Why You Shouldn’t Store Your Bridal Bouquet in a Hotel Food Fridge

One of the most common pieces of advice couples receive on their wedding day is to keep their bouquet cool and hydrated. However, many people are surprised to learn that a hotel kitchen or food fridge is not always the best place for wedding flowers.

While it may seem like the obvious solution, food refrigeration and flower storage are designed for very different purposes.

Ethylene Gas Speeds Up Flower Ageing

Many fruits and vegetables naturally release a gas called ethylene as they ripen. Common items such as bananas, apples, avocados and tomatoes can produce enough ethylene to accelerate the ageing process of fresh flowers.

Exposure to ethylene can cause petals to wilt, flowers to brown prematurely, and blooms to drop much sooner than expected.

Temperature Fluctuations Can Cause Stress

Hotel kitchen fridges are busy environments. Staff are constantly opening and closing doors throughout the day, causing temperature changes that can stress delicate blooms.

Flowers prefer a stable environment, and repeated fluctuations can reduce their freshness and longevity.

Humidity Levels May Not Be Suitable

The humidity levels required for food storage are often different from those needed for fresh flowers. Excess moisture can encourage mould growth, while conditions that are too dry can dehydrate petals and foliage.

Both situations can affect the appearance of your bouquet and may impact the final result if you plan to have your flowers preserved.

The Best Way to Store Your Wedding Flowers

If possible, keep your bouquet:

• In a cool, shaded room
• Away from direct sunlight and heat sources
• In clean water where the bouquet design allows
• Away from fruit and food preparation areas
• In a dedicated floral cooler if one is available

If you are planning to preserve your wedding flowers, the sooner they can be properly cared for after the wedding, the better the outcome is likely to be.

Your bouquet has already worked hard throughout your wedding day. Giving it the right environment afterwards can help keep it looking its best and ensure the highest quality preservation possible. Make sure to contact us in time to secure your preservation and that way we can come up with the best plan of action to ensure your day is stress free and your blooms are given the best possible chance.