Natural petal confetti is the way to go for your wedding as most venues don’t allow the paper version. Natural petal confetti is biodegradable, natural (of course!) and completely eco-friendly. This time of year is perfect for making it – July sees most flowers in full bloom in all their glory, especially roses, the staple of most confetti.
Making your own confetti is cheap, the resources are in your garden (or a friend or relative’s garden if you live in a flat!) and, best of all, it’s free! The only cost is a little bit of your time.
Get your Petals
Have a wander round the garden and see what catches your eye – roses are an obvious choice but also consider daisies, buttercups, sunflowers, to name but a few. You may find it will be a bit of trial and error as some petals may lend themselves to drying better than others. You could even throw a few herb leaves into the mix, such as sage or basil.
I chose the roses above for making my confetti and added a few poppy petals and daisies and buttercups.
Now the fun bit!
How to Dry the Petals to Make Confetti
Using an Aga to make natural petal confetti – I am lucky enough to have an old Aga, so I chose to make the confetti using that means. Grab yourself a baking tray and cover with grease-proof baking paper. Spread the petals out on it so they are not touching each other. Then put in the bottom, warming oven to dry. Length of time for this will depend on how hot your oven is and the petals you have chosen. I left mine in for 15 minutes or so.
Once you are happy with how they look, take them out of the oven to cool down. You will see how they have changed colour a bit.
Dehydrating petals – if you have a dehydrator, you can dehydrate your petals that way. Follow your dehydrator’s instructions and keep checking to make sure they are not getting too dry!
Microwave drying petals – a microwave can also be used to dry the petals. I do not have a microwave so I can’t say how long you will need to microwave them for, so a bit of trial and error if using this method!
Air-drying – if you can wait a few days for the petals to dry, then this method is for you! Put some tissue or kitchen roll on top of a baking tray and spread out your petals. Then put them somewhere warm to dry out, or even in a warm airing cupboard.
Result – Natural Petal Confetti!
Finally – pretty petal confetti! Store in paper bags or plastic containers – anything where the petals will be kept dry. Then, on the Big Day, put the petals into cones or baskets, or however you are planning to display them, and get your guests to throw the love!
For a July wedding, can this preparation start in the previous summer? Or is it better to dry freshly collected petals closer to the wedding date?
Thank you
I have just collected petals to fry for my wedding next Jun 23!
I have just collected petals to dry for my wedding next Jun 23!
That’s brilliant! Please send a photo when dried 🙂
The main thing is to ensure no moisture can get to the petals when dried so I would say it is fine to dry them now. Also keep out of direct sunlight to avoid the colours fading.
My sons wedding is in October would it be
too soon to start collecting and drying petals now
Thanks Pat
Should be fine – just need to make sure they are in an air-tight container.
Very Very Helpful. Thank you
Can I start storing petals now for my weeding in just over a year? Also could I store them in a show box?
i did this and put into air tight mason jar, out of sunlight in wardrobe, and they all went mushy and brown 🙁
Hiya, if you were going to put herbs in too, like rosemary for example, would it also need to be dried?
Yes, they would.
I collected Wisteria, Agapanthus, Lisianthus petals last summer (2022), dried them between sheets of kitchen paper in the microwave for 40seconds and then kept them in sealed poly bags in the dark. They have maintained the colours and will be used for a May wedding this year.
I dry them then line a plastic container with parchment paper or kitchen roll. Put my petals in and cover with more PP/KR , lid on and store in the dark.
I’ve got some in my cellar that have been there for 2yrs and they’re fine.
I’ve been collecting hydrangea heads of all colours from gardens of family and friends for my son’s wedding in November 2023.
It’s quite therapeutic snipping the tiny flower heads from the bigger head. I also pick others to try.. tiny buddleia florets too.
I have several trays and snip them by approximate colour and will decide with the bride and groom nearer the time the colours they want. They range from white to dark purple.
I am drying them naturally in my shed, turning them until they are dry.
I have photos!