Pressed or 3D? A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Preservation for Your Blooms

At Pressed and Preserved, we offer two ways to preserve your sentimental florals: three dimensionally (The Dimensional Collection) or pressed (The Heritage and Contemporary Collections). Because these require very different frames - either a slim, flat-mount frame or a deep-set shadow box, it’s important to know which style will do your flowers justice.

The good news? The vast majority of flowers are incredibly versatile. Whether your vision is a sleek, modern pressed frame or a dramatic 3D display, most bridal blooms work beautifully in either format. Choosing a collection is often less about "can this be preserved?" and more about the aesthetic you want to display in your home. However, after many years of preserving florals in both forms, we've identified a select few blooms that are better suited to one specific method to look their best. Below is our guide to the three main categories of flowers and how they behave during the preservation process.

1. The Versatiles: Your All-Rounders

If your bouquet is filled with Roses, Peonies, Lisianthus, Delphiniums, Hydrangeas, Ranunculus, Carnations, Tulips or Scabiosa, you have total freedom! These are the chameleons of the floral world and look stunning in all of our collections.

• Roses and Peonies: While these are thick blooms, we use a deconstruction method, pressing each petal individually and rebuilding them into a stunning flat-lay artwork. Alternatively, they keep their signature shapes - the peonies lush 'ruffle' or the roses romantic spiral - perfectly in a 3D shadow box.

• Lisianthus: A staple in almost every bridal bouquet! These blooms are beautifully versatile. While they are prone to colour changes (often taking on a gorgeous vintage tone), they preserve excellently whether they are kept whole or pressed flat.

• Hydrangeas: We can preserve a hydrangea head whole for a shadow box, or press the individual florets to create a beautiful, papery mosaic in a flat frame.

• Foliage: Don’t forget the greenery! Eucalyptus, Ferns and Ruscus are the ultimate versatiles. They provide the 'frame' for your bouquet and look crisp and elegant in both flat and 3D formats.

2. The Delicates: Meadow Style & Whimsy

Best Suited For: Pressed - The Heritage and Contemporary Collections

These are the airy, fine-textured blooms that give a bouquet its movement. This category includes Anemones, Butterfly Ranunculus, Cosmos, Sweet Peas, Daisies and Lily of the Valley. Because these flowers have thin, papery petals and slender stems, they work beautifully for pressed preservation. Pressing captures their delicate 'dance' in a way that feels like a piece of fine botanical art. Anemones, in particular, press into ethereal layers while keeping their striking dark centers. Whilst they be preserved and displayed in a 3D frame, these florals tend to reduce significantly in size when dry, meaning their intricate silhouettes are often much more striking when showcased flat against the glass.

3. The Structurals: Architectural Beauty

Best Suited For: 3D - The Dimensional Collection

These are the heavyweights - the flowers defined by their depth, geometry and moisture content.

• Dahlias & Chrysanthemums: Whilst Dahlias can be deconstructed and pressed, we'll be honest, we don't feel it always does them justice! They are so structural and multi-layered that they truly shine in 3D, where you can see every petal's curve. Chrysanthemums, in particular, are much happier in a shadow box, as they are prone to browning and can lose their lustre in a press.

• Orchids & Calla Lilies: These beautiful florals have a high moisture content and waxy texture, which makes them high-risk for browning in a press. We recommend 3D preservation for these to protect their elegant, sculptural shapes, which simply disappear (or brown!) when pressed.

• Proteas: Because they are so large and dense, although they can be deconstructed and pressed, to keep their impressive centres and bold petals intact, 3D preservation is the best way to honour their scale and texture.

• Succulents: Due to their high water content, succulents must always be preserved in 3D to maintain their fleshy, modern look.

How to Decide?

Ultimately, it comes down to the style of your home and honouring your specific types of florals. Do you love a vintage, herbarium look or a minimalist gallery wall? Our Pressed Collections (Heritage and Contemporary) are for you. Do you want a high-impact statement piece that feels like a window back to your wedding day? The Dimensional Collection will bring those memories to life with incredible depth.

If you are still unsure, we're here to help! Send over a photo of your inspiration bouquet or a picture from your florist, and we can chat about which collection will turn your wedding flowers into a stunning work of art.