FAQ PRESERVATION
How should I pack my flowers?
You can use kitchen roll and cling film to wrap your bouquet before placing it in a solid cardboard box to avoid any defects during delivery. Use a Next Day delivery service, e.g. « Royal Mail special delivery (guaranteed next day by 1pm) » available at any local post office. Please write your name somewhere in the box as I often have several bouquets arriving on the same day. You can remove ribbons and ornaments should you want to keep them as we are not going to need them.
When is it best to book?
You can book anytime ahead or within a few days after your wedding. It is best to book from 6 months to 2 weeks before your wedding. This allows you to secure your wedding dates in case it’s a busy time for me (as I do everything by myself, I've got limited availability each week). It also provides you with more time to work out how your flowers are going to make their way to me. If your order is last minute, please check availability before booking: maddysworkshop@gmail.com
What if I can’t send my bouquet straight away?
If you can’t send your bouquet straight away, it is best to keep it in clean tap water until posting.
When do we discuss design?
You get to choose your preferred style at the time of ordering. Each style requires different pressing methods and techniques, so your flowers will be pressed in a way that reflects your chosen design.
What do you advise in terms of flowers? What flowers press best?
Generally speaking, bright and colourful flowers are more likely to retain their hues after pressing. Including a variety of flowers and botanicals in your bouquet is also a great idea.
Please note the outcome is always going to be darker than the original bouquet. Please also be aware that white or blush pink flowers (especially roses), will turn slightly brown or cream. It is important to keep realistic expectations for your pressed flowers. I would also recommend to avoid dyed and spray painted flowers.
Flowers and foliage that press particularly well include: hydrangeas, gypsophila, roses, sweet peas, lisianthus, delphiniums (or larkspurs), clematis, anemones, freesias, tweedia, ranunculus, cosmos, most types of foliage, and many more.
Flowers and foliage best avoided include: fruits, berries, dahlias, gerberas, thistles, billy buttons, anthurium, calla lilies, protea plants.
How much do you need?
One bouquet is generally sufficient for any frame size or style. For larger options (such as 50x70cm or panoramic frames), or if you've ordered more than one frame, you're very welcome to send a little extra. For example, a bridesmaid's bouquet or additional table flowers.
Do you use all the flowers in the frame?
Not all the flowers of your bouquet will be pressed and used in the frame. This can be due to thickness, flower condition, or simply lack of space in the frame. Feel free to let me know if you would like me to include the remaining pressed flowers in your parcel (if any). I am always happy to!
How long does it take to make a bridal frame?
This mostly depends of the size of the frame. Let’s take the 50x70cm frame, for example, which takes approximately 12 hours.
Breakdown of effort:
- Pressing the flowers: 3 hours
- Getting the flowers out of press 2 months later: 1 hour
- Picking out the best flowers, creating the design, fixing the flowers: 6 hours
- Framing, packing and shipping: 2 hours
Customer service is not included as part of the price. Pressing flowers is a delicate, time-consuming process and is 100% handmade. This reflects a large percentage of the price of this service.
How would you recommend I take care of my frame?
The flowers are pressed naturally. This means they are going to fade over time, which is totally normal. It gives a vintage look I absolutely love! To prolong the vibrancy of the flowers, I would place the frame out of direct sunlight. Humid areas are to be avoided too.