Creating A Sparkling Crystal Brooch Wedding Bouquet

A crystal brooch wedding bouquet is a beautiful and unique alternative to a traditional flower bouquet. It is a great option for brides who want a non-floral bouquet that is not only beautiful but also carries emotional value. Creating a crystal brooch bouquet involves collecting and arranging vintage jewellery pieces and brooches, which can be borrowed or inherited from family and friends, adding a sentimental touch to the bouquet. The process of making a crystal brooch bouquet includes selecting and arranging the brooches, wiring and wrapping them, and decorating the handle. The final product is a stunning and personalised accessory that will stand out on a bride's wedding day and be cherished for years to come.

Choosing your crystals and brooches

• Incorporate Sentimental Pieces: Include vintage jewellery and family heirlooms in your bouquet. You can borrow pieces from your relatives and soon-to-be relatives, carrying a piece of your family's history with you on your special day. Honour loved ones who are no longer with you by incorporating pieces they cherished, such as your grandmother's rhinestone earrings or a great uncle's cufflinks.
• Collect from Both Families: Reach out to both the bride's and groom's families to gather a variety of old jewellery pieces. This collaborative effort will result in a collection of crystals and brooches that represent the union of two families.
• Colour Coordination: While it is not necessary for all the pieces to match perfectly, aim for a cohesive colour palette. Choose crystals and brooches that complement each other and fit roughly within the same colour family. This will create a visually pleasing bouquet.
• Durability: Avoid pieces that are too delicate as they may be challenging to work with and more susceptible to damage during the wiring process. Opt for sturdier items that can withstand the wrapping and arrangement without the risk of breakage.
• Size and Proportion: Select crystals and brooches that are small enough to fit comfortably within the bouquet. Larger pieces may be harder to arrange and can be challenging to secure. Aim for small to medium-sized items that can be easily incorporated into the bouquet without overwhelming its overall structure.
• Personalisation: Add unique touches that reflect your personality or the theme of your wedding. For example, you can include Scrabble tiles with the initials of you and your partner, or add a watch if the bride plans to wear one. These unexpected elements will make your bouquet even more special.
• Quality Over Quantity: Instead of filling your bouquet with numerous mass-produced brooches, opt for carefully selected vintage or antique pieces. Scour charity shops, car boot sales, and local thrift stores for unique finds that have a story behind them. A smaller bouquet with thoughtfully chosen crystals and brooches will exude elegance and age gracefully over time.

Preparing your base

To prepare the base for your crystal brooch wedding bouquet, you have a few options. You can use a pre-made bouquet holder, which typically includes a caged floral foam ball mounted on a handle. Alternatively, you can create your own base using styrofoam, a wooden dowel, and spray paint. If you choose the DIY option, start by spray-painting the styrofoam ball and the bouquet handle in a metallic colour of your choice. Make sure to spray in a well-ventilated area and apply thin, even layers to avoid paint drips.

Once the paint is dry, push one end of the dowel rod into the centre of the styrofoam ball to create an open space. Drizzle a strong adhesive, such as E6000 glue, inside the space and on one end of the handle. Insert the handle into the opening and allow the glue to set for 24 to 36 hours.

Another option for the base is to use a bouquet armature, which is a metal frame that will give your bouquet a rounded shape. You can also wire up your brooches individually so that they have "stems" and arrange them as you would flowers. This method provides more security and allows you to work on one brooch at a time, analysing where it will fit and wiring it up accordingly.

If you're using a floral foam base, you might want to wrap the handle with fabric, such as tulle, in one of your wedding colours. Simply tie the tulle loosely around the top of the bouquet handle to cover the opening, creating a nest-like shape. You can also add an heirloom handkerchief or tulle from a grandmother's wedding slip or veil for a more personalised touch.

For a smooth transition between the handle and the upper brooches, you can add some extra ribbon petals. Wrap wire around a piece of ribbon to form a loop and add these loops just below the brooches by sticking them into the foam or gluing them in place.

Attaching crystals and brooches

Firstly, select the crystals and brooches you want to use. It is recommended to collect a variety of old jewellery pieces from both the bride's and groom's families to make the bouquet more personal. You can choose brooches, earrings, chains, or any small items that can be attached to the bouquet. Consider the colour scheme and try to choose pieces that complement each other.

