Frequently Asked Questions

What is 3D Flower Preservation?

3D Flower Preservation is a carefully controlled method of extracting moisture from plant material which allows the flowers to retain their original 3D shape, form and colour. 

How do you dry your flowers?

We use freeze driers to preserve all of our flowers which really does give superior drying results compared to all other methods of drying. Freeze driers are not like conventional freezers but are specialist pieces of machinery specifically designed to dry organic matter using a process known as sublimation. 

Sublimation is a fascinating process that occurs when a substance transitions directly from the solid state to the gas state without passing through the liquid state in between. This unique transformation happens under specific conditions of temperature and pressure. 

In very basis terms, the flowers are frozen down to around -50C and once the flowers are frozen solid, a vacuum is applied to the chamber holding the flowers. Applying the vacuum reduces the surrounding pressure around the flowers which then lowers the boiling point of water. This then allows any frozen water, which is trapped in the flowers and petals, to slowly sublimate directly from a solid phase to the gas phase without melting and damaging the flowers. 

Who are we?

The Flower Preservation Studio Ltd a small, independent, family business that specialises in the 3D preservation of wedding bouquets, special occasion flowers and freeze dried confetti.    We offer a nationwide service throughout mainland UK so anyone can have their flowers preserved by us if they wish. Unfortunately, we are not able to take on any orders from Ireland unless the finished keepsake can either be collected from us in person or delivered to an address in mainland UK.   

Why should I choose The Flower Preservation Studio to preserve my flowers? 

We have been established for many years now and in that time we have preserved and framed thousands of bouquets and are proud members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen.

We are one of only a handful companies in the UK to use the latest freeze dry technology as part of our flower and wedding bouquet preservation. Using a process known as sublimation, our floral freeze driers give a really superior result compared to all other types of flower preservation. 

Once preserved, we colour treat every single flower and piece of foliage so that the colour lasts for the duration of the keepsake. Not all preservation companies do this but we feel that it is an essential step in keeping your flowers looking lovely and vibrant for many, many years. 

We have a full professional framing workshop and all of our work is bespoke and made here at our Studio by our very own expert framer. That way, we can guarantee that our keepsakes are of the very highest quality. 

All of our 3D pictures come ready to hang with a special mounting system which means that the pictures hang flush to the wall. We never use cheap cord or wire which can stretch and looks unsightly and causes the pictures to tilt forward.

A special UV filtering conservation glass is also used a standard in our 3D pictures to protect your flowers from harmful UV rays. 

Do you just preserve flowers from weddings?

NO – we can also preserve flowers from any special occasion or events such as funerals, special anniversaries, christenings or birthdays.

Can all flowers be preserved?

YES - we can preserve most flowers and types of foliage as long as they are still fresh.

Will my flowers still look like they did on the day of the event?

YES – the shape and form will stay exactly the same but as they are preserved they will lose their fresh and dewy look. The flowers take on an “antiqued” look after preservation and the colour tone may deepen slightly. Red flowers with a yellow undertone keep their colour particularly well but flowers with a blue undertone will darken in colour. E.g. a red rose will turn a dark, almost claret colour. True blue flowers will remain true and many white flowers will turn a light shade of cream. 

How much does it cost?

It all depends on how much of your bouquet you would like to be framed or displayed. Prices range from £125 for a small keepsake up to £600 for one of our largest keepsakes but there are many options in between to suit every budget. 

What is included in your prices?

Our prices include preservation of your flowers and foliage, bespoke framing and display of your flowers and courier delivery of your flowers.

Can I just have my flowers preserved without framing?

NO – sorry. Preserved flowers are very fragile and will need to be protected from moisture and dust by some sort of display. 

How long will my keepsake last ?

Like any other piece of art it should be kept away from direct sunlight and humid environments and direct heat sources. If you follow this advice, your keepsake will last for many years to come. By this we mean decades rather than a few years.

Do I have to have my whole bouquet preserved?

NO – you can choose to have a few flowers or your whole bouquet and offer several small keepsake options.

Do you do all of your own framing? 

YES – all of our framing is done here in our own workshop by our own expert framer. Our framing is completely bespoke ensuring the highest quality results. 

Can I include a photo or other souvenir in with my flowers?

YES – you may include photos, invitations, place cards, your order of service, cake toppers or any other item from your big day to make a truly unique keepsake. As all of our framing is bespoke, any sized keepsake can be made to display your precious items. Please phone us to discuss your ideas.

When do I need to place an order?

Due to our highly regarded reputation for creating top quality keepsake pictures, our services are always in very high demand so booking early is always advisable to secure your place, especially in the summer months.    However, if space permits, we can also take last minute bookings so if you have not had time to book in advance, please don’t think that it is too late. Simply phone us on 01202 848801 and we will do our best to fit you in. 

Do I need to choose my frame and display when I book?

NO – framing and display options can be sorted out after the wedding and when you have returned from your honeymoon. 

We will send you a framing pack with your display options once we have received your flowers after your wedding. You must confirm your layout and frame choices and settle your final balance within 8 weeks of us receiving your flowers. 

Will all of my flowers be included in my display?

This depends on what display option you go for and also the condition of the flowers when they are received. 

A birds eye view display will normally have all of the flowers on display, a side view display will have most of the flowers on display and a smaller keepsake will have a few, selected flowers on display.

Do you need a deposit?

YES – we take a £200 deposit to secure your place and reserve you a slot in one of our freeze dryers. This is non refundable and will be deducted from the final price of your keepsake.

When is the final balance due?

The final balance is due when you chose your frame and display and must be done within 8 weeks of us receiving your flowers.

What payment methods do you offer?

We accept payment by cheque, debit card and all major credit cards apart from American Express. Please note we do not charge you commission if you wish to pay by card. Cheques should be made payable to The Flower Preservation Studio Ltd.

How soon after the wedding do you need my flowers?

We can preserve flowers up to one week old, even longer if they are still fresh. However, we prefer to receive them as soon as possible after an event whilst the flowers are still at their best as the fresher the flower, the better the final result from the preservation process.

I am getting married abroad. Can I still have my bouquet preserved?

YES – as long as someone is able to bring the flowers back with them within 7 days of your wedding. We have preserved flowers from weddings that have taken place all over the world including Greece, Malta, South Africa, Germany, Italy and Spain. Just check with your airline to make sure that there are no restrictions to you bringing back flowers from the country that you are getting married in.

How can I keep my flowers staying fresh after my wedding ?

Try to keep your flowers in a vase of water somewhere cool and dry – a garage is ideal. The most important thing is NOT to spray your flowers with water and never put them in a fridge or freezer. We will send you full care instructions once you have booked.

How do I get my flowers to you?

Remember, distance is not a problem and even if we are not local, we can still preserve your flowers. If you are local to us, you can either drop your flowers off to us yourself or we could collect your flowers from you. However, most of our clients are from further afield and all you need to do is to send your flowers to us by Royal Mail Special Delivery. We will give you full packaging instructions when you book so that your flowers are properly protected whilst they are in transit to us.

How long will it take for you to preserve my flowers and create my picture ?

We can never guarantee how long a set of flowers will take to preserve and frame because every set of flowers is different. However, the actual preservation process takes on average around 40/50 weeks and by the time the flowers have been colour treated, mounted and had a bespoke box frame made to display them in, you should expect your keepsake to be delivered back  sometime around your first wedding anniversary.