
Frequently Asked Questions about flower preservation
Do you only accept flowers from local brides?
No, although we do accept local drop offs and pickup options, we also accept bouquets from anywhere in the United States. Flowers should be shipped through either USPS, FedEx or UPS. You can find shipping instructions HERE.
2. How soon should I book my preservation date?
As soon as you can, I can only accommodate a certain number of bouquets each week so booking early will assure availability. I recommend securing your bouquet preservation as soon as you finalize your floral needs with your florist.
FOR MEMORIAL FLOWERS- We will always be ready to assist with your preservation needs.
3. How many flowers do I need to send?
A standard bridal bouquet provides enough flowers for most orders, however, you can send additional flowers such as table decor or bridesmaid bouquet if you are ordering several pieces.
4. Why is flower preservation so expensive and why does it take so long?
From carefully disassembling your bouquet, preserving/drying your flowers, designing your custom piece (which sometimes involves reconstructing flowers), to crafting your final piece which can take up to 16 days depending on the depth of your chosen piece. We then wait for your piece to completely cure. Some pieces will need additional services like sanding, flood coating, top coating and polishing. We can spend up to or over 20+ hours over several months meticulously caring for your custom keepsake.
5. Can you preserve flowers that have been air dried or use artificial flowers?
Yes! We accept both artificial and pre-dried bouquets. We can still preserve it in resin so it does not continue to deteriorate. Flowers that have been air dried will look different than flowers dried in silica gel. Flowers already dried can also have more dust/debris on them which can get into the resin. We try to remove as much as possible, but dried flowers are fragile and removing all dust/hair/debris is difficult.
6. When should I ship my flowers?
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! We suggest overnight shipping! We need your flowers within 24-48 hours after your event!
Shipping instructions HERE.
7. How long does it take to get my flowers back?
Turn around time is usually 3-5 months. Please understand flower preservation is a time consuming process. All flowers dry for 4wks. Then the design process will begin. After you have approved your design, your order will be place in resin immediately as long as your chosen mold is available. The pouring process can take up to 16 days depending on the depth of your project. We can only pour 1/4” of resin every 24 hrs. This is a time consuming process and patience is important.
8. What if I need to cancel my order?
We understand unforeseen circumstances do come up but understand we have already set aside resources in preparation to receive your flowers. Therefore, we will hold a retainer fee (25% of your total order) on any orders cancelled prior to receiving your flowers. The client will be refunded 75% of total order if flowers have not been received. Once Forever Florals has received your flowers, we can not offer any refund as our preservation process begins at the moment we receive your flowers.
9. Will my flowers fade overtime?
All flowers are susceptible to fading over time. We use a high-quality UV-resistant resin that will help slow the process as much as possible. However, this is a natural process of aging flowers. We believe flowers have a natural beauty and allowing nature to run its course is best.
10. Does resin yellow over time?
Yes, although all our flowers are placed in a high-quality UV resistant resin it is important to understand all resin has the potential to amber over time. Although these products are durable, you should still handle them with care. Make sure to NEVER leave your floral art in direct sunlight or anywhere it will be exposed to heat for long periods of time. However, if this is a concern for you, we do offer a choice of a black background. This can help hide some of the yellowing that can occur over time. Yellowing is most noticeable when viewing your piece from the sides, not the front.
11. Will my flowers keep their color during the preservation process?
Although we strive to preserve your flowers to the best of our ability, there are some things that our out of our control. We do not have control of how flowers will change colors during the drying process. This is a natural process as moisture is removed from the flowers. Please have realistic expectations on the way your flowers will look after drying. White flowers often change to a soft to dark ivory. Some pink flowers will dry darker, and some turn a purple color. Yellow flowers can either dry darker or become muted in color. Blue and purple flowers dry darker. Red and some purple flowers can turn a dark burgundy or plum color. Tropical flowers also have color changes such as anthurium, orchids, lilies and monstera. Please be aware there may be some flowers that do will not make it through the drying process at all.
* We do not dry succulents due to high moisture content. We recommend using faux succulents.
12. Will my flowers look the same as they did at my event?
No. It’s not realistic to expect them to look the same as the event day. The flowers go through several steps before they arrive to us. Handling flowers to any degree can cause stress on flowers. This happens while your florist creates, during your event, shipping or transporting them to us etc.
Bruising- some flowers get bruised on the event day, when they are handled or shipped. This is out of our or anyone’s control and would lead to transparent spots, we wont know until they are casted in resin They still look so beautiful.
13. How should I care for my resin products after receiving them?
All flowers are preserved in a high-quality UV resistant resin although all resin will amber over time. Placement of your resin art is important You want to display it in a well lit room but Not in direct sunlight. Avoid storing your resin artwork in a dark closet or box for an extended period of time, this too can speed up the ambering process. Avoid placing your items near a heat source. Although these products are durable, you should still handle them with care. To keep your product looking fresh you can occasionally wipe it down with a soft cloth!

Expectations of the preservation process
Flower Drying
For our keepsakes, it's essential that the flowers are fully dry before adding resin. Moisture can lead to rotting and spoil the look of the piece. Resin also doesn't bond well with wet flowers. By drying your flowers completely, we can ensure a beautiful and durable keepsake that will last for years.
At Forever Florals Flower Preservation, we utilize silica gel as an effective method for drying our clients' flowers, ensuring that their original shape and color are preserved as much as possible. However, it is essential to understand that not all flowers dry uniformly, and some may undergo color changes during the process. For example, red roses are likely to transition to a burgundy hue, while white roses can develop a cream or yellow tone. Similarly, blush roses may lose their pink vibrancy and dry to a yellow shade. Additionally, many tropical flowers face challenges in the drying process; for instance, white anthuriums can turn brown and become fragile. It's also important to note that succulents do not dry effectively and should be avoided in resin pieces, as any remaining moisture can lead to decay. Understanding these nuances can help in selecting the right flowers for preservation.
Bruising on Flowers
Floral bruising is a common issue when preserving flowers in resin. These clear spots can show up on flowers after the resin is applied, especially on roses, tropical flowers, and lighter colored blooms. While some may find bruising undesirable, it's a normal part of the preservation process.
Resin Ambering
Resin art can create stunning pieces, but it has its challenges. Sometimes, resin items may have flaws like small dust particles or bubbles. We do everything we can to prevent these from happening but it is not possible to avoid it. Over time, resin can turn a slight yellow color or amber, especially with exposure to sunlight or heat. This color change usually happens evenly but can sometimes affect just one layer, especially if too much heat is generated during curing, which is beyond our control.
