Preserving Forever: The Rise of Dried & Preserved Wedding Flowers in Australia

In this article, I will explain the rise of dried & preserved wedding flowers in Australia, discuss different wedding styles, list the pros and cons of DIY vs. professional florist, and give you 13 ways to incorporate dried & preserved flowers in your wedding. 

POPULARITY EXPLAINED

Dried and preserved flowers have gained popularity for weddings in Australia for several reasons:

1. Long lasting: Dried flowers can serve as a keepsake from the wedding day and last for several years as an everlasting reminder of your special day.

2. Unique Style: Dried and preserved flowers offer a unique and modern twist on traditional fresh flower arrangements, making them appealing for couples seeking a non-traditional wedding style.

3. Mix Preserved & Fresh: This gives you a larger arrangement at a more economical price point. At the same time, it also allows you to repurpose the preserved flowers.

4. Budget-Friendly: Dried flowers offer great value as they are often more affordable, longer-lasting, and accessible, making them a popular option for couples on a tight wedding budget.

5. Sustainable: Dried flowers are a sustainable option, reducing the carbon footprint and waste associated with fresh flower arrangements.

6. Versatile: Dried flowers are available in various colours, textures, and shapes, making them work really well with all different sorts of wedding themes and styles. In recent years the range has drastically expanded, so whatever your style might be, there are dried & preserved flowers to match!

7. Time: Dried and preserved flowers do not have the same time constraints as fresh flowers and can be ordered well in advance, reducing stress for brides and grooms planning their weddings. Being able to order and prepare ahead gives couples peace of mind.

A bohemian (boho) wedding is a relaxed, eclectic, and non-traditional style incorporating natural, organic, and vintage elements.

BOHO WEDDINGS

Boho weddings are increasingly popular, but what exactly is a Boho wedding? A bohemian (boho) wedding is a relaxed, eclectic, and non-traditional style incorporating natural, organic, and vintage elements. Boho weddings are inspired by bohemian culture, which has a focus on creativity, individuality, and free-spiritedness. Boho weddings usually feature natural and earthy colours, free-flowing fabrics, and eclectic music and food choices. The focus is on creating a relaxed, festive atmosphere that feels really authentic, and personal to the couple.

Dried and preserved flowers that work well with boho weddings include:

• Baby's Breath / Gypsophila: A classic preserved flower that adds a delicate touch to boho weddings and is available in various colours.

• Pampas Grass: A large, feathery grass that adds texture and height to boho wedding arrangements. But be aware there are restrictions in Australia, as we discussed in an earlier blog article, "Pampas Grass Australia, everything you need to know."

• Dried Palms: Palms come in all different shapes, sizes, and colours, and often the natural tones are an excellent fit for Boho weddings.

• Australian dried flowers: A range of Australian native dried flowers like eucalyptus, banksias, or palms are also a great fit for people that love to support locals. 

• Bunny Tails: A soft grass, also known as Lagurus, adds movement and texture to boho wedding arrangements.

• Preserved Roses: No other flowers reflect love more than roses right?

But as mentioned before, the focus with boho weddings is on individuality and creativity. Mix and match as you please, because it's your day, and you can do what you want! 

WEDDING STYLES

In Australia, apart from the boho wedding, there are many other popular wedding styles, including:

• Beach wedding: A real Australian laid-back and casual wedding style that incorporates the beach's natural beauty and beach-themed decor.

• A garden wedding is a romantic and intimate wedding in a garden setting, surrounded by flowers and Australia's natural beauty.

• Rustic wedding: A charming, homely, and sometimes country wedding style that incorporates natural and raw elements such as wood, stone, and earthy decorations.

• Vintage wedding: A romantic and timeless wedding style that has a focus on vintage elements, like, for example, vintage cars, antique furniture, and vintage-inspired decorations.

• Modern wedding: This wedding style is sleek and contemporary that embraces modern elements, such as clean lines, geometric shapes, and minimalist decorations.

• Destination wedding: A wedding style where the couple and guests travel to a distant location for the wedding ceremony and celebration. Of course, Australia can be the destination, too, if you have guests arriving from overseas!

• Fairy-tale wedding: A romantic and magical wedding style that incorporates fairy tale-inspired elements, such as whimsical decor, elegant dresses, and enchanted settings.

• Winery wedding: Australia is famous for its incredible wineries in stunning surroundings. This sophisticated wedding style takes place in a winery or vineyard setting, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, all in Australia's beautiful landscape.

DIY or PROFESSIONAL FLORIST? HERE ARE THE PROS AND CONS

DIY weddings are gaining popularity, but there are some significant benefits to working with a professional florist on your big day. Below we have listed some pros and cons of both options.

Pros of Dried & Preserved Wedding Florals done by a Professional Florist:

• Experience: Professional florists often have years of experience and expertise in designing and arranging dried and preserved wedding florals, using special floral techniques, and ensuring top quality, leaving nothing to chance.

