How to use dried flowers at your wedding: Ideas and practical tips

Fresh seasonal wedding flowers have a lot of perks, but staying power isn't exactly one of them. Dried wedding flowers, on the other hand, turn up looking exactly as good as when you first ordered them, never need a drink, and will happily sit on your mantelpiece long after you've put your merry relatives in their taxis home. Little wonder they're now a wedding staple at everything from rustic barn venues to the UK's more alternative wedding venues. Looking at all things dried wedding flowers related, we've covered the difference between dried and preserved blooms, ideas for your wedding party, ceremony and reception, how to choose the right varieties, DIY tips, and practical advice for keeping everything looking its best on the big day.

Part of the appeal of dried wedding flowers is that they're incredibly versatile. From the moment guests arrive to the moment you're showered in petals, there's barely a corner of a wedding that dried flowers can't improve. They aren't limited by seasonal availability; they come in natural or dyed hues, and they suit romantic, modern and rustic schemes alike, whether that's in bouquets, buttonholes, hair accessories or table settings. Want to know how to make them work with your wedding aesthetic? Here are plenty of ideas to get you started.

You could go all in with a fully dried flower scheme, or slip a few seed heads and grasses among fresh blooms for the best of both worlds. Whichever route you take, a little know-how goes a long way. Dried florals behave quite differently from their fresh cousins, so alongside plenty of inspiration, we've included which varieties to actively seek out, and which might be less than ideal.

How to choose the right dried flowers

Dried flowers have a few quirks fresh ones don't, so choosing them is a mix of style and good sense. Start with the look you love, then make sure your choices will survive a long day of hugs, photos and dancing.

Match your theme and season

Burnt orange, berry and cream blooms interspersed with tall seed heads complement the rich burgundy bridesmaid dresses for an autumn wedding at Leez Priory in Essex

One of the joys of dried flowers is that they aren't tied to the seasons, so you can have summer meadow flowers at a December wedding if you fancy. That said, a palette that echoes your setting always looks most at home; just peruse the UK's best autumn wedding venues to see what we mean.

• Autumn and winter: Embrace moody hues such as rich chocolates, deep purples, burnt oranges and sage greens, mixed with textured foliage. They're perfect for countryside venues and candlelit barns. Or, go for the full festive experience with Christmassy wedding decor.
• Spring and summer: Go lighter with creams, blush pinks, soft yellows and bleached grasses, or dried roses and daisies for a sunny boho feel.
• Rustic and boho: Lean into the natural look with wheat, pampas, bunny tails and seed heads.
• Modern and minimal: A few sculptural stems, such as palm spears or a single variety in bulk, look sharp and pared back.

Mix textures and lengths

Mix stem lengths for shape and movement: tall pampas and wheat, mid-height fillers and trailing amaranthus, as in this bouquet by The Dried Flower Company (left), would do well as bridesmaid bouquets with a venue like Oxmoor Farm (right).

Combining textures is the quickest way to make an arrangement look considered rather than thrown together. Soft, fluffy grasses next to structured flower heads create movement and a more dramatic silhouette.

Pick robust varieties

Some dried flowers are hardier than others. That doesn't matter much for a vase on a windowsill, but it matters a lot for a bouquet you'll be clutching for 12 hours.

• Expect some shedding: Pampas in particular sheds, as do many fluffy grasses. That's fine on a high shelf, less so on a dark suit.
• Watch out for brittle stems: Delicate flowers such as dried hydrangea can crumble when knocked, so keep them away from areas with lots of traffic.
• Go preserved for personal flowers: Bouquets, buttonholes, corsages and hair pieces get handled constantly, so preserved stems' flexibility is worth the extra cost.
• Ask your florist which stems they'd trust in your hand all day. They'll know which varieties hold up.

Protect your outfit from stains

It's an unglamorous thought, but worth having before the big day rather than during it. Some dried flowers are dyed or bleached to get those striking colours, and dyes can occasionally transfer onto fabric, especially in damp weather or from warm hands.

Your anti-stain checklist:

• Ask whether stems are dyed, particularly very bright or unnatural shades.
• Test first: Rub a stem gently on a white cloth, or dampen a petal and press it to fabric, before it goes anywhere near your dress or suit.
• Wrap your bouquet handle in ribbon or fabric so nothing touches your outfit directly.
• Keep preserved flowers off delicate fabrics, as glycerine-treated stems can sometimes leave a residue in heat or humidity. Always check with your supplier.

Dried flower ideas for you and your wedding party

Your personal flowers are the ones that will appear in nearly every photo, so they're worth getting just right. They're also the most handled, so robustness matters here more than anywhere else.

