Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding flowers can be expensive, but they don't have to be. Creating your own floral arrangements is a great way to save money and can be easier than you think. However, it's important to be aware of some common challenges, such as underestimating the time required to make the arrangements. To avoid this, it's recommended to go in with a careful plan and a clear theme, whether it's a uniting colour palette or a particular type of flower. You can source flowers from local floral markets, wholesale suppliers, or even your own garden, and there are plenty of online guides and tutorials to help you create beautiful arrangements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | DIY wedding flowers can be a more affordable option compared to hiring a florist. |
| Time | DIY flowers can be time-consuming, especially close to the wedding date. Planning and preparation are essential. |
| Storage | Flowers should be stored in a cool place, such as a refrigerator or a walk-in cooler, to extend their vase life. |
| Tools | Buckets, sharp knives or scissors, floral putty, plastic flower frogs, and drapes are some of the tools needed for arranging and displaying flowers. |
| Flower Type | Peonies, roses, and greenery are popular choices for DIY wedding flowers. |
| Suppliers | FiftyFlowers, Blooms by the Box, local floral markets, and wholesale clubs like Costco are options for flower sourcing. |
| Workload | Enlisting help from friends, family, and the bridal party can make the process smoother and less stressful. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing flowers and suppliers
Choosing the Right Flowers
When selecting flowers for your DIY wedding arrangements, it's essential to consider your vision, colour palette, and theme. Opt for a mix of blooms that complement each other rather than focusing on specific varieties. Be flexible, as flower availability can be unpredictable due to factors like labour shortages and inflation. Include filler flowers and foliage to enhance your focal flowers while keeping costs down.
Suppliers for DIY Wedding Flowers
Several suppliers offer wholesale wedding flowers suitable for DIY arrangements. Here are some popular options:
- FiftyFlowers: FiftyFlowers is a popular choice for DIY wedding flowers, offering wholesale delivery. They ship their flowers from Ecuador a few days before the wedding, and you handle the hydration and arrangement. FiftyFlowers provides excellent value for money, and their blush and burgundy wedding pack is a popular choice.
- Flower Moxie: Flower Moxie specialises in helping DIY brides choose bulk wholesale wedding flowers at a fraction of florist prices. They offer a range of DIY flower kits with a mix of flowers and greenery, along with video tutorials and guidance to help you create beautiful arrangements.
- Local Suppliers: Consider local suppliers who grow and dry their flowers. These suppliers often provide fair-priced products while also being mindful of their carbon footprint and seasonality. Local suppliers may have unique, vintage, and timeless dried flower options that last longer and require careful handling.
- Personal Gardens and Local Sources: If you or someone you know has a garden, consider using flowers that are in bloom. You can also ask local residents with flower bushes if you can use some of their flowers, as this can be a cost-effective way to obtain flowers for your DIY arrangements.
Storage and Preparation
When choosing flowers, consider their durability and water requirements. Regularly spritz them with water, especially if they are in direct sunlight. Store your flowers properly before the wedding, and follow flower-specific preparation instructions, such as opening buds a few days before the event and cutting the stems before placing them in water.
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Timing and preparation
Timing
It's important to start planning your DIY wedding flowers early. This will give you enough time to source the flowers, arrange them, and deal with any potential challenges or delays. Consider the lead time required for ordering or growing the flowers, as well as the time needed for arranging and assembling the bouquets, centrepieces, and decorations.
Flower Sourcing
If you're ordering flowers from a supplier, it's recommended to have them delivered two days before your event. This allows the flowers time to rehydrate and bloom, ensuring they look their best for your wedding day. If your wedding is on a Saturday, plan to have the flowers delivered on Thursday, and then arrange them on Friday.
Flower Preparation
When the flowers arrive, they may appear a little droopy due to dehydration from transportation. To re-energize them, put the flowers in buckets of clean water as soon as possible and let them hydrate for at least six hours before arranging. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or scissors, and remove any low-hanging leaves that fall below the waterline.
Workload Management
Creating your own wedding flowers can be time-consuming, so it's essential to enlist help from your bridal party, family, and friends. Delegate tasks and share the workload to ensure everything runs smoothly. Many floral arrangements can be made a day or two in advance if stored properly.
Flower Storage
To extend the life of your flowers, store the finished arrangements in a cool place or refrigerator. Flowers with woody stems, like hydrangeas, tend to have a longer vase life, while softer-stemmed flowers, like daffodils or tulips, are more heat-sensitive and have a shorter lifespan.
Flower Alternatives
If you're concerned about the time and effort required to DIY fresh flowers, consider using faux flowers or silk flowers for some of your installations and background decorations. This can reduce the workload and ensure that your floral arrangements look fresh and vibrant throughout your wedding day.
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Tools and equipment
DIY wedding flowers can be a daunting task, especially if you have limited floral experience. However, with the right tools and supplies, you can create beautiful and cost-effective arrangements that will enhance your wedding day. Here is a detailed list of tools and equipment to help you get started:
Buckets
Hydration buckets are essential for keeping your flowers fresh and healthy. They are crucial for transporting flowers, preparing large quantities, and ensuring proper hydration. It is recommended to have buckets of varying sizes, such as 1.5-gallon buckets for medium-length stems and 2.5-gallon buckets for larger blooms. Don't forget to change the water daily and store the buckets in a cool place to extend the life of your flowers.
