Inlaid Keepsakes: Adding Personal Mementos to Your Preserved Flower Art

What Are Inlaid Items?

Inlaid items are personal mementos or keepsakes – such as wedding invitations, handwritten vows, prayer cards, ribbons, lace, photos, or charms (pins, feathers, glass, shells, etc.) – that are expertly embedded into crystal-clear resin alongside your preserved flowers. This customization option transforms your flower preservation from beautiful to deeply personal, adding layers of sentimental value that make your piece uniquely yours.

Unlike simply placing items on top of resin or attaching them separately, true inlay work means your mementos are professionally integrated into the resin itself during the preservation process. They become a permanent, protected part of your keepsake – encased in the same UV-resistant, food-safe epoxy that preserves your flowers for generations.

Why Add Inlaid Keepsakes to Your Preservation?

Your wedding day was filled with meaningful moments and special details. Inlaid items help you preserve more than just your bouquet:

Tell Your Complete Story

Every wedding has unique elements that make it special. Maybe you wrote your own vows, incorporated family heirlooms, or chose specific colors and textures that held meaning. Inlaying these items alongside your flowers creates a comprehensive visual story of your celebration.

Honor Loved Ones

Incorporate elements that represent family members who couldn't be there or who have passed away. A piece of your grandmother's lace, a charm from your mother, or a photo of a loved one adds emotional depth to your preservation.

Prayer card, rosary, and memorial flowers inlaid together to create an ethereal remembrance piece for the home.

Preserve Fragile Paper Items

Wedding invitations, programs, and handwritten notes are beautiful but fragile. Encasing them in resin protects them from yellowing, tearing, or fading over time, ensuring they remain pristine for generations.

Create Conversation Pieces

When guests see your preserved bouquet displayed in your home, the inlaid elements give you opportunities to share the stories behind each detail – making your keepsake even more meaningful.

Maximize Sentimental Value

The combination of preserved flowers and personal mementos creates a multi-dimensional keepsake that engages both visual and emotional memories, making your piece irreplaceable.

Popular Items for Inlay

Almost any thin, flat item can be professionally inlaid into your preserved flower art. Here are the most popular choices our brides select:

Wedding Stationery

• Invitations: The announcement that started it all – preserve a portion or the entire invitation

• Programs: The order of ceremony that guided your guests through your special day

• Place cards: Your personalized seating cards or table numbers

• Menu cards: The dinner menu from your reception

• Thank you cards: A card that represents your gratitude to loved ones

Wedding invitations are the most popular inlaid item we see in wedding bouquet preservation. 

Handwritten Elements

• Vows: The promises you made to each other, in your own handwriting

• Love letters: Notes exchanged before or during your wedding day

• Guest book signatures: Messages from loved ones who celebrated with you

• Special notes: Any handwritten sentiment that holds meaning

This couple mailed us the red rose petals from their engagement and the handwritten note that led to his proposal. We inlaid the double‑sided card and petals into a 12x8 serving tray so their “meet me on the water” moment is preserved as everyday art.

Fabric & Textiles

• Ribbon: From your bouquet wrap or ceremony décor

• Lace: Especially meaningful if it's from a family wedding dress or veil

• Fabric swatches: Pieces of your wedding dress, veil, or bridesmaid dresses

• Handkerchiefs: Embroidered or monogrammed handkerchiefs with sentimental value

A Miami couple brought us a Halloween‑themed bouquet—deep red roses, Scream‑inspired cartoons, and a cheeky “I’d kill for that booty” ribbon. We preserved the entire spooky‑sweet story in an 8x10 bouquet block, arranging every element so it feels like a horror‑movie poster turned keepsake.

Jewelry & Charms

• Bouquet charms: Photo charms or memorial charms attached to your bouquet

• Small jewelry pieces: Thin bracelets, pendants, or earrings (must be flat)

• Religious medals: Saints medals, crosses, or other faith symbols

• Heirloom pieces: Small family jewelry items that hold special meaning

Brooch, Pin, Button or Pearl, these are all items included with our personalization fee.

Photographs

• Wedding photos: A favorite image from your ceremony or reception

• Engagement photos: The photo that announced your engagement

• Family photos: Images of loved ones who couldn't attend or have passed away

• Childhood photos: Pictures of you and your spouse as children

A bride and groom picked up their preserved wedding bouquet just days after losing the dog who’d walked down the aisle with them. Using his boutonniere, a favorite photo, his tag, and a small lock of fur inlaid in a heart shape, we created a custom 4" cube—one tiny keepsake that holds their entire love story with him.

Custom Text

• Names and date: Your names and wedding date in elegant typography

• Meaningful quotes: Song lyrics, poems, or phrases that represent your relationship

• Coordinates: The latitude and longitude of your wedding venue

• Special words: Words like "Forever," "Always," or your wedding hashtag

Wild Coast Flower Preservation uses UV printed stickers for inlaid text.

