The wedding day goes by fast, but your bouquet sticks around. Sometimes it’s sitting in a vase the next morning, sometimes it’s wrapped up in a towel on a hotel counter, and sometimes it’s in your trunk while you head out on your honeymoon.
If you’re wondering what to do next, we’ll make it simple.
There are three main paths we recommend, depending on what you want it to look like in your home and what condition the flowers are in right now:
- Preserve it pressed – flat, airy wall art in a frame
- Go 3D – a shadow box that keeps more depth and dimension
- Recreate it – if you missed the window or the bouquet is gone, we can rebuild the look from photos
Before we compare the options, let’s cover what to do in the first 24 hours so your bouquet has the best shot at turning into something you’ll love.
First, do this in the first 24 hours (even if you’re still deciding)
These steps help no matter which direction you choose.
1) Get your bouquet back in water
If the stems are out of water after the wedding, that’s normal. Just help them recover.
- Trim a small amount off the ends of the stems.
- Put the bouquet in a clean vase or pitcher with water.
- Keep it upright and supported so the blooms are not crushed.
2) Keep it cool and out of direct sunlight
Heat and sun speed things up. A cool room is your friend.
If you can, store it in a cooler spot in your home, and keep it away from sunny windowsills.
3) If you use a fridge, keep it away from produce
A fridge can help, but try to keep the bouquet away from fruits and vegetables. Many produce items release ethylene gas, which can shorten the life of cut flowers.
If your fridge is full, a cool, dark room is still better than a warm kitchen counter.
4) Do not seal it up too early
This is a big one. Avoid closing your bouquet into a bag or airtight container. Trapped moisture can cause faster breakdown.
Keep it in water until you are truly ready to package or drop off.
Option 1: Preserve it as a pressed flower frame
Pressed flower preservation is best if you want your bouquet to become flat, airy wall art.
Pressed pieces look incredible in homes because they read like art first. They’re clean, bright, and easy to hang with photos and prints.
Best for
- You want a light, floating look behind glass
- You love a modern, framed-art style
- Your bouquet has a mix of blooms and greenery
What to expect
Pressed flowers can last for decades as a keepsake with proper care, but real flowers will naturally change over time. We do not use dyes, preservatives, or chemical enhancements, so a gentle softening in color is normal.
The biggest thing you can do for long-term beauty is placement. Keep the finished piece out of direct sunlight and away from humidity-heavy spaces.
What you need to do next
If you’re choosing pressed, the key is timing. Fresh blooms need to arrive while they’re still in good condition.
Start your pressed order here:
pressed flower preservation
Then follow our shipping steps here:
shipping your flowers
If you like having the plan laid out in one place, our guide is here:
ordering guide
Option 2: Go 3D with a shadow box
A 3D shadow box is best if you want depth and texture, or if your bouquet is already dried.
This style keeps more of the bouquet’s original shape, which many people love. It feels fuller and more sculptural than pressed work.
Best for
- Your bouquet is already air-dried
- You love a more dimensional, bouquet-in-a-box look
- Your bouquet includes thick elements that do not press well
Some flowers and greens are simply too thick to press thin enough for a final pressed layout. When that’s the case, a shadow box is often the better-looking option.
What to expect
Dried flowers will also change over time, just in a different way. The shape stays more intact, but colors can still mellow.
Shadow boxes are a great fit when you want the preserved bouquet to still feel like a bouquet.
What you need to do next
If your bouquet is already dry, you’re not too late. That’s exactly what shadow boxes are for.
Shop the 3D option here:
dried flower shadow boxes
If you’re unsure whether your bouquet is better pressed or better 3D, we can help you decide quickly. The easiest route is to send a photo through our contact page:
contact us
Option 3: Recreate your bouquet (even if the bouquet is gone)
If you’re reading this and thinking, “We don’t have the bouquet anymore,” you’re not alone.
Maybe it was tossed at the end of the night. Maybe it dried out in a vase. Maybe it didn’t survive travel. Maybe you always meant to preserve it, and life moved fast.
That’s why we offer bouquet recreations.
Best for
- You no longer have the bouquet
- The bouquet is too far past the fresh window for pressing
- You want the look of your wedding flowers brought back to life as art
What we need from you
To recreate your bouquet, we need:
- A few clear photos of the bouquet (front, side, close-up helps)
- Notes on must-have blooms or colors
- Your preferred frame size and style
What to expect
Recreations are custom, so pricing and florals vary based on the original bouquet and what’s available. The goal is to honor the look and feel of your wedding bouquet in a piece you’ll actually display.
Learn about recreations here:
bouquet recreations
How to choose in 3 minutes
If you want a quick decision tool, use this.
Choose pressed if
- You want wall art with an airy, flat look
- Your bouquet is still fresh and you can ship quickly
- You like a clean, modern style
Choose 3D if
- You want dimension and texture
- Your bouquet is already dried
- Your bouquet has thick elements that do not press well
Choose recreation if
- The bouquet is gone
- The bouquet is too far past the fresh timeline
- You still want a keepsake that reflects your wedding flowers
If you’re still stuck, do this: put the bouquet in water, keep it cool, and send us a photo. We’ll point you to the best option.
Common mistakes to avoid after the wedding
These are the issues that most often cause regret later.
Sealing the bouquet too early
Trapped moisture can speed up breakdown. Keep it in water and only package when you’re ready to ship or drop off.
Leaving it in a hot car
Even a short stop can warm flowers fast. Keep the bouquet inside with you whenever possible.
Waiting too long to act if you want pressed preservation
Pressed work depends on freshness. If you think you want pressed, place your order early so you have clear next steps.
Choosing a style that doesn’t match the bouquet’s structure
If your bouquet is thick, tropical, or heavy on bulky elements, you may love the final look more in 3D. If your bouquet has variety and you love a light, modern finish, pressed can be perfect.
Order Now
If you’re ready to choose your path, start here:
- Pressed preservation: Order Now, pressed flower preservation
- 3D shadow box: Order Now, dried flower shadow boxes
- Recreation inquiry: bouquet recreations
If you want help deciding, send us a photo and a quick note:
contact us
FAQ
How soon do I need to decide what to do with my bouquet?
If you think you want pressed preservation, decide as soon as you can so the flowers stay fresh enough to ship. If you’re leaning 3D, you have more flexibility, especially if the bouquet is already dried.
Pressed vs 3D shadow box, which lasts longer?
Both can last for years as keepsakes with proper placement and care. The bigger difference is style: pressed is flatter and airy, 3D keeps more depth. Natural color changes are normal with real botanicals.
What if my bouquet is already dry?
A 3D shadow box is usually the better fit for already dried bouquets because it keeps the natural dimension.
What if I don’t have my bouquet anymore?
You can still create a meaningful keepsake with a recreation. We work from photos and notes to rebuild the look as a custom piece.
What if my bouquet has thick flowers that won’t press well?
Some thick elements are hard to press thin enough for a final pressed layout. In those cases, 3D is often the better-looking option.
