Erin and Tim (above) were married at Hollin Hall on Saturday, September 4, 2010. Bunny and David exchanged vows in the walled garden on Sunday, September 5. We're looking forward to posting their stories in a future blog.

Preserving Your Wedding Flowers

(excerpted from a presentation by All Seasons Floral Preservation, 2/07)

All Seasons Floral Preservation will be among the wedding service providers exhibiting their work at the Gourmet Tasting and Boutique Bridal Fair at Hollin Hall on Wednesday, September 15, 5-8 p.m. See http://www.hollinhallweddings.com for registration information.

There are two common methods of flower preservation. "Freeze drying" is a process that results in a 3-D floral arrangement, typically displayed in a table top dome or shadow box. With this method, the flowers are very fragile and brittle and, as a result, may deteriorate and crumble over time. "Pressing" is a process that became popular in the Western world during the Victorian Age. Pressed floral art created with your wedding flowers will be in a frame that can either hang on a wall or be placed in a stand for table top/shelf display. This technique results in a floral design that is literally "pressed" against the glass, thus remaining in a fixed position for you to enjoy for years to come.

Because the freshest flowers make the most beautiful art, your florist plays a key role in the outcome of your artwork. Choose a florist who will use high quality, fresh flowers and arrange them in a way that is not only beatiful, but "durable." The wedding and reception are high enery events that can take quite a toll on a poorly constructed bouquet. The better condition the flowers are in when they are delivered for pressing, the better the otcome of your floral art.

During the pressing process it is natural for the colors of the flowers to change somewhat. Generally speaking, flowers with an "intense" color will press darker--red roses will become a deep burgundy; while flowers with a "softer" color will become lighter--pale pink and white flowers will become a cream color. During a design consultation, it is important to discuss your specific flowers and how they will look once they are pressed.