Flower preservation: An honest take on cost and the math behind it
When clients first reach out about preserving their bridal bouquet or memorial flowers, one of the first questions I hear is: "How much does flower preservation cost?" It's a fair question, and one that deserves a thoughtful, transparent answer.
I've put together this guide to pull back the curtain on what goes into creating a single pressed flower frame. My hope is that by the end, you'll understand why flower preservation is priced the way it is, and why the investment is worth every penny when you're holding a piece of art that captures your most treasured memories.
How much does flower preservation cost?
Flower preservation pricing varies widely depending on the artist, the preservation method, and the type of finished piece you're looking for. Here's a general breakdown of what you can expect across the industry:
Framed pressed flower art (16x20"): $250 to $500 at the low end, $600 to $1,200 mid-range, and up to $2,900 for high-end custom pieces.
Resin blocks (10x10"): $300 to $800, depending on complexity and the artist's expertise.
Functional décor like serving trays ($300 to $800), coaster sets ($100 to $400), and side tables (up to $2,500 or more) offer ways to incorporate preserved flowers into everyday life.
Jewelry and small keepsakes typically range from $30 to $175, making them accessible options for those wanting a meaningful piece at a lower price point.
Why is flower preservation expensive?
I understand the sticker shock. When you see a price tag of $700 or more for a single frame, it's natural to wonder what justifies that cost. But did you know that framing an art print alone at a frame shop can cost just as much, if not more? Think about it: A large framed photograph can cost as much as an artwork made with your own flowers. You can rest assured that the framer doesn’t spend anywhere near the time a pressed flower artist does to preserve your flowers.
Let me walk you through the math, because once you see what goes into each commission, the pricing starts to make a lot more sense.
The time investment: 14 to 18 hours per piece
Creating a single pressed flower frame requires between 14 and 18 hours of skilled labor, spread across several weeks. Here's where that time goes:
Initial prep and pressing (4 to 6 hours over several weeks): This stage involves rehydrating flowers if they've begun to dry, carefully prepping each bloom, placing them in the press with precision, and changing the blotting paper regularly to prevent mold and ensure even drying.
Design work (5 to 7 hours): Once the flowers are pressed, I reassemble petals as needed, perform color correction to restore vibrancy lost during pressing, create design mock-ups for client approval, and then carefully glue each element into the approved arrangement.
Finishing touches (2 hours): Frame assembly, meticulous cleaning to remove any dust or debris, and thoughtful packaging to ensure your piece arrives safely.
Miscellaneous (3 hours): Client communication, progress photos and videos, and documentation of the finished piece for my portfolio.
When you do the math, if an artist charged $50 per hour for their skilled labor alone, a single frame would cost $700 to $1,035 in labor before materials, overhead, or any business costs are factored in.
Material and business costs: The hidden expenses
Beyond the hours spent creating your piece, there are significant material and operational costs that go into running a flower preservation practice. These vary by artist and studio, and many of them aren't immediately obvious.
Some of these hidden expenses include:
electricity for running dehumidifiers around the clock
studio rent
specialized blotting paper that needs regular replacement and drying
archival-quality framing materials (museum glass, acid-free matting)
branded packaging
website hosting
client management software
bookkeeping service
business insurance
The secret ingredient: the artist
Time and costs can be measured. What can't be quantified is each artist's talent and artistic eye.
Personal style and consistent quality control are developed over thousands of hours of work. I practiced for a year before I built up the courage to accept commissions from actual clients (beyond family and friends). Four years later, I'm still learning, still refining my technique, still discovering new ways to bring out the beauty in each unique bouquet.
When you commission a piece from an established artist, you're paying for that accumulated expertise: the knowledge of which preservation method works best for each flower type, the eye for composition and color balance, the steady hand that comes from creating hundreds of pieces.
What affects flower preservation pricing?
Several factors influence the final cost of your preserved piece:
Preservation method: Traditional pressing, foam pressing, silica drying, and freeze-drying each have different material costs and time requirements. Many artists (myself included) use a combination of methods to achieve optimal results for each flower type.
Flower complexity: Some flowers preserve beautifully with minimal intervention. Roses in darker hues, anemones, and eucalyptus are stars of the preservation world. Others, like white hydrangeas, orchids, and dahlias, require extensive color correction and specialized handling.
Frame size and materials: Archival-quality materials (museum glass, acid-free matting, solid wood frames) cost significantly more than standard options, and they make a meaningful difference in how your piece ages over time.
Design complexity: A simple arrangement takes less time than an intricate composition that recreates the exact look of your original bouquet or reimagines it in a deconstructed design.
Artist experience and demand: Established artists with strong portfolios and waitlists typically charge more than newer practitioners. You're paying for their track record, refined skills, confidence, and trust.
Is wedding bouquet preservation worth it?
For most couples, yes. The decision comes down to whether you'd regret letting those flowers wilt and disappear.
Consider the math: the average cost of wedding flowers in the US runs between $2,200 and $3,500. A custom preservation piece at $700 to $1,500 represents roughly 30 to 40% of what you already invested in your blooms. For that additional investment, you transform something with a one-week lifespan into art that lasts decades.
Many of my clients come to me after air-drying their bouquets themselves, only to find a crunchy, faded bundle sitting in a closet months or years later. They tell me they wish they'd done professional preservation from the start. The good news: it's not too late. I've developed a technique that allows me to rehydrate and restore dried flowers into pressed flower art. And for bouquets that are too far gone, recreation is always an option. I can source flowers that match your original arrangement and preserve those instead.
There's another way to think about the investment. As you start your life as a married couple, you may want to build an art collection for your home over time: artwork from artists you admire, photographs of your children, pets and loved ones. A preserved wedding bouquet makes a beautiful and meaningful first piece in that collection, something to anchor the wall as your family grows.
That said, preservation isn't the right choice for everyone. If you don't feel a strong attachment to your flowers, or if the bouquet was a small part of your day, you might be happier putting that money toward something else. There's no wrong answer here.
If you do feel that pull, finding yourself unable to toss the bouquet in the trash after the reception, preservation offers a way to hold onto that moment. The cost makes more sense when you think of it as the final line item in your floral budget, the one that makes the rest of it permanent.
Choosing the right flower preservation artist for you
Finding the right preservation artist is as personal as choosing the flowers themselves. When evaluating options, look for transparency about processes and pricing, ask to see examples of aged pieces (anyone can show you fresh work), request a detailed contract, and pay attention to how they communicate.
Quality preservation takes time, typically several months and up to a year from start to finish. Be wary of anyone promising extremely quick turnarounds, as they may be cutting corners. And remember: the most reputable artists and studios stand behind their work because they've invested years in perfecting their craft.
Ready to preserve your precious blooms?
If you're considering flower preservation for your wedding bouquet, memorial arrangement, or special occasion flowers, I'd love to hear from you. I pour my heart into every commission, creating pieces that capture the essence and beauty of your flowers in a lasting way.