Create A Stunning Artificial Sunflower Bridal Bouquet

Sunflowers are a versatile and affordable choice for wedding bouquets, adding a burst of colour and a unique charm to your special day. With their bright golden petals, they are perfect for a summer celebration, while their dried variants lend a rustic elegance to autumn weddings. Creating a DIY sunflower wedding bouquet is simple and easy on the wallet, allowing you to add a personal touch to your big day. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making an artificial sunflower bridal bouquet, from choosing the right flowers to assembling and embellishing your bouquet. We will also offer tips on care and transportation, so your bouquet stays fresh and vibrant throughout your wedding journey.

Choosing the right artificial flowers

Match Your Wedding Theme and Season:

Ensure the sunflowers complement your wedding palette and theme. If you're having a rustic wedding, deep, dark sunflowers tied with burlap might be ideal. For a summer wedding, sunflowers capture the spirit of the season with their vibrant, warm hues. For a fall wedding, sunflowers reflect the joyous mood of the season, and their warm tones of yellow, orange, and red are perfect.

Mix and Match:

Combine different sizes and shapes of sunflowers to add depth and texture to your bouquet. You can use commercially grown sunflowers, which offer consistent quality and bloom size. Large sunflowers are usually sold in 5-stem bunches, while medium and mini sunflowers come in 10-stem bunches. Play around with the number of flowers to fit your budget and preference.

Consider Your Dress:

The shape of your bouquet should complement the silhouette and details of your wedding dress. If your dress is form-fitting, a narrow bouquet might be a better choice, while a ball gown would pair beautifully with a fuller, more dramatic bouquet.

Quality Matters:

Invest in high-quality artificial sunflowers for a more natural and elegant look. They may cost more, but the visual impact is worth it, and they will last a lifetime.

Add Greenery:

Sunflowers pair well with a variety of greenery and filler flowers. You can use dark green pittosporum, tree fern, or any other greenery you prefer. Fresh foliage and filler flowers will also make your silk sunflowers look more lifelike.

Personalize Your Bouquet:

Add a special touch by incorporating elements that are meaningful to you. You can include a family heirloom, such as a vintage brooch or a piece of lace. If you want to follow the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" tradition, you can use blue ribbon or lace to tie off your bouquet.

Selecting complementary colours

When selecting complementary colours for your artificial sunflower wedding bouquet, there are a few directions you can take.

First, consider the season of your wedding. If you're opting for a summer wedding, you might want to lean into the vibrant, warm colours of the season. Bright yellow sunflowers with pops of bold colour, such as red, orange, or pink, will create a joyful, sunny atmosphere. If you're looking for a more subtle summer bouquet, consider a simple combination of yellow and white, or yellow and blue.

For a fall wedding, you can emphasise the warm tones of the season by pairing sunflowers with rich reds and oranges. For a more rustic, country-style wedding, earth tones like browns, tans, and light greens will complement the sunflowers and create a natural look.

If you're looking for a unique, dramatic contrast, purple or blue irises will make the sunflowers pop. For a whimsical, playful touch, mix in some pinks and purples.

Don't be afraid to express your personality through your bouquet. Whether you want to stick to traditional yellow sunflowers or explore other shades like orange, red, or mahogany, there are endless possibilities to create a stunning arrangement that reflects your style.

Adding filler flowers

Filler flowers are an excellent way to add volume, colour, and texture to your artificial sunflower wedding bouquet. They are the supporting characters to the sunflowers, which are the stars of the show. Filler flowers can be used to cover gaps and blank spaces in your bouquet, and they also help establish the shape of the arrangement.

When choosing filler flowers, opt for those that complement the vibrant yellow of the sunflowers. White filler flowers, such as camomile, statice, baby's breath, and hydrangea, can add a touch of elegance and brightness to the bouquet. If you want to enhance the rustic charm of sunflowers, consider using greenery such as silver dollar eucalyptus, tree fern, or eryngium. These fillers will add texture and volume to your bouquet.

