Pressed Garden creates extravagant pressed flower art from your wedding, funeral, or special occasion flowers!
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Please note: At this time, Pressed Garden is no longer taking orders. It has been a joy to serve all of Pressed Garden's customers. Thank you for that blessed opportunity.
Overview
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When your flowers arrive at the Pressed Garden Studio, Annie Smith goes right to work, photographing your flowers and then taking your bouquet apart, often taking your flowers apart also! She spends an average of 40 hours per piece from fresh flowers to finished art! She uses 5 different types of presses, choosing the best type and technique for each flower.
In 1-2 weeks, your flowers will be dry and ready for your decisions regarding the design of your floral keepsake! Once your selections are made, Annie will begin reassembling and color-enhancing your flowers, using techniques that she has developed and learned over her lifetime of creating pressed flower art.
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When your floral heirloom is finished, it is vacuum sealed to make sure there are no microscopic bugs or hidden molds/mildews in the art. Lastly, the art is professionally framed, using museum quality glass with a 98% UV factor. A seal will be placed on the back to write in your name and event date. Your Floral Preservation Art is now ready to enjoy for many years and eventually handed down to future generations to enjoy!
Pre-Booking
Pre-Booking is recommended for the busy wedding seasons to guarantee a spot on Pressed Garden’s schedule. Call or email for pre-book spots available (See Contact Page)
You will need a signed contract and a NONREFUNDABLE $150 Retainer Deposit, which will be put toward your balance if/when you place your order. On the day that you pre-book, your prices will be held at what they are today, should they increase.
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I always leave a little room in the schedule for funeral flowers, because these cannot be booked ahead.
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The Process
The very first thing you will need to do is get in touch with Annie at Pressed Garden to pre-book a spot on the schedule. You will be asked to sign a Pre-Booking Contract and will need to pay a $150 Retainer Fee, which will go toward your order. That can be paid through VENMO (Venmo name PressedGarden) or Pay Pal. ($5 Pay Pal Fee added, going to Pay Pal)
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Your flowers will need to be delivered to the studio in Winter Haven, Florida, within 4 days of your event, or shipped overnight express within 3. (Instructions below) If shipped, Annie will be in touch to let you know that they arrived!
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Take some time to look through the Gallery and Options Pages to plan your beautiful floral heirloom! The Options Menu lists all the standard options and prices. Many Keepsakes are available to those purchasing framed art and are listed at the end of the Options Page. The Signature Collection Page will explain a deluxe option of having your flowers, literally mounted onto your wedding portrait!
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Due to the perishable nature of fresh flowers, your order is requested within 30 days. Feel free to communicate any questions or ideas that you have!
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Any items to be used in the art need to be delivered or mailed as soon as possible.
When your selections have been made, you will receive a Pay Pal Invoice. Once that is paid in full and all other items to be included in the art are received, your supplies will be ordered and you will be placed on the schedule. On average, art is usually completed within 3-4 months from the day of full payment, depending on the busyness of the season. All unused pressed petals and leaves will be returned to you.
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All photographs that Pressed Garden takes of the art are the property of Pressed Garden and could be used for marketing, advertising or profit.
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Care of Your Pressed Garden Floral Heirloom Art
Now that you have your Pressed Garden Floral Keepsake, you will need to know where to hang it and how to care for it! Your Floral Preservation Art should be hung in a cool spot, free of humidity and direct sun exposure. Even indirect UV light rays will effect it over time.
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You have been given 2 little rubber bumpons. Simply peel the backing off and stick to the back of the art in the bottom two corners. This will enable the art to hang professionally on the wall and allow air movement behind the art so that molds, mildews or moisture will not be trapped behind the art.
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To clean your Floral Preservation Art, spray window cleaner, first on a towel or soft cloth, then wipe the surface of the art.
Every effort has been made to ensure that your floral heirloom will last a lifetime, however, because these are real flowers, changes in color or fading are normal and are to be expected. It is also normal to experience tiny bits and pieces of plant material or pollen and dust to come loose over time, therefore, the art is to be handled with very gentle care. Avoid displaying your art in direct sunlight or in excessively humid conditions.
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Pressed Garden is not responsible for changes in colors, textures or deterioration of flowers once the Pressed Flower Art leaves the studio.
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Thank you for the pleasure of preserving your beautiful flowers! My hope is that your floral preservation will be an heirloom that is enjoyed and handed down for generations to come!
~ Annie, Pressed Garden
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will it take to press my bouquet?
A: Please allow 2-6 months for the entire process.
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Q: How fresh must my flowers be?
A: The fresher your flowers are, the better the outcome will be. Flowers must be delivered to me within 4 days if local and 3 days if shipped (overnight express). I cannot press flowers older than 4 days from your event.
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Q: Can I ship my bouquet to you?
