Bouquet Preservation: All You Need to Know.
One of my most asked questions after the big day is “How do I preserve my bouquet?” but unfortunately, It’s often left too late. I put my hand up here, I am guilty of this too. My bouquet is still sitting dried out in my shed most likely being eaten by some strange bug living there that I don’t know about. What I wish I did was think about this before our wedding day and not months after down the track. In hindsight, eh? Any who, I am here to help you not make my mistake and get your bouquet keepsakes sorted! THIS is your hint to start thinking about this before the big day and lock in your favourite. I have made things easy for you and listed some of my favourites below. The best thing is almost every one of them is available Australia wide…If you are prepared beforehand of course.
Introducing // Old Leaf Designs
Website // oldleafdesigns.com
What do you create? Wedding Bouquet preservation in many shapes and sizes. I press flowers to make hanging frames/ wall pieces, phone cases and coasters. I also dry flowers to make resin blocks, ring holders, trinket dishes, picnic trays, jewellery. You name it and I will make it!
What locations do you service? We service Tweed heads/ Gold Coast and Byron bay locally but can take bouquets via the post.
How do we get the flowers to you? Bouquets can be express posted to me from anywhere in Australia or dropped off or picked up from Tweed heads/ Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? Ideally the following day after the wedding. 1-3 days is the standard/safe window so that flowers can be pressed and dried and withhold their colours. For later bookings I require a photo of the state of the flowers to see their condition first before any guarantees.
How do we look after the flowers before sending? Brides can keep their flowers hydrated, cool and out of the sun and being gentle with them to reduce bruising of flower petals to ensure they are at their best for me to work with.
Being prepared to express post the flowers on the next business day also helps. So having a freezer pack in the freezer ready to stick on the side of the box to keep the flowers cool and have some tissue paper, paper towel, a sandwich bag and packing peanuts or newspaper to help keep the flowers secure when posting them.
Introducing // Forever Petal
Website // https://www.foreverpetal.com.au
What do you create? Flower preservation, frames and resin products.
What locations do you service? Australia Wide.
How do we get the flowers to you? Flowers can either be dropped off to us at the Central Coast or shipped. We provide full shipping instructions once your booking is confirmed.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? Ideally we want to receive flowers max 5 days after wedding, the fresher the better for preserving.
How do we look after the flowers before sending? Keep them in fresh water until they reach us, (especially on the wedding night when they’re not being used). We recommend you nominate a friend or someone in the bridal party to take care of this part, and also ensure they’re kept in a cool room after the wedding, especially in the Summer heat. After the wedding, cut the stems on an angle so they can get plenty of water and stay fresher for longer. Also important not to lay your flowers on the table as this can cause bruising.
Introducing // Wild Clover Collective
Website // www.wildclovercollective.com.au
What do you create? We create beautiful and functional resin keepsakes out of your bouquet! From standout display pieces like blocks and wall hangings to functional art like coasters, trays and jewellery, the sky really is the limit on what we can create with the flowers from your special day.
What locations do you service? We’re located in Carbrook, QLD but accept bouquets from all over the east coast of Australia.
How do we get the flowers to you? If you’re local to us you can drop your bouquet off, and if not we can provide you with packaging and shipping instructions to get your blooms to us safely.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? The sooner we get your flowers, the better they will look when preserved. We can do a lot of amazing things, but we can’t bring flowers back to life!
How do we look after the flowers before sending? Keep your stems hydrated but the actual flowers nice and dry. Don’t touch the flowers as this can bruise the petals and definitely don’t do a bouquet toss. Avoid putting your bouquet near any fruit and don’t place it in the fridge.
Introducing // Odi Florals
Website // odiflorals.com
What do you create? I offer bridal bouquet framing, "recreated" bridal frames, custom floral art and sentimental keepsake frames, all dried, pressed and preserved !
What locations do you service? I'm based in Newcastle NSW but service nationwide.
How do we get the flowers to you? If local, my partner and I collect the florals, if you're anywhere outside of the Newcastle area you can post the flowers to me via express post.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? It's best to get the flowers to me within 3 days of your wedding, however older, dried bouquets can be also be framed.
How do we look after the flowers before sending? After your amazing day, recut the stems and place in some fresh water. Keep them in a cool area away from sunlight and ensure to refresh the water each day. After you’ve placed them in fresh water, you can pop them in your fridge to keep them crisp and fresh prior to posting.
Introducing // Bonny V
Website // bonnyv.com
What do you create? Pressed flower artworks.
What locations do you service? Based in Wollongong but service for Australia wide.
How do we get the flowers to you? Drop off in Wollongong or express postage.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? As soon as possible is ideal to keep flowers fresh (1-3 days post wedding)
How do we look after the flowers before sending? Either keep the bouquet in a vase with cold water or in the fridge and if they’re posting it, pack the bouquet in a fitted box or with newspaper/paper around it so it doesn’t move during transit.
Introducing // Bellarine Botanical
Contact // bellarinebotanical@gmail.com
What do you create? Framed Floral arrangements.
What locations do you service? Currently servicing Victoria with plans to expand in the future.
How do we get the flowers to you? They can be dropped off to us or express posted/couriered
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? We ideally would like the flowers within a week of the wedding.
How do we look after the flowers before sending? The best thing to do post wedding to preserve your flowers is to hang them upside down. We separate the flowers when they arrive to be able to dry and press them.
Introducing // Vintage and Bloom Botanicals
Website // https://www.vintageandbloombotanicals.com/
What do you create? Flower preservation using resin. We can create resin blocks, jewellery, coasters etc.
What locations do you service? Anyone local to us at Saratoga (Central Coast).
How do we get the flowers to you? We require all flowers to be dropped off to us.
How long do we have to get the flowers to you? We need the flowers to be dropped off within 48 hrs preferably. Fresher is better! Our couples are normally really busy after the wedding, so either their family or friends can drop them off to us at Saratoga.
How do we look after the flowers before sending? Be gentle with your wedding bouquet on your wedding day. Place in water in a cool and well ventilated room.
Introducing // Bridget & Haze
Website// bridgetandhaze.com
What do you create? I created Bridal Bouquet Keepsake as a unique way to capture your Bridal Bouquet, turning it into a custom art work for you to display and cherish for years to come.
Each creation is hand drawn using digital media from photos of your bouquet.
What locations do you service? I am based on the Sunshine Coast, however I can create artwork for anyone anywhere.
What is the process? All I need are a few photographs of your gorgeous bouquet. The more detailed the better, however I can work with almost any photo.
Each creation is hand drawn using digital media from photos of your bouquet.
Images are then printed onto fine art paper via a local printer.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for your artwork to be created, printed and shipped.
Well there you have it folks. All the ways you can admire your bouquet forever right at your finger tips. And if all else fails you can always commission an artist to paint your bouquet or adorn your house in all of those stunning wedding photos you will have.
