It’s one of those iconic parts of the wedding day, right up there with the gown and the cake. Brides will not only remember their bouquets, but in some cases, keep their bouquets long after the wedding day — mine is carefully dried, and sitting on top of our piano. So what do you need to know about making sure you take care of your bouquet on the wedding day? Here are four tips.

1. If your bouquet is delivered in a vase, keep it in the vase as much as possible before the portraits and ceremony, and if you can, put it back into the vase to get a few more sips of water before and during the reception. This is especially important with more delicate flowers, such as hydrangeas. And have napkins or towels handy to dry the stems when you’re ready to carry your bouquet again!
2. Be very careful how, and by whom, your bouquet is handled. Let your photographer take your bouquet for photos, because your photographer will have a good idea of how to strategically prop, stand, or lay your bouquet without crushing it — but not all your friends and family will. And be aware of small children who grab for the flowers; keep your bouquet out of reach of kids who are too young to understand how to be gentle.
3. Have someone you trust — mom, sister, maid of honor — take your bouquet home after the wedding so you don’t have to worry about getting it home as you head off to your honeymoon.
4. To dry your bouquet, simply hang it upside down for a few weeks, which will allow the flowers and stems to dry and harden without flopping over. Or look into having your bouquet professionally preserved; a number of florists provide this service.

Happy Wednesday, and happy planning!

~ Laura