Why a dried flower wedding?

If you’ve come this far, I can assume you are already at least part way to being convinced of the many advantages of dried flowers for weddings! Whether as part or all of your wedding florals, dried flowers are an option with so many advantages. Here I share some of the many benefits of choosing dried flowers for your wedding, and answer some of the questions I’m frequently asked by couples considering this option.

Whether it be for their aesthetic, or the practical benefits, dried flowers offer something a little special.

Finding the right dried-flowers for you

In terms of aesthetic, every florist has their own style and I’d recommend finding one whose previous work looks a fit with your aspirations. I am inspired by British country gardens, with big blousy blooms amongst smaller frothier varieties; by our verges and fields when they have been left to develop of their own accord - full of whispy grasses and dotted with wild flowers; and I try to emulate these in my floral arrangements. I like them to be as colourful as a fresh bunch, be that in soft pastels or all the brights of the rainbow, and full of variety in shape and texture, so there is always something to discover and enjoy the closer you examine them. So, if that sounds up your street hurrah!

Flowers that last

The most obvious advantage to dried flowers is no doubt their longevity. The benefits of this are multiple: there’s no chance of a wilting stem on your wedding day; they are yours to keep (or share) and enjoy, potentially for a life time. I have worked with dried flowers for years, and understand well which varieties are likely to soften and droop - these I will avoid these, or use in a way that ensures this doesn’t happen to your flowers.

Bouquets and arrangements can be displayed for years. If kept dry, they will last indefinitely and if kept out of sunlight they will keep their colours especially beautifully. Buttonholes make lovely little bud vase decorations or can be pinned to a hat or jacket for future wearing; bouquets and table decorations double up as lovely gifts for your guests; meadow boxes make wonderful shelf or mantlepiece displays; and hair pieces can be carefully re-boxed and worn again, or stashed safely to take a peek at and relive memories in years to come.

Build the flowers you want - no surprises!

For me, when creating your wedding flowers there are also many advantages to their everlasting nature- I can prepare your floral pieces over weeks or months before your wedding rather than having to order and bring them together at the last minute. I therefore know exactly what materials I will have available and their condition, and I am able to share their progress with you, and make any adjustments you require, so no surprises on the day!

Most items can be delivered anywhere in the UK ahead of your wedding day, taking one big consideration away from an already busy time. You don’t need any special set up in order to store them; simply leave in the boxes they arrive in, and keep in a dry room, and if taken out of boxes, keep out of direct sunlight. Avoid garages, sheds or attics where the fluctuation in temperature and potential for moisture can affect the arrangements. A spare bedroom, or an indoor corner where they can sit in their boxes undisturbed is ideal.

Dried flowers can even be taken abroad with you for an overseas wedding (though customs rules need checking as some destinations may have restrictions).

Sustainability

Now, in spite of what some dried flower companies will state without elaboration, simply because they are long lasting does not make dried flowers sustainable, and neither are fresh flowers necessarily unsustainable. Not many people are considering replacing their fresh wedding flowers on a regular basis, so the longevity is not a sustainability issue here. It is the provenance of the flowers, how they were grown, how they have been treated (or not), how they have travelled, that dictates sustainability. Imported dried flowers are generally grown in the far-east, where the growing conditions unknown, and are often treated with multiple chemicals to preserve and alter their appearance. Locally grown flowers whether fresh or dried are always the more sustainable option to this. My flowers are only sourced from UK growers who grow without use of pesticides, with love of nature at the forefront of what they do, and flowers are dried without additional heat, chemicals or dyes. If sustainability is an important consideration for you, these are key things to look out for.

Flowers from the farm is a fantastic organisation in the UK that allows you to find growers of British and florists who use them as the backbone of their work. Members are committed to improving the sustainability of their methods and working in a way that encourages biodiversity.