Lean into the natural feel with your bouquet

The best thing about dried wedding flowers is the natural, just-gathered look they give an arrangement. Naturalistic and asymmetrical bouquets are very much in vogue, and a few dried flowers, or a bouquet made entirely from preserved blooms, suit rustic and relaxed weddings perfectly.

Stem+Stem offers bespoke flower arrangement workshops with advice and tips from Dee Reid as well as wedding floristry.

Dee creates bespoke arrangements for every wedding she works on, whether it's bouquets or installations, using British flowers grown by independent producers. Her florist and restaurant, Stem+Stem, also hosts Bouquet & Croquettes, a laid-back arranging workshop with snacks from the restaurant and tips from Dee herself. It also offers bespoke arranging sessions and wine tastings for bridal showers and hen parties, which is a rather lovely way to kick off the planning.

Swap the veil for a floral halo

Dried flower crowns and hair combs won't wilt halfway through the evening, making them a smart swap – as seen at The Woodland at Wasing (left). Right: a delicate dried hair piece in the making by @atelier.aimer

In the spirit of rewriting bridal traditions, why not wear a halo of dried blooms instead of a veil? It's weightless, it suits festival-style wedding celebrations, and it won't wilt by the first dance. Online retailers such as Etsy sell pre-made combs that slip neatly into finished hair: low effort, maximum impact. If you're going for a full flower crown, it doesn't have to be full Glasto energy either; you could go more tasteful with a simple ring of greenery.

Make dried buttonholes

Dried buttonholes are a natural counterpart for a dried bouquet, and there's little risk they'll flop halfway through the speeches. Preserved flowers are especially good here, as they're less likely to snap when someone gives the groom an enthusiastic hug (a very likely occurrence).

Ways to use dried flowers at your ceremony

The ceremony is when all eyes are on you, so it's worth making the backdrop count. Dried flowers come into their own here, and they can be set up hours in advance. That's always a plus in our books.

Border your aisle

Clusters of pampas, bunny tails and gypsophila line the aisle at Bowerchalke Barn, with pops of burnt orange that tie in with the bride's bouquet

Strut down the aisle surrounded by a mix of dried flowers for the ultimate entrance. Tie the colours in with your venue – white can look very striking in a rustic barn, whereas more colourful dried florals might work better in a lighter, brighter space. Tie bunches to the ends of pews or chairs, or cluster them in low vessels along the floor. If you're marrying by the sea or somewhere with a view, keep it low so they frame the scenery and don't obstruct the view.

Frame the moment with an arch or backdrop

At the altar itself, you might want a large arbour studded with smaller bunches (hanging in vases perhaps?), or an arch frame that's absolutely drenched in dried amaranthus and grasses. Pampas, palm spears, bunny tails, and dried hydrangea can all add volume. But scroll on for practical tips when it comes to larger installations.

Create all-natural confetti

This couple at The Old Kent Barn went with tiny dried flowers, a great biodegradable option which looks like snow or rice (which most venues won't allow).

Set up cones of dried flower petals at the entrance of your ceremony so your loved ones can shower you and your partner once you've tied the knot. A beautiful way to celebrate newlyweds, assemble your cones with a mixture of playful colours to create an enchanting scene for your wedding photographs. It's a truly unique way to mark the end of your ceremony, and ideal if you're throwing a woodland wedding.

How to use dried flowers at your reception and venue

Dried flowers can carry your floral scheme all the way to the dance floor, and there are a lot of reasons to go for dried reception flowers too. As they don't need water, they're brilliant for tables, walls and anything suspended overhead.

Make a grand floral entrance

Statement pillars of pampas and twisted branches frame the entrance at The Feathered Nest Inn, and take on a warm glow once the festoon lights come on.

Create a striking entrance by building a floral installation above the door, or on your welcome sign, to greet guests as soon as they arrive. For weddings during the cooler months, combine dried palm fronds, seed heads, and bracken for a rustic effect, while preserved roses and daisies would work for summer weddings with a boho feel.

Dress your tables

Amber glass bud vases filled with dried grasses bring an easy boho feel to the tables at The Woodland at Wasing. Just keep candle flames well clear of dry stems

Dried flowers work beautifully across a wedding table, from full-length runners to smaller details at each place setting. Try petite posies tucked into individual napkins, clusters of bud vases dotted along the table, or mismatched vessels filled with different dried stems for a more relaxed, collected look. For a winter wedding, weave dried grasses and seed heads through festive pine or eucalyptus fronds, letting their softer shapes break up a run of white crockery and glassware. You can also use individual stems as place-setting details, tying a sprig of statice, lavender or wheat to each napkin for an inexpensive finishing touch.

