Summer weddings offer a vibrant and lively setting, but the heat can pose a significant challenge for flowers, especially your wedding bouquet.
If you’re tying the knot on a hot summer’s day, keeping your bouquet fresh is essential for maintaining its beauty from the ceremony to the reception.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your bouquet remains fresh and stunning throughout your big day, no matter the temperature.
Let’s get straight to the point
To keep your wedding bouquet fresh on a hot summer day, store it in a cooler before the ceremony, avoid direct sunlight, and keep the stems hydrated using water tubes or a damp cloth.
Opt for heat-resistant flowers like sunflowers or succulents, and lightly mist the bouquet throughout the day to retain moisture.
Keep it away from ethylene-producing foods like fruits, and refresh it by trimming stems and removing wilting petals.
After the wedding, preserve your bouquet through drying, pressing, or professional preservation for a lasting keepsake.
1. Knowing The Temperature And Its Effect On Flowers
Flowers are highly sensitive to heat, and managing temperature is critical to keeping your bouquet fresh. Flowers wilt quickly in hot weather, so it’s vital to ensure they are kept as cool as possible.
Keep The Bouquet In A Cooler Before The Ceremony
- Flowers thrive in cool environments, with ideal temperatures ranging from 1°C to 2°C for most varieties.
- Tropical flowers can withstand higher temperatures, between 10°C and 13°C.
- To maintain freshness, store your bouquet in a cooler until just before the ceremony. This simple step helps to preserve the bouquet’s beauty for a longer time.
Wrap A Cool Cloth Around The Stems
- Another effective method is to wrap the base of the stems in a cool, damp cloth.
- The cloth helps maintain hydration and regulates temperature. Check throughout the day that the cloth stays damp, particularly if your bouquet will be used over several hours.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight Exposure
Direct sunlight can cause flowers to fade and wilt within hours. Keeping your bouquet out of the sun is critical to its longevity on a hot summer day.
Keep The Bouquet Indoors When Possible
- Store the bouquet indoors before the ceremony to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
- If the ceremony is outdoors, find a shaded area or a place with plenty of ventilation to keep the flowers cool until it’s time to use them.
Apply Floral Preservation Spray
- Consider using a floral preservation spray to create a protective layer on your flowers.
- This spray helps to retain moisture in the petals and shields them from the drying effects of the sun.
- Apply the spray in a well-ventilated area, allowing it to dry before exposing the bouquet to heat.
3. Hydrate Your Bouquet Throughout The Event
Keeping the stems hydrated is another essential step in preserving your bouquet. Hydration ensures the flowers remain vibrant and fresh for as long as possible.
Use Water Tubes For The Stems
- A useful trick is to attach water tubes to the base of your bouquet’s stems. These tubes provide a continuous water supply to the flowers without the need for a bulky vase.
- To maintain the bouquet’s aesthetic, wrap the tubes in ribbon or fabric that matches the design of your bouquet.
Add Sugar And Chlorine To The Water
- A professional florist’s trick is to add a mixture of sugar and chlorine to the water.
- Sugar acts as a nutrient for the flowers, keeping them lively.
- Chlorine prevents bacterial growth in the water, extending the life of your bouquet.
- Ensure the mixture is at the right ratio to maintain your flowers’ freshness throughout the day.
4. Lightly Mist The Bouquet
Misting the bouquet is a simple way to maintain moisture in the petals, especially in warm and dry conditions.
Spray Water Lightly On The Bouquet
- Lightly mist the bouquet with water every hour or so to keep the petals hydrated.
- Be careful not to oversaturate the flowers, as too much water can cause petals to droop and even rot.
Keep Misting Supplies Handy
- It’s a good idea to have a small spray bottle on hand during the ceremony or reception, especially if the day is particularly hot and dry.
- Designate someone to lightly mist the bouquet at regular intervals to maintain its freshness throughout the day.
5. Avoid Placing Flowers Near Food
Many people aren’t aware that ethylene gas, which is produced by ripening fruit, can speed up the wilting process of flowers. It’s important to keep your bouquet away from food sources, especially at the reception.
Keep The Bouquet Away From Ethylene-Producing Foods
- Keep the bouquet away from areas where fruits and vegetables are stored or displayed.
- Ripening fruits, such as bananas and apples, release ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age faster.
