FAQ’s
Do you require a minimum order?
Yes, the minimum order for floral preservation is $350 and we require a $150 non-refundable deposit to book your date. The $150 deposit will be deducted from your final invoice. You must select at least one menu item from “Main Selections™” and add-on as many “Sides™” and “Desserts™” as you like. Click here to view the “Preservation Menu™” of options.
Early in your planning process, and up to your wedding day, you may not know exactly which pieces you want to select. That is perfectly fine. We work with you beforehand to have a sense of your selection so we can source all the necessary materials and be prepared for when your flowers arrive.
Deposit and Balance Payments
We require a 50% deposit on all orders once your selection is confirmed. This can either be paid in-store, or via online invoice. If you already placed a $150 reservation deposit, this will be deducted from the final balance. The final balance will be billed via invoice when your order is in production. All balances must be paid prior to pick up or shipping.
If you would like to pay the balance in multiple payments, please reach out and we are happy to put together a payment plan.
How does shipping work? If I am local to NYC, can I have my flowers dropped off to you?
Yes, if you are in NYC or the Tri-State area you can drop off to our conveniently located storefront located at 135 W 28th St between 6th and 7th Ave in the heart of NYC’s famous Floral District. We are open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and our phone number is 212-518-1768.
For those of you shipping from outside the NYC area, we have successfully received flowers from across the country. We will send more detailed instructions once you have reserved your date, but here are the basics:
Pick a trusted vendor, family member, or friend to be your “Floral Shipping Buddy™”
Organize your shipping supplies ahead of time
Have your box labeled and ready to be shipped 1-2 Day Priority to NYC following your wedding
After you have reserved your date, we will provide easy instructions to make this step stress-free.
How long will it take to preserve my floral keepsakes?
Floral preservation and resin art require skill, artistry, and patience. Please expect a four to six month turnaround time. We will keep you updated along the way, and sometimes we may even delight you with an early, “It’s ready...” message.
Will my preserved flowers look just like my fresh flowers?
Some flowers preserve better than others, but most can be dried. It’s important that you know certain colors will change quite dramatically from their fresh versions.
Almost all flowers will dry a little darker than their original color:
Pink flowers may turn pale, purple, or lavender-ish.
Whites and creams may dry slightly brown, vintage-like, or yellow-ish. Keep in mind, the freshness of white flowers really plays a role in how they preserve. Also, there are dozens of varieties of white flowers and all dry slightly different. What we can’t do is make a dead/brown flower come alive again so from time to time, we may ask your permission to substitute from our stock to ensure you are pleased with your final result.
Reds and some purples turn much darker, even appearing black-ish.
Blue flowers such as delphiniums and thistle tend to dry true to color.
If you have flowers, succulents, or berries in your bouquet that do not preserve well, there are a variety of creative options we can offer.
Most importantly we want you to be informed and if you enjoy photos of our work, then you don’t have to think about all of the above information - that’s why you are commissioning J. Starr NYC.
Note: We never enhance our photos on social media or on the website. We take pictures both in natural sunlight in front of our shop and under bright LED lighting inside. We want you to zoom in and really see the quality and style of our work. If you are local to NYC please come in and touch and feel the samples in the showroom. Can’t make it to the shop, call 212-518-1768 to book a 15-minute video tour with Annie so she can show you samples in realtime.
What if I picked a “Main Selection™” but the height of my flowers are too tall to fit inside those dimensions?
Please keep in mind that some larger flowers are showcased better in resin block styles vs. tray styles. Once we see your flowers we will advise on your best options and you can confirm your Main selection at that time. Please note that our signature tray style (round 15” and square 16” x 16” trays) feature 3-D flowers that are fully preserved and coated in resin but stand out slightly above the resin surface. They are meant for decorative purposes.
If your flowers lend themselves to a “flatter” method of preservation the trays can be made to be functional which means they will have approximately 1/2 - 1/4 remaining depth and items can be placed on top.
In all cases, we offer many options and will always advise on what is most suitable to achieve the best outcome for your flowers before your wedding and up until your flowers are ready to begin the resin process.
Will my floral preservation keepsake last forever?
Your floral preservation art is an enduring keepsake that needs to be treated with love and care. Please do not keep your art in prolonged and direct sunlight or over a hot surface such as a ledge directly over your radiator. Use a soft cloth from time to time to keep your piece clean and shiny. If you purchased any functional pieces such as coasters, just wipe clean and never place in the dishwasher. Please know that resin will turn a little “vintage-like” and appear slightly yellow, or turn amber over the years and this is to be expected.
