Is It Too Late To Preserve My Wedding Bouquet? (Honest Answer)

You've had the most brilliant time at your wedding - everything was absolutely perfect! But now you're back home, looking at your beautiful bouquet and wondering what on earth to do with it.

You definitely don't want to just chuck it away. You don't want to just sit there and watch it slowly wither and die either.

The thought of preserving it has crossed your mind, but now you're panicking - have you already missed your chance? Is it too late to preserve your wedding bouquet?

The good news is it's probably not too late - not if you've only just had your wedding and you're still in the bubble!

Whilst timing definitely does matter when it comes to flower preservation, there's often still hope even if a few days have passed since your big day. Let's give you some honest guidance about what's possible and how to take action right now.

From beautiful bouquet to preserved artwork to keep forever - one from our reviews of a bride married June 2025

Is it too late to preserve your wedding bouquet?

When it comes to preserving wedding bouquets, it all comes down to timing.

Ideally, we'd love to receive your flowers within 24-48 hours of your wedding, but don't panic if that window has passed.

Truth is, we can often work with flowers that have been carefully stored and placed in water for up to a week after your event.

Many couples contact us several days after their wedding, and we're usually able to create something absolutely beautiful for them.

The key is how you've been storing them during this time. If you've kept them in clean, cool water in a cool spot away from direct sunlight, you've given yourself the best possible chance of successful preservation.

Beyond a Week: Still Worth Asking

Even if more time has passed, it's always worth reaching out to us.

Whilst flowers may start to lose their shape and colour after a week, every bouquet is different, and some flowers are naturally hardier than others. We'll assess what's possible and do our very best to help you out - asking costs nothing, and you might be surprised by what we can achieve.

As we always say, reach out to us and we'll give you an honest assessment of your flowers' condition. Check out our FAQ page for more detailed information about timing and what to expect.

What Affects Your Chances of preservation?

Flower Types Matter

Some flowers are naturally better at lasting longer than others. Roses, eucalyptus and baby's breath tend to be quite resilient, whilst more delicate blooms like peonies or sweet peas need quicker action.

If your bouquet was full of sturdy flowers, you've got a better chance even if a few extra days have passed.

To get a better idea of how your specific flowers might fare, take a look at our guide on which wedding flowers preserve best. You can also check our suitable flower types page to see how your particular blooms typically respond to preservation.

How You've Stored Them

This is absolutely crucial!

If you've been storing your bouquet properly, you've massively improved your chances of successful preservation. The best storage method is keeping them in clean, cool water in a cool location away from direct sunlight.

When your flowers weren't in use during your wedding day and overnight, hopefully you kept them in this ideal environment. This kind of care can add precious extra days to their preservation window.

Lots of framing options when it comes to preserved wedding bouquets

Taking Action Right Now

Step 1: Assess Your Flowers

Take a good look at your bouquet right now. Are the flowers wilted, brown or showing signs of dying? If they look relatively fresh - even if they're not quite as perky as they were on your wedding day - there's definitely hope.

Don't panic if they're not looking perfect. We work with flowers in all sorts of conditions, and sometimes the results can be surprisingly lovely even when the starting point isn't ideal.

Step 2: Get In Touch Immediately

This is where you need to act fast.

Get in touch with us as soon as possible and explain what condition your flowers are in. If you can send us photos, that's even better - we can give you a much more accurate assessment of what's possible.

We'll be completely honest about your flowers' chances and what you can realistically expect from the preservation process. There's no pressure and no obligation - we're here to help you make the best decision.

Step 3: Proper Storage While You Wait

While you're deciding what to do, make sure you're storing your flowers in the best possible conditions.

Keep them in clean, cool water and place them in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Every hour counts now, so don't let them sit in warm conditions or direct sun while you're thinking it over.

What to Expect with The Preservation Process

If your flowers are suitable for preservation, we'll guide you through exactly what happens next. The process involves carefully pressing and drying your blooms over several weeks before creating your finished frame.

You can read about the complete journey in our step-by-step guide to the wedding bouquet preservation process. The whole process typically takes 12-16 weeks from start to finish, but the wait is absolutely worth it for such a meaningful keepsake.

If you need a reminder of why preservation is so worthwhile, take a look at our post about reasons to preserve your wedding bouquet - the emotional benefits remain exactly the same regardless of timing.

What You'll Need

If you decide to go ahead, the process is actually quite straightforward as explained in our step by step guide.

We'll send you our packing guide so you know exactly how to send your flowers to us safely. You can also check our cost information so you know what to expect - there are no hidden surprises.

Once you've made the decision, we'll take care of everything else and keep you updated throughout the process.

Take a look at our wedding flower preservation service to understand exactly what we offer, and don't hesitate to ask us any questions you might have.