Creating A Blue Wedding Bouquet: A Guide

Blue wedding bouquets are a popular choice for brides who want to add a modern and elegant touch to their special day. Blue flowers such as hydrangeas, delphiniums, and roses are commonly used in these bouquets and are often complemented by accents of white or silver foliage for a timeless look. Whether you're planning a beachsIDE CEREMONY or a classic ballroom affair, blue wedding bouquets add a unique and sophisticated pop of colour to your bridal ensemble.

Choosing blue flowers

Blue is a popular colour choice for wedding bouquets, adding a modern and elegant touch to the bridal ensemble. There are a limited number of naturally blue flowers, but this only makes them more special. Here are some things to consider when choosing blue flowers for your wedding bouquet:

Types of Blue Flowers

Blue flowers such as hydrangeas, delphiniums, and roses are commonly used in wedding bouquets. Hydrangeas, with their large flower heads, are perfect for classic-style weddings, especially beach weddings, and are in peak bloom during the summer. Delphiniums, also known as larkspur, are tall, upright flowers that come in light blue, royal blue, and dark blue varieties. They are a common choice for summer weddings and will add a whimsical touch to your bouquet. Other blue flowers to consider include forget-me-nots, thistle, muscari, tweedia, nigella, and hyacinths.

Dyed Flowers

If you are looking for more vibrant and saturated blue colours, you can opt for flowers that have been dyed blue, such as roses or orchids. This is a good option if you are looking for a non-traditional bouquet with a modern twist.

Flower Availability

When choosing your blue flowers, consider the season and availability of the flowers. For example, anemones, with their dark blueish-black centres, are in season during the winter and early spring, while delphiniums are a common summer flower. If you are looking for year-round options, delphiniums and hydrangeas are usually easily accessible.

Colour Combinations

Blue is a versatile wedding colour that pairs well with a range of other colours. For a classic and romantic look, combine blue flowers with pastel tones, creamy whites, blush pink roses, sage green eucalyptus, or white ranunculus. For a bold maximalist theme, pair blue with bright colours like yellow, fuchsia, or orange. If you prefer a rustic or boho style, use blue as an accent colour with neutrals such as beige, dried lunaria, or toffee roses.

Monochromatic Bouquets

If you want to make a statement, consider a monochromatic blue bouquet using flowers that are all close to the same colour. This can create a modern and elegant look, especially if you incorporate different shades of blue, from pale pastels to deep navy tones.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, choosing blue flowers for your wedding bouquet comes down to personal preference and the overall theme of your wedding. Whether you want a subtle hint of blue or a vibrant splash, there are plenty of options to create a stunning and unique bouquet.

Selecting complementary colours

Stick to Pastel Tones: Opt for pastel colours to create a soft and romantic look. Pale blue flowers, such as hydrangeas, can be paired with other pastel shades like blush pink roses, sage green eucalyptus, and white flowers such as anemones, roses, or ranunculus. This combination exudes a timeless, classic, and romantic feel.

Go Bold with Maximalist Combinations: If you're planning a bold and vibrant wedding, consider pairing blue flowers with bright colours. Yellow daffodils, fuchsia bougainvillea, and orange Icelandic poppies will create a striking and memorable effect when combined with blue blooms.

Rustic and Boho Chic: For a rustic or boho-chic wedding, use blue as an accent colour in a palette of neutrals. Beige pampas grass, dried lunaria, and toffee roses will complement the blue shades beautifully. This combination is perfect for a relaxed and earthy aesthetic.

Monochromatic Blue: Create a statement by using different shades of blue in the bouquet. From pale pastels to deep navy tones, combining various blue hues will result in a sophisticated and elegant arrangement. You can also include white or silver foliage for a timeless touch.

Complementary Colours: Play with complementary colours to make your blue bouquet pop. Blue is often paired with orange, yellow, or pink to create a dynamic and vibrant aesthetic. Consider combining blue flowers with yellow chamomile, purple aster, or pink roses for a unique and eye-catching bouquet.

Natural and Whimsical: If you're aiming for a natural and whimsical vibe, include wildflowers in your bouquet. Blue delphinium, which is a common summer flower, adds a whimsical touch to any arrangement. You can also explore options like blue bachelor buttons, lupines, or hyacinths for a unique and nature-inspired bouquet.