A: Yes, you can “Overnight Express” your flowers to me and I must receive them in 3 days OR LESS from the date of your event. Please call ahead to make sure I will be present to receive them. See Shipping Instructions below in "Storing, Packing, and Shipping Your Bouquet to Pressed Garden." I am really picky that these directions be followed so that your bridal art turns out as beautiful as possible!
Q: Should I hang dry my flowers or freeze them before sending them to you?
A: NO!!! Pressing flowers requires moist, fresh petals. If they are dry or frozen, they cannot be pressed.
Q: Are Gift Certificates available?
A: Yes, they are! Often, bridesmaids will pull their money together to have the brides bouquet preserved. Other ideal gift ideas: Preserving Mothers or Bridesmaids Flowers makes a lovely gift! Also, flowers from Prom, Mother's Day, New Baby, Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries, Quinceanera.
Q: Can you place other items in the picture, such as a wedding invitation, photographs, or ribbons from my bouquet?
A: As long as the item you wish to include in your picture is flat, yes, I can do this. Adding one item is included in the package price, and adding more items will incur an extra charge.
Q: How long can I expect my picture to last?
A: My goal is to create art for you that is handed down through generations and I do everything I know to do to make that happen! Still, there are many determining factors, like the freshness of the flowers when I receive them, and the conditions where the art is displayed. Pesticides and chemicals sprayed on the fresh flowers can also effect them. I have made every effort to ensure that your floral heirloom will last a lifetime; however, because these are real flowers, changes of color or fading are normal and should be expected. To slow this process, avoid displaying your art in direct sunlight or in excessively humid conditions. Bits of pollen and plants can also fall in the frame over time. So handle your floral art with care and gentleness.
Q: Can you press any type of flower?
A: After 16 years of preserving flowers, there are very few flowers that I cannot press! I use 5 different types of presses, because flowers vary, for example, some flowers bruise easily and require tender loving care, while others require a great deal of weight. Please see The Recommended Flower List below to help you make your floral selections.
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Q: What about all-white bouquets?
A: Honestly, all-white bouquets are the most difficult, because most of them dry brown and bringing them back to white is very time consuming. And, not all white flowers respond well to color enhancement. Also, without any color in the bouquet, the art can look like a moosh of white. Some floral preservation artists refuse to do them. So, it is helpful to have something in the bouquet that has color, even if it is just leaves. You could grab a some leaves from a tree you get married under or other wedding/reception florals!
Q: Will my pressed flowers be the same color as the fresh bouquet?
A: You should not expect your pressed flowers to be the exact color of the fresh bouquet. For example, whites dry to ivory, reds generally become darker. I often use color enhancing techniques to aid in bringing the color back, but even that is not always exact. My goal is to create art that looks exactly like your bouquet and a walk through my gallery will show you that sometimes I hit that mark and sometimes I do not. There are a mountain of contributing factors that weigh into the final outcome of the art. (freshness of the flowers, chemicals used in the fields, uncooperative flowers, etc) While I cannot guarantee that your art will match your bouquet identically, I can guarantee that I will do my best to create quality art from your flowers. The Recommendation Flower List (below) will help you in your selection.
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Q: What happens to the parts of my bouquet that do not make it into the art?
A: Every single flower/leaf will be returned to you in the form of art, left over pressed petals and potpourri that I make from excess/bruised plant material for you at no charge.
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Q: Can you press Everlastings/Dried Flowers?
A: Sometimes. Because these are already dry, they are often brittle and hard, making them difficult or impossible to press. I recommend fresh flowers be mixed in if you want pressed flower art.
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Q: Can I include other items?
A: Yes! As long as the items are flat! If you want to include your wedding picture, I strongly recommend a quality print because once the art is vacuum sealed, it cannot be opened. I don't want your picture to fade quickly. If you are in need of a good, quality photograph printer, let me know, as I have a vendor that can do that for you.
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Q: Why do you vacuum seal?
My goal is for your Floral Preservation Art to last as long as possible. But we have a few enemies! UV Light is one and I use Museum Glass to cut 98% of those rays. Teeny bugs, molds, mildews and humidity are the others. Vacuum sealing not only kills anything like that that might already be hiding in your flowers, but is a barrier to them into the future.
Recommended Flowers
This list of flowers will help you when choosing your bouquet. It is not an exhaustive list, as there are many more flowers available to you! You can pull this list up when consulting with your florist.