Create a hanging showstopper

A suspended cloud of pampas, gypsophila and eucalyptus makes the most of the beams at Tythe in Oxfordshire. Dried flowers weigh so little; overhead designs are actually easier to pull off than with fresh

Suspended clouds of dried flowers can make a real impact above a top table, dance floor or dining area, particularly in venues with high ceilings where there’s room for an installation to feel properly dramatic. They're also far lighter than their fresh equivalents, particularly given they don't need damp floristry foam. A word to the wise: they still need proper fixings and your venue's approval.

Decorate your cake

Pine cones and winter greenery give this cake at Penshurst Place in Kent a seasonal finish (left), while summer couples could look to a ring of dried blooms from Etsy for more colour and texture (right). 

A classic white cake is the perfect blank canvas for preserved grasses and blooms, which add a whimsical, fairytale finish. Pressed flowers are a lovely, flatter alternative. Make sure your baker knows exactly which stems are going on, as many dried flowers aren't food-safe and should be kept off the icing with a barrier or wrapped stems.

Think about favours and stationery

Dried flowers don't have to stop at decoration. Woven into the little details, they help tie your whole look together and give guests something charming to take home.

• Favours: Mini bundles of dried lavender, wildflower bunches or tiny posies in kraft paper make pretty, practical gifts.
• Invitations and save the dates: Pressed flowers on stationery set the tone from the very first envelope.
• Escort cards and seating plans: Tuck a sprig of something dried behind each name, or decorate your table plan with pressed flowers.
• Signage: A spray of dried stems on your welcome or bar sign ties everything together nicely.

DIY tips for dried wedding flowers

Dried flowers are one of the friendliest wedding DIY projects going, because you can make everything weeks or even months in advance. Whether you're drying your own blooms from the garden or arranging stems you've bought, these tips will help you get it right.

When to start

Give yourself plenty of time. Air drying usually takes two to three weeks, pressing about the same, and you'll want breathing space to arrange, rethink and redo. Aim to start at least three months before the wedding, and earlier if you're growing or foraging your own flowers, since you'll be at the mercy of the seasons.

How to dry flowers

There are a couple of ways to do this at home. If this is something you're keen on, make sure you do a bit of research to see which ones are most likely to work well. Then, gather up a little flower-drying army and make sure you have the right space and materials to make sure the whole process is super simple.

• Air drying: Tie small bunches and hang them upside down somewhere dark, dry and well-ventilated. Best for lavender, roses, statice, strawflowers, wheat and grasses.
• Silica gel: Bury flower heads in silica gel crystals in an airtight container for a few days. Best for delicate, fuller blooms that you want to keep their shape and colour.
• Pressing: Lay flowers flat between sheets of absorbent paper under heavy books or in a press. Best for stationery, cake decoration and framing.

Hanging bunches upside down is the classic way to air-dry flowers. The process is quite attractive, so this wedding at Ruffynes Barn even made it part of the decor. 

Common mistakes when drying flowers

Most DIY disasters come down to timing, light or moisture. The last thing you need is to discover some issue just weeks from the big day, so, if the idea of drying your own flowers for your wedding appeals, it's good to be aware of what can go wrong and why.

What glue is best for dried flowers?

The right glue depends on what you're sticking and where. Use the wrong one and you'll either scorch your petals or watch them drop off mid-ceremony.

• Cold floral adhesive: The florist's favourite for delicate work such as buttonholes, corsages and hair pieces. It's gentle on petals and stays slightly flexible.
• Low-temperature hot glue gun: Quick and strong for bulkier jobs such as fixing stems into frames, hoops, wreaths and signs. Keep it away from delicate petals.
• PVA or decoupage glue: Ideal for pressed flowers on paper, card or glass.
• Floral tape and wire: For bouquets and buttonholes, wiring and taping stems is often more secure than glue alone.

Practical tips for the big day

Dried flowers are famously low maintenance, but low isn't the same as none. A bit of planning will keep everything looking as good in the evening photos as it did in the morning.

Before the wedding: Storage and transport

If you've bought or made your flowers in advance, how you store them in the meantime matters as much as how you made them. If your wedding flower supplier is bringing them for set-up themselves, you can ask, but most professionals will have a solid routine for storing and transporting dried florals.

At the venue: Humidity, wind and weight

Open-sided outdoor ceremony areas like this one at Highden Events in West Sussex look magical, but make sure everything is tied securely and weighted in case of sudden gusts.

