The Citizen, 2015-02-26, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015. PAGE 19.
Preserve parts of your wedding day... literally
Keep an
open mind
MS –A bride’s gown may garner
its share of attention come her
wedding day, but floral
arrangements also tend to impress
guests. Fresh flowers make a
wedding and the ensuing reception
more inviting and appealing.
According to some studies,
couples can expect to spend eight
per cent of their wedding budget on
flowers. For the average wedding,
that equates to roughly $2,000 for
various arrangements and bouquets.
That can be a considerable expense
for fragile flowers with a shelf life of
only a day or two.
But instead of tossing beautiful
bouquets and other flowers into the
garbage once the wedding day has
come and gone, couples can employ
various methods to preserve those
impressive displays for years to
come.
• Air drying: One of the easiest
ways to preserve flowers is to dry
them out. This is best done by
hanging blooms upside down so
they will remain straight and not
warp or wither while drying.
Secure flowers in small bundles
and hang from an out-of-the-way
spot in a cool, dry area. The flowers
may need to remain hanging for up
to three weeks before they are
completely dried out. After which,
gently remove the flowers and
arrange them in a vase or another
container. Otherwise, reassemble a
bouquet how it was and carefully
display.
• Pressing:Pressing is another
way to preserve floral bouquets and
arrangements. To press flowers, find
a few heavy books to stack or
another weighted object. Place the
flowers between parchment paper or
waxed paper and lay the heavy items
on top. You also can place the
flowers in tissue paper between the
pages of a book so they are not
jostled.
Leave the blooms for a week or
two and then check on them before
putting them in a shadow box or
photo frame.
• Chemical drying: Silica gel,
borax and regular sand can be used
to dry and preserve flowers as well.
These can be handy for people who
desire to preserve an entire bouquet
as-is.
Silica gel is a desiccant commonly
found in small packets inside of new
shoes and purses. It also can be
purchased at home improvement
retailers and is used to dry out musty
basements and other areas.
Fill a deep container halfway with
the silica gel or other drying
material. Put in the bouquet and then
gently add more product to the top
of the flowers so they are completely
submerged. Place a snug cover over
the top of the container and let
everything sit for about a week.
Slowly the moisture will be
absorbed from the flowers.
Some people choose to spray
dried flowers with a sealant to keep
them looking nice longer. An all-
purpose craft spray might work. You
also can ask for recommendations
from the florist who handled your
arrangements, and that florist may
even preserve the flowers for you for
an additional fee.
Continued from page 16
the centre of the tables.
• Food and beverage pairings:
Food-forward wedding couples are
offering guests mouthwatering
appetizers matched with a cocktail.
A slider and a craft beer or a
dumpling and a shot of saki are
examples of this trend.
• Non-traditional 'fake' cakes:
Instead of a multi-tiered cake or the
cupcake fad that is starting to fizzle,
couples are now opting for
something new. Desserts that mimic
the look of cake, but aren’t quite that
combination of sponge and frosting
are trending. Crepes, pies, cookies
and doughnuts are acceptable and
can add a creative spark to the cake-
cutting ceremony. When offered
along with dessert stations, guests
can certainly get their fill of sweet
delights.
• Vegan and gluten-free options:
Chances are one or more people
attending the reception will be on a
restricted diet. Rather than relegate
these guests to dining on side dishes
and patchwork meals, certain
couples are building entire offerings
around vegan and gluten-free foods.
Couples are getting creative with
their food and beverage offerings at
their weddings. Guests never know
which culinary wonders they will
encounter as they gather to wish the
newlyweds well.
and Receptions
and Rehearsal Parties
and Stag & Does
and so much more!
Hwy. 8, Goderich 519-524-2229
and Receptionsa
and Rehearsal PartiesdRehndn
We DoWe Do
WeddingsWeddings
Wedding
Specialist
3 Bridal Floral Packages
to choose from packages include:
• one hand tied bride’s bouquet
• three attendant’s bouquets
• a flowergirl bouquet
• two mother’s corsages
• three sweetheart rose corsages
• one groom’s boutonniere
• seven wedding party member boutonnieres
Starting at
$399
Call our Floral Specialist ~ 519-524-1072
Custom Wedding Orders
available
or choose from our
3 Bridal Floral Packages
WINGHAM
LEGION
Catering available for
weddings and parties.
Hall rentals for
weddings, buck & does,
anniversaries.
519-357-2126
Seaforth Jewellers Ltd.S
We have everything to make
your day special!
Engagement & Wedding Rings
Attendant’s gifts - engraved
and gift-wrapped FREE.
Drop in Today!
Private Appointment Upon Request
47 Main St., Seaforth
519-527-0270 Bridal Registry Services
2015 Wedding Showcase
Keep the day alive
You can preserve the memory of your wedding day in your
mind, or can physically do it with these tips. (MS photo)
Banquet, Wedding
and Buck & Doe
facilities to help you celebrate in style
THE MUNICIPALITY
OF CENTRAL
HURON
Holmesville Hall
HOLMESVILLE
CAPACITY: 300 persons
Clinton Town Hall/Auditorium
23 ALBERT STREET • CLINTON
CAPACITY: 150 persons
Auburn Memorial Hall
AUBURN
CAPACITY: 150 persons 519-526-7425
Londesboro Community Hall
LONDESBORO
CAPACITY: 125 persons Managed and operated by
The Londesboro Lions Club 519-523-9606
Central Huron Community Complex
CLINTON
CAPACITY: 400 Libro Community Hall and
CAPACITY: 1000 Eastlink Arena Floor 519-482-3997
For complete rental information call
Belinda Axford 519-482-3997, ext. 1221
For inquiries about your Marriage licence or booking a
Civil Marriage service contact the Clerk’s Office,
23 Albert Street, Clinton 519-482-3997.
AT ONE OF OUR SIX COMMUNITY CENTRES
Kinburn Hall
KINBURN
Mary and Carl Merner 519-482-7143