What To Do With Your Wedding Flowers After the Wedding - Resin Flower Preservation

Wedding flowers hold so many beautiful memories from your day - from the moment you see your bouquet for the very first time, to the gorgeous flowers lining the aisle as you walk down to marry the love of your life. It’s no surprise that many couples ask me what they can do with their flowers once the celebrations are over, and how they might preserve a small piece of their floral moments to treasure for years to come.

That’s exactly why I started this series: What To Do With Your Wedding Flowers After The Wedding, exploring some of the most beautiful and meaningful ways your flowers can live on long after the big day.

In today’s post, we’re diving into the fascinating world of resin flower preservation. This method allows your wedding flowers to be carefully preserved inside crystal-clear resin, transforming them into beautiful keepsakes and decorative pieces for your home.

To help us understand how it all works, I’m delighted to be joined by the super-talented Sam of SO Resin - a resin flower preservation specialist who helps couples turn their wedding flowers into lovely, lasting, one-of-a-kind pieces.

So if you’ve ever wondered whether your gorgeous bouquet could become a keepsake that can bring back special memories every day, you’re in the right place.

Let’s dive in.

What is resin flower preservation?

Resin flower preservation is an intricate, multi-stage process that preserves your actual wedding flowers inside crystal-clear, professional-grade resin. Each flower is first carefully dried to remove all moisture. Once fully prepared, the flowers are thoughtfully arranged and set in resin. The resin is poured in multiple layers and allowed to cure slowly, which protects the flowers and creates a strong, long-lasting keepsake. From start to finish, there are approximately 20-25 individual stages involved in creating a single resin piece. It is a highly skilled, time-intensive process requiring patience, precision, and experience.

Which flowers work best in resin?

This is a great question! Most flowers can be preserved, although some naturally dry and set better than others. The shape and size of each bloom often determine which resin shape will work best. For example, a large coral peony would require a piece big enough to accommodate its size, typically a shape over 15cm in diameter. Because flowers are organic and every bloom is unique, it’s not always possible to predict exactly how they will dry or how their colour may shift during the preservation process. Greenery and filler flowers can absolutely be included, and they often add beautiful depth and balance to the final design.

Will the colours stay the same in resin?

Flowers are organic, so some colour change is natural and expected. White flowers often soften to ivory or cream, sometimes yellow. Blush and pastel tones may deepen slightly. Blues and purples can darken during drying. I use a high-quality, UV-resistant resin which minimises yellowing over time, but resin, like all clear materials, should be kept out of direct, prolonged sunlight to maintain clarity.

When do flowers need to be sent after the wedding?

I recommend sending flowers within 3 days of the wedding day. Before shipping, it's best to keep them in fresh water, away from heat and sunlight. Detailed packing and shipping instructions are provided after booking.

What can the flowers be turned into?

I have a large variety of options, including coasters, tealights, letters, hearts, blocks and arches. I often create mockups once I receive the bride's flowers to help them visualise their final order and decide.

How long does resin preservation take?

Despite how 'easy' I might make it look, resin flower preservation is a slow, multi-stage process. It simply cannot be rushed! Timelines vary depending on booking capacity, order size and complexity, and the time of year. Typically, completion takes between 4 and 12 months. Drying alone can take several weeks. Once the flowers are fully prepared, I pour and cure the resin in multiple layers, with each layer needing to fully harden before the next is added. The final stages involve hand sanding and polishing to achieve a smooth, crystal-clear finish.

How durable is resin flower preservation?

Resin is very durable and designed to last a lifetime, assuming that it is cared for properly. It doesn't need any special care; simply keep it out of constant direct sunlight and wipe it clean with a soft microfibre cloth.

What happens if some flowers don’t survive the drying process?

In over 800+ bouquets, I've never had flowers that haven't survived the drying process!

How much does resin flower preservation cost?

Pricing varies depending on the size and shape of the piece. Resin flower preservation is a bespoke, time-intensive service and is best viewed as a long-term investment keepsake, not a mass-produced item. Full pricing is provided transparently before booking.

Why should couples choose resin flower preservation?

Pressed flowers are flattened and exposed to air, light, and humidity inside frames. Over the years, they can fade significantly, become brittle and fragile, and be affected by moisture and temperature changes. Because they remain exposed, pressed flowers are more vulnerable to environmental damage and accidental breakage.

Resin preservation, on the other hand, fully encapsulates the flowers in a solid, protective medium. Once sealed in professional-grade resin, the flowers are:

• Protected from air and moisture

• Less affected by humidity changes

• Structurally supported, reducing fragility

• Viewable from all angles, not flattened

• Designed to be a long-term, display-ready keepsake

Resin pieces are also far more durable and require minimal care - they don’t need reframing, special mounting, or glass protection.

Thank you, Sam! How can couples get in touch with you?

You can email me directly, visit my website to book and/or explore options, and say hi on Instagram.

Resin flower preservation is such a great way to give your wedding flowers a second life, transforming them into beautiful keepsakes you can enjoy and treasure long after the celebrations have ended.

If this is something you’re considering doing, Sam’s work is well worth exploring. Her resin pieces capture the beauty of wedding flowers in such a unique and lasting way, turning them into meaningful keepsakes that allow couples to hold onto a little piece of their wedding day.

And if you’re curious about other ways to preserve or repurpose your wedding flowers, this post forms part of my What To Do With Your Wedding Flowers After The Wedding series, where I explore a few thoughtful ways your flowers can live on beyond the big day. You can read the first post in the series about pressed flower preservation, and I’ll be sharing another idea soon for how wedding flowers can continue spreading joy even after the celebrations are over.

If you’d like to stay updated when new posts from the series go live, along with plenty of floral inspiration, you can follow along on Instagram.

Your wedding flowers hold so many special memories, and with a little creativity, they can continue to be part of your story long after the celebrations have ended.