Picking the perfect flowers for your wedding takes time, thought and money. Don't let your flowers wear out before your guests can experience their beauty. Learn how to care for your flowers on your wedding day and to preserve them for years to come.

How can I make sure my flowers last through the wedding day?

Once the flowers arrive on your wedding day, they need care to last through the event. With careful preparation, your bouquets should look great throughout your entire wedding day. The florist should deliver your flowers misted, wrapped in cellophane and boxed.

• Assign a person to inspect the flowers once they've been delivered.

• Don't place the flowers near a heat source - the heat will cause wilting.

• Dry the stems and snip bruised buds or crushed petals before you distribute them to the wedding party.

What does a flower preservationist do?

A preservationist will freeze-dry your flowers to keep them full, smooth and in their original colors. Several preservation companies create shadow boxes in which they combine dried flowers with other items from the wedding, like the invitation or a photograph of you and your new spouse.

What questions should I ask a preservationist?

Interview preservationists before deciding whom you'll trust with your flowers. Ask:

• What's your training and experience with freeze-drying flowers?
• How many years have you been preserving flowers?
• What preservation techniques do you offer?
• Do you use color enhancers?
• Do you provide post-treatments for durability?
• May I see samples of your work?
• Can you provide me with references?
• Can you dry my bouquet promptly after my wedding?
• How should I care for my bouquet before you get it?
• How much would you charge for my bouquet?
• When is payment due?

Also, bring in a picture or description of your bouquet to make the preservationist's estimate more accurate.

Which flowers are best for freeze-drying?

• Alstroemeria
• Amaranthus
• Aster
• Astilbe
• Calla lily
• Carnation
• Cattleya orchid
• Daffodil
• Dahlia
• Delphinium
• Dendrobium orchid
• Dianthus
• Feverfew
• Freesia
• Gardenia
• Gladiolus
• Gypsophila
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Iris
• Liatris
• Lilac
• Lily
• Lily of the valley
• Lisianthus
• Peony
• Rose (all varieties)
• Snapdragon
• Statice

How can I dry my flowers at home?

If your flower budget doesn't include preserving your bouquet afterward, don't despair. Several flowers, including roses, can be air-dried at home. Use one of the following at-home methods:

• Assemble your bouquet and hang it upside down for two weeks.

• Preserve and press the petals and buds from your arrangements into your wedding album. Once they're dry, use them to decorate thank-you notes and stationery.

• Place flowers in a shoebox filled with an equal mixture of borax and cornmeal. Bury the flowers, and then gently remove the finished product after two weeks.

• Use silica gel. Place the flowers upside down in an airtight container and bury it with silica (you can find it at any craft store). After four days, carefully remove the flowers, then bury them right side up for three more days before removing.

Your beautiful flowers can remind you of your wedding day for years to come. Preserve them with love and you'll be able to reminisce about your romantic day.