Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you might like to know about keeping your flowers forever.

Your flowers are precious, and we know you'll have a few questions before sending them on their little journey to us. We've gathered some helpful information below to guide you through the process, from the moment your blooms arrive to the day your keepsake finds its way home.

Before Your Flowers Find Their Forever Home

What is involved in the preservation process?

Your flowers have been part of something special, and we want to take the very best care of them from the moment they arrive.

Travelling and spending time out of water can be stressful for fresh blooms. Flowers can become dehydrated, and air bubbles can form within their stems, making it difficult for them to take up water. That's why the first little while is so important.

Our preservation process is a careful labour of love, with each bloom receiving individual attention along the way.

Here's a little look at how we bring your flowers into their forever form:

  1. A little fresh start

    When your flowers arrive, we begin by recutting the stems to remove any air blockages and trimming away foliage or petals that show signs of bruising, browning or damage.

  2. A little drink and some rest

    Your blooms are placed into fresh water with flower food to help replenish moisture and support their condition. They'll be left to rehydrate for approximately 4–6 hours, allowing them to settle before their preservation journey begins.

  3. Pressing the delicate blooms

    Some flowers are carefully taken apart and pressed between specialist papers over the next 2–3 days, with the paper changed daily. Once pressed, they're transferred into silica for the remainder of their drying process.

  4. Preserving their natural shape

    The remaining flowers are carefully removed from their stems and placed into silica gel for approximately 4–5 weeks. Each bloom is checked throughout this time and removed once completely dry.

  5. The finishing touches

    Once dried, each flower is gently cleaned using a fine paintbrush to remove any remaining silica particles. Our pressed flowers are then carefully reconstructed where needed, ready to become part of your chosen artwork.

  6. A little piece of forever

    Your flowers are now ready to be thoughtfully arranged within your chosen keepsake. Pressed blooms and full-form flowers are incorporated according to the design, creating a one-of-a-kind piece made especially for you.

Every bouquet is different, and the natural beauty and character of your flowers will always be embraced throughout the process.

Do you use food-grade resin?

The resin we use depends on the piece we're creating.

Our trays and serving boards are made using food-grade resin and finished with a food-grade, scratch-resistant topcoat, making them suitable for their intended use.

For our other floral keepsakes and decorative artwork, we use a specialist art resin chosen for its beautiful clarity and suitability for preserving flowers.

Each material is carefully selected to complement the purpose of your piece, allowing us to create something both beautiful and thoughtfully made.

A Little Note About Resin

Resin is a beautiful medium for preserving your treasured flowers. However, like all resin, it can naturally develop a slight amber tint as it ages.

With this in mind, we thoughtfully incorporate as many of your precious blooms as possible into each piece. Our fuller floral arrangements are designed to help minimise the visual impact of any natural ambering over time, allowing the colours, textures and delicate details of your flowers to remain the focus.

It's just one of the little ways we take extra care when creating your keepsake, with the hope that it will continue to be a beautiful reminder of your special memories for many years to come.

As with all resin pieces, some natural colour changes may occur over time.

What is the preservation timeframe?

The preservation and creative process takes approximately 18–22 weeks.

This allows us the time needed to carefully dry your flowers, prepare each bloom and thoughtfully create your chosen artwork.

Every flower is different, and we never like to rush the little details. Our priority is always to give your blooms the time and care they deserve.

We'll be in touch as your keepsake nears completion to arrange collection or delivery.

Caring for Your Keepsake

How do I care for my flower artwork?

Your keepsake has been made to be treasured, and a little care will help it stay beautiful for years to come.

We recommend:

  • Displaying your artwork in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
  • Keeping your piece away from excessive heat.
  • Avoiding sharp objects or abrasive materials on the resin surface.
  • Cleaning gently with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water.
  • Never submerging your artwork in water.

A little love and gentle care will go a long way in keeping your floral keepsake looking its best.

How do I clean my Flower Board?

A soft cloth and a little warm, soapy water are all you need to keep your Flower Board looking lovely.

Gently wipe the surface, taking care not to submerge the board in water. Some areas along the sides or back may have exposed timber, and prolonged contact with water can cause the timber to absorb moisture.

A gentle clean is always best!

A Little About Your Artwork

Is there a minimum order amount?

We have a minimum order of $250.

We understand that every project is different, and if you have something special in mind but are working within a particular budget, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We'd love to chat about what might be possible.

Can I choose the type of timber used?

Our timber selection changes throughout the year, depending on the availability of quality materials.

We work with a number of trusted suppliers who provide beautiful kiln-dried timber. We generally have a selection of Silky Oak, Camphor Laurel and Red Mallee available, each offering its own unique grain, colour and character.

