Preservation Guide
A few things we would like to share with you, darlings, before your flowers begin their second life.
Whether your flowers are from a wedding, memorial or another meaningful moment, this guide explains how to prepare them, how to bring or ship them to Le Rosse Studio and what happens after they arrive.
How Flower Preservation Works
- Reserve or contact us. For weddings, reserve your date with the $150 nonrefundable reservation deposit, credited in full toward your final preservation piece. For memorials and unexpected meaningful occasions, contact the studio as soon as possible; advance reservation is not required.
- Confirm the arrival plan. Before mailing or dropping off flowers, contact Le Rosse Studio so we can confirm availability, the receiving window, the current shipping address or a Hanahan drop-off appointment.
- The first 24 hours matter. Begin caring for the flowers immediately and contact Le Rosse Studio as soon as possible. Follow the care and packing instructions below; prompt delivery gives us the best opportunity to preserve their natural character.
- Received and studied. We photograph and inventory the flowers, record bloom type, color and condition, and note the sentimental details that matter most to you.
- Chosen and preserved. We identify the strongest blooms—including “the bloom I would protect most”—then stabilize and dry them carefully. Fresh flowers are never cast directly into resin.
- Finalize and approve the heirloom. You do not need to choose every design detail before sending your flowers. After the intake assessment, we help you select the piece, size and meaningful additions that best suit the usable blooms. Wedding-preservation orders include one composition approval before final mounting or casting when applicable.
- Complete payment. The $150 reservation deposit is credited toward the final piece. Orders under $500 are due in full before final production. Orders of $500 or more may be paid in full or with 50% of the remaining balance due before final production and 50% due before shipment or pickup.
- Your flowers become art. Every composition is made by hand. Typical completion is approximately 10–16 weeks from receipt of viable flowers, depending on the selected heirloom, flower type, preservation method, design complexity and current studio schedule. The Chosen Bloom typically requires 12–16 weeks. Shipping time is additional, and the individual product description provides the applicable estimate.
- Receive the finished piece. Choose scheduled local pickup or insured, trackable shipping within the continental United States. Inbound and finished-piece shipping are charged separately unless a listing states otherwise.
See the Complete Wedding Preservation Process
Your Artist’s Intake Note
Please tell us which flowers or details carry the most meaning. Helpful information includes:
- Your full name, order number and wedding or occasion date.
- The flower, color or small detail you hope we can protect most.
- Any ribbon, invitation, photograph, vows or keepsake you would like considered.
- Your preferred heirloom, if you already have one in mind.
Final selection depends on flower condition, scale and the requirements of the chosen piece.
Before You Send Your Flowers
- Keep flowers cool indoors and away from direct sunlight, heaters and hot cars.
- Do not freeze the flowers.
- Do not spray the blooms or pack them while wet.
- Handle petals as little as possible.
- If stems are still arranged, keep them hydrated until packing time, then remove all water before placing them in the shipping box.
- Never leave fresh flowers sealed in plastic.
How to Pack and Ship Flowers
- Contact us first. Never mail flowers without a confirmed receiving date and the current studio shipping address.
- Choose a sturdy box. Use a clean box with enough room so the blooms are not crushed.
- Stabilize the bouquet. Support the flowers with clean, dry packing material so they cannot slide or press against the box. Do not wrap damp material around the blooms.
- Add your information. Place your full name, order number if available, occasion date, email and phone number inside the box.
- Ship Monday–Thursday only after confirmation. Use an expedited, trackable service and send us the tracking number. Do not ship immediately before a weekend or holiday unless the studio has approved the arrival plan.
Important: Mailing quickly gives us the best opportunity to preserve your flowers, but natural aging and transit can affect which blooms remain usable.
Read the Detailed Flower Care + Shipping Guide
Local Flower Drop-Off
Local drop-off is available at the Hanahan studio by confirmed appointment only during customer hours, Monday–Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Please never arrive without confirmation or leave flowers unattended outside.
If Your Event Is Very Soon—or Already Happened
If your wedding or event is within seven days, or the flowers are already in your care, contact us before booking. We will review timing, studio availability and flower condition with you.
What to Expect from Natural Flowers
Preserved flowers retain the feeling and beauty of the original moment, but nature remains visible. Colors may deepen, soften or shift, and delicate petals can change in texture. White orchids and similarly fragile flowers may bruise, become translucent or react unpredictably. Blooms with damp centers, mold, collapse or severe deterioration may not be safe to preserve.
If You No Longer Have Your Bridal Bouquet
If the original bridal bouquet is no longer available, Le Rosse Studio may source similar flowers for an additional fee, using clear photographs of the bouquet as a reference. The new commemorative preservation piece will be inspired by the bouquet’s flower types, colors, shape and overall feeling. Because sourced blooms are replacements, the finished work will not contain the original wedding flowers or be presented as an exact replica. All substitutions and the proposed design direction will be clearly explained and approved before creation.
Flowers from Other Meaningful Occasions
Le Rosse Studio also considers flowers from memorials, anniversaries, engagements, baby celebrations, graduations and other meaningful moments. These occasions may not allow advance reservations, so contact us as soon as you can.
Explore Preservation Beyond Weddings
Still Have Questions?
Find answers about reservations, flower condition, personalization, color changes, turnaround, local drop-off, shipping and care for your finished piece.