• Time-Saving: Working with a professional florist can save you time and effort, as the florist will handle all aspects of the floral design process, from consulting, sourcing, and arranging the flowers to setting up and dismantling the arrangements before and after the wedding day.

• Creative ideas: Florists are also great for bouncing creative ideas off and can help you develop a design and style that is a perfect fit for you. 

• Access to Quality Flowers: Professional florists often have access to a broader selection of high-quality wholesale flowers.

• Stress-Free: Working with a professional florist can help to reduce stress and ensure a smooth wedding day, as the florist will handle all aspects of the floral design process, freeing up the couple to focus on other wedding preparations.

Cons of Dried & Preserved Wedding Florals done by a Professional Florist:

• Cost: Some professional florists can be expensive, especially for large or elaborate arrangements, and may not fit into everyone’s wedding budget.

• Limited flexibility: A couple may have limited control over (late) changes in the design and style of the floral arrangements, as florists plan and prepare ahead and are not always happy to accommodate last-minute changes.

Pros of DIY Dried & Preserved Wedding Florals:

• Cost-Effective: Making your own floral arrangements for a DIY wedding can save you money, especially for small or straightforward arrangements.

• Personal Touch: Making your own floral arrangements for a DIY wedding allows for personalization and adding your personality to the arrangements, making them more meaningful and unique.

• Flexibility: Designing the floral arrangements for a DIY wedding yourself gives you more control and flexibility over the design and style of the floral arrangements and designs.

• Enjoying the experience: Lots of people love to be hands-on and get creative. Especially with the help of YouTube tutorials, many enjoy the experience of creating their own wedding flowers.

• Prepare in advance: You can buy and prepare your dried and preserved flowers well before the big day, giving you peace of mind in the lead-up to the big day.

Cons of DIY Dried & Preserved Wedding Florals:

• Time-Consuming: It can be time-consuming and require significant effort and preparation, to make the floral arrangements for a DIY wedding yourself.

• Lack of Experience: Without experience in floral design, you may struggle to create beautiful and matching floral designs and arrangements, leading to frustration and disappointment.

• Stressful: Designing the floral arrangements for a DIY wedding yourself can add to the already high stress that comes with wedding planning, especially if you leave it too late.

• Access to Flowers: Without access to a florist's wholesale network, you may struggle to source the required dried and preserved flowers, which can impact the final result.

13 WAYS TO INCORPORATE DRIED & PRESERVED FLOWERS IN YOUR WEDDING

1. Bouquets: Dried and preserved flowers can be used to create beautiful and long-lasting bridal bouquets, as well as bouquets for the bridal party.

2. Centerpieces: Use them to create stunning and unique centerpieces for tables. Remember that they can't be too high, as the guest still want to see each other!

3. Wedding Arch Decorations: Create eye-catching floral arches as a backdrop for the ceremony or reception.

4. Wedding Aisle Decorations: Line the wedding aisle with dried & preserved flowers, adding a touch of elegance and natural beauty.

5. Floral Crowns: Create unique and beautiful dried floral crowns for the bride, bridesmaids, or flower boys and girls.

6. Buttonholes: Dried & preserved flowers are ideal for making buttonholes for the groom, groomsmen, and other wedding guests.

7. Hair Accessories: Using dried & preserved flowers for hair accessories is another great idea! Examples are pins and headbands.

8. Table Decorations: Create beautiful and unique table decorations, such as place cards, napkin rings, and table runners.

9. Wedding Cake Toppers: Dried and preserved flowers are ideal for creating stunning and unique wedding cake toppers. We have discussed some great examples, including a few tips and tricks in a previous blog article: "The Secrets Behind Dried Flowers Cake Decorations."

10. Wedding Invitations: Dried and preserved flowers can add a touch of natural beauty to wedding invitations.

11. Wedding Favours: Create unique and memorable wedding favours. You can even include a little card with a personal thank you message.

12. Hanging Decorations: Create beautiful and unique (wall) hanging decorations, such as wreaths and garlands.

13. Wedding Car Decorations: What to think of dried and preserved flowers to decorate the wedding car. Surely that will leave an everlasting impression!

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, dried and preserved flowers are a versatile and beautiful option for Australian weddings and wedding decoration. With their long-lasting beauty and unique natural charm, they offer a range of possibilities for bringing a touch of nature to any wedding celebration on any budget. Whether you work with a professional florist or go the DIY route, dried and preserved flowers are a timeless and eco-friendly option for weddings, sure to leave a lasting impression. So, if you're planning a wedding, consider incorporating dried and preserved flowers into your celebration for a touch of natural beauty that will be remembered for years to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ader Broersen – Ader is Co-owner, Marketing & Sales Director at All InSeason Australia & New Zealand | 20+ years of experience in the agricultural/flower industry both in Holland and Australia with a passion for flowers.

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