Tell me what you think....

[shannonlovesflowers]

I made this bridal bouquet (the first pic) some time ago.

the bride had it preserved. Hence the second pic.

What do ya think.

Clearly, the orchids are not the same, but other than that, I think it looks great.

Sorry the second pic is so grainy, I scanned it and had to alter the color just a tad so you could see it.

The flowers do get darker when they are preserved.

 

[Chezbloom]

I think your design is tres magnific! However, I am not a fan of preserving bouquets. This one looks pretty good but generally, I don't really understand why people feel the need to preserve bouquets. But then again, I am in the process of getting rid of a lot of material things. I quess I'm not the sentitmental sort and would prefer saving pics of the bouquet in a digital format. However, it is not bad for a preserved bouquet and I would not wan't to put a negative light on someone that preserves bouquets for a living. In short-Nice work!:dearbob:

 

[wildflowerschicago]

It looks pretty good, but I agree with Chez, a large good quality photo of the actual bouquet is SO much prettier!!!!!

I loved when that was your avatar!

Why do people keep this stuff????????? And for how long?????

 

[urbanfloral]

My sister in law had her bouquet preserved, it is now in a huge glass box in her kitchen. It looks really tacky and there is nowhere to put it. Shannon this is very flattering to you if you ask me, she loved her bouquet so much she wanted it to last forever. I can see why, it is beautiful!

 

[artistry in bloom]

I think they did a lovely job but I think a beautiful picture captures the true vibrant beauty of the bouquet better than the dried flowers in a glass case.
I had one of my brides pay a small fortune (more than the original price of her bouquet) to preserve her bouquet. They did a lousy job and also somehow managed to loose most of the bouquet jewels that were in it.
A preservation company asked me to give out their brochures but when I looked at their prices which ranged from $300 to $700 I decided against it. I can't see any reason why they can justify such expenses when they didn't have to buy the flowers, jewels, ribbon, etc to begin with. Yes it takes time but it also takes time to make the original bouquet and the florist is the one that pays for all the supplies.I always take a picture of the bride's bouquet and email it to her after the wedding incase she didn't get a good picture from the photographer.If a bride asks about preserving her bouquet I tell her there is one place in town that does it and how much it costs and then she can decide is she thinks it's worth it.
I much prefer your picture of your beautiful bouquet for the bride's keepsake.
Dianne

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

well, I know the process is expensive. And I do believe this one was $700 to preserve.

If I remember correctly the bouquet cost $325.

I love this design (if I do say so myself)

When they preserve these bouquets they take a million pics.
the they carefull dismantle the whole bouquet. The flowers are then freeze dried.

then it's put together again. Also there is the cost of the plexiglass case, which are custom made to fit the bouquet.

I personally would not want this. I left my bridal bouquet on the balcony of our hotel room in Vegas, that's how much it meant to me!! HA!

But if a bride does want this, I think this company does a darn fine job.

 

[Gracie]

Shannon, the original bouquet was fabulous. The preservation is ... er ... fabulous, too. I'm with everyone else on dissing the whole idea of preservation. But if they want to do it, then this one was well done.

A while back I asked for tips on making a huge tear-drop bridal bouquet. I never posted a photo of it, because the end result looked like a casket spray to me. But the bride loved loved loved it. She donated it to her church, and when she returned from her honeymoon, the church gave it back to her, dried. Apparently (although I haven't actually seen it) it dried perfectly and she wanted my advice on displaying it. Gack! I told her to get a glass door wall unit from Ikea and sold her a $25 wreath stand to hold the bouquet. She stopped by today to tell me how wonderful everything is -- the display case, the wreath stand, and the dried monstrosity. I'm glad she's happy. To each, their own.

 

[Dorothy]

I see a new business idea forming....hmmm...re-introduction of Paper Tole from the kazillion digital photos everybody has? Shhhh!

 

[Tuberose]

I've heard of the preservation places that buy all new flowers for the reserved bouquet, and I know that each piece has to be carefully prepared and then reassembled, of course it's going to be expensive. Not to mention the fact that the freeze drying machines are very expensive. We have a few brides that ask, most turn white at the cost, did have one that took the phone number. As long as I don't have to do it or look at it in my home, more power to them, somebody is making a living (hopefully) off of this.

Trish

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

You guys are missing a point here.

Brides want to preserve memories. Be part of their process.
Find a good preserver, and work out a commission arrangment....you refer and she pays you a commission for every bouquet she does that came from your referral.

In Pittsburgh, this is a very common thing to have done following the wedding. Girls are even asking for gift certificates at their bridal showers to help to cover the cost of preservation.

If done well, it becomes a piece of art in their homes. Just make sure that your preservation person is well established, and her work is good, and she is timely!

Judge not...........it's not our purpose.
Assist, and enhance......that's our mission!