Using faux flowers

When choosing your faux flowers, look for flowers that come as single stems, with wire that runs the length of the stem and into the leaves, and a matte finish. These will be easier to work with and will look more realistic. Go for high-end artificial flowers if you can, as they will look more realistic than cheaper alternatives.

To make your bouquet, you will need your faux flowers, floral tape, wire, wire cutters, and scissors. You may also want to add some extra embellishments, such as ribbon, fabric, berries, or greenery.

First, cut apart any bunches and remove the leaves from the stems. You can keep the leaves at the base of the bloom if you want a fuller bouquet. Next, select 1-3 large flowers and 4-6 smaller flowers, and begin to build your bouquet by layering the stems in your hand, starting with the focal point blooms in the centre. Build outwards in layered circles, adding in smaller blooms and any extra elements like berries or greenery as you go. Secure the stems with floral tape, and then cut them to an even length with your wire cutters, leaving them long enough for you to grip comfortably. Finally, wrap the stems with ribbon or fabric for a polished look.

Adding ribbons and bows

Ribbons can be wrapped around the stems of the bouquet to create a polished look and work as a grip when walking down the aisle. You can then use another length of the same ribbon to create a bow at the base of the bouquet.

If you want to add a personal touch, you can include a bouquet charm with a custom photo or a gift from a family member. You can also add a ""something blue" charm to your bouquet, which can serve as a good luck charm for your wedding day.

If you want to add a touch of glamour to your bouquet, consider using silk ribbons. You can also experiment with different types of fabric and textures to create a unique look. For example, you could use a combination of satin and lace ribbons to add a luxurious and elegant touch to your bouquet.

Finally, consider the length of the ribbons you will be using. Longer ribbons can create a more dramatic effect, while shorter ribbons can give a neater appearance. You can also trim the ends of the ribbons at an angle to prevent them from fraying.

Floral preservation

Blue wedding bouquets are a beautiful way to incorporate the traditional "something blue" into your big day. While there are not many naturally blue flowers, you can use flowers such as delphinium, hydrangea, thistle, forget-me-nots, muscari, and nigella. You can also use dyed flowers, such as roses or orchids, for a more vibrant look.

To preserve your blue wedding bouquet, there are several methods you can try. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions for a few of the most popular methods:

Silica Gel:

This method uses silica gel, which is a porous sand that absorbs moisture from flowers, helping to preserve their shape and color. Here's how to do it:

• Cut the flowers fairly close to the stem.
• Pour a thin layer of silica gel into an airtight container.
• Gently place your flowers face-up in the silica gel, being careful not to overcrowd the container.
• Slowly pour more silica gel over the flowers, ensuring that it gets in between all the layers of petals.
• Continue pouring until the container is full and seal it shut.
• Let the flowers sit for about a week.
• Once dry, remove the flowers from the container and brush off any excess silica gel with a small paintbrush.
• Spray the flowers with an artist fixative spray or hairspray to protect them from moisture.
• Arrange the flowers in a vase or shadow box for display.

Air-Drying:

Air-drying is a simple way to preserve your bouquet and keep its original shape. Here's how:

• Remove any browning parts of the flowers, torn petals, and extra leaves.
• Tie a piece of string to each stem and hang the flowers upside down to dry in a dark, temperate area.
• Let the flowers air-dry for at least two weeks, or longer if the temperature is cool.
• Once dry, arrange the flowers in a vase or create a wreath, using any ribbons or pins you may have saved.

Pressing:

This method involves pressing the flowers flat and then displaying them in a frame. Here's how it's done:

• Select the flowers you want to press and arrange them on parchment paper, wax paper, or coffee filters.
• Place the arranged flowers inside the pages of a heavy book, such as a dictionary, and close the book.
• Place weights on top of the book to help press the flowers.
• Leave the flowers to dry for about two weeks.
• Once dry, remove the flowers from the book and display them in a frame.

Wax-dipping:

Wax-dipping is not a permanent preservation method, but it will extend the life of your flowers for up to six months. Here's how to do it:

• Melt paraffin wax in a saucepan over low heat.
• Dip each flower into the wax, being careful not to let it get too hot, as this can cause the flowers to wilt.
• Slowly turn the flower and allow any excess wax to fall back into the container.
• Dip the flower a second time for added longevity.
• Hang the flowers upside down to dry or place them upright in a vase.

These methods will help you preserve your blue wedding bouquet, allowing you to cherish those special memories for a long time.

Frequently asked questions