Humidity: damp air makes dried flowers droop and soften, and can make dyes run. Keep arrangements indoors or under cover where you can, especially for coastal and autumn weddings.
Wind: outdoor arrangements need weighted bases or secure fixings, as dried flowers are light enough to topple or blow away. Pampas, in particular, has a habit of going wherever the breeze takes it.
Weight and fixings: larger installations such as arches and hanging clouds may be lighter than fresh ones, but still need proper rigging. Check what your venue allows before anyone gets out a drill.
Candles and heat: dried flowers are highly flammable. Keep them well away from naked flames, use LED candles near arrangements, and ask your venue about its fire safety rules for decorations.
Confetti: check your venue's policy before you fill those cones, as many have rules on what can be thrown and where.

Your venue is where dried flowers face their real test. Rain, sea air, wind and warm marquees can all take their toll, so make sure you ask your coordinator and the events team what can be done to minimise any risk. 

On the day: Your emergency kit

Something might snap at some point; that's just the nature of flowers, whether they're dried or not! Store this kit somewhere a calm, capable bridesmaid or usher can find it if needed and nobody will ever know. 

• Cold floral adhesive or a small glue dot pack
• Floral wire and tape
• Spare stems for bouquets and buttonholes
• Extra pins for buttonholes and hair pieces
• Small scissors or snips
• A lint roller for shedding pampas
• A soft make-up brush for dusting off petals
• Ribbon to re-wrap a bouquet handle

Dried wedding flowers FAQs

Flowers are one of the most important boxes to tick when it comes to wedding planning. If you're still questioning whether dried wedding flowers are for you, the answers below should help.

Dried vs preserved wedding flowers: What's the difference?

The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they're definitely not the same thing. Knowing which is which will save you a few (pretty costly) surprises when ordering. The key difference is that dried flowers have had their moisture totally removed, typically by hanging them upside down somewhere warm and dark. Preserved blooms, meanwhile, go through a process where the natural moisture is replaced with a glycerine solution – keeping them soft and looking fresh.

What do they actually look and feel like?

• Dried flowers are lighter, more textured and tend to be more muted in colour. With that lovely papery, slightly vintage look, the trade-off is that they're brittle, so they need gentle handling.
• Preserved flowers stay supple and can often pass for fresh at first glance. They're a good shout for anything that will be held in the hands, pinned or worn all day, such as bouquets and buttonholes.
• Pressed flowers are dried flat between sheets of paper. This is a third option, largely made for stationery, place cards, cake decoration and framing.

Are dried wedding flowers cheaper than fresh ones?

Not always. Dried flowers can sometimes cost more than fresh because of the extra processing involved, especially preserved stems and dyed varieties. Where they can save you money is in flexibility: you can buy in advance, avoid paying premium prices for out-of-season blooms, make arrangements yourself and reuse them after the wedding. For context, UK couples spend around £1,187 on wedding flowers on average.

How long do dried wedding flowers last?

Dried and preserved flowers typically last one to three years, and often much longer with good care. Their colours will gradually soften over time, which many couples find rather charming. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from damp to make them last as long as possible.

How do I look after my dried bouquet after the wedding?

Your bouquet will happily live on for years if you give it the right home. Keep it somewhere dry, out of direct sunlight and away from steamy rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.

• Display it in a dry vase (no water, ever) or a glass dome.
• Dust it gently with a soft brush or a hairdryer on its coolest, lowest setting.
• Store it in a cardboard box lined with tissue paper if you're not displaying it.

What can I do to reuse dried flowers after the wedding?

Plenty, which is half the appeal. Rather than heading for the bin, your flowers can carry on brightening things up long after the confetti has been swept away.

• Frame your bouquet or pressed flowers from it in a shadow box.
• Split centrepieces into small posies and send them home with guests or family.
• Turn stems into a wreath for your front door.
• Use pressed petals for anniversary cards or a wedding album.
• Give arrangements to friends who are getting married next.

Can you mix fresh and dried flowers?

Absolutely, and it's a great way to try the trend without going all in. Just keep dried stems out of the water in mixed arrangements, as they'll soften and spoil. Use separate water tubes for fresh flowers, or add dried stems to arrangements without water, such as buttonholes and garlands.

Are dried wedding flowers more sustainable?

They can be. Dried flowers last for years rather than days, so less goes in the bin, and they can be reused or repurposed after the wedding. For the most eco-friendly choice, look for locally grown, undyed stems from British growers, and avoid floral foam where you can.

Throwing a boho bash? We've rounded up some of the UK's most remarkable barn wedding venues - trust us, you'll want to check these out. Or, if you prefer the flexibility of an indoor-outdoor arrangement, simply look to the country's best marquee wedding venues to start off your search. Looking for styling and planning tips instead? There's a newsletter for that; sign up for SquareMeal's wedding newsletter for all the latest.