Image: Florence & Flowers
Dried flowers enjoyed a resurgence in popularity a few years back and it seems that the trend is going nowhere fast, particularly in the world of floral arrangements and wedding bouquets. The hashtag #driedflowers currently has around 3,800,000 posts on Instagram, reflecting a mammoth following for dried floral trends. Plus, related tags like #driedflowerwedding, #driedflowersbouquet, #driedflowersstyle, and #driedflowershop, are also popular in posts showcasing dried flower arrangements and home decor. We can expect the trend to continue to grow, especially among users interested in boho-style decor.
Fear not! It’s not all dried palms and pampas grass like it was in the 70s, when the ultimate Bohemian look was very desirable. Today, there are some exquisite dried and preserved products on the market to help you achieve any look and feel you want in a sustainable way.
Their aesthetic appeal, combined with their sustainable nature not only make dried and preserved florals a beautiful, unique touch to a monumental occasion, but their sustainability makes them wonderful keepsakes too.
In this guide, we’ll share our product insights, advice and tips to help you create stunning preserved or dried flower arrangements for weddings, from bouquets and table centrepieces to full decorative displays. Whether you're designing for your own wedding or for a client’s, we will help steer and guide you into how to create beautiful, timeless floral pieces that add elegance and charm to any celebration.
Image: Florence & Flowers
For further information, advice or recommendations of trusted dried flower bouquet wedding designers in your area: Call 0330 912 8630 or email info@atlasflowers.com.
Popular Types of Preserved and Dried Flowers for Wedding Bouquets
Couples still seem to love a natural, simple palette for their wedding flowers which appeal to the bohemian side, but the high-quality dried flowers that are now available mean that it is so much easier to create bouquets, table arrangements, and displays that fit any preferred colour, style, or wedding theme.
A wedding colour scheme will either be based purely on personal taste or it will be determined by the overall style or theme of the wedding. For example, to create a classic, romantic bouquet for a summer wedding using dried and preserved flowers, you could focus on blooms and foliage that bring soft textures, lush shapes, and a timeless colour palette of blush, white, ivory, and soft greens. Such as:
Hydrangeas
Preserved hydrangeas add a sense of volume and texture. Their rounded shape and soft hues make them ideal for a romantic, vintage-inspired look.
Eucalyptus
Preserved Ruscus and Eucalyptus Baby Blue make versatile foliage options for most bouquets.
Peonies
Preserved peonies, available in shades like pink and white, bring a lush, delicate beauty to the bouquet. Their full petals enhance the bouquet’s romantic feel, making them a popular choice for weddings.
Gypsophila
Dried Gypsophila is a timeless addition with its delicate, airy look. Its small, white blooms offer a cloud-like softness that complements the larger flowers and adds a sense of whimsy.
Preserved or Dried Roses
Iconic for romance, whether you are using dried roses with stems or preserved rose heads – there are many classic shades to choose from including soft pinks, ivory, and white, adding a luxurious touch to the bouquet.
Amaranthus
Great for adding texture and a cascading effect. Its trailing stems bring visual interest and work beautifully as part of a bouquet or hanging arrangement.
Lavender
Dried lavender provides both fragrance and a hint of colour. It pairs beautifully with roses and rodanthe, adding a touch of rustic charm!
Pampas Grass and Bunny Tails
For a modern touch, grasses add softness and dimension. The fluffy textures align well with a romantic theme without overpowering feature flowers.
Atlas Flowers
Alternatively, for a romantic winter wedding bouquet or arrangement, choose flowers in deeper, richer colours like burgundy, mauve, and antique pinks, which add warmth to the classic pastel pink and ivory tones. Dried and preserved roses, hydrangeas remain ideal, while adding wintery touches like eucalyptus, berries, and thistles to create a seasonal, textured look. Grasses like bunny tails will provide movement, softness and visual depth, and sprigs of pine or cedar add a subtle winter fragrance.
Images: Dried Limited
5 Top Tips for Choosing the Right Preserved and Dried Flowers for a Wedding Bouquet
To summarise the key things we have learned so far, here are our top tips for selecting the perfect flowers for your dried wedding bouquet.
