Mom’s Guide to Preserving the Wedding Bouquet (When the Bride Is on Her Honeymoon)

Summary: If you’re helping after the wedding and you’re not sure what to do with the bouquet, start here. Keep the flowers in water and in a cool spot, then find out if the bride already has an order number. If there’s no order yet, the bride should place it before we receive the flowers (product choices affect how we preserve the blooms). If shipping feels overwhelming or expensive, our prepaid label can make it much simpler.

If you’re the mother of the bride, mother of the groom, or the “designated bouquet hero” after the wedding… welcome! You’re not alone.

We get this call all the time: “My daughter (sister, friend) left me with this job and I have no idea what to do.” That makes total sense. Most don’t ship a box of fresh flowers regularly. 

So here’s your simple, step-by-step plan to keep the bouquet safe through the weekend and get it to us the right way.

Fresh flower care through the weekend

Your goal is to keep the bouquet cool, hydrated, and protected until it’s time to pack.

• Keep the bouquet in water (a vase or pitcher is fine)

• Store it in the coolest room in the house, away from windows and direct sunlight

• Keep it away from fruit bowls (fruit releases gases that can age flowers faster)

• Don’t leave it in a hot car, garage, or on a porch

• If any blooms look limp, gently remove them from tight ribbon wraps, cut stems freshly at an angle so they can drink better 

• Avoid spraying perfume, hairspray, or cleaning products near the bouquet

If you’re unsure whether the bouquet is “still okay,” take a few quick photos and shoot us a quick email or message. We’ll guide you!  

Step 1: Find out if the bride already placed an order

This is the best-case scenario.

If your daughter/daughter-in-law (sister, friend, etc.) already purchased preservation with us, they should have an order number. Once you have that, you’re golden.

Here’s what you do next:

• Follow our packing video to box up the flowers and send them in

• Write the order number and customer's name clearly on the outside of the box

Want to add items to the order?

Totally possible.

• Place a second order for the additional items you want

• Write both order numbers and customer names on the outside of the package

If you’re coming in person to our showroom, we can help you place the second order and give guidance on what flowers will likely remain for the add-on items.

Step 2: If there’s no order yet, the couple needs to place it before we receive the flowers

This is where moms get stressed, so let’s make it crystal clear.

If we receive flowers without a paid order in place, we will hold the bouquet until the order is placed.

Why this matters: the items chosen affect how we preserve the flowers and how much we keep.

• Pressed items require flatter flowers

• Thicker 3D items (like trays, blocks, many coasters, etc.) preserve more whole-shape flowers

When there’s no order, moms are stuck trying to guess what the bride would want:

• A tray and coasters?

• A set of bookends?

• Wall decor?

And those choices change how we save the bouquet.

One more thing: we have over 100 preservation products, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed by choices, that’s normal.

If your daughter is about to fly out for a honeymoon (especially out of the country), it’s worth asking:

Do you really want Mom to have to make those decisions alone?

The easiest way to set your mom (and your bouquet) up for success is to place the order in advance.

Step 3: If you’re placing the order for the couple, use their email address

If you’re the one purchasing preservation for the couple (which is incredibly thoughtful), we recommend using the couple’s email address as the contact information.

That way, once they’re back from the honeymoon, they become the main point of contact for:

• welcome timeline and arrival photos

• design approval

• shipping notifications

You can still keep in touch, but communicating with the main decision maker keeps everything streamlined.

Step 4: Shipping is the part that surprises most moms (and it can get expensive)

Shipping a box of fresh flowers is not something most people do every day, and FedEx or UPS pricing can be shocking.  I swear, some locations make it extra expensive! 

To make this easier, and more transparent for the customer, we offer a prepaid shipping label for $140.

Why moms love it:

• the label is ready to go

• it covers boxes large and small

• you just tape it on the box and drop it at FedEx

What we see all the time:

Mom calls us frantic. We explain the prepaid label. She says, “Thanks anyway,” goes to FedEx, gets quoted $300… then calls back and buys the label.

If the bride purchases the prepaid label in advance, Mom doesn’t have to guess, compare prices, or panic. She just packs, tapes, and ships.

If you’re a mom reading this and you’re overwhelmed, here’s the truth: you’re doing a really loving thing and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re in a pinch, call us (954-296-5937). Seriously. We’ll walk you through it step-by-step.

You can tell us exactly what you told yourself: “My daughter left me with this job, and I have no idea what to do.”

Quick checklist (save this)

• Keep bouquet in water + cool place

• Find the order number (if one exists)

• If no order: bride should place it before flowers arrive

• If you order for them: use the couple’s email

• Consider the prepaid shipping label to avoid surprise costs

If you want, send us a photo of the bouquet and we’ll help you choose the best next step.

Ready for us to help?

If you’re not sure whether there’s already an order, what to do next, or how to ship the bouquet safely, call us and we’ll guide you.

If you’re the bride reading this, do your mom a favor: place your order (and prepaid shipping label, if you want it) before the wedding weekend so she can simply pack, tape, and drop off.

When you’re ready, place your order, then follow our packing video and send your flowers in as soon as possible.