Creating Wedding Flowers: A Challenging, Creative Endeavor

Making your own wedding flowers can be a fun and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your big day. However, it's important to remember that floristry is a skilled profession, and creating your own arrangements takes time and dedication and a good understanding of the types of flowers and arrangements that will work for your wedding.

The first step is to decide on the style and colour palette you want for your flowers. Keep it simple and be flexible – the flowers you want may not be in season or available, and some blooms are harder to work with than others.

Next, you'll need to source your flowers. You can buy these wholesale, from a local flower farm, a grocery store or even grow your own. Remember to consider the longevity of your arrangements and when to assemble them so they look their best for the ceremony.

Finally, you'll need to construct your bouquets and centrepieces, which can take up to 90 minutes per arrangement. There are plenty of online tutorials to help you get it right, and you can always enlist the help of friends and family.

While making your own wedding flowers can be a challenge, it's a great way to express your creativity and save money.

Sourcing flowers: DIY bouquets can be made from flowers sourced from local farms, grocery stores, or online

Sourcing flowers for your DIY wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some tips and options for sourcing flowers for your DIY bouquets:

Local Farms

Local flower farms are an excellent source of fresh, seasonal blooms for your wedding. Many small local flower farms sell their flowers at farmer's markets or directly from their farms. While they may have a limited variety and be confined to the growing season, you can find unique, high-quality flowers that will make your DIY bouquets stand out. BeeHaven Flower Farm in North Idaho, for example, offers a range of over 150 varieties of lush, bushy flowers.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are another convenient option for sourcing flowers for your DIY wedding bouquets. While the selection may be limited and the quality may vary, you can often find classic options such as white roses, baby's breath, and carnations at affordable prices. Some grocery stores may also allow you to order specific flowers for your event.

Online Flower Delivery Services

If you're looking for a wider variety of flowers or want to order in bulk, online flower delivery services like FiftyFlowers and Flower Moxie are a great option. These companies offer wholesale prices and convenient delivery, often with expert guidance and support. For example, FiftyFlowers pairs you with a personal flower concierge to help you make the right choices, while Flower Moxie offers video tutorials and custom floral design services.

Grow Your Own

If you're a gardening enthusiast, consider growing your own flowers for your wedding. This option allows you to choose your favourite flowers and colours, and create unique, personalized bouquets. However, it's important to consider the seasonality of flowers and be prepared for unexpected weather conditions that may affect blooming times.

Combination of Sources

You don't have to rely on just one source for your flowers. Combining flowers from different sources can help you create a diverse and beautiful arrangement. For example, you can use flowers from a local farm for your bridal bouquet and add in some store-bought flowers for the bridesmaids' bouquets or centrepieces.

No matter which source you choose, remember to be flexible and consider the seasonality and availability of your desired flowers. With some planning and creativity, you can create stunning DIY wedding bouquets that fit your budget and style.

Timing: Flowers should be sourced 1-2 days before the wedding, and bouquets should be made the day before

Timing is everything when it comes to wedding flowers. Get it right, and your blooms will be perky and beautiful; get it wrong, and you'll be left with wilting flowers and added stress. So, when is the best time to source and arrange your flowers?

Sourcing Flowers

Flowers are best sourced 1-2 days before your wedding. This gives you enough time to create your bouquets and centrepieces without them starting to fade. If you're using a mix of flowers, check that they all have a similar shelf life. Some blooms can last up to 48 hours after being cut, while others will start to perish much sooner. Do your research ahead of time and plan accordingly.

Arranging Bouquets

Bouquets are best made the day before the wedding. This gives the flowers time to recover from being out of water and will ensure they look their best on the day. However, don't add any ribbons or decorations that might get wet until the morning of the wedding. Keep the bouquets in a cool place and spritz them with water if possible.

Transporting Flowers

If you're transporting the flowers to the wedding venue yourself, be sure to keep them at a temperature of between 34-75 degrees. You'll also need to prep your vehicle ahead of time with a few empty vases wedged into a cushioned box.

Budgeting: DIY bouquets are a great way to save money, but it's easy to go over budget

DIY bouquets are a great way to save money on your wedding, but it's easy to go over budget. Here are some tips to help you stay within your budget:

