We spoke to the girls at Old Leaf Designs, who preserve wedding bouquets. We discussed their process, the techniques they use, and the meaning behind their work. We want to offer valuable insights into the art of floral preservation for couples looking to keep more of their wedding memories in a unique way.
What inspired you to start preserving wedding bouquets?
I've always wanted to do something different, I've always been different and while that may seem cliche, those who feel that, will get it. So, Old Leaf Designs was born out of a desire to build a life on my own terms that pushed the boundaries, I felt this the most in the creative world.
The birth child of Old Leaf began with pressed floral resin phone cases, (during this time, I did preserve one bouquet but the wedding industry hadn't cottoned on to how truly meaningful preservation can be - I was ahead of my time. Lol!) So, I pivoted to resin trays and boards.
The desire to create artwork became the focus and when I posted my first ever artwork, a request from a bride to preserve her bouquet came in. From that one post, my business blew up, booked out - I'm talkin' booked out for a year in advance.
It wasn't what I expected but I wouldn't have it anyother way. I fell in love with the approach of seeing the beauty in turning something that traditionally wilts into a lasting moment.
Can you explain the process of preserving flowers?
We use a delicate and laborious process to preserve flowers, ensuring their beauty is captured for years to come. Flowers are carefully pressed or preserved using an array of traditional, herbarium and self taught techniques, perfected over six years of lots of trial and error.
Once preserved, they are encased in sleek UV-protected art glass to prevent fading, and framed in customised museum grade frames, crafted by a very skilled local frame maker.
This ensures the frame remains as beautiful as the day it was made.
Are there certain flowers that work best for preservation?
While most flowers can be preserved, some tend to work better due to their structure and resilience. My fabulous team embraces the challenge of preserving all types of flowers to capture the individuality of each wedding bouquet.
We love the opportunity to work with so much variety that is the floral world. Each flower's structure, moisture content, delicacy and colour is different and so we have honed in on each technique to keep the structural integrity and colour as beautiful as nature intended.
We have mastered the art of preserving hardy (and bulky) natives, as well as very delicate, tropical orchids or puffy chrysanthemums, turning them from their very bold 3D shape to a flat disc still embodying the depth 3D would offer.
Our favourite flowers to preserve are cosmos, delphinium, poppies, bright roses, snow pea flowers - I think we are alluding to whimsical, bright bouquets with a variety of shapes, colours and textures. We also love ferns and vines and foliage to add depth to the artworks. The reality is there isn't much we can't preserve, actually, there's nothing.
What specific services do you offer for bouquet preservation?
We offer pressed flower frames, we generally work with larger sized frames as that allows the artwork to come to life. We used to offer resin, however, my company goal is to create art and art requires space. Space to move and space to allow you to feel something, so we chose large open spaces such as frames that can be displayed and passed down for years to come.
Our services go so much further than a physical product though; I've been lucky to create a team of women working with me who each have their field they thrive in. We've merged modern technology with traditional techniques; with that, we are able to offer a nurturing and personalised consultancy, working closely with the customer to gain their input and represent their story and design preferences. Each couple has access to their own customer portal, really diving into the curiosity of finding what makes each client feel something.
I also have some epic designers working with me who have fine art and floristry backgrounds to bring that vision to life. My niche is intuitive and edgy pieces that transport people to places and feelings they thought they had to leave in the moment.
Can you create custom artwork or designs with the preserved flowers?
We specialize in creating custom artwork. I've never created two pieces that are the same, I have spent hours assessing the curve of a stem and completely overhauling designs because the flowers wouldn't let me glue them down unless their true potential was reached. That may sound "woo-woo" and you're right, it is. It's an intuitive process that requires leaning in and letting yourself enter a space that just feels right.
Each frame is a one-of-a-kind statement piece, its a marriage of fine art meets custom keepsakes. We are the only preservation studio in Australia that offers this level of in depth customisation. Each piece is tailored to the couple's preferences and personalities after hours of curious exploration in finding out who they are and representing that in a physical medium.
Nothing leaves our studio we aren't proud of and that our customers haven't not just approved but loved. Whether you're looking for bouquet recreation or a complete whimsical piece that emulates a lost world or hidden treasure, we work closely with clients to ensure the final piece feels personal and unique.
What is the typical price range for your services?
Prices vary depending on the size of the artwork. With each piece having around 30 hours poured into it, wedding bouquet preservation pieces start at around $1,750, with options for larger frames (which we 100% recommend to allow for depth, movement and the negative space element that allows for a pause between flowers like a good breath. Additional design elements, frame upgrades or colour correction, can increase the investment too.
How should couples prepare their bouquet for preservation?
To ensure the best results, it’s essential that the bouquet is not tossed and bruised (we recommend using a bouquet reserved to be tossed or a bridesmaids) kept in water, out of direct sunlight and cool but not refrigerated until it can be handed over or posted (we ship and receive Australia wide) for preservation. Once booked in, we provide detailed care and shipping instructions. Flowers should not arrive to us later than a week post wedding. Ideally, we want them within three days.
When is the best time to book your services in relation to the wedding date?
We recommend booking as early as possible, ideally when planning your floral arrangements. If your wedding is in peak season, we recommend six months ahead. By securing your spot ahead of time, we can ensure we are able to take your booking and offer insight into which flowers will work best depending on what style you are after.
What can couples expect in terms of turnaround time for receiving their preserved flowers?
Due to our highly customised approach and detailed service, couples can typically expect to receive their preserved bouquet within 8 to 12 months.
How should couples care for their preserved flowers after receiving them?
Thanks to the UV-protected glass, and our methods of sealing, they are more protected. However, once your frame has been delivered by our art courier, the key to longevity is keeping them out of direct sunlight and away from overly humid environments. Proper care includes wiping them with a microfibre cloth and nothing else. This ensures they remain a lasting piece of (damn) fine art for years to come. Our frames are made in mind for them to be passed down as heirlooms representing the love that made the generations to come.
For our Gold Coast/Northern Rivers customers you can find Tara's page here.
