Creating A Circle-Shaped Bouquet For Your Bridesmaids

Creating a circle bridesmaid bouquet is a fun and cost-effective way to add a unique twist to your wedding. A hoop bouquet is made by decorating a circular wooden or metal base with flowers and greenery. This type of bouquet serves as a lightweight and easy-to-hold alternative to traditional wedding bouquets. Here are the steps to make your own circle bridesmaid bouquet:

First, decide on the flowers and greenery you want to use. Consider the colour scheme and theme of your wedding, as well as the dresses of your bridesmaids. You can choose to match the colours or go for complementary or contrasting hues. If you're on a tight budget, consider using mostly greenery with small pops of colour, or opt for artificial flowers, which are more affordable and durable than fresh flowers.

Next, gather your materials. You will need a sharp pair of floral snips or scissors, floral tape, and a ribbon. If using fresh flowers, you will also need a bucket of water to keep the stems hydrated.

Then, start assembling the bouquet. Remove any leaves from the stems and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Begin with a base of 2-4 flowers, securing them together with floral tape, and then add more flowers and greenery, rotating the bouquet as you go to create a circular shape.

Finally, wrap the stems with floral tape and ribbon. Leave about two hands' lengths of the stem, plus a few extra centimetres, for comfort when holding the bouquet. Secure the ribbon with a knot and a bow, and you're done!

Choosing the flowers

Real or Fake Flowers?

Firstly, decide whether you want to use real or artificial flowers. Real flowers are a lovely choice if you want your bouquets to be sweet-smelling. Opt for strongly scented flowers like roses, gardenias, or lilacs, or mix and match different fragrances to create your own unique scent. Ask your bridesmaids ahead of time if they have any allergies or sensitivities to strong smells. Real flowers will also need to be prepared and stored carefully before the wedding to keep them looking their best.

Artificial flowers are a more budget-friendly option and are easier to source and arrange. You can choose from a wide variety of realistic-looking fake flowers, including silk flowers or wood flowers, which can be dyed to match any colour.

Colour Scheme

To ensure your bouquets fit with the overall wedding aesthetic, choose flowers that match or complement the wedding's colour scheme. If you want an exact match, take fabric swatches or paint chips to your vendor. Also, consider the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses—a contrasting hue can be a great way to make the flowers stand out. For a simple bouquet, minimise the number of colours used, focusing on a few key shades.

Seasonal Flowers

Using flowers that are in season is a great way to save money. Ask your florist for a list of in-season blooms, or research them online. Flowers that are not in season will be more expensive. For example, buying daffodils in the fall will be pricier than buying them in the spring. You can also look for flowers grown in greenhouses year-round, such as hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, and carnations, for a cheaper alternative.

Style and Size

The style and size of the bouquet will also influence your flower choices. If you want a classic, tight bouquet, opt for one to three varieties of flowers with minimal greenery. For a more whimsical, cascading arrangement, choose five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery with different textures and qualities. If you're going for a simple style, a single-stem bouquet with one large flower, like a peony or hydrangea, can be a beautiful option.

Vendors

If you decide to use real flowers, selecting a vendor based on price and variety is essential. Research different florists online, considering your budget and the importance of exotic flowers to you. Ask for recommendations from friends, and read online reviews to get a sense of others' experiences.

Designing the arrangement

To design a circular bridesmaid bouquet, you can follow these steps:

Choosing the Flowers

If you want a sweet-smelling bouquet, opt for fragrant flowers like roses, gardenias, or lilacs. Mix and match different scents or stick to one strong-smelling flower. Ask the bridesmaids if they have any allergies or sensitivity to strong smells. You can also choose artificial flowers for a more budget-friendly option. Select from a variety of faux flowers, such as hyacinths, peonies, or tulips. If you go with artificial flowers, choose high-quality ones that look realistic, like silk flowers.

Picking the Colours

Pick the colours of the flowers based on the wedding's colour scheme. For example, if the wedding colours are mint and peach, you could use peach roses or white lilies. Take fabric swatches or paint chips to your vendor to ensure you get the exact shade. Consider the bridesmaid dresses, too. Choose colours that complement or contrast with the dresses.

Use the same types of flowers in the bridesmaid bouquets as in the bride's bouquet for a cohesive look. You can also match the colours of the bride's and bridesmaid bouquets. Opt for cascading bouquets for an elegant effect. Use a slanted bouquet holder and drape long strands of greenery like ferns and eucalyptus for a dramatic, voluminous look. Choose flowers with longer stems, such as roses or calla lilies, for a cascading bouquet.

For a rustic charm, bunch together assorted wildflowers like poppies, cornflowers, and sprigs of wheat. Keep the stems long and at different lengths to enhance the undone, bohemian feel. Swap the ribbon around the bouquet for a strand of lace or burlap for a country-chic wedding.

Build the bouquet around one large flower to make a statement. Surround an eye-catching blossom, like an orchid or king protea, with smaller flowers. Choose a contrasting colour for the statement flower to make it pop against the bridesmaid dresses. Keep the rest of the flowers understated and neutral so they don't compete for attention.

Add non-floral extras for a unique and playful twist. Weave in long feathers for a boho feel or add glittering gems along the stems for a glamorous touch. You can also use accessories to change the shape of the bouquet. For example, wind blossoms around an embroidery hoop to create a flower crown effect or weave stems into vintage lanterns.