Can you work with flowers I dried and other sentimental items?
Yes, we can work with flowers you have previously dried as long as they are not rotted and free of mold. Even if your flowers have been dried for years, we can likely surprise and delight you by giving them a new life in a preserved piece of art.
Yes, we can incorporate sentimental items such as bridal bouquet charms, jewelry, pearls, and other accessories. We can also include photos and we can discuss options of how you would like to see them within the piece. Photos and any sentimental items used in resin must be completely dry as resin and water can not mix. If we need to “dry” any of these items to prepare them for inclusion, there may be a small fee added.
Wish you had previously preserved your wedding bouquet? If you provide us with a picture, we can likely create a piece sourcing and incorporating the flower types your florist used based on seasonal availability. We are located within one of the most famous flower markets in the country.
Let’s talk bubbles and “pour lines”
Avoiding an abundance of microscopic bubbles is a general best practice when working with resin, but you should anticipate there may be a bubble, or bubbles somewhere. We use the highest-quality UV resistant resin on the market and have invested hundreds of hours learning and perfecting our techniques. We have an in-depth understanding of resin chemistry (it is indeed and art and science!) Please rest assured you will receive a professionally finished piece of art from J. Starr NYC that you can treasured for a lifetime.
“Pour lines” will be slightly visible in certain lighting angles on the sides of some larger pieces (ex. blocks and spheres). We like to compare these to the rings of a tree trunk. As your piece is lovingly poured in small thin layers and cured for 24 hours prior to pouring the next layer, these lines can be visible on the side of your piece when in certain lighting. We like to count these subtle layers when a piece is done and you will see that anywhere from 8-12 layers or more are needed for the blocks.
Okay, that’s a lot of information and thankfully you don’t have to know how to be a preservation and resin artist. We do want you to be informed though about the art you are commissioning to the extent you wish to be.
Our genuine piece of advice is to take a close look at photos on Instagram or Pinterest, and be sure you like the “vibe” of the artist you selected – that is what really matters. We feel connected to everyone we have created a keepsake for and feel honored to play a small role in meaningful moments and events in people’s lives.
Why does floral preservation often cost more than other “ready-made” resin art?
The biggest factor is that your wedding/keepsake florals need to be gently and skillfully handled from the moment they arrive to our door. Leaves, blooms, and petals are trimmed, shaped, and dried in silica gel. Flowers such as sunflowers, dahlias, and mums often require each petal to be glued back on after the drying process. This requires practice and knowledge about flowers and their tolerance to being preserved.
Once dried, your delicate florals are gently cleaned of any “natural” debris, then arranged within liquid resin poured in small ¼ inch layers with a 24-hour cure time in between. Here is where you must trust the artist in making the best choices for your flowers during this crucial stage. I always like to say, “There are really three artists in the room that create your keepsakes: Mother Nature, Resin, and Me”. We respect each other’s uniqueness and work together in harmony. Of course Mother Nature gets a lot of the credit for creating such gorgeous flowers, both fresh and dried.
Can I list floral preservation on my registry?
Yes, that is a great idea and we have seen couples do this as a cash gift towards their floral preservation package. Your family and friends are also welcome to purchase your package as a gift certificate which is available in $150 increments, or pre-pay a set amount you can use towards your selections. We are happy to work with anyone who may want to gift you a floral preservation.
I don’t have my own flowers to preserve. Do you ever sell “Stock” pieces?
Yes, please do come visit our shop filled with one-of-a-kind resin pieces, including trays, ring holders, trinket dishes, candles, art and so much more. We put new items out daily. Can’t make it to the shop…just give us a call and we can hand select items for you that can be shipped.
How Do I Contact You?
We are a family-run business comprised of mother (Jeannine), daughter (Annie), and son (Sam). We each bring our unique strengths and talents to provide you with the best preservation possible. We are located at 135 W 28th Street in NYC and can be reached at 212-518-1768. You can find us in the shop/studio Monday 9-5 and Tuesday-Saturday 9-4 in the heart of NYC’s historic Floral District between 6th and 7th Ave. We take great pride in getting to know our clients and we get very attached to your stories, flowers, and final pieces of art.