For a more colourful palette, you can choose from a variety of yellow, purple, or green filler flowers. Yellow mums, craspedia, or lady's mantle can bring a cheerful and lively touch to your bouquet. Purple limonium, catmint, or blue glitter sea holly can add a touch of royalty and depth to the arrangement. If you want to incorporate more greenery, consider using herbs like dusty miller or sage, which can also produce yellow flowers in warmer climates.

When adding filler flowers to your artificial sunflower wedding bouquet, remember to arrange them in a way that showcases the sunflowers as the focal point. Intersperse the filler flowers with the sunflowers, allowing them to cascade naturally. You can also add greenery to create fullness and dimension. Play around with different combinations of filler flowers and greenery to create a unique and personalised bouquet that reflects your style and personality.

Arranging the bouquet

Selecting the Blooms and Greenery:

Start by choosing your main flowers, selecting a mix of large and small blooms. Sunflowers are versatile and can be paired with a variety of other flowers and greenery. Roses, snapdragons, chrysanthemums, chamomile, and irises go beautifully with sunflowers. For a more natural look, consider combining different sizes of sunflowers. You can also add greenery for volume and texture, such as eucalyptus, ranunculus, dahlias, or craspedia.

Shaping the Bouquet:

Begin with the largest flower as the focal point. Gradually layer and arrange the smaller flowers around it, allowing them to cascade naturally. Intersperse greenery to create a lush and full bouquet. Play around with the placement of the flowers and greenery until you achieve the desired look.

Securing the Stems:

Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, it's time to secure the stems. Use floral wire or tape to bind the stems together, creating a neat finish. You can also add embellishments like ribbons, pearls, or berries at this stage. Wrap a ribbon around the stems, securing it with pins or glue, for a romantic touch.

Final Touches:

For a rustic or country look, consider wrapping the stems with twine. Alternatively, use ribbon that matches your wedding colours, or opt for a striped ribbon for contrast. You can also add a finishing spray to prevent the flowers from wilting.

Creating the Handle:

For a unique touch, create a handle for your bouquet. Cut a piece of birch bark the size of your palm and attach it to the stems using a glue gun. Wrap the edges of the bark with twine, securing it with glue, for a beautiful and natural finish.

Your artificial sunflower wedding bouquet is now complete! This DIY project is a wonderful way to express your creativity and add a personal touch to your special day.

Wrapping the stems

Choosing the Right Wrapping Material

The wrapping material you choose will depend on the overall style and theme of your wedding. Here are some options to consider:

• Ribbon: Choose a ribbon that matches your wedding colours or theme. You can opt for a simple, elegant ribbon or go for something more textured, such as burlap or twine, for a rustic look.
• Floral Tape: Green floral tape is a great option if you want to create a natural, hidden stem. It can be used to secure the stems and also to attach smaller flowers or fillers to the sunflowers.
• Fabric: Consider using fabric to wrap the stems, such as natural raffia or lace. This can add a unique and personal touch to your bouquet.

Step-by-Step Guide to Wrapping the Stems

• Secure the Stems: Before wrapping the stems, ensure that they are securely tied together. You can use a rubber band or floral wire to hold the stems in place.
• Add Embellishments: If you wish, you can add some embellishments to the stems before wrapping them. This could include small flowers, pearls, or other decorative items.
• Wrap the Stems: Start wrapping the stems just below the flower heads, and work your way down. Take your chosen wrapping material and carefully wrap it around the stems, slightly overlapping each layer as you go.
• Secure the Ends: Once you have wrapped the stems to your desired length, secure the ends with glue or floral tape. If using ribbon, you can also secure it with a pin or by melting the ends slightly to prevent fraying.
• Finish with a Bow: For a classic look, finish off your bouquet by tying a bow with the ribbon. You can also add other decorative touches, such as a brooch or a small charm.

Remember to handle the artificial sunflowers with care to avoid damaging the petals or stems during the wrapping process. Take your time and make any necessary adjustments as you go to ensure a neat and elegant finish.

Frequently asked questions