close forever.

If you’re ready to preserve your wedding bouquet or have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Let’s create something beautiful together!


Need help finding the perfect bouquet preservationist for you? Check out my free guide! Packed full of advice on how to find the right one for you.

get your guide on how to find the perfect preservation artist for you
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