The Perfect Timing For Wedding Bouquets: When To Start?

A wedding bouquet is an important part of the bridal ensemble, with the potential to make a statement and express yourself on your big day. While you can opt for a florist to create a bouquet, making your own can be a more affordable and creative option. The best time to make your wedding bouquet is the night before or 24 hours before the wedding to ensure the flowers are fresh. This timing also allows you to focus on other tasks and get-ready details on the wedding day. To make a bouquet, you'll need to select your flowers, fillers, and greens, gather the necessary tools, and then assemble and wrap the bouquet.

Timing: Make the bouquet the day before the wedding

Timing is crucial when it comes to creating a wedding bouquet, and it's recommended to make the bouquet the day before the wedding to ensure the blooms are at their best. This allows the flowers to be fresh and vibrant for the ceremony, capturing the essence of the special day.

Making the bouquet the previous day provides a window for any last-minute adjustments and ensures the flowers are in their prime. It is a delicate balance, as flowers need time to rest, soak up water, and open up, but leaving them for too long can impact their freshness.

The day before the wedding, the bouquet maker can source the flowers, giving them time to rehydrate and prepare for assembly. This preparation time is crucial, as it ensures the flowers are ready for their close-up, looking vibrant and full.

Creating the bouquet the day before also allows for any final touches, such as adding ribbons or floral tape, to be completed without rushing. It gives the maker peace of mind, knowing that the bouquet is ready and waiting for the big day.

For those with a busy schedule on the wedding day itself, an alternative is to create the bouquet on the morning of the ceremony. However, this option is dependent on the number of bouquets, their complexity, and size.

Sourcing flowers: Order flowers a few days before the wedding

The best time to order flowers for your wedding bouquet is a few days before the wedding, so they have time to rehydrate and open up before you start arranging them. If your wedding is on a Saturday, for example, you should aim to receive your flowers on Thursday. This gives you enough time to prepare the flowers for arranging on Friday and creating the bouquet on the day before the wedding.

If you are ordering flowers from a florist, it is recommended to contact them as early as six months in advance to secure your spot. Remember that some flowers may need to be sourced from other places, so if you want a wider variety of blooms, it's best to order early.

When ordering flowers for a DIY wedding bouquet, consider the type of flowers you want, the seasonality, and your budget. You can order flowers online, from a local florist, or buy them from a local grocery store or flower market. To save money, you can also pick flowers from a friend's garden or source them from local farms.

When ordering flowers, keep in mind that freshly cut blooms can only last for 7 to 10 days, so it's important to time your order accordingly. If you are using flowers from your garden, make sure to cut them at the right time to ensure they are fresh for your wedding day.

DIY vs florist: DIY saves money, but florists save time and stress

DIY vs Florist: Weighing Up the Pros and Cons

The Pros of DIY

Saving Money

A DIY bouquet is a great way to save money on your wedding. A typical bridal bouquet from a florist costs around $250, whereas a DIY version will be much cheaper. The cost of a DIY bouquet depends on factors such as the type of flowers, the season, and the size of the bouquet, but it's possible to create a beautiful bouquet for as little as $25.

Personalisation

With a DIY bouquet, you have complete artistic control over the final product. You can choose the exact flowers, colours, and style to match your wedding theme and create a truly unique arrangement.

The Cons of DIY

Time and Dedication

Creating a DIY bouquet takes time and effort. It requires sourcing the flowers, designing the arrangement, and assembling the bouquet, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. It's important to consider the time commitment required, especially with the other demands of wedding planning.

Stress

DIY bouquets can add to the stress of wedding planning, especially if you're not experienced in floristry. It can be a challenging task, and there is a risk of things going wrong, such as not having enough flowers or running out of time.

The Pros of Hiring a Florist

Saving Time and Reducing Stress

Hiring a florist can save you time and spare you the stress of creating the bouquets yourself. Florists are skilled and experienced, and can create beautiful arrangements without you having to lift a finger.

Expertise and Quality

Florists have the knowledge and expertise to create stunning bouquets that will last throughout your wedding day. They know how to work with different types of flowers, how to create intricate designs, and how to ensure the bouquets stay fresh and vibrant.

The Cons of Hiring a Florist

Cost

Hiring a florist can be expensive. The average cost of wedding flowers is $2,000, and floral arrangements from a professional can quickly add up. Florists charge for their labour and the complexity of the design, which can make it a significant expense.

Lack of Personalisation

When working with a florist, you may not have the same level of creative control over the bouquets. While you can provide input and guidance, the final product may not fully reflect your vision.

So, Which Option is Right for You?

The decision to DIY or hire a florist ultimately depends on your priorities, budget, and time constraints. If you're looking to save money and enjoy the creative process, DIY may be the way to go. However, if you want to avoid the stress and time commitment, hiring a florist can be a worthwhile investment. Consider your resources and what will make your wedding planning experience more enjoyable.

Flower types: Pick 1-2 focal flowers, 1-2 fillers, and a green

When creating a wedding bouquet, it's important to consider the types of flowers and foliage you will use. Here are some tips for selecting 1-2 focal flowers, 1-2 fillers, and a green to create a beautiful and well-rounded arrangement:

Focal Flowers:

Select 1-2 types of flowers that will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. These flowers should be eye-catching and typically have large blooms. Examples include roses, peonies, and dahlias. These flowers will be the star of your bouquet, so choose something that reflects your personal style and colour preferences.

Supporting Flowers:

Choose 1-2 types of supporting flowers that will complement your focal flowers. These flowers are usually slightly smaller but still add beauty and interest to the arrangement. A great example is the cosmos, which has smaller blooms that can enhance the overall aesthetic without taking away from the focal flower.

Fillers:

Filler flowers and foliage are essential to creating a full and natural-looking bouquet. They add volume and texture, filling in any gaps between the larger flowers. Some popular options include bells of Ireland, which have tall, lime-green spires; honeywort, which can be silver, blue, purple, and green; and sweet peas, which add wild-looking vines and volume to the arrangement.

Greens:

When selecting greens for your bouquet, consider varieties that add structure and depth to the arrangement. Examples include laurel and bay, which provide a strong framework. Softer greens, such as herbs like mint and rosemary, can also be used to add a subtle scent to your bouquet. Eucalyptus is another popular choice for weddings, with its blue-green and silvery hues, and fresh, clean scent.

Tools: Floral scissors, stem wrap, corsage pins, and ribbon

The tools you'll need to create a wedding bouquet are floral scissors, stem wrap, corsage pins, and ribbon.

Floral scissors are essential for trimming flower stems and greenery. They ensure a clean cut without crushing the stems, which can happen when using regular scissors. Before you start constructing your bouquet, remove all the leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to promote water absorption and keep them in a bucket of water as you work.

Stem wrap, also known as floral tape, is used to bind the stems together and provide a base for the ribbon. It is important to use professional-grade floral tape, as inferior quality tape can become sticky and gooey, making the job harder. Start by wrapping the tape around the stems in a downward motion, stretching it slightly to help it adhere to itself.

Corsage pins are used to secure the ribbon and any additional embellishments to the bouquet. They can also be used to wire individual flowers and decorative components, such as ribbon and greenery, when creating a pinned-on corsage.

Ribbon adds the perfect finishing touch to your bouquet. Choose a colour and fabric that complement your wedding theme and dress. You can use a single type of ribbon or experiment with different widths, colours, and textures for a unique look. Begin by cutting a generous length of ribbon and looping it towards the base of the bouquet, leaving a "tail" about the same length as the stems. Wrap the ribbon upwards, overlapping as you go, and secure it with a final loop before trimming any excess.

Frequently asked questions