Inlaid Items for Memorial Preservation

While wedding preservation is our primary focus, inlaid items are especially meaningful for memorial and funeral flower preservation. Families often choose to include:

• Prayer cards: Memorial cards distributed at the service

• Service programs: The order of service or obituary

• Photos: Cherished images of your loved one

• Religious items: Rosary beads, crosses, or other faith symbols

• Personal effects: Small items that belonged to the deceased

• Handwritten notes: Letters or messages from or to your loved one

Inlaid prayer card shown front and back.

These additions transform memorial flower preservation into a comprehensive tribute that honors the complete life and legacy of someone special.

Our Professional Inlay Process

At Wild Coast Flower Preservation, our team of 15 skilled artisans has perfected the art of inlaying personal items into resin. Here's how we ensure your mementos are beautifully and permanently preserved:

Step 1: Item Assessment

When you send us your items (or photos of items you're considering), we assess their compatibility with resin preservation. We'll provide guidance on:

• Whether the item is suitable for inlay (must be thin and flat)

• If lamination is needed to protect handwritten or printed elements

• How the item will appear once encased in resin

• Optimal placement within your design

Step 2: Preparation & Lamination

Many items require preparation before inlay to ensure the best results:

• Lamination: We offer complimentary lamination for handwritten items, marker-written pieces, and certain printed materials to prevent ink bleeding or distortion in resin

• Sizing: Items may be trimmed or adjusted to fit your chosen preservation piece

• Cleaning: All items are carefully cleaned to remove dust or debris

• Testing: When needed, we test materials to ensure resin compatibility

Step 3: Design Integration

Your personal items are thoughtfully integrated into your flower design:

• Strategic placement that complements your preserved flowers

• Balanced composition that highlights both flowers and mementos

• Layering techniques that create visual depth

• Attention to how items will appear from different viewing angles

Step 4: Resin Encapsulation

Once your design is approved, items are permanently encased in our UV-resistant, food-safe epoxy resin using specialized techniques that:

• Prevent air bubbles around inlaid items

• Ensure complete coverage and protection

• Maintain clarity so items remain visible and legible

• Create a smooth, professional finish

Step 5: Quality Check & Approval

Before final curing, you'll receive photos of your piece for approval, allowing you to see exactly how your inlaid items look alongside your preserved flowers.

Personalization Options: Text & Fonts

In addition to physical items, we offer professional text inlay services to add names, dates, quotes, or meaningful words to your preservation:

Font Choices

We offer 3 custom fonts designed specifically for resin inlay:

• Font A: Classic serif font – elegant and traditional

• Font B: Modern sans-serif font – clean and contemporary (our most popular choice)

• Font C: Script font – romantic and flowing

2025/2026 Text Options

Color Options

Choose between two versatile colors that complement any flower palette:

• White: Soft, elegant, and works beautifully with darker flowers

• Black: Bold, classic, and provides strong contrast with lighter blooms

Text color photo. Default: If you don't specify preferences, we'll use white Font B – our most popular and versatile option.

Important Guidelines for Inlaid Items

To ensure the best results for your inlaid keepsakes, please keep these guidelines in mind:

Item Requirements

• Must be thin and flat: Items should be no thicker than 2-3mm for proper resin encapsulation

• Non-porous materials work best: flat items will be laminated. Fabrics will likely change due to how porous. 

• Size limitations: Items must fit within your chosen preservation piece dimensions

• Condition matters: Items should be clean and in good condition before inlay. Sometimes damage occurs to the item (cut when opening the box, dirt or debris, bend) and it's recommended that paper items are duplicated before sending so that a secondary copy can be provided if needed. 

Material Considerations

• Handwritten items: Should be laminated to prevent ink bleeding (we provide this service free with your inlay fee)

• Marker-written items: Also require lamination for best results

• Painted items: May create subtle visual effects in resin because the paint may run off or cause a smoke effect in the resin. 

• Charms with photos: May occasionally show slight distortion due to resin refraction. If the charm photo is not fully protected, the resin can seep between the glass and the photo. We cannot prevent this and find it a very rare occurrence. 

• Metallic items: Work beautifully but must be less than 1/4 inch flat.

Not sure if your item will work? Send us photos! We'll help assess preservation compatibility and provide guidance.

How to Order Inlay Services

Adding inlaid items to your flower preservation is easy:

Step 1: Select Your Main Product

Choose your primary preservation piece from our collection – wall art, serving trays, blocks, or any other product.

Step 2: Add Personalization Service

If your chosen product listing doesn't include personalization upgrade options, add our Inlay & Personalization Service Fee to your cart.

Step 3: Specify Your Preferences

In your order notes, include:

• Font choice (A, B, or C) if adding text

• Color preference (white or black) if adding text

• Desired text or description of items you're sending

• Any specific placement preferences

Step 4: Send Your Items

Include your personal mementos when you ship your flowers to our studio, or send photos first for guidance on what to include.

Step 5: Approve Your Design

We'll send photos of your complete design – flowers and inlaid items – for your approval before final resin application.

