Flowers may look slightly closed or thirsty after travelling. Unwrap them gently, but keep any tie that holds a hand-tied bouquet in shape. Remove leaves below the waterline and place the stems into a clean vase as soon as possible.
Recut each stem by one or two centimetres and use fresh, room-temperature water. Leave the bouquet in a cool, quiet place for its first hour. Most blooms will lift and open as they drink; avoid arranging them repeatedly while they are still recovering.
Quick tips
Unwrap gently
Remove transport paper without pulling apart the bouquet's binding.
Give a fresh cut
Open every stem with a clean diagonal cut before it meets the water.
Let it rest
Allow one quiet hour in a cool place before making final adjustments.