Cutting Tools
Sharp cutting tools are necessary for creating precise and clean cuts. You can use a bunch cutter to cut multiple stems at once, especially those with woodier stems. A paring knife can be used for an even sharper cut and to remove small thorns along the stems. Alternatively, you can use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, ensuring a clear straw for water uptake.
Thorn and Leaf Stripper
A thorn and leaf stripper is a valuable tool for enhancing efficiency, safety, and the overall aesthetics of your arrangements. It safely removes thorns in one seamless pull, protecting your hands while handling the flowers.
Floral Wire and Tape
Floral wire is essential for wrapping stems together and creating or reinforcing stems for smaller flowers or floppy blooms. Floral stem tape, on the other hand, is stretchy and self-adhesive, perfect for securing small flower bundles and creating boutonnieres and corsages. It provides a discreet way to hold your floral arrangements together.
Waterproof Tape
Waterproof tape is crucial, especially for outdoor weddings. It ensures that your floral arrangements stay firmly in place, even when exposed to moisture or varying weather conditions. It is ideal for securing mechanics, floral grids, and wet floral foam arrangements.
Additional Tools
Other tools that can be useful for DIY wedding flowers include plastic flower frogs, floral putty, ramekins, and gloves. Flower frogs can be used for "invisible" mechanics, especially when creating submerged blooms. Floral putty secures the flower frogs in place, while ramekins provide a stylish base for your arrangements. Gloves are important for protecting your hands during the flower preservation process.
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Arranging flowers
Planning and Preparation:
Before you begin arranging, it's essential to have a plan and gather the necessary supplies. Decide on a theme or colour palette to guide your flower choices. Determine how many arrangements you'll need, including centrepieces, bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres. Enlist help from your bridal party, family, and friends to share the workload.
Sourcing Flowers:
You can source flowers from local floral markets, wholesale suppliers, or even grow your own. Consider the season and availability of blooms. If you're using a flower delivery service, plan to receive the flowers two days before your event to allow for rehydration and blooming.
Flower Care and Conditioning:
When your flowers arrive, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle and remove any thorns. Place the flowers in buckets of fresh water for at least six hours to rehydrate. You can also add flower food or spray them with a product like Crown and Glory to lock in moisture and enhance their sheen. Store the flowers in a cool place or a refrigerator to extend their vase life.
Creating Arrangements:
Start arranging your flowers a day or two before the wedding. Use a combination of blooms, greenery, and filler flowers to create visually appealing compositions. Consider the height and size of your arrangements, ensuring they suit the scale of your venue and tables. Play around with different textures and colours to create depth and interest. For a cost-effective approach, supplement fresh flowers with silk flowers and faux greenery for background installations.
Final Touches:
Once your arrangements are complete, store them in a cool place or refrigerator until your event. Transport them carefully to your venue, and place them in their designated spots. Ensure that any flowers with woody stems, such as hydrangeas, are used for centrepieces or bouquets as they have a longer vase life. Enjoy your hand-crafted floral creations on your special day!
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Storage and preservation
Storing DIY wedding flowers requires some preparation and planning. It is recommended to have your flowers delivered 2 days before your event to allow them to rehydrate and bloom in time. This means that if your event is on a Saturday, it is best to have the flowers delivered on Thursday. It is important to have all the necessary tools and supplies ready by the time the flowers arrive, including buckets filled with fresh water and a cool place to store them.
When the flowers arrive, they may appear droopy and dehydrated from the travelling. To rehydrate them, put the flowers in buckets of clean water as soon as possible and let them drink for at least 6 hours before arranging. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife or scissors to ensure the blooms can easily absorb water. Remove any low-hanging leaves that fall below the waterline.
To keep flowers fresh before the wedding, you can wrap the stems individually in paper and store them in the refrigerator. It is best to leave them untouched until about 4-5 days before the event. Then, fill large storage tubs with room-temperature water and place the flowers in it after cutting about an inch or two off the bottom of each stem.
To extend the life of the flowers, store the finished arrangements in cool temperatures. Flowers with woody stems, such as hydrangeas, tend to have a longer vase life, while softer-stemmed flowers like daffodils or tulips are more heat-sensitive and may only last 3 to 5 days.
If you are using peonies, it is recommended to pick more blooms than needed and store them in a refrigerator for 5-6 weeks before your event. You can also borrow extra refrigerator space if needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Doing your own wedding flowers can be a great way to save money. You can source flowers from local floral markets, or even from your own or a friend's garden. You can also supplement with silk flowers and faux greenery.
It's important to care for your flowers correctly to extend their vase life. Have your flowers delivered 2 days before your event to give them time to rehydrate and bloom. Put them in buckets of clean water as soon as they arrive and allow them to drink for at least 6 hours before you start arranging. You can also spray them with Crown and Glory to lock in moisture.
You'll need the right tools to cut stems and remove thorns, such as sharp scissors or knives, and thick gloves. You'll also need buckets for water and storage. For bouquets, you can use floral putty to secure plastic flower frogs in a dish or ramekin.
