At first I was mad at the mess, but then I realized the mess was created by hundreds of torn pieces from what was once my wedding bouquet–the very bouquet that I had taken the time to carefully dry and preserve, which was on display for over three years.

In retrospect, I know that I should never have left it in a place where the dog could have easy access.  So, this got me thinking of some better ways to preserve your wedding flowers.  For all of you who are wondering what to do with your flowers after you big day, here are some fun ideas:

Press It - Some companies, such as Pressed In Time Flowers,  will take your wedding bouquet and turn it into a work of art by pressing it beautifully into a flat frame that can be set alone or paired with a photo or wedding invitation.

Freeze Dry It - Other companies, such as Timeless Flowers, will freeze dry your bouquet.  I find this method especially appealing because your flowers will retain the shape and color they had on your wedding day.

Dry It - This is the method that I used, and I still think its a good option. But please learn from me and be careful! When you dry your bouquet, the petals often loose their color and they can easily be damaged.  However, if you store your bouquet in the secure place this could be be the cheapest option.  Click here for a handy how to guide for drying flowers.

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