Are you getting the hydrangeas from someone's yard? I pick them and keep them in vases in my house most of the summer... they last about 3-4 days inside in water before they start to wilt. As long as you pick them the day or two before the shower they will be beautiful!

Yes they will be freshly cut from my yard, and a friend's yard. I lost a lot of blooms in the recent heat wave we are having.

If these are the hydrangea macrophylla types that can sometimes droop after only a few hours in a vase, here is what I do.

When I cut them from the yard, I cut the stems at least 4 inches longer than I really want. I put them in water, then get another cup of water and heat it in the microwave to boiling point. Right after I take the very hot water out of the microwave, I cut the stems to the length I want, and move them to the very hot water. I let them sit in the hot water for at least 30 seconds. The hot water prevents the stems from getting clogged which makes the flowers droop. I used this process on some Endless Summer flowers on Sunday, and they still look fine tonight.