Listen up, flower babe
Proper flower prep isn’t optional—kind of like when your microwave meal says “stir halfway through”… you really do need to do it.
These blooms are florist-grade and fabulous, but they require a lil’ TLC. Stick to the steps and you’ll have Pinterest-worthy petals that SLAY your big day.
Skip the prep? You’ll end up with a sad, limp bouquet that looks like it came from the corner gas station. And bestie, we can’t have that. 🌸
Before leaving the pick-up location, check that you have received all items listed in your packing list from Lily on the Thames. Look in all packing paper, as some small flowers may be wrapped in it. If anything is missing or severely damaged, see our refund policy. Note that flowers have travelled from across the globe, may not look their best YET, and some loss is expected. Don’t panic if you break a few stems or some flowers were damaged in shipping, as the company has accounted for 5–10% loss in your flower counts and recipes.
Immediately upon arrival, let’s give those blooms the VIP treatment! Fill up sparkling clean vases and buckets with 3–4 inches of clean water (feel free to add some flower food). Ensure the vessels are tall enough to support the weight of the flower heads.
Make sure you have your scissors, floral bunch cutters, and gardening gloves nearby. It’s best to set up on a non-carpeted surface with plenty of table space. You can purchase these items on our site.
Leave plastic sleeves and cardboard packaging ON your flowers (except anything below the water line). Then cut 1 inch off each stem on an angle using your bunch cutters and immediately place in water.
Let the flower stems drink and get stronger in the water for approx. 4 hours. Without this step, your flower heads will not be able to be supported and will droop.
After they’ve hydrated for a few hours, take one bunch of flowers out of the bucket and remove the plastic/cardboard/elastics/packaging and foliage (leaves) from the stems. Remove any browning leaves or petals from greenery and flowers. Give another half inch angled cut and place back in new CLEAN (no leaves) water. Foliage in the water can poison the flowers. Repeat this step for each bunch.
Double check each flower has space to open up in the container. Flower heads should not be touching each other. Greenery needs its own container and can be a bit tighter packed. If you need to squish it into a container, split it into more than one container.
Store in a dark, cool, dry spot indoors. Give your flowers overnight to strengthen, drink, and open up to design some gorgeous arrangements the next day!