Putting the Bouquets Together

If using real flowers, remove the leaves and trim the stems to the same length. Keep the stems long enough for the bridesmaids to hold comfortably. Form the base by wrapping the stems of 2-4 flowers together with floral tape, leaving about 4-5 inches of stem below the tape. Add more flowers around the base, taping the stems as you go, until you achieve the desired size and shape. Secure the bouquet with a final layer of floral tape and wrap a ribbon around the stems to cover the tape.

Stand the bouquets in water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to keep them fresh until the wedding.

Putting the bouquet together

The first step in making a circle bridesmaid bouquet is to choose the flowers you want to include. Select flowers that complement the wedding's colour scheme and theme, and consider the size and style of bouquet you want to create. If you're using real flowers, remove any leaves from the stems and trim them to the same length, leaving enough stem for the bridesmaids to hold comfortably.

Next, you'll want to create the base of the bouquet by wrapping the stems of 2-4 flowers together with floral tape, leaving 4-5 inches of stem below the tape. Choose flowers that you want to be the centrepiece or focal point of the bouquet. Continue adding flowers around the base, taping the stems as you go, until you've achieved the desired size and shape. Use as many or as few flowers as you like—a medium-sized bouquet usually has around 18-20 flowers.

Once you're happy with the arrangement, secure the bouquet with a final layer of floral tape, wrapping it tightly around the stems. You can leave as much or as little of the stems exposed as you like, but typically, people don't leave more than 4 inches of the stem showing. If you want to cover up the tape, you can wrap a ribbon around the stems. Choose a ribbon that matches or complements the wedding colour scheme or the flowers in the bouquet. Opt for thicker ribbons, such as satin or grosgrain, for a more elegant look.

Finally, if you're not using the bouquet right away, you can stand it in water in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to keep the flowers fresh. Remove any fruits or vegetables from the fridge, as they can cause flowers to wilt faster.

Selecting a vendor

• Price and Variety: If you're using real flowers, consider researching different vendors online to compare their prices and inventory options. Take into account your budget and the importance of having exotic flowers versus more affordable options. Ask married friends for vendor or florist recommendations, and read online reviews to gauge other customers' experiences.
• Seasonal Flowers: Opting for flowers that are in season can help you save money. Ask your florist or vendor for a list of currently in-season flowers, or research them online. Flowers that are not in bloom during your wedding season will likely be more expensive. For example, buying daffodils in the fall will be pricier than in the spring.
• Quality and Realism: If you decide to go with artificial flowers, look for high-quality, realistic options such as silk flowers. Wood flowers are also a great choice, as they are affordable and can be dyed to match any colour.
• Local Recommendations: If you've selected your wedding venue, request their list of recommended vendors. Floral designers on that list will be familiar with the space and can maximise its beauty within your budget.
• Style and Aesthetics: Floral designers have distinct styles, so it's important to find one that aligns with your vision. Review their portfolios and previous work to ensure their style matches your desired aesthetic. If you're after a more relaxed and informal look, consider a designer who can offer creative, mix-and-match arrangements.
• Sustainability: If minimising environmental impact is a priority, opt for a vendor who works predominantly with locally-grown blooms. Ask about their disposal methods and the materials they use in their designs. Composting and reusable materials, such as chicken wire and floral frogs, are more sustainable choices.

DIY bridesmaid bouquets

Making your own bridesmaid bouquets is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful circular bridesmaid bouquet:

Choose Your Flowers and Colours:

Select flowers that are in season to save money. Consider the colour scheme of your wedding and the bridesmaid dresses. You can either match the colours or choose complementary hues. If you want a simple bouquet, minimise the number of colours used. For a rustic charm, choose wildflowers, or for a dramatic statement, use a single oversized flower like a peony or orchid.

Prepare Your Flowers:

Remove any leaves from the stems and trim them to the same length, leaving enough stem for your bridesmaids to hold comfortably. If using real flowers, pluck off any damaged petals and keep the flowers in water until you are ready to assemble the bouquets.

Create the Base:

Choose a focal flower for the centre of the bouquet. Hold it with your fingers near the blossom end. Add the next flower at an angle, facing left, ensuring the bloom is at the same height as the focal flower. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet a quarter turn to the right each time to create a circular shape.

Add Filler Flowers and Greenery:

Include small, green filler flowers to give a natural look to the bouquet. You can also add greenery like eucalyptus or olive branches for a bohemian feel. Ensure that the filler flowers and greenery are inserted at the same angle to maintain symmetry.

Secure the Bouquet:

Tie the stems tightly together with string or floral tape. Cut off any excess string or tape. You can also add a ribbon to cover the tape and give a more polished look. Start the ribbon at the top of the stems and wrap it downwards, leaving enough ribbon at the end to tie a bow.

Final Touches:

Cut the stems to a comfortable length, measuring about two hand lengths from the string, plus a few extra centimetres. Stand the bouquets in water until your wedding to keep the flowers fresh.

Creating your own bridesmaid bouquets can be a fun and rewarding experience. Don't be afraid to get creative and add your own unique touches. Happy crafting!

Frequently asked questions