Creating A Composite Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

A composite wedding bouquet, also known as a glamelia bouquet, is a unique and stylish option for brides. It is made up of a central flower with petals or florets glued around it to create the appearance of one giant flower. This DIY bouquet is a fun and creative way to express yourself on your wedding day and can be made for a fraction of the cost of a professionally crafted bouquet. While it may take some time and patience to master, the process is not as challenging as it seems and can be a fun activity to do with your bridesmaids. This guide will cover everything you need to know about making your own composite wedding bouquet, from sourcing flowers and materials to assembling and finishing your bouquet.

Choosing the right flowers

Consider the Style of Your Wedding Dress and Colour Palette:

Take into account the style and colour of your wedding dress when choosing your flowers. Do you want complementary colours to create a subtle, balanced look or would you prefer to integrate contrasting colours for a bolder, more dramatic effect? Select flowers that will enhance your dress and overall wedding theme.

Decide on the Type of Blooms:

Select flowers that are in season to ensure the best quality and most affordable option. For example, peonies are expensive and unavailable during summer, whereas hydrangeas are grown in greenhouses all year round, making them more affordable. If your wedding is in spring, consider daffodils, lilacs, tulips, or peonies. For a fall wedding, chrysanthemums and dahlias are excellent choices.

Choose Local Flowers:

Using local flowers can help minimise costs. If you're in Tahiti, for example, consider using local roses or gingers, which come in red, pink, or white. Orchids are another option for a tropical touch.

Mix and Match Suppliers:

Don't feel limited to a single supplier. Explore different options such as online wholesalers, grocery stores, or flower markets to find the best quality flowers within your budget. Mix and match suppliers to create a unique bouquet that suits your style and budget.

Select Flowers with Textural Interest:

If you're going for a modern and simple design, choose flowers with interesting textures. Opt for 1-3 varieties of florals and very little to no greenery. In contrast, if you prefer a whimsical, garden-inspired look, choose 5-7 varieties of florals and greenery with different textures and gestural qualities.

Experiment with Different Combinations:

Don't be afraid to experiment with different flower combinations. Choose 2-4 flowers as the base of your bouquet and then add flowers around them to create a beautiful bunch. Mix and match textures and colours to create a unique and interesting composition.

Preparing the flowers

Get the Basis Ready:

Cut a 6-8 inch cardboard circle. Take 5 pieces of thick wire (20 gauge is a good thickness) and bend them in half. Insert both ends of the wire in different places through the centre of the circle and pull the wires through to the other side. Form a handle to hold on to.

Take Apart Your Flower Petals or Florets:

Make sure the flowers you have selected have opened, as you will need the individual petals to form the bouquet. Typically, roses' petals are used, but if you want to give your bouquet a local feel, you can use gingers or orchids. Keep one flower intact for the centre.

Start with the Centre Flower:

Take the open floret and glue it in the middle of the cardboard circle using floral adhesive.

Get the Petals or Florets Ready:

Take several of the petals or florets and add floral adhesive to the bottom of each. Wait for a minute or so to let the glue dry a little.

Proceed with the Design:

Take the first petal and attach it to the outside of the centre flower. Keep adding petals around the centre flower until the entire cardboard circle is covered. Make sure none of the cardboard is visible.

Make the Handle Pretty:

Wrap the handle wires with stem tape (or bowl tape). Take a colour-coordinated ribbon and wrap it around the wire. If it feels too thin to hold, wrap a cotton or gauze-type material around it before adding the ribbon. Use boutonniere pins cut short to hold the ribbon in place. You can also glue green leaves from your cut flowers under the cardboard so that none of it is visible.

Spray and Refrigerate:

Place the bouquet in a vase where the cardboard can sit on the lip of the vase. Spray with finishing spray and let dry before covering with a plastic bag. Put the vase in the refrigerator and make sure it is no colder than 38 degrees.

Assembling the bouquet

A composite wedding bouquet, also known as a glamelia bouquet, is made of a central flower and petals or florets around it to give the appearance of one giant flower. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to assemble one:

Prepare the base:

Begin by cutting a 6 to 8-inch cardboard circle. Take five pieces of thick wire (20-gauge wire is recommended) and fold them in half. Insert both ends of the wire through the centre of the circle and pull them through to the other side. Twist the wires together to form a handle.

Disassemble the flowers:

Ensure that the individual petals are ready to be used by removing them from the flowers. Typically, roses are used for their petals, but if you want to incorporate local flowers, gingers or orchids are great alternatives. Keep one flower intact for the centre.

Start with the centre flower:

Glue the open floret or the intact flower to the middle of the cardboard circle using floral adhesive.

Prepare the petals:

Apply floral adhesive to the bottom of each petal or floret. Allow the glue to dry for about a minute.

Design the bouquet:

Attach the first petal to the outside of the centre flower, gradually working your way outwards. Continue adding petals or florets around the centre until the entire cardboard circle is covered, ensuring that none of the cardboard is visible.

Embellish the handle:

Wrap the handle wires with stem tape or bowl tape. Then, take a colour-coordinated ribbon and wrap it around the wire. If the handle feels too thin, you can add some cotton or gauze underneath the ribbon for a fuller look. Secure the ribbon with boutonniere pins. You can also glue green leaves from your flowers over any visible parts of the cardboard.

