Are you wondering about the cost of preserving your wedding flowers? Whether you're curious about professional services or considering a DIY approach, we'll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about this beautiful tradition.
Why Preserve Your Wedding Flowers?
Wedding flowers hold a special place in the hearts of couples. They symbolise the beauty and love of their big day.
It's why preserving wedding flowers is a popular choice for newlyweds looking to keep a special memory. While your bouquet may have been a beautiful accessory for your wedding, preservation turns it into a long-lasting piece of art to be admired for years to come.
Unlike the photos and videos from your wedding, a preserved bouquet adds a personal touch to your home. Professional preservation helps retain vivid memories of your wedding day, creating a keepsake you can potentially show to your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It serves as one of the few remaining physical reminders of the day you said "I do."
The price of preservation reflects not just the beauty of the flowers but the craftsmanship that goes into transforming your bouquet into a piece of art.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Preserving Wedding Flowers?
Several factors influence the cost of flower preservation, whether you're using professional services or attempting to do it yourself.
1. Size of the Bouquet
Larger bouquets require more time and materials to preserve and frame. A full hand-tied bouquet will naturally be more expensive to preserve than a smaller arrangement. This is especially true for cascading or tear-drop styles, which require additional care.
2. Frame Type and Materials
The type of frame you choose has a significant impact on the final cost. Acrylic frames, for example, offer a sleek, modern look and can be less expensive than traditional wooden frames.
However, some couples prefer the natural beauty of a wooden surround, which can add to the cost. Additionally, you may choose between etched or plain frames, with etching offering personalised touches that further increase the price.
3. Personalisation Options
Personalized etching, where names, dates or quotes are inscribed on the frame, adds a unique, sentimental value. While this customisation is popular, it does come at an additional fee, depending on the frame size and the intricacy of the design.
4. Additional Frames
Some couples choose to add smaller frames alongside their main bouquet display. For example, a set of three or more smaller frames can be used to preserve bridesmaid bouquets or other floral elements from the day. These extras can enhance your preserved flower collection, but they also add to the overall cost.
Average Costs of Bouquet Preservation
When exploring the cost of wedding bouquet preservation, prices can vary widely depending on the service provider, the size of the bouquet, the framing choices and customisation options.
The average price for a full bouquet preservation can range between £300 and £600.
At Smart Floral Art, we pride ourselves on transparency, so you know exactly what you're paying for. Unlike some companies that may have hidden fees, we ensure that our prices include pressing and framing. Any extras, such as stand-offs or smaller frames, are charged separately
For example:
A large 60x40cm large acrylic frame costs £310 for a plain design or £350 for etched personalisation.
A 40x30cm acrylic frame costs £280 for plain or £320 for etched.
Our wooden surround frames start at £260 for a small square and go up to £365 for a large 60x40cm wooden or £405 with customised etching.
We also offer smaller frames and sets for those who want to preserve additional bouquets or individual flowers. You can find all of our prices here.
Additional extras
It's more than possible to add other special flowers to an order too. Other popular wedding flowers to preserve include:
Bridesmaids' bouquets
Groom's buttonhole
Groomsmen, father of the bride/groom and ushers
Here at Smart Floral Art, we offer smaller frames as part of a larger order. These include sets of smaller frames or one off small frames (from 10cm to 16cm) in circle, heart or hexagon shapes (as pictured above) from just £20-30.
It's possible to get additional larger frames too, as well as adding stand-off fixtures that hold the frames to the wall.
DIY Flower Preservation: Is It Worth It?
It might seem tempting to go the DIY route when preserving your wedding bouquet, especially since the upfront costs are significantly lower. A DIY preservation method using gel, resin or pressing the flowers yourself might cost little more than the price of the materials. However, it's essential to consider the potential risks.
Without professional techniques and materials like UV-protective glass/acrylic or the right mounting, DIY preservation can lead to flowers fading or deteriorating over time. In some cases, flowers may not even survive the initial drying process.
Many couples ultimately decide that the risk isn't worth it, and they prefer to leave the task to professionals who can ensure a long-lasting, high-quality result.
Why Professional Preservation May Be the Better Option
When you choose professional bouquet preservation, you're investing in expertise, craftsmanship and the use of top-tier materials.
At Smart Floral Art, we dedicate weeks and months to the careful preservation of each bouquet, using specialised traditional techniques to ensure your flowers retain their natural beauty and colour. The process takes time, but it's worth the wait. It takes a long time to create a masterpiece as they say.
Professional preservation isn't just about aesthetics, it's about ensuring that your flowers last for years to come.
Top Tips for Making Your Preserved Flowers Last Even Longer
The sooner you press and preserve your flowers, the better
Keep your preserved bouquet out of direct sunlight to avoid fading.
Avoid placing it in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms, to prevent moisture damage.
Dust the frame regularly to keep it looking fresh.
Final thoughts on preserving wedding flower costs
Whether you opt for a DIY approach or trust a professional, preserving your wedding bouquet is a beautiful way to keep the memories of your big day alive.
Take the time to weigh the costs and benefits, and remember that while the initial investment may vary, the emotional and aesthetic value of your preserved flowers will last a lifetime.
Be sure to check out our preserved bouquet gallery, where you can check out some before and after shots to get an idea of how different flowers and colours look when they are preserved. Here are our thoughts on the flower types that preserve the best.
At Smart Floral Art, we’re here to help you with all your wedding flower preservation needs. Contact us today for a personalised quote or to learn more about our process.
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