PRESERVING PRECIOUS MOMENTS

By Kathy Fox

Stunning flowers are a beautiful way to express appreciation and are the best way to someone’s heart. Whether it is your dream wedding, birthday, Mother’s Day, or a simple thank you, flowers are without doubt the number one gift option worldwide. Quite frankly, there is nothing more fulfilling than giving or receiving a bouquet filled with gorgeous flowers for that special occasion.

However, we all know that sad feeling when the beautiful bouquet begins to wilt, especially when it has sentimental significance from an event like a wedding or birth. So how does one preserve flowers so they can be displayed and remembered for years to come? There are several options ranging from traditional air drying, the age-old method of book pressing, silica gel/sand, microwave pressing, or preserving them in resin. Each method produces a different result but will preserve the flowers and create a keepsake to remember that special occasion.

After Spring Hill resident Merritt DuPree got married in May 2022, she wanted to have a keepsake made from her wedding bouquet. “I have always been deeply passionate about florals and keepsakes. I wanted to get my flowers preserved because they were literally the most important thing to me about my wedding aside from actually getting married,” explained Dupree. When she started looking for resin flower preservation options, she quickly realized there were not many. She finally found a company and hoped for the best, but unfortunately was not happy with the final product. “I was not pleased at all with the results. After I got my flowers back, I told my husband I know could do this and do it so much better,” said DuPree.

Shortly thereafter, Dupree decided to launch her business, Nashville Floral Preservation. Using her background in art and flowers she began learning how to preserve flowers. “I started learning the basics in the fall of 2022 and then started applying them. I didn't take a specific class, but was self-taught by watching videos,” DuPree said. “I also spoke with the owners of the companies where I was buying my resin and they walked me through some crucial points of how to work with it because it is not easy. I feel like a chemist half the time because the resin can be dangerous if you are not taking the right precautions.”

For those who have not worked with resin, minor skin contact can cause acute contact dermatitis. Fumes from the resin can also cause severe respiratory irritation so it is important to wear a proper respirator. As DuPree explains, “Resin can overheat if you mix too much or pour too much in your mold at one time. It can even catch on fire, which is crazy especially since it starts in a liquid form. As it cures it hardens, which is a chemical reaction, so it heats up as it cures and then cools. Resin fumes should not be inhaled, so I use lots of filtration and wear a heavy-duty mask when I work with it as well as gloves.”

DuPree treats the flowers with the utmost care and completely respects the flowers’ organic design during the preservation process. So much so that she even started composting the stems with hopes of growing flowers in the dirt created. Dupree’s artistic eye takes time in creating each design and thoughtfully selects the flowers. To ensure these resin pieces will stand the test of time, she only uses the best materials and has many different molds to choose from that can be displayed throughout the home as centerpieces, wall hangings, or functional pieces like a ring holder and necklace. The most popular mold is the 10-inch resin arch, which is a centerpiece that beautifully displays multiple blooms.

The preservation process is lengthy, from start to finish can take up to three months, and it is recommended to book at least six months in advance. For the best results, the fresher the flowers the better. First DuPree dries the flowers in silica sand and that takes two to three weeks to ensure all the moisture is gone. A layout design is then created from the selected flowers and she sends photos for approval before the resin pour process so there are no surprises. Finally, DuPree pours seven to eight layers of resin, to cover the flowers. This requires 72 hours per layer to allow for the resin to cure.

DuPree noted there are common questions from clients about the process such as, “Will the color and shape of the flower change or will the resin amber over time?” As she explained, “Since the flowers are preserved with silica gel that helps preserve the color and shape, but there can be some deepening of the colors during the process. Regarding the resin darkening, I use the best resin available with UV inhibitors. However, due to the fact resin is a polymer it can amber over time so it’s best to keep pieces out of direct sunlight and warmer temperatures, but the flowers are completely safe.”

This past year, DuPree has been busy working with event and wedding planners Monroe Media and Events LLC and Nolensville florist Bloom House in creating precious memories for their brides. In May, she attended the Tennessee Bridal & Wedding Expo and will be at the Mint Spring Farm Open House in Nolensville on August 8 and The Pink Bride held at the Nashville Fairgrounds on August 13. For additional information or to reserve your date to have your florals preserved, visit nashvillefloralpreservation.com and follow her on social media at @nashvillefloralpreservation.