Designate A Separate Space For The Bouquet
- Consider setting up a special area for flowers, away from food and plants that may release harmful gases or moisture.
6. Choosing The Right Flowers For A Summer Wedding
The types of flowers you select for your bouquet play a significant role in determining how well it holds up in the heat. Some flowers naturally fare better in hot conditions than others.
Opt For Heat-Resistant Flowers
- Choosing heat-tolerant flowers is essential for summer weddings. Varieties like sunflowers, succulents, orchids, and proteas are known for their ability to withstand heat.
- Avoid delicate flowers like peonies or hydrangeas, which wilt quickly in high temperatures.
Use Flowers With Strong Stems
- Opt for flowers with sturdy stems like roses, chrysanthemums, or lilies. These varieties hold up well in the summer heat and maintain their structure throughout the event.
7. Refresh Your Bouquet During The Day
Even with the best planning, flowers may begin to wilt throughout the day. However, there are ways to refresh and revive your bouquet.
Trim The Stems
- If your bouquet begins to wilt, trim the stems by 2-3 centimetres. This allows the flowers to absorb more water, refreshing their appearance.
- If you have access to a vase, place the bouquet in cool water for a few minutes after trimming to help rehydrate the flowers.
Remove Wilting Petals
- As the day progresses, some petals may start to wilt. Gently remove the wilting petals to freshen the look of the bouquet.
- Handle the flowers with care to avoid damaging the other petals.
8. Preserving Your Bouquet After The Wedding
If you wish to keep your bouquet as a lasting memento of your special day, there are several ways to preserve it.
Drying The Bouquet
- Air-drying is one of the most popular methods of preserving a bouquet. Hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, well-ventilated space for several weeks.
- This method works best for sturdy flowers like roses and lavender.
Pressing Flowers
- If you prefer a flatter keepsake, pressing your flowers between heavy books or in a flower press is a great option.
- Once pressed, the flowers can be displayed in a frame or kept in a memory book.
Professional Preservation
- You can also opt for professional preservation services that encase your bouquet in resin or other materials to preserve the flowers in their original shape and colour.
- This option is ideal if you want to keep your bouquet looking exactly as it did on your wedding day.
Conclusion
Keeping your wedding bouquet fresh on a hot summer’s day may seem like a challenge, but with the right preparation and care, you can ensure your flowers look stunning from the ceremony to the reception.
By storing the bouquet in a cooler, avoiding direct sunlight, hydrating the flowers throughout the day, and selecting heat-resistant varieties, your bouquet will stay vibrant and beautiful, even in the summer heat.
With a few extra steps, like misting the petals and avoiding ethylene-producing foods, you can extend the life of your bouquet well into the night.
And, if you wish to preserve your bouquet as a keepsake, there are plenty of options to keep the memories of your special day alive. Follow these tips, and your flowers will remain a timeless symbol of your love and celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a bridal bouquet cost?
The average cost of a bridal bouquet is between $100 and $350. Though, as you’re probably well aware, the upper end for weddings know no limit.
This estimated price range will suit most weddings, and may fluctuate depending on factors such as the season, source, and timing.
What is the bride’s bouquet called?
The bridal bouquet is a collection of flowers held by the bride as she walks down the aisle. It’s meant to be a complementary addition to the overall theme of the wedding and the style of her dress. But why do brides carry flowers?
What is the best bridal bouquet?
Colourful Wedding Bouquets
- Bougainvillea, Nerine and Protea Bouquet.
- Red Bridal Bouquet Duo.
- Colourful Lilac, Peony and Rose Bouquet.
- Colourful Bouquet With Oranges and Vines.
- Bouquet With Varied Shades of Pink.
- Pink Bouquet Packed With Garden Roses.
- Purple Anemone, Dahlia and Orchid Bouquet.
What does a wedding bouquet represent?
The wedding bouquet is considered to bring happiness and satisfaction in marriage, while the ribbon with which the bouquet is tied symbolises fellowship.
Tradition of wearing decorations (usually made of same flowers) on groom’s lapel first appeared in the Middle Ages.
How big should a bride’s bouquet be?
The most popular size for a Bridal Bouquet is a 12″ Wide Hand Tied. But an 11″ or 10″ make great Bridal Bouquet sizes as well.
For a small, intimate wedding, you could also order a 9″ Wide Bouquet. For a Cascading Design, the most popular is the “Full & Elegant”.
