Earlier this week I wrote a post on how to design a fascinator with pipe cleaners. I wanted to elaborate on a method that allows to keep any design – with no water source, such as flower crowns, corsages, boutonniers, masks, headpieces, etc…- hydrated for 5 days or even longer.

Two years ago I attended a workshop taught by the magical German designer Gregor Lersch. We learned how to create a hydration chamber for designs that had no water source.

I wish I would have known about this 24 years ago when I started my business… Instead of making corsages, boutonniers and flower crowns in the middle of the night before the wedding, I could have made them on Tuesday…The method is so simple and it is a total game changer! It also allows to use flowers that I never would have thought of using without a water source, like sweetpeas, pansies, lilac, honeysuckle and many more.

1. Cover the bottom of an air tight container with wet paper towels

2. After misting the fascinator with water, place it in the box and cover it with another layer of wet paper towels

3. Seal the box. Put it in the cooler (or in a cool room). The moisture will hydrate the flowers perfectly and after 5 days they will still look impeccable.

I like to check the designs every day, but never have had to replace a single flower.

This method comes in super handy for any design made without a water source. For large events, weddings  or photo shoots that involve multiple designs, we can design up to 5 days before the event.

Another option is to hydrate the flowers in the airtight box for at least 24 hours in the box and then make the design (for example if you make a wired cascading bouquet).

If you make larger designs like headpieces or dresses etc, you can use a large plastic bag to store your design in, after covering it with the wet paper towels and then sealing it with a tight knot.

 

PS: Do keep in mind that if the event happens outdoors on a super hot day, that it is a good idea to use less fragile flowers and lots of textures like seedpods, succulents and sedums and highlight the designs with few flowers. Remember that on any given day the temperature in the sun will be about 20 degrees hotter than in the shade.  So on a 85 degree day, the temperature will be 105 in the sun. No matter how well hydrated the flowers are, they will not do very well for several hours in that kind of heat. The bottom line is to use common sense!