Wedding flowers are one of the most beautiful—and fleeting—parts of a wedding day. After all the planning and anticipation, bouquets often end up wilted in a vase or discarded after the big event. But more and more brides across Canada are choosing to preserve their bouquets professionally. The big question is: is it actually worth paying for bridal bouquet preservation?
Let’s explore what preservation involves, how much it costs, and what real brides from Reddit and around Toronto, Ontario have to say about their experience.
What Is Bridal Bouquet Preservation?
Bridal bouquet preservation is the process of drying or preserving your wedding flowers so they can be kept long after the wedding is over. Depending on the method, the bouquet can be turned into:
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Pressed floral art for framing
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Dried arrangements in glass or shadow boxes
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Resin keepsakes like coasters, blocks, or ornaments
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Dome displays or framed 3D arrangements
Preservation services are available across Toronto, the GTA, and Canada, with pricing typically ranging from $200 to $700 depending on the method and size. Some local florists even partner with preservation artists or offer in-house options.
What Brides Say on Reddit
Many brides turn to Reddit to share honest feedback. Here are a few quotes pulled from wedding-related threads like r/weddingplanning, r/weddingcanada, and r/TorontoWeddings:
"I didn’t realize how much I’d miss my bouquet until I saw it drooping in a vase. I really regret not preserving it—especially because the flowers were custom picked for me."
— u/ontariobride2023
"It was expensive, yes, but my resin keepsake is the one thing I look at every day. I’d choose it again in a heartbeat."
— u/bridebeyondtheveil (Toronto)
"I tried drying it upside down and it honestly looked awful. Wish I had just paid for preservation."
— u/weddingdust
"Pressed flower art is a great alternative if you’re trying to save money but still want a keepsake. I had mine framed and it cost under $250 with a local preservation artist in Toronto, Ontario."
— u/bouquetbutmakeitlast
Pros and Cons of Paying for Preservation
Pros:
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Creates a lasting memory you can display in your home
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Preserved flowers still hold sentimental value
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Can be paired with wedding invitations, vows, or photos for a custom keepsake
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Supports local artists and floral preservation businesses near Toronto, Ontario
Cons:
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Can be pricey, especially for resin pieces or large displays
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Not all flowers preserve equally well (some delicate blooms don’t hold their colour or shape)
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You need to act quickly after the wedding to ensure flowers stay fresh enough for preservation
Alternatives for Budget-Conscious Brides
If the cost of preservation is out of reach, some affordable DIY or partial options include:
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Pressing a few flowers yourself in a heavy book or flower press
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Air-drying the bouquet upside down (though results can be unpredictable)
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Preserving just one or two blooms and framing them with your wedding vows
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Choosing dried flowers for the bouquet to begin with—like strawflowers, craspedia, and statice—which are naturally long-lasting
In fact, some Toronto, Ontario brides are now opting for dried flower bouquets from the start, especially if their wedding has a rustic or boho theme. Local flower farms and dried flower specialists across the GTA and Durham Region are offering stunning, naturally preserved arrangements that don’t require post-wedding preservation at all.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a luxury wedding in downtown Toronto or a small backyard ceremony in rural Ontario, preserving your bridal bouquet is a deeply personal decision. For many, the added cost is well worth the lifelong keepsake. For others, it’s something they only think about after the petals have already begun to fade.
If your bouquet holds sentimental value—or if you’ve chosen unique or locally-grown flowers—it may be worth investing in preservation. Just make sure to plan ahead, research local options, and act fast after your wedding day.
Brides across Canada, and Toronto agree: while not necessary for everyone, professional bouquet preservation can be one of the most meaningful ways to remember your day—long after the flowers have faded.