About the Process
I wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit about my philosophy for preservation. I have been preserving wedding bouquets since 1992. What you get when you hire me, is an artist with years of experience and knowledge. I am not new to this and each bouquet I work with is a very personal piece of art that I create. For this reason, I only work locally. At some point during the process, it is important for me to have a conversation with the bride about the design of their final piece. In that one on one meeting, whether it is in person or via video conference, I get to know you as a person. I listen to what your likes and dislikes are. I look for clues to see what things about my work excite you so that I can incorporate that style into your piece. When it’s time for me to design your piece, I draw inspiration from that meeting to finish your bouquet. All bouquets must be hand delivered. I don’t do any shipping. The 3D freeze dried pieces in particular are far too fragile. For me, my favorite part of the process is the look on a bride’s face the moment they see their flowers again.
When you book with me, there are two things that are most important whether you book ahead of time or if you are calling me shortly after the wedding. First, because I offer two very different types of preservation, I would need to know if you prefer 3D or pressed. Many of my brides choose both and do more than one piece. Second, is the logistics. I work by appointment only in Greenwich and have limited availability based on the amount of room I have in my storage freezers. Because I do book to capacity, it can take several months for flowers to go from the storage freezer to the freeze dry process.
3D Freeze Drying
Every 3D bouquet I take in will go through a deep freeze and freeze dry process. There is a huge difference between flowers that have been dried through the use of a freeze dryer and other methods. Popular now and what you will see in places like Etsy and on social media wedding groups are offerings that use other less expensive methods for preservation. The use of silica gel that can easily be found in crafts stores does not produce the same quality 3D dried flower compared to one that has been processed through the use of chemicals and freeze drying. The freeze dryer I use is a professionally manufactured $20,000+ piece of equipment developed specifically to professionally preserve flowers. My freeze dryer runs 24/7 and 365 days per year. In addition, chemicals are used to protect and preserve the color and texture of the petals both before and after the flowers have been freeze dried. Different chemicals will produce different results depending on the color and type of flower. During the winter months in New England when weather is less predictable and there are fewer weddings, I take a month off to run maintenance on my equipment so it is in optimal running condition and ready for the next wedding season. When you book with me, you are reserving a spot in one of three storage freezers. It is there that you will stay frozen in chemicals and queue in line behind brides ahead of you. All flowers, 3D or pressed, must go through a deep freeze before being freeze dried. Because of this process and limited space, I will book to capacity and run out of room in my storage freezers, especially during busy times of the year.
Pressed Freeze Drying
Traditional flower pressing between books and presses that can easily be purchased on Amazon and in crafts stores will offer mixed results depending on the temperature, dampness and humidity as the flowers are drying. I use some of these presses in addition to presses that I have built in my studio for very specific flowers such as thicker dahlias and sunflowers. Unique to my process is that I deep freeze and freeze dry my presses and that allows me to dry them in a completely controlled environment so regardless of the weather and condition of the air outside, the vacuum sealed freeze dryer will produce a better quality and brighter, more vivid color flower vs traditional pressing that has been exposed to air while drying. Once the presses have been freeze dried, flowers are removed from the presses and additional color tinting will be used on some flowers depending on the type and color. I don’t paint flowers to look painted but I do color enhance certain ones as necessary and color treatments will vary. All of my pieces are designed on a fabric background that is meant to just disappear as a background and not be an obvious part of the design but rather something to help hold the design in place. Even though the flowers are pressed, there is a layering element in all of my work that shows depth and movement. Glass is then placed on top of the flowers to hold the design in place through tension and final framing. No glue is used in my pieces as glue over time will age and show through certain petals.
Pricing
Pricing includes chemical treatments, freeze drying, color tinting and all framing materials for both 3D and pressed bouquets.
The most popular frame sizes for pressed bouquets and 3D bouquets in frames with domes are:
11 x 14
12 x 16
14 x 17
Average prices for these sizes range between $370 and $550. Frames come in rectangle, oval and round shapes. Other sizes and upgraded styles are also available.
3D shadowbox sizes start at 5 x 7 and can go as large as 20 x 24. They are available in two different depths. The most popular shadowbox sizes are:
8 x 8
10 x 10
12 x 12
12 x 16
14 x 14
14 x 17
Average prices for these most popular sizes and styles range from $400 to $600. For brides who like the look of a shadowbox but are looking for a lower price point, there is a shadowbox option in limited sizes, depths and finishes that runs from $300 to $465 depending on the size. Also available for 3D bouquets is a tabletop terrarium.
There are upcharges on prices for glass and acrylic upgrades as well as gold and silver finishes and ornate frames that are more costly. You can control the cost based on the frame or shadowbox that you choose. Smaller keepsakes are available as add-on pieces. A $300 deposit will reserve your space in the storage freezer.
All of my displays are custom made to each order. There are so many different options, it's impossible to list all their prices here. If you see something specific you are interested in from my Instagram or Facebook pages, let me know. I post new photos there regularly so feel free to give me a call for a price quote for any particular frame or shadowbox you might be drawn to.
Designs I Don’t Do and Why
I am often asked about the currently popular method of designing pressed flowers between two pieces of glass so I would like to address why I don’t do it. Because of the amount of layering and no use of glue, my method is too intricate and will not work on flowers between two panes of glass. In addition, some flowers are simply too thick. My color tinting is also not conducive to glass on glass designs. Flowers typically designed this way are not often subject to any type of color treatment and will discolor to an unattractive brown as they age. Pane on pane glass results in light exposure from both the front and back that will hasten the discoloration of the flowers. Signs of glue can also show as it ages. Exposure to air between two panes of glass can encourage condensation that is a breeding ground for mold and insects. That may or may not happen but is always a possibility and will depend on the environment where the bouquet is displayed as it ages. In addition to freeze drying for color retention and framing without glue, I seal all my frames to prevent air from circulating to prevent further aging and damaging flowers. I also do not offer flowers in resin. It’s partly because there are just not enough hours in the day for me to add a third process to what I already do. It involves the use of a gas mask and very specific ventilation because it can be health hazardous. Resin can yellow as it ages so for all of these reasons, I have chosen not to add that to my offerings. If after reading this your heart is still set on glass on glass or resin, I totally get it! I know plenty of other preservationists and will be happy to recommend someone who’s work I think is different from mine, but spectacular. Also, if you are not within drop off distance but somehow landed here, I can certainly suggest another preservationist who you might be able to work with by mail. If you are not working with me, I will always suggest you find a preservationist who is using freeze drying vs silica especially for 3D pieces. My hope is that everyone who wants to have their flowers preserved is able to do so and I am happy to assist in that process any way I can.