Outwit the Wedding Flower Wilt
We’ve all seen it before: the day they’ve been planning for months, finally here! The Sun is shining, and as the wedding party walks down the aisle you realize something is off… is that bouquet looking HELLA droopy? And… did that boutonnière lose its head?! SCREAM.
Don’t let this be you!
Your wedding day is far too special to let wilting flowers stress you out, kill the vibe, and ruin all your photos. Not on my watch! However, once I hand off your bridal bouquet, it’s (literally) in your hands to keep those babies fresh and perky for the rest of the day.
Dodge the dreaded droop and keep these tips in mind for fresh wedding flowers all day long - or be sure to share with a bestie who is getting married soon!
Keeping Wedding Bouquets Fresh
Of all your wedding flowers, bouquets tend to be front and center for every photo op: so it’s essential to keep any and all bouquets bouncy and bright while out of water! First, you’ll want to keep a water vase nearby during the photo sessions to hold the bouquet in the off time. I recommend asking a trustworthy bridesmaid to be on “vase duty” to make sure everyone keeps vases nearby!
With full service floral design, you’ll also have a florist team on site until the reception begins to provide touch ups to the bouquet as needed! That means on those hot summer days, any wilted stems can be replaced between group photos and the ceremony - so your flowers remain looking fresh through every important moment.
After the ceremony and photos, keep your bouquet in a vase on the sweetheart table to give it more time with you in the spotlight. Bonus points if you give the stems a fresh cut before going back in the water - and with full service weddings, I’m here to do it for you! Ensuring the bouquet gets into water at the end of the night is especially important if you are getting bouquet preservation afterwards.
Secrets for a Long-Lasting Boutonnière
These sweet petite designs are oft overlooked when it comes to care, but it is definitely a challenge to keep out of water flowers perky. Be sure to keep boutonnières refrigerated (not frozen) for as long as possible before pinning it on.
Any wedding florist worth her salt knows to use good wilt resistant blooms for this piece, but even the best can’t guarantee no wilting on a sweltering day – for this reason, I always provide (at least) one backup bout for every couple.
All that said, the Achilles heel of boutonnières isn’t wilting - it’s hugging! I’ve seen one too many boutonnières snap off as the groomsmen are hugging and greeting family members and OOPS! It’s broken. By no means would I suggest not hugging your family and friends, but I will leave you this reminder: be mindful of the boutonnière placement to avoid accidental squishing!
General Advice for Perky Wedding Florals
Flowers aren’t completely foolproof, and some wilting is expected throughout the day. Especially on hot days, it can be tricky to keep the florals fresh! In general, your flowers will look their best if you can keep them in water as much as possible and avoid leaving arrangements in direct sunlight. As your wedding florist, I'll go into greater depth with you on a heat plan for those warm summer weddings.
When it comes to practical wedding flower knowledge, I’ve got you covered - and I’m kind of known for having backup plans for my backup plans. If you’re seeking a wedding florist with attention to detail who you can rely on for a seamless flower experience, we just might be a perfect fit! I’d love to hear from you - simply start the conversation with an inquiry below!
