Flowers play an integral role in Philadelphia weddings, whether they’re gracing tables, accentuating the altar, or accompanying the bride down the aisle. Yet, their delicate, temporal nature can make them the source of a lot of anxiety: no bride wants to have her gorgeous floral arrangements wilt halfway through the big day!
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Fortunately, there are several ways to ensure that you get the most out of your blooms for as long as possible. Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your bouquet and centerpieces looking fresh and fabulous throughout your wedding ceremony and reception in Philadelphia!
- If your wedding florist will deliver them to your house, make sure that the delivery occurs as close to the time they will be needed as possible. Florists are experts in keeping your flowers fresh and your blooms will fare much better in their temperature-controlled environment than anywhere else.
- When choosing the flowers for your bouquet and centerpieces, make sure to consider the time of year. Not all flowers have the same tolerance for hot summer temperatures than others. If you chose blooms that are appropriate for the climate and season, you will have much better results keeping them from drooping prematurely. Ask your florist for recommendations on what flowers will do best for your chosen time of year! In addition, small bouquets often hold together better than larger ones, which have a tendency to wilt quicker.
- Flowers bruise very easily! To avoid bruising and browning, avoid touching the blossoms with your fingers. Also, consider choosing flowers in darker colors if you are worried about browning. Even though white, pink, and light yellow flowers are gorgeous, they do tend to brown faster than their darker counterparts.
- Keeping flowers cool will make them last much longer! There’s nothing like heat to make a blossom wilt prematurely, so keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. When storing your flowers (especially boutonnieres and corsages, which can’t be put in a vase), keep them in a refrigerator or cooler. Keep in mind that the ideal temperature for flowers is between 40 °F and 50°F, while the recommended temperature for a refrigerator is around 37°F. If you plan to store your flowers in the fridge, make sure you raise the temperature. Also, be aware that some produce that may be innocently chilling in your refrigerator will cause your flowers to wilt faster due to a chemical they emit.
- The best kind of flower food to preserve your blooms is likely that specially formula, which can be purchased from your Philadelphia area wedding florist. There are numerous home mixtures, such as sugar water or aspirin in water, but it’s better to use what the pros suggest. Alternatively, it’s been shown that Sprite or 7-Up can really extend the life of your cut flowers.
- When it comes to flowers stored in vases, there are several important tricks to know! First, remove as much foliage from stems as possible before placing them in water. Leaves can cause bacteria to grow, which will make the water slimy and kill your flowers faster. Second, always cut your flowers before placing them in water: the stems form a sort of seal at their base when they are out of water for any length of time which will prevent them from drinking when placed back in. Cutting these stems will allow them to drink again and should be done with a sharp knife instead of scissors, which can inadvertently squish the stems and prevent them from absorbing water. When cutting stems, do so at an angle and under water, if possible, to prevent air from entering the opened stem. Always use warm or room-temperature water in your vases, as this allows plants to drink easier. Finally, always use sterile, clean vases to avoid the proliferation of bacteria, which will cause your flowers to die quicker.?
- Bouquets need water, too! Whenever your wedding bouquet is not in your hands, it should be in a container of water! Have a decorative container of water on hand to place the bouquet in during the reception. When you place it in water, snip off the stems a little at an angle to help the flowers hydrate more quickly. If you can’t place the bouquet in water, a little spritz of water from a spray bottle can do wonders!