The wedding day is full. You blink and it’s over. Then you wake up the next morning, look at your bouquet, and realize you have one more important thing to do.
Ship it safely.
We know shipping feels intimidating because flowers are delicate and time matters. The good news is that it does not have to be complicated. If you follow a clear checklist, you can send your bouquet with confidence and keep your blooms in the best condition possible for wedding bouquet preservation.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, from the moment your wedding ends to the moment you drop the box at the carrier. Keep it simple, keep it cool, ship it fast.
The big picture in one minute
If you only read one section, read this:
- Get your bouquet back in water as soon as you can
- Keep it cool and out of direct sun
- Do not seal blooms in plastic
- Pack right before drop-off, not hours earlier
- Ship next-day or two-day delivery
- Make sure we receive your fresh flowers within 5 business days of your event
Now let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: Right after the wedding, treat your bouquet like it still matters
Because it does. Your bouquet has been through a long day: photos, heat, wind, hugs, dancing, and lots of time out of water.
Here’s what to do as soon as you can, even if it’s late:
Trim the stems
Trim a small amount off the bottom of the stems. This helps them drink again.
Put the bouquet in water
Place it in a vase, pitcher, or any clean container with enough water to cover the stem ends.
Keep it cool
Choose a cool room out of direct sunlight. Avoid leaving it in a hot car, even briefly.
If you can, refrigerate
A fridge can help the bouquet rest overnight. Keep it away from produce if possible.
Step 2: Know your timeline so you can relax
We ask that fresh flowers arrive at our studio no more than 5 business days after your event. That sounds strict, but it gives you a real plan.
Here’s what that usually looks like:
- Wedding on Saturday or Sunday: shipping on Monday is totally fine
- Wedding on a weekday: ship the next day if possible
One more important tip: do not package the bouquet until you are on your way to ship it. Keep it in water as long as you can.
Step 3: Choose the easiest shipping path for you
There are two simple ways to ship:
Option A: Use our Shipping Kit
If you want the least stress, our Shipping Kit is made for this. It includes the packaging materials you need and a pre-paid label for 1–2 day UPS delivery.
You can add it to your order here:
shipping kit
Option B: Ship with your own supplies
If you’re using your own materials, that’s totally fine. You just need the right basics and the right shipping speed.
Either way, you’ll follow the same packing logic below.
Step 4: Gather supplies before you start packing
We recommend having everything ready before you touch the bouquet.
Here’s our simple supply list:
- Cardboard box (we often recommend around 12 x 12 x 12 to keep cost reasonable)
- Packing paper or kraft paper, newspaper also works
- Ice pack, frozen ahead of time
- Rubber bands
- Paper towels
- One bag just for the stems
- Packaging tape
Important: no plastic near the blooms. Petals need airflow. Plastic around the flower heads can trap moisture.
If you want the official step-by-step we share with clients, keep this open while you pack:
shipping your flowers
Step 5: Pack the bouquet the safe way
This is the part that makes people nervous, so we’ll keep it clear.
Keep the bouquet upright
Your goal is to prevent the blooms from being crushed and to prevent the bouquet from sliding around in the box.
Wrap the stems, not the blooms
- Wrap the stem ends with a damp paper towel
- Cover the stems with one bag to keep moisture contained
- Keep the blooms free of plastic
Add the ice pack with a buffer
Ice packs help keep things cool, but do not place an ice pack directly against petals.
Use packing paper as a buffer so the bouquet stays cool without getting soggy or too cold in one spot.
Fill the empty space
Movement is the enemy in transit.
Use paper packing material to fill space around the bouquet so it cannot shift. You want the inside of the box to feel snug, not tight.
If you want a helpful general reference for how carriers recommend securing flowers in a box, FedEx shares packing guidance for flowers and plants on their site.
Step 6: Ship next-day or two-day delivery
This is non-negotiable for fresh flower preservation.
We require next-day or two-day delivery. You can ship with UPS, USPS, or FedEx, and we tend to prefer UPS based on how packages are handled.
Two quick notes that save money and stress:
- If the carrier asks about early delivery times, choose the best price. Morning vs end-of-day does not change our process.
- Smaller boxes usually cost less to ship.
If your event is on a weekend, shipping Monday is fine. Keep the bouquet in water until you are ready to package and drop it off.
Step 7: Use a prepaid label if you want a cheaper, easier checkout
We offer a prepaid label option that can make shipping simpler. It’s sized for one box around 12 x 12 x 12 and includes UPS next-day shipping to our studio.
If you already bought our full shipping kit, you do not need this. The kit includes what you need.
Here’s the label option:
prepaid shipping label
Step 8: Double-check these common mistakes before you tape the box
Before you seal the box, run through this list:
- The bouquet is upright and supported
- Blooms are not touching plastic
- The stems are wrapped and contained
- The box is filled so the bouquet cannot slide
- Ice pack is frozen and separated from petals with paper
- You are shipping next-day or two-day
- You are not scheduling weekend delivery
- You are dropping off right after packing, not hours later
If you follow that checklist, you are doing everything we hope for.
Step 9: What happens after we receive your flowers
Once your flowers arrive, we’ll confirm they’re here and keep you updated through the process.
When your flowers have been pressed, we’ll let you know it’s time to design. You’ll receive a mock design of your arrangement and you’ll have the chance to tweak it up to three times.
If you want a simple place to skim the full process and shipping questions, our FAQ is here:
flower preservation FAQ
Quick links to make it even easier
If you want a clean path from start to finish:
- Start your preservation order here: pressed flower preservation
- Wedding-specific details here: wedding flowers
- Packing and shipping steps here: shipping your flowers
- Planning and add-ons here: ordering guide
- Questions or timing help here: contact us
Order Now
If you’re ready to preserve your bouquet, you can place your order online and we’ll email you the next steps.
Order Now: wedding bouquet preservation
FAQ
Can I ship my bouquet on Monday if my wedding was on the weekend?
Yes. If your wedding is on Saturday or Sunday, shipping on Monday is totally fine. Keep your bouquet in water until you can ship, and pack right before drop-off.
Do I need overnight shipping?
We require next-day or two-day shipping for fresh flowers. Faster shipping protects your bouquet and helps it arrive in the best condition possible. We provide a pre-paid shipping label.
Should I use plastic to protect the blooms?
No. We do not recommend putting plastic near the blooms. Use one bag only around the stems, and use paper packing materials for cushioning.
What if I’m feeling unsure about my bouquet’s condition?
Send us a photo and a quick note. We can help you make the best plan before you ship.
contact us