Creating Your Dream Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. It can be a fun activity to do with family and friends in the lead-up to your wedding, and it's not as challenging as it seems. With some simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can create a stunning arrangement that reflects your unique style and personality. In this guide, we will take you through the steps of choosing your flowers, preparing them, assembling the bouquet, and adding the finishing touches to create a bouquet that you will treasure forever.

Choosing flowers: Select flowers that match your wedding's colour scheme and season

When choosing flowers for your DIY wedding bouquet, it's important to consider both your wedding's colour scheme and the season in which your wedding will take place. Opting for flowers that are in season ensures they are readily available and cost-effective.

Start by selecting 2-4 types of flowers that will act as the focal point of your bouquet. These flowers should complement your wedding colours. For example, if you're having a summer wedding with pastel colours, consider soft pink peonies, light yellow dahlias, or pale blue hydrangeas. For a winter wedding with deeper hues, pair burgundy ranunculus with dark red anemones or go for navy blue iris to make a stunning choice.

Consider the various shades and tones of your wedding colour palette, and don't be afraid to mix and match. For a more subtle and elegant look, stick to a monochromatic theme, using flowers of different shapes and sizes but similar colours. If you want to add more interest and texture, incorporate flowers with complementary colours—for instance, pairing soft peach roses with blush pink lilies for a romantic, vintage-inspired bouquet.

In addition to your primary flowers, select a few types of filler flowers and greenery to add volume and depth to your bouquet. Baby's breath, wax flowers, and Queen Anne's lace are classic choices that can be easily incorporated into any arrangement. For greenery, eucalyptus, silver dollar, and ruscus are popular options that provide a beautiful base for your bouquet and can help tie together the different flower varieties.

Remember to consider the availability of your chosen flowers during the season of your wedding. If you're unsure, speak to a local florist or flower supplier, who can guide you on what's in season and help you create a cohesive and stunning DIY wedding bouquet.

Sourcing flowers: Consider buying flowers in bulk from a local grocery store or flower market

Sourcing flowers is an important step in creating your own wedding bouquet. Buying flowers in bulk from a local grocery store or flower market is a great way to save money without compromising on quality and freshness. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Local Grocery Stores:

Many brides have shared their positive experiences with buying wedding flowers from local grocery stores. Stores like Walmart, Giant, Food Lion, and Schnucks offer affordable flower options that can be used to create beautiful bouquets. The flowers from these stores are typically fresh and can last for weeks after the wedding. Additionally, some grocery stores have certified floral designers on staff who can provide guidance and answer any questions you may have. This can be especially helpful if you're new to flower arrangement.

Flower Markets:

Flower markets, such as Sam's Club and Costco, are excellent sources for bulk flowers at discounted prices. These markets often have a wide variety of flowers available, including roses, carnations, lilies, and more. By ordering in bulk from flower markets, you can save a significant amount of money compared to traditional florists. Some markets even allow you to place bulk orders and keep them in the back until you're ready to pick them up, ensuring that you get first pick of the freshest flowers.

Online Options:

If you're unable to find what you're looking for locally, there are also online options for buying flowers in bulk. Websites like BloomsByTheBox.com offer wholesale flowers at affordable prices, with no reseller ID required. They provide a large selection of flowers, including roses, peonies, calla lilies, and more. The flowers are shipped fresh and can be delivered as soon as the next day, making them a convenient choice for DIY wedding bouquets.

When sourcing flowers for your wedding bouquet, it's important to consider your budget, the type of flowers you want, and the timing of your wedding. Buying in bulk from local grocery stores or flower markets can be a cost-effective way to create stunning arrangements that will make your big day even more special.