Match flowers to your theme or season: Dried and preserved flowers are incredibly versatile and can complement any wedding theme. For a romantic, boho or rustic wedding, opt for classic blooms like preserved roses, traditional Eucalyptus Cinerea, and soft preserved hydrangeas in shades of blush, ivory, and light greens. For a winter wedding, opt for deeper tones like burgundy, mauve, and rich pinks, and incorporate seasonal elements like pine and thistles to add texture and warmth.
Blend textures for a layered look: A balanced bouquet combines various textures to create depth and intrigue. Consider combining fluffy pampas grass and bunny tails with softer preserved blooms like hydrangeas and peonies if you are going for a romantic feel.
Avoid overcrowding with fragile flowers: Some dried flowers, like delphiniums, celosia and certain grasses, can shed or break easily, especially in high-humidity environments or during transport. These need to be placed and featured carefully to avoid being damaged by heavier structured dried flowers like achillea, to ensure the bouquet remains balanced and long-lasting.
Select blooms that will stand the test of time: Dried flowers are perfect for creating lasting memories from your wedding day and will generally last for 12+ months when on display. Preserved flowers and foliage like roses and eucalyptus can hold their colour, shape (and sometimes scent!) beautifully well over time, allowing couples to keep their bouquets as keepsakes.
Be mindful when using eucalyptus: Preserved eucalyptus adds beautiful texture and greenery to wedding bouquets, but be cautious, as it can sometimes release dyes if not kept at stable temperatures and humidity. This could potentially stain light-coloured fabrics, so there's a small risk when used in bouquets. However, eucalyptus works wonderfully for decorating place settings, party favours, and venue decor, where staining isn’t a concern, and its lovely aroma and colour can truly shine!
How to Care for Your Dried Flower Wedding Bouquet
To keep your dried flower wedding bouquet in top condition before the big day, we recommend storing them in the box for as long as possible. If you keep them out of the box, dried flowers should not be affected by temperature as long as they are kept dry and not in direct sunlight. You can safely purchase dried flowers months in advance – anywhere from 3 to 6 months is ideal. If you are using preserved flowers, store your bouquet in a cool, dry, and dark place, ideally within a temperature range of 5-20°C, although room temperature is generally fine.
On the day, handle the bouquet carefully, avoiding unnecessary movement or jostling to prevent shedding.
After the event, if you plan to display your bouquet, keep it out of direct sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperatures, as these conditions can cause fading and make the flowers more brittle over time. If you are packing away and keeping in storage, place the bouquet in a box lined with tissue paper in a cool, dark place to keep it preserved. This way you will a cherished keepsake from your special day for years to come.
Image: Florence & Flowers
Where to Buy High-Quality Dried, Preserved and Faux Flowers for Wedding Bouquets
SSourcing high quality flowers from a reputable wholesaler like Atlas Flowers is ideal for large events of multiple bouquets, offering cost savings through bulk pricing and ensuring consistent quality. With a wide range of sustainably sourced dried and preserved flowers, Atlas Flowers provides ample options for different themes and styles. Our reliable supply and quality control processes simplify event planning, helping florists avoid last-minute purchases.
Atlas Flowers also boasts a wide range of pre-made bouquets, and ready-made options as well as bespoke floral services. Please enquire at your convenience by phone or email and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. 0333 270 8220 or info@atlasflowers.com.
FAQs on Dried Flower Wedding Bouquets
About the author:
Rob Copsey
Rob Copsey is the founder of Atlas Flowers, a London-based wholesale supplier specialising in high-quality, sustainably sourced dried, preserved, and artificial flowers. With deep roots in horticulture and a family legacy in the flower industry spanning four generations, Rob has nurtured a lifelong passion for the natural world. Since launching Atlas Flowers in 2006, he has maintained a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, collaborating with growers worldwide to source exceptional products with minimal ecological impact. Under his leadership, Atlas Flowers has grown into one of the UK’s leading suppliers, known for providing unique, eco-friendly floral options to florists, retailers, and beyond.
Date this article: December 2024