Our Story — Flower Friend Floral Preservation

A hand with multiple rings on fingers holding a string of cream-colored artificial flowers, visible over a plastic storage container filled with similar flowers.

Everything you need to know about preserving your wedding flowers in Portland, Oregon

Your wedding flowers are one of the few pieces of your wedding day you can actually keep. If you're wondering how bouquet preservation works, when to book, or what to do with your flowers after the wedding, you're in the right place.

A shadow box displaying a collection of pressed flowers and petals, framed with wood, on a white background.

When should I book bouquet preservation?

The short answer? Before your wedding.

Most couples book their preservation several months before their wedding to guarantee availability and to have a plan for their flowers after the celebration.

Planning ahead also means you (or your close friends and family members) won't be scrambling the day after your wedding wondering what to do with your bouquet.

At Flower Friend, we recommend Reserving Your Date, once you've decided you want to pursue preservation, so that your spot is secured. We can only take in as many bouquets as we have supplies prepared for. This way you can make your final frame and coordination details closer to your wedding, when you are ready to make plans for getting your bouquet to our studio.

What should I do with my bouquet after my wedding?

Until you're ready to drop it off:

Keep your bouquet in water and somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight during your wedding as much as possible.
Cut an inch off the base of your stems once your bouquet is ready to rest in it's vase for the rest of the night.
Replace with fresh water for the night.
Putting your flowers in the fridge can risk freezing your bouquet, be careful.

These simple steps help your flowers stay as fresh as possible before preservation begins.

A collection of various dried and pressed flowers and foliage arranged on a white background, including roses, daisies, and other botanical elements in different colors like pink, yellow, orange, white, and purple.

How does bouquet preservation work?

Each flower is carefully prepared by hand before the preservation process begins.

Throughout the process, your bouquet naturally changes as it dries. Colors soften, some blooms deepen in tone, and delicate textures become part of the finished artwork.

The process, when done well can take a long time to properly dry your flowers so there is no chance of moisture threatening the integrity of your finished piece.

Some flowers fresh from the farm have dormant bugs that survive the drying process, it is part of my practice to flash freeze all preserved flowers to ensure no creatures have a chance to make it into your art piece.

I take great care to gently reconstruct older blooms by gluing every petal into place so that your frame stays in it's best form over time.

My goal isn't to recreate your bouquet exactly as it looked on your wedding day—it's to preserve the feeling and beauty of it as a lasting heirloom.

A bouquet of various flowers including roses, stock, and lisianthus in pastel pink, white, and cream colors, arranged with a pink ribbon tied around the stems, held by a person with a wristwatch on their left wrist.

What flowers preserve best?

Almost every flower can be preserved.

Some flowers naturally hold their shape and color better than others, but every bouquet is different. Rather than focusing on perfection, I focus on creating a piece that captures the feeling of your wedding day.

How long do I have after my wedding?

The sooner, the better.

Fresh flowers begin aging as soon as they're out of water, so I recommend getting your bouquet to me within 24–48 hours after your wedding whenever possible.

If you're not sure whether your bouquet is still suitable for preservation, reach out anyway. Every bouquet is different, and I'm always happy to take a look and advise you on your options.

A colorful bouquet of various flowers, including yellow, white, red, pink, orange, and purple blossoms, with some green leaves, held by a person against a light wooden background.

Can my bouquet still be preserved if it's already starting to wilt?

Often, yes.

Every flower ages differently, and while fresher flowers usually produce the best results, many bouquets can still be beautifully preserved even if they've begun to soften.

If you're unsure, send me a photo. I'll always give you an honest opinion.

Person holding a framed artwork of pressed, dried flowers and leaves.

How much does bouquet preservation cost?

Pricing depends on the artwork you choose, the size of your bouquet, and any custom details you'd like included.

Most couples invest in preservation because it becomes one of the few tangible keepsakes from their wedding day that they'll enjoy for years to come.

For current pricing, visit my Shop page or reach out for a custom quote if you don't see the frame you have envisioned.

Various dried flowers, leaves, and petals scattered on a white surface, with a wooden stick partially visible on the left side of the image.

Do you preserve more than bouquets?

Yes!

Many people also preserve:

Boutonnieres
Memorial flowers
Anniversary flowers
Garden flowers from the house you have to leave behind
Flowers from celebrations and important milestones
Flowers from a garden that belongs to someone special

If your flowers tell an important story, I'd love to help preserve them.

Person holding a wooden framed shadow box filled with a variety of pink and white flowers, including roses and hydrangeas.

Will my flowers look exactly the same?

No—and that's part of their beauty.

Flowers are living things, so natural color changes are expected during preservation. White flowers often become warm ivory, blush blooms may deepen, dark reds/purples may become almost black and vibrant colors can soften over time. I find that the more vibrant blooms hold their color longer, where white and pastel colors have less pigment to hold over time. I believe that preserved flowers are beautiful no matter the stage and appreciate their natural evolution over time.

It is almost as if they mirror your love story, they soften and deepen and evolve with you and your partner over time, this is something beautiful to celebrate together.

Each preserved bouquet is completely unique, just like the love story it represents.

Close-up of a floral arrangement with pink, purple, and burgundy flowers and elongated green leaves, against a plain, light background.

Is bouquet preservation worth it?

Only you can answer that.

If your bouquet was simply flowers, maybe not.

But if it reminds you of your wedding morning, your partner waiting at the end of the aisle, your grandmother's favorite roses, or the people who celebrated beside you...

It becomes so much more than flowers.

For many couples, preserving their bouquet is one of the most meaningful investments they make after their wedding.

They often tell me that they didn’t realize how important it was to them until they were holing their bouquet at the end of a long beautiful day unable to throw it away.

Framed pressed flower art display with yellow, orange, and brown flowers and leaves on a white background

Can you preserve bouquets from outside Portland?

Absolutely.

I work with couples throughout Oregon and beyond.

If you're getting married outside the Portland area, I'll provide simple instructions so your flowers arrive safely and in the best possible condition. It is best to make plans for this ahead of time as it can be tricky to procure supplies after your wedding.

Still have questions?

I'd love to help.

Whether you're newly engaged, finalizing your wedding plans, or just got married yesterday, you're always welcome to reach out. Even if you're simply wondering whether your bouquet can be preserved, I'm happy to chat.