During our initial consultation, we'll chat about the overall look and feel you're hoping to achieve and find the timber that best complements your vision, based on what is available at the time.

Where are you located?

You'll find us in Toowoomba, Queensland, where all the little magic happens!

We welcome local customers and also offer bouquet preservation and commissioned artwork for those sending their flowers from further afield.

Sending Your Blooms Our Way

Do you preserve flowers from outside your local area?

Absolutely! We love helping preserve special flowers from beyond our little corner of Toowoomba.

We do, however, recommend that your bouquet is able to reach us within 1–2 days of your wedding or event. Fresh flowers are delicate, and the longer they spend travelling or out of water, the greater the chance of wilting, bruising and natural deterioration. Any existing blemishes or signs of ageing may become more noticeable once preserved in resin.

If your flowers cannot reach us within this timeframe, we generally recommend finding a trusted preservation artist closer to home to give your blooms the best possible start.

We may also consider commissioned pieces using flowers that have already been preserved elsewhere. In these instances, we'll need to know which preservation products and methods have been used, as these can affect how the flowers behave when incorporated into resin.

How do I get my bouquet to you?

If you're local to Toowoomba or elsewhere in South East Queensland, we can chat about collection arrangements.

Collection within Toowoomba is included, with an additional collection fee applying outside the local area.

If you're sending your bouquet to us, we'll provide detailed instructions to help you prepare and package your flowers for their journey. This includes guidance on how to keep your blooms as fresh as possible during transit and minimise any additional stress.

We recommend choosing an express delivery option wherever possible and ensuring your flowers can arrive within 1–2 business days.

If this timeframe isn't achievable, we'd love to help you explore a preservation option closer to home.

How are commissioned pieces shipped?

We take great care when preparing your finished artwork for its journey home.

Each piece is carefully wrapped and securely packaged with plenty of protective padding to help prevent movement, impact or compression during transit. We also take care to protect your artwork from excessive heat while packaging.

Parcels are clearly marked with fragile labels, and commissioned Flower Boards are sent via express, insured and registered post to help ensure they reach you safely and as promptly as possible.

Your finished keepsake has been created with so much care, and we want it to arrive just as beautifully as it left us.

Making It Official

What is the booking process?

We recommend getting in touch as early as possible, particularly if you have a wedding or special event date in mind.

Here's how we'll bring your preservation plans to life:

  1. Let's start with a little hello

    Send us an email at info@meadowsbythesea.com.au to check availability for your wedding or event date.

  2. Secure your date

    A non-refundable booking deposit of $250 is required to reserve your date. An invoice will be sent directly to you, and this amount will be deducted from your final order total.

    Please note that your date is not secured until your booking deposit has been received.

  3. Dreaming up your keepsakes

    We'll chat through your ideas, chosen products and the pieces you'd love to create. This is where we'll finalise your order, including any timber options and finishes if applicable. We'll also arrange how your bouquet will be handed over to us.

  4. One week before your special day

    Your second invoice, covering 50% of the remaining balance, will be due one week before your wedding or event. Please note that preservation work cannot commence until this payment has been received.

  5. The creative process

    Once your flowers are with us, the preservation and creative process begins. Please allow approximately 18–22 weeks for your artwork to be completed.

  6. Your flowers, forever

    As your keepsake nears completion, we'll be in touch to arrange collection or delivery. Your final invoice will be issued and is payable before handover.

And then, the very best part — your flowers are ready to come home!

How do I pay for my artwork?

We divide payments into three stages, making the booking and creative process a little easier to plan for.

  • First invoice: A non-refundable booking deposit of $250 to secure your date.
  • Second invoice: 50% of the remaining balance, due one week before your wedding or event.
  • Final invoice: The remaining 50%, payable upon completion and before handover of your artwork.

All invoices will be sent directly to you.

Do you recreate bouquets?

Yes, we do!

If you'd love to preserve a particular floral arrangement but no longer have access to the original flowers, we may be able to recreate your bouquet using freshly sourced blooms.

These projects require a little extra planning, as we'll need to source suitable flowers through the flower markets and other suppliers. Availability will depend on the season and the flowers required to achieve your desired arrangement.

We'll discuss the possibilities and provide an estimated timeframe during your initial consultation.

Any additional flower-sourcing costs will be invoiced upfront, alongside your booking deposit.

Still Have a Little Question?

We hope we've answered some of the questions you might have as you begin your bouquet preservation journey.

If there's anything else you'd like to know, or you'd simply love to chat about your flowers and the possibilities for preserving them, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Get in touch at info@meadowsbythesea.com.au

After all, every bouquet has a story, and we'd love to help you keep a little piece of yours.

With love, Meadows by the Sea.