floral preservation HOW TO PLAN A WEDDING ELOPEMENY ZION BRIDES GROOM 15

Photos by Ashley & Justin Photography

Nothing feels quite the same as looking at your wedding florals right before discarding them and thinking, "I hate throwing away something so beautiful". It's a special part of your day, and you spent so much time picking the colors and styles out. The trouble is-- you don't want it preserved like grandma's flowers back in the day in an old glass case. As much as we love grandma, it just looks too dated. So what can you do?

Preserving florals isn't new, but the styles of preservation certainly have changed-- which, in this case, has been a blessing for modern brides. Thanks to stylish woodwork and artistry in resin, the art of floral preservation has been brought into the 2020s in an amazing way that brides before would've (figuratively) died to have. So what makes it so different?

We took a moment to interview one of the top floral preservation leaders in the business, Tina Bupp from Bupp Woodworks & Designs, and asked for her best advice to couples about saving that stunning bouquet and how she's done it for numerous clients in the past.

To all readers meeting Tina for the first time, she and her husband/business partner Trevor are Illinois-based artists with years of experience who specialize in preserving wedding florals and other amazing woodwork. They're a must-follow on Instagram for all of their incredible designs.

Before You Throw Away Your Florals, Read This...

Photo by Casandrah Jensen Photography

#1. What would you say to a couple thinking about floral preservation?

If you feel bad throwing away your beautiful flowers and wish you could keep them forever, or want to keep sentimental items from special occasions, this is perfect for you! This is a great way to repurpose your bouquet into beautiful works of art. I hear “I wish I would have known about this when I got married” from couples all the time and it breaks my heart. If you are interested in professional floral preservation after your wedding, my best advice would be to plan ahead!

This has become one of the biggest wedding trends in the last couple of years, so make sure to save your spot as soon as possible. We will work together to figure out which keepsakes will work best for your flowers, style, and budget.

Photo by Tyler Rye

#2. What's a common question/questions you get from couples when they first inquire with you?

The most common question we hear is “How do I get my flowers to you, and when do you need them by?”. Fresh flowers need to be sent to us 1-5 days after the event so they are in their best condition to work with. We accept wedding bouquets from all over the country, so once you fill out all the fancy paperwork, we will send you our special shipping instructions. They're super easy to follow, and we always recommend assigning the task to a trusted friend or family member so you don't have to worry about anything after your big day.

We have had great success receiving bouquets from every state with our overnight shipping method. We also have local drop-off options for those near the Chicagoland area. We can also work with previously dried, artificial, silk, and wood flowers and greenery.

Another common questions is “What do you offer and what are your prices?”. We currently offer over 35 different options of keepsakes to fit every style and budget. Everything from floral blocks in various shapes and sizes, serving trays, wood charcuterie boards, wall hangings, bookends, shadowboxes, jewelry dishes, ring holders, necklaces, ornaments, gemstones, coasters, letters, candle holders, bookmarks, and even tables!

Upgrades such as polished chamfer finished edging, gold flakes, and personalization can also be added. We are always looking to add new and fun items to our lineup. To see our current pricing and options, check out our website.

Photo by ShutterFreek

#3. What do you do that sets you apart from other floral preservation companies?

What sets us apart from other companies is quality and experience. We have been working with resin and flower preservation for about 6 years, and woodworking for over 10 years, so we have experienced it all. Resin is a tricky medium to work with, and it takes a lot of practice for it to be crystal clear with vibrant life-like flowers. We use professional-grade resin and high-quality equipment and supplies to ensure your keepsakes will come out looking beautiful and last forever.

I studied fine arts in college and take pride in my designs and composition. I am a perfectionist so you can be sure that your flowers will be turned into a great piece of artwork that you can cherish and pass down to the next generation. Working on the layouts for your pieces is my favorite part! I absolutely love working with unique flowers and greenery from all over the country.

Photo by Ashley and Justin Photography

#4. What are the most common reasons couples say they want to preserve their florals?

Most couples come to us because they don't want to throw away such a beautiful piece of their special day. A lot of planning, time, and money goes into your wedding, including florals, so this is a great way to repurpose them. Some are not only looking for a gift for themselves, but also gifts for their family, friends, wedding party, and even other vendors. They may also want to include special items in their keepsakes such as their invitation, a photo, jewelry, or a swatch of lace from their beloved grandmother's wedding dress.

Floral preservation is quickly becoming a popular way to remember your special day, along with your wedding photos and rings.

Photo by Amber Garrett Photography

#5. When in the process should they contact you about floral preservation?

We only accept a certain amount of bouquets per week, so as soon as you know your wedding date, you can book your spot with us. You don't even have to know your florist yet! A $100 deposit will save your date and go towards your order. We highly recommend saving your date at least 2-3 months in advance to make sure your week isn't booked full.

Certain months during the summer and fall tend to fill the quickest. We do accept some last-minute bookings as well, but there is a rush charge added. Just another reason to save your spot as soon as you can.

Photo by Mountain Made Photography

#6. What are the 3-5 most common styles couples choose from your main pieces?

Our most popular items that couples pick for their Main Piece are the 10” Square, 10” Hexagon, Large Wood Serving Trays and Clear Acrylic Trays, Round Wall Hangings, and the 11” Arch. These larger keepsakes will fit the most flowers and greenery which gives the best representation of your bouquet. They are also recommended if you have bigger flowers such as peonies, sunflowers, proteas, dahlias, ornamental grasses, tropical flowers, and palm leaves. We also offer plenty of smaller items if you don't want a big keepsake or are on a tight budget.

There are also lots of fun Add-Ons to pick from which make great gifts for your family and friends, or just to treat yourself! The most common are ring holders, coasters, letters, candle holders, gemstones, necklaces, ornaments, and bookmarks.

These are great when you have some smaller flowers and filler, or we can use bits and pieces of petals from larger flowers and greenery. We can also include sentimental items such as jewelry, trinkets, lace, fabric, ribbon, and laminated photos or paper. If you are unsure of what you want, you can still book your spot with the smallest Main Piece and upgrade your size and shape after we receive your bouquet.

Examples of modern floral preservation by Bupp Woodworks & Designs

#7. Any last tips?

If preserving your wedding bouquet is something you're interested in, but maybe not in your budget, consider starting a cash fund that your family and friends can contribute to. Many engaged couples have added it to their wedding registry just like they do for a honeymoon. We also offer virtual gift cards on our website. We only require 50% payment before the wedding, and the other 50% isn't due until your items are complete.

Our typical turnaround time once we receive your flowers is about 3-5 months, so you have plenty of time to save up or even upgrade your items. Did your wedding already happen and you don't have your flowers? No worries, just send us a photo of your bouquet and we can work together with a local florist to recreate your bouquet. I also work with flowers you may have dried yourself!

Photo by Nicole Aston Photo

Hopefully, this has been super helpful in answering your questions and finding a great resource for preserving those gorgeous florals long after tying the knot. Wanting to see more about Bupp's services? Check out our link below!