From voluminous bouquets and textured boutonnières to billowing aisle installations and lush centerpieces, flowers play a primary role in decorating weddings. While fresh flowers are typically the go-to choice, pressing flowers offers a unique way to showcase your blooms. Whether done professionally or as a DIY project, pressed flowers offer a beautifully preserved alternative to fresh varieties.
The process involves removing moisture from the petals, transforming them into flat, paper-thin shapes. Pressed flowers hold their vibrant, fresh appearance, making them ideal for spring and summer weddings, especially outdoor affairs. Plus, they can be stored properly and repurposed at home as lasting reminders of your special day.
Pressed flowers can be used in various ways, from adding them to invitations to framing them in table numbers or cake garnishes. Whether you choose a handful of blooms or a multitude, these preserved flowers bring organic charm to any celebration. For a dynamic look, mix varieties with different shapes, sizes, and colors. Select flowers that match your wedding theme—sunflowers for rustic weddings or anemones for a more modern feel. You can also opt for greenery, such as ferns or vines.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your pressed-flower wedding details, we’ve gathered 25 beautiful ideas. Keep scrolling to explore the endless possibilities.
01. Assign a Focal Flower
Set the tone for your garden-inspired wedding by using pressed flowers in your invitations. Designate one bloom, like a multi-petaled baby pink flower, as the focal point and add complementary smaller blooms, such as cream-colored buds, for balance. This contrast will help the main flower stand out and capture attention.
02. Elevate Your Wax Seal
Instead of overwhelming your wedding invitations with dense floral accents, add a more subtle touch by incorporating pressed flowers in your wax seals. For example, this couple sealed their picnic-themed invitations with delicate daisies, enhancing the stationery with a romantic and whimsical touch. Pairing the pressed flowers with illustrated floral designs creates a harmonious blend of nature and art.
03. Press Petals
For a more delicate and artistic touch, try pressing individual flower petals instead of whole flowers. Scatter these pressed petals onto your wedding invitations for a unique, romantic look. The soft peach and coral petals here complement the illustrated design, adding a layer of depth to the invitation.
04. Pair With Fresh Blooms
Make your wedding signage pop by adding pressed flowers, like on this welcome sign. The papery flowers set the tone for a joyful, vibrant celebration, and when paired with fresh flowers, the entrance feels organic and exuberant. This combination introduces your guests to the beauty of the wedding from the very start.
05. Showcase Foliage in Frames
Create a cozy, homey vibe at your reception by framing pressed flowers and hanging them on the wall. Place them near a focal piece like a bar, adding warmth and charm. A collection of pressed ferns framed in wood is ideal for a rustic setting, making the space feel inviting and intimate.
06. Choose an Acrylic Background
If you’re hosting a modern wedding, showcasing your pressed flowers against an acrylic backdrop is a chic way to highlight them. The translucent acrylic adds a sleek, contemporary look that doesn’t compete with the flowers. This effect, as seen in this California wedding, adds an elegant touch that perfectly complements a modern setting.
07. Use Edible Floral Accents
Bring an extra flair to your cocktail hour menu with pressed edible flowers like lavender, chamomile, or hibiscus. These colorful blooms not only make beautiful garnishes but also add flavor. You can place them on cheese or sprinkle them over crostinis, enhancing the aesthetics and the taste of your appetizers.
08. Select Seasonal Blossoms
Choosing seasonal flowers for your pressed-flower wedding décor ensures your arrangements look fresh and vibrant. Plus, using locally sourced flowers is an eco-friendly choice that can save you money. For a spring wedding, like this Texas affair, daisies and roses are perfect for capturing the essence of the season.
09. Designate Seating Assignments With Specific Varieties
A creative way to assign seats at your wedding reception is by using pressed flowers on your escort cards. You can designate each table with a specific type of flower, such as sunflowers for the fifth table or pansies for the ninth. This adds a personal and organized touch to your seating arrangements.
10.Introduce a Rustic Flair
Pressed flowers can be a perfect fit for a rustic wedding theme. Choose muted tones like dried petals and affix them to your escort cards for a natural look. Display the cards on a wooden board to enhance the rustic feel and keep the atmosphere relaxed and down-to-earth.
11. Opt for Ferns
For a botanical wedding, opt for pressed greenery such as ferns, vines, and leaves. Placing these pressed elements in elegant gold frames elevates the look, making it perfect for a chic and timeless celebration. Adding potted plants nearby reinforces the natural beauty of the scene.
12. Reinforce a Theme
Pressed flowers can also help reinforce the theme of your wedding, particularly if you’re going for a romantic aesthetic. In this setting, pink pressed flowers paired with pink glassware and blue linens perfectly match the floral centerpiece, creating a cohesive and dreamy atmosphere.
13. Stick to a Color Scheme
A cohesive color scheme is key when incorporating pressed flowers into your wedding décor. Make sure the flowers you choose complement the rest of your tablescape. This California wedding used pink flowers in lucite place cards that matched the pink velvet tablecloth, creating a seamless look.
14. Infuse Sophistication With Monochromatic Tones
For a timeless, elegant look, opt for a monochromatic color scheme. White pressed flowers on your place cards, paired with white plates, napkins, and menu cards, create a sophisticated and refined ambiance. This style exudes class, making it perfect for a more formal affair.
15 . Highlight the Couple’s Seats
Give the couple of honor’s seats a special touch by adding pressed flowers to their place cards. Whether it’s your first names or your new married titles, etch them on glass and frame them with blooms. This detail will set your seats apart and highlight the importance of your presence at the head table.