Regards,
Cheryl

 

[artistry in bloom]

Hi Cheryl,
I certainly don't judge a bride for wanting to preserve her bouquet. I think it could be beautiful if it was done correctly. Unfortunately the only florist in Victoria that also preserves bouquets not only will not pay any commission for referrels but she honestly does a lousy job.The other company in Vancouver that wanted me to give out their brochures was not willing to pay a commission for it and besides it would be problematic to get the bouquet over to Vancouver in good condition and still fresh enough to have it done. If a bride asks about it I tell her her options but after the bride that got my bouquet preserved was crying on my shoulder because of how awful it turned out and asking me to step in and have them do something to fix it and put the jewels back I prefer not to get involved.I did step in for her and the florist at least came to me to buy some more jewels and get a picture of the bouquet but it still was a real dissapointment for the bride.
I know how expensive the freeze drying machines are. Many years ago I looked into getting one myself. That was before I discovered that moths can wipe out an entire crop of freeze dried flowers in a matter of weeks.I bought freeze dried roses from a wholesaler in Vancouver and noticed the electric moth zappers but didn't think too much about it . I soon discovered my flowers were embedded with moth eggs and $500 worth were ruined. The wholesaler was bankrupt within a month after their entire stock was infected so there was no recourse and I have decided to stay away from anything freeze dried since then especially since there are now better methods of preserving flowers without the machines.
I often use the new preserved gardenias in bouquets or for the brides hair and they keep the gardenias as a keepsake and have the picture of the full bouquet along with it.

 

[CHERYL BAKIN]

Good points...
not all things work in all areas.

Mr point is to keep searching for solutions, if you hear this request over & over.

there is a company that advertises in the trade publications regarding freeze drying bouquets. Maybe this is an option.

Second point -- although I may refer a business, I do not generally get involved with their transaction. While I appreaciate that your bride was crying about the preservation, and lack of jewels, she needed to take this up with the preservation person -- not you. There is a kind & gentle way to say I cannot help you.....and I know how we want to fix all things for all people (I also am a fixer!!). However, the preservation person got paid good money to do her job. If she did not, the bride needed to talk to her, and not you.

Third, if the preservation people will not trade or give up a small commission, then my answer to the brides is "sorry, I am not well versed in that field. That is a speciality that I have no expertise". This again removes you from the equation without hurt feelings.

Thre is one preservation shop that we do not refer any longer because of their lack of ability to get the orders completed. (Last month, for instance, she was still backed up & completing bouquets from October, 2007).

Just saying that it can be a small revenue stream, and a wedding enhancement sale, if you have all the pieces that wrok well together.

Cheryl

 

[SpringCity]

I think your design is tres magnific! However, I am not a fan of preserving bouquets. This one looks pretty good but generally, I don't really understand why people feel the need to preserve bouquets. But then again, I am in the process of getting rid of a lot of material things. I quess I'm not the sentitmental sort and would prefer saving pics of the bouquet in a digital format. However, it is not bad for a preserved bouquet and I would not wan't to put a negative light on someone that preserves bouquets for a living. In short-Nice work!:dearbob:

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[goodie]

I think your fresh one is Fabaroony !!! Love Love Love it ! The preserved one is a very good likeness , but you cant beat the real thing !

 

[pfmflowermarket]

Very cool guys. Wow that preservation is expensive. Most of our brides don't want to spend that much total on their fresh wedding flowers!

What kind of oriental lilies are those! You did an amazing job on that bridal bouquet? Is that all wired or is it in a holder? Did you have to wire those callas to do that dramatic cascade? Very awesome..not one "cheap" flower in there...(ie. mums or carnations) Did the bride bring in a picture and want you to copy it or was this just a design that you created after meeting with her and getting to know her likes and dislikes? I'm always curious to the background story of how the final designs were created.

 

[Connie]

At one time, we had a lady in the area who freeze-dried flowers. She purchased fresh flowers, freeze-dried them, and skillfully rebuilt the bouquet. Her work was stunning and very expensive. Well, I say expensive, but what do I know about how much it cost her??

What I cannot understand is why someone wants everything in the wedding to be made of permanent botanicals. The idea seems to be that the bouquets, corsages, arrangements, bouts, etc. can be kept forever. Why would you want to do that? Why would you want to decorate your house with centerpieces and bouquets?

Shannon, your design is lovely.

 

[RWK]

We have a place here in Columbia that does a wonderful job with this procedure. They either freeze-dry the bouquet or they take it apart, press the individual petals and flowers and then she re-assembles the bouquet into a picture frame.

Both are beautiful when done correctly. If you or your brides want this service.....and the flowers to be at their best......It is IMPORTANT that you tell your brides they need to arrange for this service BEFORE THE WEDDING.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

We have a place here in Columbia that does a wonderful job with this procedure. They either freeze-dry the bouquet or they take it apart, press the individual petals and flowers and then she re-assembles the bouquet into a picture frame.

Both are beautiful when done correctly. If you or your brides want this service.....and the flowers to be at their best......It is IMPORTANT that you tell your brides they need to arrange for this service BEFORE THE WEDDING.

That's a very good point Ricky

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Very cool guys. Wow that preservation is expensive. Most of our brides don't want to spend that much total on their fresh wedding flowers!

What kind of oriental lilies are those!Sumatra
You did an amazing job on that bridal bouquet?
Is that all wired Not sure I understand what you mean
or is it in a holder? Yes
Did you have to wire those callas to do that dramatic cascade? I've never wired a calla
Very awesome..not one "cheap" flower in there...(ie. mums or carnations)Yes there is
Did the bride bring in a picture and want you to copy it or was this just a design that you created after meeting with her and getting to know her likes and dislikes?This was my design she saw at a wedding expo...See below
I'm always curious to the background story of how the final designs were created.

This bouquet was inspired by a design Hitomi had made using anthirum as a base. But this is my design.
This white bouquet was the first I did for the wedding expo. I've made it a few times in different colors for different brides.
BTW there are mums in this bouquet.