Dried flower confetti is an elegant, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper or plastic confetti, perfect for weddings, celebrations, or craft projects. Not only is it biodegradable, but it also adds a touch of natural beauty to any occasion. Making your own dried flower confetti can be a fun and fulfilling project, especially if you have access to a garden or local market. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about selecting the right flowers, harvesting them, drying methods, and calculating the quantities needed for your special day.

1. Choosing the Right Flowers

When selecting flowers for confetti, consider both aesthetics and practicality. You’ll want flowers that retain their colour and shape well after drying. Here are some popular choices in the UK:

Common Types of Flowers

1. Roses: A classic choice, roses offer a variety of colours. Their petals dry beautifully and are often used for their symbolism of love and beauty.
2. Lavender: Known for its calming fragrance, lavender adds a lovely scent to your confetti. Its small buds are easy to dry and handle.
3. Cornflowers: These vibrant blue flowers retain their colour well and add a striking contrast to the mix.
4. Marigolds: With their bright yellow and orange petals, marigolds can bring a pop of colour. They dry quickly and easily.
5. Hydrangeas: Offering a variety of shades, hydrangea petals can create a voluminous and colourful confetti.
6. Delphiniums: Often used in confetti mixes for their delicate, papery petals in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.

2. Harvesting the Flowers

Harvesting flowers at the right time is crucial to ensure the best quality petals for drying.

Best Time to Harvest

• Season: Ideally, harvest your flowers during their peak blooming season. In the UK, this is usually late spring to early summer.
• Time of Day: Harvest flowers in the late morning after the dew has dried but before the midday sun causes them to wilt. This ensures the petals are dry and at their freshest.

How to Harvest

1. Tools: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
2. Method: Cut the flowers just below the flower head or at a longer stem length if you wish to dry whole flowers. Avoid cutting too close to the ground to prevent soil contamination.

3. Drying Methods

There are several methods to dry flowers, each suitable for different types of flowers and desired results.

Air Drying

1. Ideal for: Most flowers, especially those with sturdy petals like roses and marigolds.
2. Process:
   • Strip excess leaves from the stems.
   • Tie small bunches of flowers together with string.
   • Hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.
   • Drying time: 1-3 weeks, depending on the flower type and humidity levels.

Pressing

1. Ideal for: Delicate flowers like delphiniums and hydrangeas.
2. Process:
   • Lay the petals flat between sheets of absorbent paper (such as blotting paper).
   • Place them under a heavy object, like a stack of books.
   • Check and replace the paper if it becomes damp.
   • Drying time: 2-4 weeks.

Using a Dehydrator

1. Ideal for: A quicker drying process suitable for all flowers.
2. Process:
   • Place the petals on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they do not overlap.
   • Set the dehydrator to a low temperature (around 35-45°C).
   • Drying time: 2-6 hours, depending on the thickness of the petals.

Oven Drying

1. Ideal for: Quick drying, suitable for most petals.
2. Process:
   • Spread petals in a single layer on a baking tray.
   • Set the oven to its lowest setting (usually around 90°C).
   • Leave the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.
   • Check every 15-20 minutes to prevent burning.
   • Drying time: 1-2 hours.

4. Calculating Quantity Needed

Determining how much confetti you need depends on the event size and style.

Weddings and Large Events

• Amount per guest: Plan for approximately one handful (1/4 cup) of confetti per guest.
• Average quantity: For a wedding with 100 guests, you would need about 25 cups of confetti.

Smaller Events or Craft Projects

• Adjust the amount based on the scale of your project. For example, smaller projects might only require a few cups of confetti.

How Much to Harvest

• As a rough guide, around 10-15 roses, a few handfuls of lavender stems, or 5-10 hydrangea heads can produce about 1 cup of dried petals. Always harvest more than you think you need to account for potential loss during the drying process.

5. Storing Your Dried Flower Confetti

Proper storage ensures your confetti remains fresh and vibrant until needed.

Storage Tips

• Containers: Use airtight containers or zip-lock bags to prevent moisture from rehydrating the petals.
• Location: Store in a cool, dark place to avoid colour fading and deterioration.
• Shelf Life: Properly dried and stored petals can last up to a year, though it’s best to use them within six months for optimal colour and fragrance.

6. Creative Uses for Dried Flower Confetti

Beyond weddings and celebrations, dried flower confetti can be used in various creative ways:

1. Craft Projects: Incorporate them into resin art, greeting cards, or as decorative elements in DIY candles.
2. Potpourri: Mix with essential oils for a lovely scented home decoration.
3. Natural Dye: Some flowers, like marigolds and roses, can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or paper.

Creating your own dried flower confetti is a delightful project that brings a touch of nature to your celebrations and crafts. By choosing the right flowers, carefully harvesting and drying them, and storing them properly, you can enjoy beautiful, eco-friendly confetti that adds a unique and personal touch to any event. 

Try our Desert Dreams Dried Flower Confetti

If don't fancy making your own confetti, then we've got you covered! Celebrate your big day in style and add a sprinkle of magic to your wedding with our enchanting Wedding Confetti. Our dried rose petals are the perfect accessory to make your special day even more memorable!