Spray and refrigerate:

Place the bouquet in a vase, allowing the cardboard to rest on the lip of the vase. Spray it with finishing spray and let it dry. Cover the bouquet with a plastic bag and place the vase in the refrigerator, maintaining a temperature no colder than 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Final touches:

If you wish to add any final touches, such as ribbons or charms, do so before the finishing spray to avoid getting them wet.

Adding finishing touches

Adding the Finishing Touches

Now that your bouquet is almost complete, it's time to add some final flourishes to make it truly unique and special. Here are some ideas to elevate your bouquet and give it a polished look:

Ribbons and Wrapping

Adding a ribbon to your bouquet is a lovely way to elevate its design and give it a finished look. You can choose a ribbon in a colour that complements your wedding theme or one that holds sentimental value to you. Take a long ribbon and tie a bow around your bouquet, leaving a fair amount of excess ribbon to create a flowing, elegant effect. You can experiment with different types of bows or even add accents to the middle of your bow for a unique touch.

You can also use ribbons or floral tape to wrap the stems of your bouquet. This will help to conceal any exposed wires or uneven cuts and give your bouquet a neat and professional finish. Start by wrapping the stems about three-quarters of the way up, then work your way down towards the base of the bouquet, covering any stray wires or tape.

Charms and Trinkets

If you want to add a truly unique and personal touch to your bouquet, consider adding a charm or trinket. This could be something vintage or new, depending on your preference. It's a wonderful way to honour a loved one or add a sentimental element to your bouquet.

Flowers with Meaning

In addition to choosing flowers based on their visual appeal, you can also select blooms that hold a special meaning for you. For example, you could include your birth flower or the flower associated with your birth month. This will make your bouquet even more unique and meaningful.

Greenery and Fillers

Don't forget to add some greenery to your bouquet! Greenery leaves can add texture and dimension to your arrangement, making it look more natural and full. You can also use greenery to cover any visible wires or tape at the base of your bouquet.

Practice and Experimentation

Remember, creating a composite wedding bouquet takes time, patience, and experience. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different techniques until you achieve the desired result. You can even practice assembling your bouquet before your wedding day to get a feel for the process and refine your design.

By following these tips and adding your own creative touches, you'll be able to create a stunning composite wedding bouquet that will be a memorable part of your special day.

Storing the bouquet

Storing a composite wedding bouquet is a great way to preserve your special day. Here are some detailed tips on how to store your bouquet:

Timing:

It is recommended to make a composite bouquet no more than 2 days before the wedding. Ideally, you should prepare it the day before or even the morning of your wedding. This timing ensures the bouquet looks fresh and beautiful for your ceremony.

Storage Method:

There are several methods to store and preserve your composite bouquet. You can choose the one that best suits your preferences and skills:

• Air-drying: This is a simple method to preserve your bouquet. Remove any ribbons, pins, or wires and cut about half an inch from each stem. Place the flowers in cool, fresh water, keeping them away from direct sunlight. Change the water daily until you are ready for the next step. Then, remove excess leaves, greenery, broken petals, and anything that has already started to rot or turn brown. Tie the stems together and hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, dark place for at least two weeks or until completely dry.
• Pressing: Select the flowers you want to preserve and spread them out on clean wax paper. Place them inside the pages of a heavy book, such as a dictionary, with another piece of wax paper on top to protect the flowers from ink. Weigh the book down with heavy objects and leave it for about 7-10 days. Once dry, you can frame the flowers or glue them onto a sheet of paper for display.
• Silica Gel: Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs moisture from flowers, helping them retain their shape and color. Place your flowers face-up in an airtight container with a layer of silica gel at the bottom. Gently pour more silica gel around the petals, ensuring the flower's shape is not compromised. Fill the container until all flowers are covered, seal it, and let it sit for about a week. Once dry, use a paintbrush to remove any remaining powder, and finish with a sealant spray.
• Resin: Clear epoxy resin can be used to create decorative shapes and preserve your flowers. Get a mold in your desired shape and fill it halfway with resin. Delicately arrange the flowers in the fluid and fill it to the top with more resin. Let it dry, and then remove the mold to reveal your unique keepsake.
• Wax-dipping: Melt paraffin wax in a saucepan and let it cool slightly. Dip your flowers into the warm wax and immediately hang them upside down to dry. This method will preserve your flowers for up to six months.
• Glycerin: Mix two parts lukewarm water with one part glycerin in a vase or container. Place your flower stems in the mixture and wait about 2-3 weeks for the absorption process to complete.
• Freeze-drying: This method is more costly and time-consuming but effectively preserves flowers' original appearance. It usually requires a professional florist, who will first spray the flowers with starch and then place them in a freeze-dryer to slowly remove moisture. This process can take up to three months.

Storage Location:

Store your composite bouquet in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a closet or pantry, to prevent sunlight exposure and maintain a consistent temperature.

Display Options:

Once your bouquet is preserved, you can display it in various ways:

• Vase: Place your dried or preserved bouquet in a vase and tie any leftover ribbons from your wedding to decorate it.
• Frame: Pressed flowers can be glued onto a sheet of paper and framed, creating a beautiful display that showcases your DIY skills and special memories.
• Shadowbox: Arrange your preserved flowers in a shadowbox frame to protect them from dust and moisture while showcasing their beauty.
• Resin Decorations: Resin-preserved flowers can be used to create unique decorations such as paperweights, jewelry holders, or centerpieces for your coffee table.

Storing and preserving your composite wedding bouquet allows you to cherish this special part of your wedding day for an extended period.

Frequently asked questions