Flowers fairly consistent in their outcome:
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Alstromeria
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Anstrantia
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Baby's Breath
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Boronia
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Calla Lilly
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Carnation
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Dahlia
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Daisy
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Delphinium
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Dendrobium Orchid
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Eucalyptus
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Fern
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Freesia
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Garden flowers (many)
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Gardenia
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Gerbera Daisy
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Heather
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Hellebore
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Hydrangea
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Hypericum Berries
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Ivy
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Lavender
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Lilac
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Lily of the Valley
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Lotus Pod
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Lupine
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Orchids (most)
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Peony
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Protea
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Queen Anne's Lace
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Ranunculus
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Rose
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Sea Holly
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Solidago
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Snapdragon
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Statice
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Stephanotis
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Stock
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Succulents
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Sunflowers
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Tropicals
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Tulip
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Wax Flower
Flowers Inconsistent in their outcome and not highly recommended:
(I will still try to press these plants)
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Amnesia Roses
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Anthurium
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Asparagus Fern
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Berries (some, not all)
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Billy Balls
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Chrysanthemum (some, not all)
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Dahlias (do not travel well when shipped)
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Everlastings (Pre-dried Flowers)
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Globe Thistle
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Iris
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Monstera Leaves
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Lisianthus
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Ornamental Cabbage
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Phalaenopsis Orchid
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Plumosa Fern
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Protea (Wedding and King)
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Scabiosa Pods
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Silver Brunia
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Succulents (some, not all)
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Tropicals (some, not all)
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Zinnia
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Pressed Garden will not press Asparagus Fern or any type of cactus with spines.
Care, Packing and Shipping Your Flowers to Pressed Garden
Caring:
Keep your flowers hydrated. Trim the stems, just a little, and give them fresh water.
If your flowers are in a plastic holder, gently add water to the foam.
Do not overly-handle the flowers. Perfumes/lotions/harsh treatment can bruise the flowers.
Keep flowers in a cool place, away from the sun. Kitchen counter is fine. (Refrigerators can freeze and crowd them and it is not worth the risk)
DO NOT: freeze, hang upside down, spray with hairspray or anything.
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Before you send your bouquet, you must either book ahead or call ahead to make sure I have room in the schedule. I work alone and am limited on how many bouquets I can take in each week. I schedule time off for myself based on what has been booked ahead. So, it is possible that if you send your bouquet without checking in first, I may not be here to receive it.
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Packing:
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Needed: Box, 2-3 rolls paper towel, plastic baggie, rubber band. (Gather BEFORE the wedding)
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BARE STEMMED BOUQUET (No holder or handle) :
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Trim Stems
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Wrap STEMS in wet paper towel and then put the stems into a baggie and place a rubber band around them to hold in moisture.
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Wrap the BLOSSOMS gently and loosely in DRY PAPER TOWEL. DO NOT WRAP BLOSSOMS IN PLASTIC!
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BOUQUET IN A PLASTIC HOLDER with FOAM:
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Gently check to see if the foam is drying out and carefully add water, pouring off excess.
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Gently and loosely wrap the blossoms in DRY PAPER TOWEL. DO NOT WRAP BLOSSOMS IN PLASTIC!
SHIPPING BOTH TYPES OF BOUQUETS:
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Place bouquet, upright if possible, in a box larger than the bouquet with wadded up paper towel all around the bouquet. Pack loosely enough for the bouquet to move a little, but not bang around the box. DO NOT USE ANY FROZEN PACKS (They thaw & beat up the flowers)
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Enclose Name, Address, Phone, and Email.
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Ship Overnight Express (I prefer UPS or FEDEX) I've had problems with USPS.
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Do NOT require a signature. If I am away from the door momentarily, I don’t want it sent back to the warehouse.
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(May-Oct) require that the bouquet be delivered in the morning so that it isn’t driven around in the Florida heat all day, which will steam your flowers like broccoli!
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Let me know that it is coming (email or phone) so I will schedule myself to be here!
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Provide the Tracking Number. (email or text a pic of it) 765-215-9528
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BECAUSE I WANT YOUR FLORAL PRESERVATION TO TURN OUT AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE, THE FLOWERS NEED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, LESS THAN 3 DAYS OLD UPON ARRIVAL. IF THE PACKING INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED, RESULTING IN THE BOUQUET ARRIVING IN POOR CONDITION, THEN PRESSED GARDEN RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TURN THE BOUQUET AWAY. YOUR DEPOSIT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED, HOWEVER, PRESSED GARDEN WILL MAKE POTPOURRI FROM THE BOUQUET AND RETURN IT TO YOU WITH ALL NON-FLOWER ITEMS LIKE PINS/RIBBON, ETC. Pressed Garden bears no responsibility regarding the condition of your bouquet before it arrives at the studio.
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SHIPPING ADDRESS:
Annie Fentz-Smith
Pressed Garden
188 Lake Thomas Drive
Winter Haven, Florida 33880
I will let you know how everything arrived. Whatever is sent with the bouquet, such as charms, ribbons, etc will be saved for you. Should you decide later to include any photographs or memento’s in the art, they can be sent separately.
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Thank you for trusting Pressed Garden with your bouquet! Together, we will produce an amazing, extravagant piece for you that will live in your heart and home for a long time to come!
Annie Fentz-Smith
Pressed Garden
Studio: 765-215-9528
annie@pressedgarden.com (email)