It is completely understandable to wonder:
“Will my wedding flowers still look beautiful after they have been preserved?”
The short answer is -yes. With professional flower preservation, the goal is to keep as much of the flowers’ natural colour, shape and beauty as possible while giving them a beautiful second life.
But your preserved flowers are not intended to be an exact copy of your fresh wedding bouquet. Instead, the aim is to preserve the beauty, character and most meaningful elements of your flowers, creating a beautiful keepsake that allows you to enjoy them for many years to come.
The final preservation result depends on several factors, including the condition of the flowers when they arrive, how fresh they are, how they were handled after the wedding, the natural characteristics of each flower, and the preservation method chosen.
What happens to flowers during preservation?
Based in Cardiff, South Wales, I work with brides across South Wales and throughout the UK. As soon as your flowers arrive at my studio, I begin preparing them for the flower preservation process, taking into account the condition, flower varieties and natural shape of your bouquet.
Fresh flowers contain a lot of moisture. Once they are removed from water and begin to dry, their appearance naturally changes.
Every flower is different. Even two flowers from the same bouquet can preserve differently.
That is why flower preservation is not about making your bouquet look artificial or frozen in time. It is about carefully preserving the real flowers you carried on your wedding day and giving them a second life.
The final result is unique to your bouquet.
Will my flowers keep their original colour?
This is one of the questions I hear most often from brides.
In most cases, flowers can retain a beautiful amount of their original colour when they are dried and preserved correctly. However, no flower preservation specialist can honestly promise that every bloom will remain exactly the same colour it was when it was fresh.
Natural flowers continue to change after they are cut.
The final colour can be affected by the type of flower and its natural pigment, how it was handled after/during the wedding and how fresh it was when it arrived, temperature and humidity, the preservation method etc
This is why sending your bouquet to your flower preservation artist as soon as possible after your wedding is so important.
The fresher and healthier your flowers are when they arrive, the more opportunity there is to achieve a beautiful finished result.
Your flowers have already had a busy day by the time your wedding reception ends!
They have been carried, photographed, hugged, moved around, possibly exposed to heat, and sometimes left without water for several hours.
That is completely normal. But once the wedding is over, time matters.
If you are sending your bouquet to a flower preservation studio, keep it somewhere cool and get it on its way as soon as possible.
Getting your flowers to me
For brides from Cardiff and South Wales, I always recommend dropping your flowers off in person whenever possible. It means we can meet, have a chat about your flowers and discuss your flower preservation plans together. It also avoids the hassle of posting your bouquet.
If you’re getting married in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge or elsewhere across South Wales, you can also ask a family member or one of your wedding guests who lives closer to Cardiff to bring your bouquet to me after the wedding.
This can be a much easier option than posting your flowers, especially when you’re travelling or busy enjoying your first few days as newlyweds.
Please get in touch before your wedding so we can arrange your drop-off and make sure I’m available to receive your flowers.
But don’t worry if dropping your flowers off in person isn’t possible. Most brides simply post their bouquets to me, and it’s easier than it sounds. I provide clear instructions on how to prepare and package your flowers safely before sending them.
What about my bouquet design?
You may also be wondering: “Will my bouquet still look like my bouquet?”
That depends on the type of flower preservation you choose.
Flowers can be preserved in several different ways, including pressed flower frames and three-dimensional deep frames.
With a three-dimensional design, the natural shape of your flowers can be displayed rather than flattened. This is particularly beautiful for roses, larger blooms and bouquets where the shape of the flowers is an important part of the memory.
Pressed flower preservation creates something completely different — delicate, elegant and lightweight, with flowers flattened and arranged into a beautiful piece of botanical artwork.
There is no single “right” way to preserve wedding flowers.
The best design is the one that suits your flowers, your home and the memory you want to keep.
Wondering which flower preservation style is right for your wedding flowers? Have a look at the article below to explore the different styles and find the one that suits your flowers best.
Visit my shop to see all the available designs.
How long will preserved wedding flowers last?
Professionally preserved and cared-for flowers can become a long-lasting keepsake, allowing you to enjoy a part of your wedding day for many years.
However, preserved flowers are still natural flowers. They are not completely unaffected by their surroundings.
To help protect your finished flower preservation piece, keep it away from direct sunlight, excessive humidity and damp areas. Good-quality framing and appropriate protective materials can also help protect your flowers over time.
Think of it as caring for a piece of artwork — because that is essentially what your preserved bouquet becomes.
Your future self will thank you!
Thinking about preserving your wedding bouquet?
If you’re getting married in Cardiff, South Wales or anywhere in the UK, you can get in touch to discuss your flowers, preservation options and the best way to get your bouquet to the studio.
