Preserving your wedding flowers

You spent a lot of time and money making sure the flowers on your big day were just perfect. Why not preserve some of those blooms to create lasting memories for both the couple and guests.
Here is a great method for preserving some of the gorgeous flowers from your reception and bouquets along with a creative project that adds a personalized touch to your thank you cards.
The first project we are going to do is press some of the flowers from your reception, centerpieces or bridal bouquet.

PRESSING YOUR BLOOMS
1. Inspect flowers and leaves and remove damaged or brown parts. Cut or pinch off flower heads that you want to press. You can also choose to include part of the stem and leaves in which case cut the stem to the desired length. Many flowers can be pressed successfully but some are not as well suited.
2. Place double sheets of blotting paper between two pages of a thick book (or use a flower press if you have one.) Position flowers face down. Place blooms with similar thicknesses on the same page.
3. Close the book, securing it with two wide rubber bands. Leave for four weeks unopened. After such time you can open the book and remove your pressed flowers.
Certain flowers such as: calla lilies, dahlias, roses, lilies, white lisianthus, mums, chrysanthemums, anthurium, tulips, white orchids, tropical varieties, will not press well. Essentially the more “juicy” the flower, the harder it is to press.

THE PROJECT:
Using the flowers from your recent pressing adventures create one-of-a-kind thank you cards to send to your guests!
Supplies:
Pressed flowers
Tweezers
Blank greeting cards and envelopes (you can find packs at Michaels Craft Stores or online. Choose white, cream or a fun color)
Spray adhesive ( I prefer Krylon Clear Acid-Free Spray Adhesive)
Vinyl or latex gloves
Newspaper
Clean, ventilated work surface

1. In a well ventilated space lay down newspaper or other disposable table covering (spray adhesive is sticky!)
2. Put on protective gloves (for the same reason listed above.)
3. Lay out your pressed flowers and cards to the side.
4. Take blank card and lay flat on table. You will be sticking the flower to the right panel of the card so that when you close the card it opens properly.
5. Using tweezers, hold flower over newspaper and away from
blank card. Lightly spray with adhesive. Then quickly press the
flower sticky side down onto your card. Press flower down
lightly with the palm of your hand. You can have a single bloom
on each card or get creative using multiple flowers.
6. Allow cards to dry 24 hours
7. Hand write your thank you notes with a little piece of
wedding history. Be sure to inscribe on the back of the card
that these flowers are from the wedding (maybe even name the
flower variety if your are feeling a little extra. )Your guests will
appreciate the time and effort you took to thank them for
attending your special day. Plus they have a gorgeous piece of
art that they can frame.
8. To get even fancier consider layering handmade paper, rice paper or textured paper onto the greeting card and spraying down with adhesive before adding blooms. .

Happy Crafting!