Choosing your flowers and what to talk to your florist about

Flower preservation is a beautiful way to hold onto special memories whether you choose a shadow box or a pressed design. There are some things to consider when deciding between shadow boxes or a pressed design and the flowers to include in your bouquet.

Shadow boxes: Almost all flowers and greenery will dry beautifully however you can expect some flowers to change color somewhat. These are the colors that they would change to if they were left to dry naturally. Some pinks will turn a shade of lavender, reds often dry darker, yellows and oranges usually dry close to fresh colors although might be a bit darker. Whites usually are not as bright (more of a vintage white color), and some flowers like lisianthus may take on a yellow or green undertone. Although I do not color correct dried flowers at this time because of the delicate nature of the dried petals, it is something that I am looking into.

Pressed designs: Not all blooms behave the same when pressed. Some flowers retain their shape and color beautifully, while others are more challenging due to their moisture content, thickness, or color-fastness. I deconstruct almost all of the flowers in a bouquet to press the petals individually and then reconstruct them when I am ready to start the design process.. This helps the petals to dry quicker and to retain their colors better. At this time, I do color correct white flowers (and some others at my discretion) at no charge. However, if you request special color corrections, there may be an extra labor charge.

Flowers That Preserve Well

These flowers are typically great for either shadow boxes or pressed designs.

Pansies & Violas – Delicate and colorful, they press perfectly.
Delphinium – Petals separate easily for beautiful flat results.
Queen Anne’s Lace – Intricate and elegant once pressed and add a wonderful depth and detail for shadow boxes.
Cosmos – Lightweight with a classic shape.
Larkspur – Dries quickly and holds color.
Fern leaves & greenery – Add gorgeous texture and shape.
Hydrangea petals (individual) – Petals press better than whole heads but dried in bunches or whole heads for shadow boxes.
Roses – Roses are great for shadow or pressed designs. However, best for both, if they are left unreflexed.
Tulips – Tulip petals create lovely translucent shapes when pressed.
Peonies – Beautiful whole in shadow boxes, and with petals carefully separated, peonies press beautifully for pressed designs.
Ranunculus – Their delicate, layered petals flatten into gorgeous textures or are left whole for shadow boxes.
Butterfly Ranunculus (and similar varieties): press and dry great when fresh, but often don’t stand up as well during the wedding day as some flowers. You might want to ask your florist for extras to keep fresh in a vase to bring with your bouquet.
Sweet Peas: Adds a beautiful, airy feeling to bouquets
Bunny Tails: Are already dried, and press great.
Dried grasses (such as pampas grass): a great addition, although seeds or small parts may come loose in the design. Good for pressed or shadow box, but usually only include a few pieces in pressed designs.
Stock: comes in such a variety of colors and is great for dried or pressed designs
Anemone: beautiful spring flowers. Great for pressing or shadow box. Available in a variety of colors.
Carnations: a great budget flower. Ask your florist about removing some center petals to make them resemble a ranuculus bloom. They are good for shadow boxes and pressed frames, although they often dry darker than they look fresh. They hold up well during the wedding day.
Spray Roses: I love spray roses. They dry really pretty and their dainty petals press well. However, I find they are one of the first flowers to start wilting during the wedding day, so making sure your bouquet is put in a fresh vase of water as soon as possible (and snipping the stems) is important.

💡 Tip: For best results, use blooms at their freshest and begin pressing as soon as possible. As soon as you can after your wedding day, snip the stems (at an angle if possible), and place them in fresh water. Snipping is important as the stems seal up when they are out of water even for a few minutes, and will not hydrate again until they are snipped.

Flowers That Are More Challenging to Press or Dry

Although these flowers usually dry great for shadow boxes, they tend to be prone to browning or discoloring when pressing. They’re not impossible — but they may require extra care or alternative preservation methods.

Lilies – Large petals can bruise or discolor during pressing. However , I use a combination of drying them first in silica and then pressing which helps to retain their colors.
Orchids – Delicate and thick; often lose structure or color. However they dry great for shadow boxes.
Succulents – Too fleshy and watery for successful pressing or drying. Usually replace with an artificial one for shadow boxes.
Dahlias – Tend to brown and lose shape, however I work with pressing individual petals for the best results. They may require some reconstruction for shadow boxes, if some petals fall off, but otherwise dry nice.
Chrysanthemums – Often too dense to press well, but I do deconstruct them to press. Often there is some browning at the smaller end of the petal which I may have to color correct (especially on white mums). Although drying for shadow boxes is better, they can still brown a little around the center, especially white mums.
Lisianthus – Their petals can wilt or become translucent, making pressing tricky. White Lisianthus often dry yellow with some green around the stem. When necessary, I will do some color correction on them. This is one flower where the freshness of the flower really makes a difference in how well it dries or presses. You may want to ask your florist for a few extra to send with your bouquet, that can be kept fresh on your wedding day.
Calla Lillies: Popular for modern weddings. Often need color correcting.
Button mums or any compact round mums: These usually dry ok for shadow boxes, or can be reconstructed if they lose some petals, but are harder to press. Their tiny petals makes pressing and reconstructing difficult.

🛠️ Note: Even with difficult blooms, we use professional techniques to preserve them beautifully whenever possible.

What to Talk to Your Florist About

If you’re planning to have your bouquet professionally preserved, here are a few key things to mention to your florist before your big day:

Avoid Reflexed Roses

“Reflexing” is a floral design trend where rose petals are pulled outward to open up the bloom. While this looks dramatic on the wedding day, it damages the petals and makes them more difficult to press without browning.

✔️ Ask your florist to keep your roses natural (unreflexed) if you plan to preserve them — they press much more beautifully this way. Or just include a few of each (reflexed and unreflexed) and ask for a few extra unreflexed rosed to keep separate as a backup. Often you can pull some from your center pieces or arches.

Include Detail Flowers & Greenery

Small accent flowers and greenery not only enhance the look of your bouquet in person but also add variety, texture, and depth to your pressed design. These elements help balance the overall look in your finished piece.

Great accent choices include:

Waxflower
Baby’s Breath
Blue Thistle
Eucalyptus
Ferns
Herbs like lavender or rosemary
Chamomile or any small, white, daisy like flower

✔️ A thoughtful mix of blooms, textures, and greenery helps us create a piece that’s visually stunning and true to your bouquet.

Our Expertise Makes the Difference

At Lethbridge Floral Art, we specialize in working with all kinds of wedding flowers — from the simple to the complex, the delicate to the dramatic. Whether your bouquet includes classic roses or wildflower details, we treat each bloom with care and creativity to make your preservation truly special.

📩 Questions About Your Flowers?

We’re always happy to discuss your bouquet and offer advice before or after your wedding.
📧 Contact us today to learn more or reserve your preservation date!