Pricing & Timeline

Service Fee

Our professional inlay service is available as an add-on to any main preservation product. The fee includes:

• Expert assessment of your items

• Complimentary lamination when needed

• Professional inlay work

• Design integration and placement

• Photo approval process

Processing Time

Good news! Inlay services follow your main order timeline with no additional processing time. Your personalized piece will be completed within our standard 3-5 month preservation timeframe.

Important Notes

• This is an add-on service only – must be purchased with a main product

• Not all products are eligible for personalization (we'll let you know)

• Items must meet thickness and size requirements

• Service fee is non-refundable once inlay work begins

Real Bride Stories: The Power of Inlaid Keepsakes

Our brides consistently tell us that inlaid items transform their preserved flowers from beautiful to irreplaceable. Here are some of their stories:

Sarah's Great-Grandmother's Sewing Heirloom

Sarah came to us with her great‑great‑grandmother’s scissors, vintage wooden thread spools, and mother‑of‑pearl buttons, hoping to turn generations of quilting into one statement piece. Together, we designed a custom ottoman tray that arranged each spool and button with precise symmetry. When she saw the finished piece, she wrote, “I’m absolutely blown away with my ottoman tray!!!!”

Heirloom thread spools, buttons, and scissors arranged in a custom ottoman tray.

Caryn's Las Vegas Handwritten Vows & Lucky Dice Preservation

Caryn married at Mandalay Bay with six white roses, two red dice from the craps table, and handwritten vows on hotel stationery. We inlaid her original vow pages into a custom serving tray, created a dice ring holder to keep the dice stacked and intact, and finished everything with gold handles and edging—a little piece of Las Vegas luck, preserved for home.

Handwritten vows and lucky Vegas dice inlaid into a custom serving tray.

Jin's Memorial Photo Ornament

Jin came to us with a single flower from her boyfriend’s funeral and a favorite photo of him fishing, hoping for “something like a paperweight.” Together, we designed a double‑sided memorial ornament—his dried flower on one side, his photo and dates on the other—displayed on a simple stand so his memory has a permanent place at home.

Memorial photo ornament with inlaid flower and personalized dates.

Care Instructions for Pieces with Inlaid Items

Preserved flowers with inlaid items require the same care as any resin preservation:

• Keep out of direct sunlight: While our UV-resistant resin protects against yellowing, prolonged sun exposure should be avoided

• Display in stable temperatures: Avoid extreme heat or cold

• Clean gently: Wipe with a soft, dry cloth – never use harsh chemicals

• Handle with care: While durable, resin pieces should be handled gently to prevent scratches

Your inlaid items are permanently protected within the resin and will remain as pristine as the day they were preserved – for generations to come.

Why Choose Wild Coast for Inlay Services?

Inlaying personal items into resin requires expertise, precision, and artistic vision. Here's why brides trust us with their most precious mementos:

• 15 skilled artisans with extensive experience in resin inlay techniques

• Over 18,000 bouquets preserved – we've seen and successfully inlaid thousands of different items

• Complimentary lamination services to protect your handwritten and printed items

• Photo approval process ensures you see and approve your design before final curing

• Museum-quality materials – UV-resistant, food-safe epoxy that protects for generations

• Personalized guidance – we'll help you choose which items to include and how to arrange them

• No additional processing time – inlay services are completed within your standard timeline

Frequently Asked Questions About Inlay Services

Can I send items separately from my flowers?

Yes! You can send items before, with, or after your flowers arrive. Just reference your order number so we can match everything together.

What if I'm not sure which items to include?

Send us photos of everything you're considering, and we'll provide guidance on what will work best for your chosen preservation piece.

Can you inlay multiple items in one piece?

Absolutely! Many brides choose to inlay several items. We'll help you create a balanced, beautiful composition.

Will the text or items be readable through the resin?

Yes! Our crystal-clear resin maintains excellent visibility. Laminated items remain perfectly legible, and properly prepared items show beautifully.

Can I change my mind about what to inlay after ordering?

Yes, as long as we haven't started the resin work. We'll work with you during the design approval stage to finalize your choices.

Do you return items that aren't used?

We can return unused items upon request with a small shipping fee. However, once items are inlaid into resin, they become a permanent part of your piece.

Start Creating Your Personalized Keepsake

Your wedding day was filled with meaningful moments and special details that deserve to be preserved together. Inlaid items transform your flower preservation from a beautiful decoration into a comprehensive story – one that captures not just your bouquet, but the complete essence of your celebration.

Whether you want to include handwritten vows, a piece of family lace, your wedding invitation, or a cherished photo, our expert team will help you create a truly personalized keepsake that you'll treasure for generations.

Ready to Get Started?

• Browse our complete collection of preservation products

• Call us at (954) 296-5937 to discuss your personalization ideas

• Email photos of items you're considering to info@wildcoastflowerpreservation.com

• Visit our showroom in Pompano Beach, FL to see examples of inlaid pieces in person

Your complete story deserves to be told. Let us help you preserve every meaningful detail.

At Wild Coast Flower Preservation, we believe your keepsake should tell your complete story – flowers, memories, and all the meaningful details in between.