Ways to Use Rose Petals for Any Event

Traditionally, the main use for rose petals is for confetti, this makes for stunning photos and is a great opportunity for your guests to participate in your ceremony.  But of course, being rose enthusiasts, we couldn’t help coming up with a few more creative options too, to add some wow factor to one of the most important days of your life.

Rose petals are becoming an increasingly popular wedding decoration, and with roses symbolizing love, joy, and beauty, it is hardly surprising that brides want to include them in their weddings. There are plenty of companies that specialize in preserved or freeze dried rose petals that can be used on your big day without losing their color or shape.

What are rose petals used for?

Wedding rose petals have a wide variety of uses, but their main function is a natural alternative to paper confetti. Many venues no longer allow traditional rice or confetti, so brides are choosing rose petals instead, which are completely biodegradable. Petals can be placed in attractive envelopes, bags or cones, and handed out to guests as they arrive at the ceremony.

Another possible use for rose petals is to create a petal-strewn aisle for your professional. The rose petals can be arranged in advance of the wedding, or a flower girl can be the first down the aisle with a basket of rose petals, scattering them as she goes.

Finally rose petals can be used to decorate the tables for the wedding reception. A sprinkling of rose petals on crisp white linen can create a romantic effect, especially when candle lit. Rose petals can also be used to create simple table centers. An oversized martini glass full of rose petals that are overflowing onto the table makes an elegant centerpiece.

How much will you need?

The volume of rose petals that you will need depends on how you are using them. One liter of rose petals will provide throwing confetti for around twenty guests. If you are creating a rose petal aisle, 2.5 liters will cover about 2 square meters of floor space. If you want to decorate your tables, 2.5 liters will provide a sprinkling for ten average sized tables.

How should you store the rose petals?

Freeze dried or preserved rose petals will last longer than you think, and as long as they are stored properly, they can be kept for up to four months. Rose petals need to be stored at room temperature, in a dark place, away from any form of moisture. Your rose petals will be delivered in specialized containers, and it is best to leave it as late as possible to remove them from these and place them in bags and cones, or on tables.

What color rose petals can you have?

If you want naturally colored rose petals you may be limited to reds, yellows, pinks, and whites, and your supplier may not be able to guarantee the exact shade you will receive. However, preserved rose petals can also be color enhanced, so you can choose almost any shade to complement your wedding color scheme.

Don’t forget to think about the significance of your rose petal colors. White roses signify innocence, while ivory roses indicate fidelity. Bright red roses symbolize passion, while darker reds mean gratitude. Be careful with yellow roses which symbolize jealousy.

Traditionally thrown before the bride walks down the aisle, rose petals are commonly associated with the flower girl.  These petals are thrown to ward off evil spirits that may lurk below the aisle underground.  Tradition also says that yellow petals will ensure faithfulness in the marriage.  Also associated with Mother Nature, rose petals are thought to grant fertility to the bride as she walks through them.

Still used primarily to toss on the aisle, rose petals have developed into a versatile flower for adding romance and charm to any wedding ceremony or reception.  They often adorn dinner tables, seating areas, serving tables and wedding cakes.  A bed of petals can create a unique way to display the guests’ place cards or table gift arrangements.   Available in all shades of colors, rose petals are a simple way to create the desired atmosphere for both indoor and outdoor weddings.

Rose petals have also become a common substitution for rice or confetti throwing.  Grains were once used to shower the newlyweds wishing them a “fruitful” union.  The fertility of the seeds would fall upon the couple and bless them with a fertile marriage.   Maintaining the same symbolic meaning, fresh rose petals are a colorful – not to mention the softer version of rice throwing as the newlyweds make their getaway!

How to care your rose petals?

Rose petals can be a lovely decoration for weddings, parties, and table arrangements. Try to use your rose petals as quickly as possible once you have plucked them from the plant. However, if you can’t use your petals right away, you can store them in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

1.       Remove the petals from the flower. Gently shake off any insects and discard any damaged blooms or petals. To remove the petals from the rose: Grip the closed bud very lightly just below the petals an then squeeze around the base just below the petals and gently twist the stem to loosen the petals. Grip very carefully to avoid bruising your petals.

2.       Wet a paper towel. Take a paper towel or paper napkin, fold it a few times, and wet it slightly. It should be able to hold the water like a sponge without dripping. Place the wet paper towel into a clear plastic bag or plastic freezer bag (ideally one with a zip closure or press seal).

Alternately you can use a Tupperware container or some kind of plastic boxes such as an old margarine or ice cream container. Just make sure it’s clean and dry.

3.       Put the wet paper towel at the bottom of your bag or container. Place the rose petals on top of the paper towel. Don’t cram them into the bag or box as they are likely to bruise and break. Use several bags or boxes if required.

Air should be able to circulate around the rose petals; this will help prevent them from rotting.

4.       Close the bag using the zip lock or put the lid on the box. Put the bag carefully into the fridge. Place your contained rose petals on their own shelf so that nothing can fall on them. You can stack the bags on top of each other but make sure nothing heavy rests on them.

Make sure that they don’t touch any part of the fridge that may cause them to freeze. For example, don’t let them touch the back wall of the fridge as this is sometimes icy and will freeze them. Freezing will cause your petals to become mushy.

5.       Take the bags out every other day until you use them. It’s important to take the bags out every other day. Give the bag a gentle shake and turn it over. This stops the petals from sticking together and helps air circulate in the bags.

6.       Store your petals for three to seven days. It’s sometimes possible to keep rose petals fresh for up to a week in a fridge but try to take them out before the seven days are up. Ideally, you should use the rose petals as quickly as possible after harvesting them.

Try to use the petals within three days of plucking them from the flower.

7.       Consider drying your rose petals after you have used them. After using your petals for your event, you can try drying them for use in potpourri. Lay them out in a single layer in a dark dry place for about two weeks. Once dry, put the petals in a clean, dry jar. Add some drops of rose essential oil.

Give the jar a shake every few days for about a month before adding it to potpourri.

Remember you can always find the best rose petals and other wholesale flowers at www.wholeblossoms.com, and you can count with us for any of your floral needs!