Floral Preservation FAQs — Floral Keepsakes by Lauri, Hudson NH
What is the difference between pressed and freeze dried?
Pressed flower preservation produces a flat, two-dimensional result — flowers are arranged on a mat background and can achieve an almost painting-like appearance. Freeze dried flower preservation is three-dimensional, maintaining the original shape and volume of the flowers. Freeze dried keepsakes are typically displayed in shadow boxes, domed frames, tabletop domes, and similar enclosures. Both methods are available at our floral preservation studio in Hudson, New Hampshire.
How do you preserve the flowers?
Freeze drying — also called sublimation — extracts water from the flowers without passing through a liquid phase, which keeps them in their original three-dimensional shape. Freeze dried flowers are chemically treated both before and after the process.
Pressed flowers are processed in a drying cabinet. Both methods include color enhancement, or you can choose to keep your flowers in their natural colors.
Are there any flowers that can't be preserved?
Most flowers can be preserved, though some varieties respond better than others depending on the preservation method and the condition of the flowers when we receive them.
We’re happy to make recommendations — just reach out before your event and we’ll guide you.
How long does the process take?
Turnaround time is typically 2–7 months depending on the time of year and our current order volume. We serve clients throughout New England and accommodate orders year-round.
When should I place my order?
We recommend placing your order before your wedding or event date — ideally so you can make an appointment to visit our Hudson, NH studio to select your frame in advance. That said, many clients place their order after the event. As long as your flowers are still in good condition we can still create a beautiful keepsake.
How do I order?
Follow these steps to complete your order.
Step 1 — Choose Your Size Select your frame size from the options on this page.
Step 2 — Choose Your Frame Style & Category Browse our Frame Styles gallery to find a style you love. Make note of the style number. Then select whether it falls under Basic (included), Classic (+$80), or Elegance (+$100).
Step 3 — Choose Your Frame Color Each frame style comes in multiple colors. Browse the available colors for your chosen style and select the one you’d like.
Step 4 — Choose Your Mat Board Color Browse our Mat Board Colors gallery and choose your background color. Then select its category — Decorative (included) or Suede (+$25).
Step 5 — Choose Your Floral Design Browse our Floral Designs page and choose your preferred arrangement style. Note that not all designs are available in every size — check the availability listed for each design.
Step 6 — How Will You Send Your Flowers? Choose whether you’ll drop off your flowers at our studio or ship them to us.
Step 7 — Your Event Details Enter your event type, the first name(s) of the special person(s), and your event date.
Step 8 — Notes Add any special notes or requests for Lauri here.
Then review your full order summary and add to cart.
What should I do with my flowers after the wedding or event?
Keep your flowers cool and hydrated — but never in the fridge or freezer. If your bouquet is hand tied, place it in a vase of fresh water as soon as possible and keep it there until you bring it to us.
If your bouquet is in a foam holder, pour a cup of water into the foam to keep it damp. Get your flowers to us within 1–3 days of your event for the best results.
How soon do you need my flowers?
We recommend bringing or shipping your flowers to our Hudson, New Hampshire studio within 1–3 days of your event. The sooner we receive them, the better your preservation will turn out.
How do I pack and ship my bouquet to Floral Keepsakes by Lauri?
Once you place your order on our website, you can book an appointment to drop them off to us.
If you plan on shipping your flowers, before you pack, keep your bouquet in a vase of water (or if it has a foam holder, keep the foam moist) in a cool place until you’re ready to ship. Be careful with refrigerators — some run cold enough to freeze the flowers. Never put your bouquet in the freezer.
What you’ll need: A box slightly larger than your bouquet, packing material (paper towels, newspaper, or packing peanuts), packing tape, and a frozen coolant block.
If your bouquet has a foam stem holder: Hold it under a gentle faucet for a few seconds to fill the foam with cold water, then shake off any excess water that dripped onto the flowers.
If your bouquet is hand tied (no foam): Ask your florist for water tubes for each stem — fill each tube with water and place on the bottom of each stem. If tubes aren’t available, dampen paper towels, place them in a zip-lock bag with a little water, insert the stems, and secure tightly with an elastic.
Packing steps:
- Freeze your coolant block, seal it in a zip-lock bag, and tape it securely to the bottom of the box.
- Add packing material on top of the coolant block to create a nest for your bouquet.
- Place your bouquet in the box facing upward. Cover the top with paper towels and fill the sides with packing material to stabilize it without squishing.
- Include a note inside the box with your name and order number.
- Seal the box with packing tape.
Ship overnight only — FedEx or UPS Overnight is required. Once shipped, email your tracking number to fkbl@comcast.net so we know to expect your package.
Ship to: Floral Keepsakes by Lauri, 46 Bush Hill Rd, Hudson, NH 03051
Can I include invitations, a prayer card or accessories with my flowers?
Yes — certain display types and sizes can accommodate flat or three-dimensional additions. Shadow boxes can include three-dimensional items.
Rectangle Pressed Frames and Shadow Boxes in sizes 11×14″, 12×16″, 14×17″, and 16×20″ can include flat items like invitations or prayer cards.
For Discounted Rectangle Pressed Frames the available sizes for this are 11×14″, 12×16″, and 16×20″.
Can I pick any Floral Design for my frame?
Not all floral designs are available at every frame size, and we do not create dome frame designs with invitations or added materials.
Please see our shop page for the full list of available sizes for each design style.