Preparing flowers: Remove leaves from stems and place blooms in water

Preparing flowers is a crucial step in maintaining the health and beauty of your wedding bouquet. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Firstly, remove any plastic or cellophane wrapping from your flowers. This is important because the wrapping can cause the leaves to sweat and wilt prematurely. Then, using a sharp pair of floral snips or garden shears, cut about one to two inches off the stems. Cutting the stems at a 45-degree angle improves water intake by preventing the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase. Filling a sink or bucket with room-temperature water and holding the stems under the water while cutting them can help prevent air pockets from forming and ensure a smooth flow of water to the blooms.

Next, remove any leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Leaves submerged in water can cause bacterial growth and reduce the vase life of your flowers. Ensure you also remove any guard petals, which are the dull or brown outer petals included by florists to protect the flowers during transportation.

Once you've trimmed and prepared the stems, place the flowers in a bucket of water and floral preservative. This step should be done as soon as possible after receiving the flowers to ensure optimal freshness and appearance. Keep the flowers in a cool room, out of direct sunlight, and avoid placing them near heat-generating appliances or open windows, as this can cause dehydration.

If you're working with flowers from your own garden, it's best to cut them in the morning, as this is when water reserves in the stems are highest, following a cooler night. Additionally, if you want to slow down the opening of the flowers, use cooler water (but not freezing). Conversely, if you want to speed up the process, opt for slightly warmer water (but not hot).

Assembling bouquet: Insert flowers into greenery, pulling focal flowers forward to create depth and dimension

Now that you have all your stems and greenery prepped, it's time to assemble the bouquet. Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, keeping in mind the overall dimension of the bouquet. It is recommended to stand in front of a mirror while you assemble the bouquet so that you know exactly what the front looks like.

When putting together the stems, start with a base and then add larger, focal flowers. You can then continue to add smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build.

When it comes to inserting flowers into the greenery, take the flowers one by one and insert them into the greenery spray in a circular direction to create a globe-like shape. Try to insert larger flowers towards the centre of your bouquet with smaller accent flowers around the edges. This will help draw the eye towards certain sections of your bouquet.

Pull certain flowers forward to create depth and dimension. This will help your bouquet look even more natural and full. Try to pull your focal point flowers forward to emphasise them more.

Finishing touches: Wrap stems with ribbon or lace and add decorations like pins or charms

Finishing Touches

You've sourced your flowers, prepped the stems, and assembled your bouquet. Now, it's time for the finishing touches! Wrapping the stems with ribbon or lace and adding decorations like pins or charms will give your bouquet a polished and personalised look. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful and unique bouquet for your wedding day.

Wrapping the Stems with Ribbon or Lace:

• Choose a ribbon or lace that complements your bouquet and wedding dress. Consider the colour, texture, and style of the ribbon to add a romantic or whimsical touch to your bouquet. You can also opt for a hand-dyed, loose ribbon that cascades off the bouquet for a more modern look.
• Cut a generous length of your chosen ribbon and loop it up towards the base of the bouquet, leaving a "tail" about the same length as the stems.
• Begin wrapping the ribbon around the stems, starting from the bottom and working your way up towards the base of the bouquet. Keep the ribbon taut and overlap it as you go.
• When you reach the base, feed the ribbon through the loop and pull the "tail" firmly until the loop disappears under the wrapping.
• Cut the ribbon, leaving about 0.5 to 1 inch extending above the wrapping.
• Continue pulling the "tail" until the cut end is concealed, then trim off any excess.
• Smooth out the ribbon to ensure a neat finish.

Adding Decorations:

• Charms: A bouquet charm is a beautiful way to honour a loved one or add a sentimental touch to your bouquet. You can choose a charm with a photo, a quote, or a meaningful design. Consider the size, colour, and material of the charm to ensure it complements your bouquet.
• Pins: Floral pins can be used to secure the ribbon or lace around the stems. Opt for pearl or diamante pins to add a touch of sparkle to your bouquet.
• Other Decorations: Get creative and add other decorations such as brooches, ribbons, or even a personalised note attached to the stems.

Remember, there are no rules when it comes to your wedding bouquet! Feel free to experiment and add your own unique touches to make it truly special.

Frequently asked questions