• Be flexible with your flower choices. Certain blooms, such as peonies, gardenias, and hydrangeas, can be more expensive, especially if they are out of season. Instead, opt for less costly options like carnations, mums, and alstroemeria, or choose flowers that are in season.
• Keep it simple. Creating ornate centrepieces or complex bouquets can be challenging and may require more flowers, increasing your costs. Stick to simple arrangements and similar colours or flowers throughout.
• Set a realistic budget and plan accordingly. Consider the number of bouquets and centrepieces you need, the types and quantities of flowers required, and the cost of vases, ribbons, and other supplies. Don't forget to factor in shipping or delivery costs when ordering flowers online or from a local wholesaler.
• Enlist help. DIY flowers can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large wedding. Ask your bridal party, family, or friends to assist with flower arrangements. This will make the process more enjoyable and help you stay within your budget.
• Practice beforehand. If you're new to flower arranging, it's a good idea to practice beforehand. Buy some inexpensive flowers from a local grocery store and experiment with different designs. This will help you refine your technique and better understand the amount of flowers and supplies needed, preventing overspending.
• Repurpose your flowers. After the ceremony, move the flowers from the aisle or guest book to the reception area, bar, or cake table. You can also use the bridesmaids' bouquets to decorate the head table or other reception areas. This way, you get more value from your flowers and save money on additional decorations.
• Be mindful of transportation. Transporting flowers and centrepieces can be tricky, especially if you need to move them to a different location. Plan ahead and ensure you have enough space in your vehicle or arrange for someone with a larger vehicle to help.
• Don't forget the extras. When budgeting for DIY flowers, don't forget to include the cost of supplies like floral tape, pins, ribbons, and vases or containers. These can add up quickly, so be sure to factor them into your overall budget.

Practice: It's important to do a trial run and practice making bouquets before the wedding day

Practice is key when it comes to making your own wedding flowers. It's important to do a trial run and practice making bouquets before the big day. This will help you perfect your technique and ensure that your bouquets look their best. Here are some tips to help you practice and prepare:

• Create a timeline: Start by creating a timeline for when you will source your flowers and create your bouquets. Give yourself plenty of time to practice and make any necessary adjustments.
• Source your flowers: Decide where you will source your flowers from. You can order them online, buy them from a local grocery store or flower market, or even grow your own. If you're ordering online, be sure to place your order well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays.
• Choose your flowers: Select the types of flowers and greenery you want to use in your bouquets. Consider the style of your wedding dress, your colour palette, and whether you want complementary or contrasting colours.
• Prepare your workspace: Set up a workspace with all the supplies you'll need, including sharp floral snips or scissors, buckets for storing flowers, ribbons, twine, pins, and chicken wire.
• Practice creating bouquets: Start by practising how to create a basic bouquet. Follow online tutorials or ask a friend who has experience with flower arranging for guidance. Experiment with different flower combinations and techniques until you find what works best.
• Timing is everything: Keep in mind that fresh flowers have a limited lifespan, so it's important to time your practice runs accordingly. Practice creating bouquets a day or two before the wedding to get a sense of how the flowers will hold up.
• Storage matters: Store your finished practice bouquets in a cool place to extend the life of the blooms. This will help you understand how long your wedding bouquets will last and how soon before the wedding you need to assemble them.
• Ask for help: Enlist the help of friends or family members. They can provide feedback on your bouquets and help you assemble them on the big day.
• Be flexible: Remember that your practice bouquets may not turn out exactly as you envisioned. Be flexible and open to making adjustments. This will help you feel more confident and prepared for any last-minute changes on your wedding day.

Storage: Fresh flowers should be kept in water and stored at the right temperature before the wedding

Making your own wedding flowers can be a great way to save money, but it's important to know how to store your flowers properly to ensure they stay fresh for your big day. Here are some detailed tips for storing fresh flowers before a wedding:

Keep Flowers in Water

It is crucial to keep your flowers hydrated, but be careful with the water temperature. Hot water will dehydrate the flowers, while cold water will shock and wither the blooms. Instead, use warm water, which flowers can easily absorb and retain their form. Cut the stems diagonally to expose their watering channels and place them in water, ensuring the water level is approximately six inches up the stems.

Store Flowers at the Right Temperature

Keep flowers in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and drafts. Sunlight causes cut flowers to decay faster, and they will wilt just as quickly in direct air. A cool room, away from windows, is ideal. If possible, store the flowers in a refrigerator, but be sure to keep them away from fruits, as the ethylene gas they release can cause flowers to shatter.

Recut Stems and Change Water

To keep flowers fresh, recut the stems and change the water every day or two. Each time you recut the stems, make new cuts along the bottom to help brighten the colour of the flowers.

Add Flower Food

Consider adding flower food to the water to help preserve the flowers. You can usually buy this from a local florist.

Avoid the Fridge if Possible

While keeping flowers cool is important, resist the urge to put them in the fridge, especially if it's a standard kitchen fridge. The temperature is often too cold, and the flowers may be damaged by proximity to fruits and vegetables, which release ethylene gas.

Transport Safely

When transporting flowers to the wedding venue, use the boxes the flowers came in, cutting holes in the top to hold the flowers and vases. For more complicated arrangements, you may need to take extra care to secure them.

Delegate Responsibility

On the day of the wedding, delegate someone to be in charge of the flowers so that the wedding party can focus on getting ready.

Frequently asked questions