Incredible work and friendly, helpful ladies! I called two days before my wedding and they helped me make an appointment for two days after. I brought them SO many flowers and they were able to make so many beautiful items from them. So many options for gifts and keepsakes. The result was absolutely gorgeous. Not only do my husband and I get to continue to enjoy our gorgeous wedding flowers day after day, but my bridesmaids, MOB and MOG love their gifts (wine stoppers and coasters). Also thrilled to support this mother-daughter small business. It was actually really fun picking out the different items. They also let me pet their adorable dog (upon request since I'm a crazy dog lady) who usually stays in a different room. 100% recommended. read more

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The ladies were really easy to work with and really did it exactly as asked. Communicative over text and email which is great. Honest with the prices upfront, and it all depends on what you want. It's a whole process that takes a few months to do. In my opinion it's all worth it for the final result, a gorgeous memory. I wish I got smaller ones made for our moms! read more

Austin Preservations - Bridal Near Me - Buffalo Grove, Illinois

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The ability to save and experience wedding flowers for years to come is such a wonderful keepsake. I didn't even know that this level of preservation was available until someone mentioned it at my reception. I found these ladies the next day and was lucky that they had availability. I dropped off my flowers 2 days after the wedding ( having kept them in my garage in water in the meantime, would have been better if I had had a refrigerator available). The options they have on display are opulent and make it hard to choose, lol. They were able to work with my budget and provide a design that also works for my aesthetic. Additionally, I was able to order handmade beads to use for future jewelry projects of my own art. I highly recommend their service, I can't see how you could go wrong using them. If I ever have another occasion to have flowers preserved, I will be calling them as soon as I am done placing the order for the flowers with my florist. read more

Austin Preservations - Bridal Near Me - Buffalo Grove, Illinois

I scrambled a few days after my wedding to find somewhere to preserve flowers. All the places near my house had closed, but I think I really lucked out finding Austin Preservations! It was definitely worth the 100 mile round trip haul to get to Buffalo Grove from Plainfield. I couldn't be more thrilled with the work Karen did, she offered suggestions for the frames and matting when I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted, and the finished product is absolutely beautiful. I agree with Valerie that website doesn't do the flowers justice, all of the finished frames in Karen's work space are stunning. Thank you again, Karen! read more

Austin Preservations - My finished flowers and frame from Austin Preservations - Bridal Near Me - Buffalo Grove, Illinois

I have to admit- I have only dropped off my friend's bridal bouquet so she could have it preserved. I have not seen her finished product yet. However - I had to come online and put on 5 stars simply because of my first meeting with Karen. Karen had a number of finished projects hanging in her home when I was there. HER WEBSITE DOES NOT DO THEM JUSTICE! I can see how it might be difficult to capture the beauty and elegance of the preserved bouquets in frames in a photograph. Her finished products are simply stunning. I wish I had done this with my own bouquet. She has a ton of different ideas on how you can arrange them, add memorabilia, etc. She truly is an artist. read more

When planning a wedding, you get so many ideas that it's hard to figure out where to start. I happened to look on Pinterest for some wedding ideas, and I came across "flower preservation". There were so many DIY projects that I couldn't help but to also do this. Months went by, the big day comes, you've had the best time of your life and now you realize that it went by too fast and you didn't want any of it to end. Flower preservation is the best way to keep the most memorable day even more memorable. I came across Austin Preservations online and I'm so glad that I did because the day after our wedding, we had went there to get my bouquet preserved. Karen was so kind and so helpful with what we wanted that it was a smooth and simple transaction. As soon as you walk into her house, you see all the beautiful shadow boxes on display. And these are not your typical shadow boxes. These are made from real wood and the quality that she uses is impeccable. I haven't seen anything like it. They all were so beautiful. She offered suggestions for the frames and the matting that she made the whole process very easy. And I agree with Valerie M,. the pictures on her website, does not do it justice. You have to see the work up close because it will literally take your breath away. She did say it would take about 8-12 weeks for the whole process. I couldn't wait any longer, that I actually called her a month before it was suppose to be done just to see if they were done lol You will NOT be disappointed with the finish result. It's so beautiful that no words can describe it. Every time I look at my bouquet, I reminisce the fun and blessed day we had. I'll say it again and I will keep saying it, it's an experience I will never forget. And Austin Preservations just made it more memorable. It will be my forever keepsake. Thanks Karen! read more

Austin Preservations - From Austin Preservations - Bridal Near Me - Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Absolutely perfect! My bouquet looks just as beautiful as the day I walked down the aisle. They had such a large selection of frames to choose from as well. I was able to get one that matched my wedding colors and went perfectly with my bouquet. This mother daughter duo are extremely professional and pay enormous attention to detail. I highly recommend them for any flower preservation needs. read more

After deiding that I wanted to perserve my bouquet following my wedding, I discovered Karen through an internet search and am so glad I did! She is extremley skillful in what she does and I LOVE the final result! I seriously get compliments from every person who comes over and sees my bouquet hanging on the wall! It is well worth the cost and the time it takes to coordinate dropping it off, picking out a frame/design, etc.. Karen is also extremley kind to work with which is an added bonus! read more

Austin Preservations - My preserved wedding bouquet that I added my hair piece to and invitation. - Bridal Near Me - Buffalo Grove, Illinois

You know all those wedding websites your feverishly sign up for when you get engaged? Well, that is the only way I can explain how I came across this company. One magical day I received an email from Karen Austin of Austin Preservation's about preserving my bridal bouquet. What Karen does is very unique. She (or the company she uses) freezes the flowers one by one removing all water from the flowers. This keeps the flowers looking almost exactly what they looked like the day you got married. After this process, which took about 2 weeks, She then assembles them into whatever style you choose in a keepsake shadow box. For mine, I had my bouquet, my husband's boutonniere and a copy of our wedding invitation all in a silver framed shadow box with a ivory mat back round. It is truly a unique piece that I will have forever. The flowers are not the exactly same color, but pretty close and it is a very cool keepsake. Check out her website, she does more than just wedding bouquet keepsakes. She requires a $75.00 deposit when you drop the flowers off. It is best to get the flowers to her as soon as possible. She works out of her home and it is very easy to find. She will require another deposit once you pick the type of box you want your keepsake in and final payment when you pick up! read more

Breath-taking work! I'm so pleased with what they have done with my wedding bouquet & my husband's boutineer. They are very easy to work with & very friendly. Thanks so much for everything!!! read more

I stumbled upon Austin Preservation through Tassie at Instinct Design Studio. I wanted to create a shadow box for my flowers and other mementos. I was leaving for my honeymoon and wanted to drop off my flowers prior to leaving the next day, I called and spoke to Karen who advised me to come on over. It was Saturday evening around 8:00 pm when I made it to her home. Karen works out of her home and has lovely completed displays right on the wall. Karen assured me she would freeze my flowers that evening and we could discuss the arrangement of my shadow box at my convenience. Fast forward about one month later when I finally was able to return. I brought my Champaign glasses and other items and we collaborated on design. Karen also has a fabulous selection of shadow boxes but I wanted to use my glass card case because it was mirrored and had our names engraved so I'm ecstatic that worked out. I was advised my flowers are still in the freeze dryer for another couple of weeks to complete the process. I have no doubt the finished product will be stunning based on completed items I have already seen. Karen is quick to respond to calls and a pleasure to work with. read more