When you’re planning your wedding, flowers are one of the major items to budget. Fresh flowers are beautiful and offer an incredible fragrance, but can be quite expensive. As a result, some couples want an alternative to traditional blooms. Now we’re seeing more brides carrying dried wildflower bouquets down the aisle and couples creating chic centerpieces from preserved flowers, along with a big boom in botanical boutonnieres.
Based on affordability and style, it’s easy to see why they’re trending… but are dried bouquets the right choice for you? In this blog post, we’ll cover the pros and cons of dried flower bouquets vs fresh, along with beautiful examples using a variety of stems, wildflowers, and preserved flowers. We’ll also steer you in the right direction regarding where to purchase preserved bouquets for weddings and why it matters where you shop. Let’s get started!
Can you use dried flowers for a wedding bouquet?
Yes! You can definitely use dried and preserved flowers for your bouquet. As a result, you’ll get a more country-inspired and whimsical bouquet that has a boho twist vs. the traditional look of a fresh flower bouquet.
Where can you buy dried bouquets?
Locally, you may find some dried and preserved flowers in your area or at a local farmer’s market. Online, though, it’s getting trickier to find. One of the best places to buy dried wedding bouquets that are made of high-quality materials and properly preserved is The Flower Patch. We like it because it’s USA-made and shipping is USDA certified (um, and they’re amazingly gorgeous).
Pros and Cons of Dried Bouquets vs. Fresh Flowers
If you’re not sure whether dried bouquets are right for you, here are some pros and cons to learn the difference.
Pros
Dried Flowers are Longer Lasting
Dried flower bouquets are preserved, so they’re made to last. You won’t have to throw away your bouquet when it wilts!
Interesting Textures and Styles
You can get some amazing textures with dried bouquets vs. fresh blooms.
Preserved Flowers are More Durable
Since the flowers are already dried, you won’t need to place them in water before the nuptials. In addition, they are a bit more durable in weather.
Dried Flowers Can Be More Affordable
Dried flower bouquets are an affordable alternative to fresh flowers. However, this will depend on the size and type of flowers you purchase.
Cons
Unique Look
If you prefer a traditional style of bouquet, dried may not have the look you’re going for. This is a pro and not a con, however, if a unique style is what you’re after. :)
Not As Fragrant as Fresh Flowers
You won’t have the same strong fragrance as fresh (but the dried flowers you select can still offer some fragrant options).
Dried Can Be More Difficult to Source and Ship
Many couples complain that dried flowers are harder to find than fresh blooms, especially when you want flowers grown and harvested in the USA. You also want a reputable USDA-certified seller to ship its preserved flowers in the United States. (Lucky for you, we’re here to help you find dried wildflower bouquets with all of those attributes!) :)
Where to Buy Dried Wildflower Bouquets on Etsy
The best place to buy dried bouquets for wedding decor is The Flower Patch on Etsy! We love this shop for many reasons including the following.
1) This shop offers the most AMAZING bouquets.
2) They are highly rated by real customers.
3) These bouquets are grown, harvested, and shipped in the USA. They are also certified by the USDA for shipping, so you can shop with ease.
Now that you know some of the pros and cons of dried flower bouquets, let’s take a look at some lovely examples.
1. Peony and Wheat Pastel
I love peonies, so keeping them looking gorgeous in a dried flower bouquet is a dream come true! Carry this pastel bouquet down the aisle for a one-of-a-kind arrangement. By TheFlowerPatch.
2. Garden Flower Bouquet
Gorgeous!
3. Strawflowers and Pods
This bouquet features fragrant preserved flowers: sweet Annie, annual statice, flax, wheat, strawflowers, and nigella pods, among a few others. Beautiful! It is tied with lace burlap ribbon and jute.
4. Dried Peony Wildflowers
5. Meadow
6. Shabby Chic
7. Calico
Additional Dried and Preserved Flowers
Besides your wedding bouquet, dried wildflowers make a great accent for your decor and as an alternative to fresh flower boutonnieres. Give these boutonnieres to your groomsmen instead of fresh for a non-traditional twist.
Decorate your reception tables with these mini dried floral bouquets, preserved and perfect for a small vase!
In conclusion, there are pros and cons when it comes to dried bouquets for weddings vs. traditional fresh flower blooms. It all comes down to personal preference. Do you prefer the look of traditional flowers? Then go for it! Do you crave something unique and like how dried bouquets look? Go for it! When you look carefully at the pros and cons of each, it is easier to make a decision that works best for you. What do you think?
Now that you know more, it’s time to shop some dried options: click here to see more bouquets from this beautiful shop!