Once you have your collection, decide on the specific brooches and crystals you will be using. The number of pieces will depend on the size of your bouquet and how full you want it to look. For a typical bouquet size of 8 to 9 inches across, you may need anywhere from 30 to 60 baubles and brooches.

Now, you can start attaching the crystals and brooches to your bouquet base. There are a few different methods you can use:

• Pinning: If you are using a floral foam base, you can simply pin the crystals and brooches directly into the foam. This method may require shorter wires attached to your pieces to ensure they do not fall out. You can also add a dab of strong glue, such as E6000, to the head of the pin for extra security.
• Wiring: You can create a stem for each piece of jewellery by wrapping wire around it, similar to the stem of a real flower. For brooches, use the brooch pin to wrap the wire around, being careful not to damage the brooch. Make sure the wrapping is tight and secure, and use pliers if needed. Then, cover the entire wire with tape to prevent slipping when you arrange the bouquet.
• Glue: If you are not concerned about reusing or returning the pieces, you can add a dab of strong glue to the back of each crystal or brooch and attach it directly to your bouquet base.

When attaching the pieces, try to vary the methods to create a secure and cohesive bouquet. For example, you can use glue for pieces that are not being reused and pins or wiring for those that are. If you are using a Styrofoam ball as your base, push the pins or wired pieces directly into the ball.

For more delicate pieces or those with insufficient backing, you can use multiple flat-head pins or twisted floral wire to anchor them securely to the bouquet. You can also attach these pieces to the original backing, such as a clip-on earring, and then push the backing straight into the Styrofoam ball or floral foam.

Once all the crystals and brooches are attached, check for any loose pieces and secure them with a small amount of glue if needed. You can also use glue to attach any additional embellishments, such as a strand of pearls, to add extra sparkle to your bouquet.

Wrapping the handle

Plan your materials:

Before you begin, gather your chosen ribbon, fabric, or bouquet wrap, along with any additional embellishments such as crystal beads, pearls, or pins. It is also essential to have a hot glue gun and glue sticks ready for securing the wrapping. If you prefer, you can also use a needle and thread for added security.

Prepare the handle:

If you are using a premade bouquet holder, ensure that it is free of any debris or loose pieces of foam. If you have created your own base using styrofoam and a wooden dowel, make sure the glue has completely dried and that the handle is securely attached.

Start wrapping:

Begin by attaching the end of your ribbon or fabric to the top of the handle with a small amount of hot glue. From there, carefully criss-cross the ribbon down the handle and then back up, creating a smooth and even pattern. Take your time with this step, as it is important to achieve a neat and tidy finish.

Secure the wrapping:

Once you have achieved the desired coverage and pattern, secure the end of the ribbon with another small dot of hot glue. If you would like to add extra security, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the ribbon in place. This will ensure that your wrapping does not come undone as you carry the bouquet.

Embellish:

To add a touch of sparkle or elegance, carefully glue crystal beads or pearls along the handle. You can also use pins with pearl or crystal heads to secure and embellish the wrapping simultaneously. Be mindful not to overuse the glue, as it may cause the ribbon to become stiff or bumpy.

Final touches:

Take a step back and examine your work. Ensure that the wrapping is smooth and secure, with no loose ends or gaps. If you are satisfied, your crystal brooch wedding bouquet is now ready for the big day!

Remember, this process may take some time and patience, but the end result will be a beautiful and unique bouquet that you can be proud to carry or give to someone special.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time for the finishing touches! These final steps will ensure your bouquet is secure, comfortable to hold, and looks exactly how you want it to.

First, add a strand of pearls by wrapping them around the brooches. This will help to fill any remaining gaps and give your bouquet a luxurious, elegant feel. If any of the brooches are loose, secure them with hot glue. You can also use glue to attach any other final embellishments, such as crystals or silk petals, if you want to add more sparkle or softness to your bouquet.

Next, address the stem. If any green wires are visible, use gold or silver paint to cover them up, blending them into the brooches. Then, wrap the stem with ribbon, fixing it in place with hot glue as you spiral it up the handle. You can finish the ribbon with an angled cut, tucking the end underneath the ruffle at the top of the stem.

Finally, if you want to add extra volume to your bouquet, you can create ribbon loops by wrapping wire around pieces of ribbon and sticking them into the foam at the top of the handle. This will give a smooth transition between the handle and the upper brooches.

Your crystal brooch bouquet is now complete and ready for your big day! This unique and personal creation will be a lasting memento of your wedding, bringing you smiles for years to come.

Frequently asked questions