Preserved vs freeze-dried vs air-dried petals: which to choose?

Preserved, freeze-dried or air-dried? It's the first question couples ask when they see our confetti — and the answer fits in one sentence: freeze-dried petals are the lightest and fall in an airy veil, preserved petals (glycerine) are supple, silky and don't shatter, and air-dried flowers (lavender, olive, calendula) bring the scent and the Mediterranean spirit. Here's how to choose the right method for your ceremony.

The three methods at a glance

All our confetti is 100% natural and biodegradable — the difference lies in how the flower is prepared in our workshop in the Drôme Provençale. Each method gives a different texture, weight and fall.

Method	Texture & fall	Indicative weight	Shelf life	Best for
Freeze-dried	Ultra-light, floats and falls slowly	Hydrangea ~7–15 g/L · rose ~60–80 g/L	~12 months	Aerial photos, cloud effect, light palettes
Preserved (glycerine)	Supple and silky, won't break, slow fall	~60–80 g/L	1 to 3 years	Rich colours, long-lasting, elegance
Air-dried	Natural, scented (lavender, olive)	Varies by flower	~12 months	Fragrance, Provençal & Mediterranean spirit

Freeze-dried petals — absolute lightness

Freeze-drying dries the petal with cold, under vacuum: the water is removed without heat, which locks in the natural colour with no dye at all. The result is a perfectly dry, extremely light petal that floats before falling. It's the supreme method for ceremony send-off photos: hydrangea petals, barely 7 to 15 grams per litre, stay suspended for several seconds — exactly the moment your photographer is looking for.

Another advantage: being fully dry, they don't stain fabric. It's the reassuring choice for a toss over a white dress. Discover our freeze-dried white hydrangea petals and light blue, sold by the litre (0.5 L to 24 L), or our freeze-dried rose petals for a denser, warmer shade.

Preserved petals — suppleness and staying power

Preserving replaces the petal's sap with vegetable glycerine (itself biodegradable). The petal then stays supple, silky, as if freshly picked — it doesn't shatter and falls slowly, with a graceful movement. Its colours are deep and it keeps for a very long time: 1 to 3 years, ideal if you're planning your wedding well in advance.

One thing to know: a preserved petal is slightly moist to the touch. Perfect for throwing, but avoid rubbing it at length on white fabric. It's the choice of elegance and colour that lasts. See our preserved white rose petals or our lilac and mint green preserved shades.

Air-dried flowers — the scent of Provence

Slow air-drying, at low temperature, is the traditional method for AOP lavender, olive leaf, calendula and scented blends. It's the only one that adds a fragrant dimension: a cloud of fine lavender as the newlyweds pass by is a memory your guests will keep for a long time. It's also the Mediterranean spirit at its best — olive leaf for weddings on a terrace or by the sea.

Explore our AOP lavender & rose confetti, our dried olive leaves, or our natural blend of rose, lavender, calendula & citrus.

So, which one to choose?

There's no wrong answer — only the effect you're after:

• You want the "cloud" effect in photos → freeze-dried (hydrangea especially).
• You're ordering well ahead or want rich, long-lasting colours → preserved.
• You want fragrance and the southern spirit → air-dried (lavender, olive).
• You're tossing over light-coloured dresses and want zero stain risk → freeze-dried (perfectly dry).

And nothing obliges you to choose a single method: many couples pair freeze-dried hydrangea for lightness with a touch of air-dried lavender for scent. Our workshop also creates bespoke blends in your colours.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between preserved and freeze-dried petals?

Freeze-dried petals are dried by cold under vacuum: they're perfectly dry, very light and float before falling, without staining fabric. Preserved petals have their sap replaced by vegetable glycerine: they stay supple and silky, don't shatter, keep for 1 to 3 years, but are slightly moist to the touch. Freeze-dried prioritises lightness; preserved, suppleness and staying power.

Which confetti stains white dresses the least?

Freeze-dried petals, because they are completely dry with no residual moisture. Glycerine-preserved petals are fine for throwing but slightly moist: avoid rubbing them at length on white fabric.

How long does confetti keep before the wedding?

Freeze-dried petals and air-dried flowers keep for about 12 months; glycerine-preserved petals last 1 to 3 years. In all cases, store them dry, away from heat and light.

Which method adds fragrance?

Air-drying. Fine AOP lavender is the only flower that truly scents the toss; freeze-dried and preserved petals are chosen for their colour and texture, not their smell.

Can you mix several methods?

Yes, and it's often the most beautiful option: freeze-dried hydrangea for lightness, preserved rose petals for colour, air-dried lavender for scent. Our workshop creates bespoke blends in your shades in the Sur Mesure collection.

The essentials

Freeze-dried, preserved or air-dried: three crafts, one same commitment — confetti that is 100% natural, biodegradable and dye-free, prepared by hand in our workshop in the Drôme Provençale. Choose by the effect (lightness, staying power or scent), and let each product page guide you on quantity. Discover our full range of natural, biodegradable confetti.