A step by step guide to preserving your flowers, from your first enquiry to your finished artwork.
Whether your flowers are from a wedding, memorial, anniversary, birthday, or another meaningful occasion, the preservation process is the same. Every arrangement is carefully preserved to create a timeless botanical keepsake.
How It Works
Flower preservation is a natural process, and every flower responds differently. While every care is taken to achieve the best possible result, the final appearance of your artwork will depend on the variety of flowers used, their freshness and how they have been cared for before they reach me.
Before we begin
Step 1 - Get in touch
Complete the enquiry form with a few details about your flowers and the type of artwork you’d like to create. I’ll be in touch to discuss your requirements, answer any questions and confirm availability.
If you’d like to go ahead, a £45 non-refundable booking fee will secure your place in my diary. This fee is deducted from the final cost of your artwork.
Step 2 - Send your flowers
For the best results, flowers should reach me within 3 days of your wedding or special occasion. This gives them the greatest chance of retaining their colour and shape during the preservation process.
If you’re local, flowers can be delivered by arrangement. Alternatively, they can be sent using a next-day courier, following my packing guide to help ensure they arrive safely.
While every care is taken once your flowers are in my possession, I cannot be held responsible for the condition they arrive in, or for any deterioration that occurs before they reach my studio. The fresher your flowers are on arrival, the better the final result is likely to be.
Step 3 - Pressing & preservation
Each flower is individually pressed using professional flower presses and specialist materials while being carefully monitored. This process takes several weeks, allowing the flowers to dry slowly while retaining as much of their natural beauty as possible.
Step 4 - Design & framing
Your artwork is designed just for you.
During your booking, we’ll discuss your preferred design style, whether that’s a bouquet creation, a meadow-inspired arrangement, or something more contemporary.
Each piece is then thoughtfully designed by hand using my artistic judgement and experience to create the most beautiful composition from your preserved flowers.
While I don’t send proofs for approval, if your chosen style needs to be adapted because of the selection of flowers or how they preserve, I’ll always contact you to discuss the best approach before completing your artwork.
Step 5 - Your finished keepsake
Your artwork is carefully framed and packaged before being returned, ready to display and enjoy for years to come.
The Beauty of Natural Preservation
While some retain their colour beautifully, others naturally soften or change tone as they dry. These subtle changes are part of what makes pressed flowers so unique and are a reflection of nature, rather than something to be corrected.
At The Flower Archive, I don’t artificially colour-correct flowers, as I believe their natural beauty should be celebrated and preserved as authentically as possible.
Caring for Your Artwork
Your botanical keepsake is designed to be enjoyed for many years.
To help your artwork look its best for years to come:
Display it out of direct sunlight.
Avoid humid environments such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture.
Dust the frame gently with a soft, dry cloth.
As with all natural materials, some gentle fading may occur over time, particularly if the artwork is displayed in bright sunlight. With the right care, your keepsake can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Turnaround Time
Each piece is individually pressed and designed by hand, which means the preservation process takes time.
Typical turnaround:
8-12 weeks
Ready to preserve your flowers?
I’d love to help transform your meaningful flowers into a timeless botanical keepsake.