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

Creating a floral bouquet for a wedding can be a fun and creative way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. While it may sound intimidating, making your own bouquet is a simple process that only requires a few tools and steps. In this guide, we will cover everything from choosing the right flowers to assembling and wrapping your bouquet, so you can create a stunning arrangement that will wow your guests as you walk down the aisle.

Choosing flowers and colours

Choosing the right flowers and colours for your wedding bouquet is a very important decision. It is a chance to express yourself on your wedding day and can be used to match a theme or colour scheme.

Traditionally, bridal bouquets stick to the colours of white, with some splashes of pink or other pastel colours. However, you should choose colours and flowers that match your preferences and the style of your wedding dress. If you are hoping for a classic, tight bouquet, you should opt for complementary colours and only use one to three varieties of florals. If you would like something more whimsical, such as a garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, you should integrate contrasting colours and use a greater variety of flowers and greenery.

When choosing flowers, it is also important to consider the season in which your wedding will take place. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn. You should also consider the natural habitat of the flowers and the climate in which your wedding will take place. Tropical blooms may be better suited to a dry climate, and you will need to research the best way to keep them vibrant if temperatures are low.

The number of flowers you choose is also important. Typically, bouquets use one to two focal flowers, one to two filler flowers to create interest and fill in spaces, and a green flower to create a finished look.

Selecting tools and supplies

Selecting the right tools and supplies is essential for creating a beautiful and long-lasting wedding bouquet. Here is a list of the necessary items and some tips on choosing the right ones:

Floral Scissors or Shears:

Choose a sharp pair of floral scissors or shears designed specifically for cutting flower stems. Avoid using regular kitchen scissors, as they can crush and fray the stems, reducing the vase life of the flowers. Good floral scissors will have ridges that allow for a clean cut without damaging the stems.

Ribbon:

Select a ribbon that complements the colour scheme of your wedding. You will need approximately 1.5 meters of ribbon for wrapping the stems and creating a handle or bow. Consider the type of ribbon as well; a shiny ribbon on one side and matte on the other can add a nice touch, with the shiny side facing the stems and the matte side visible. You can also use floral tape as a base for wrapping the stems before adding the ribbon.

Floral Tape:

Floral tape is used to secure the flowers together and provide a base for the ribbon. It is available in most gardening stores or online at a low cost. It is usually green to blend in with the stems, but you can also find it in other colours or a sheer variety.

Corsage Pins:

Corsage pins are used to secure the ribbon to the stems and can also be used to create a pearl design on the ribbon for added elegance. Insert the pins at a steep diagonal to prevent them from poking through the other side.

Wire and Wire Cutters:

You will need wire to tie the stems together initially, and wire cutters to trim any excess wire and uniform the stems. The wire can be concealed later with floral tape and tubing.

Floral Tubing:

After trimming the stems, use floral tubing to encase any exposed wires and give your bouquet a neat and professional finish. This will also protect your hands while holding the bouquet.

Hot Glue Gun:

A hot glue gun can be used as an alternative to corsage pins or floral adhesive to secure the ribbon to the stems. It can also be useful for adding any other decorative elements, such as accents to the middle of a bow.

Flowers and Greenery:

The most important part of your bouquet! Select 1-2 types of focal flowers, which will be the centre of attention, and 1-2 types of filler flowers to create interest and fill the spaces. You can also add greenery, such as baby blue eucalyptus, to create a finished look and add texture. Pick flowers that are in season to save costs and consider the style of your wedding dress and colour palette when making your choices.

With these tools and supplies, you will be well-equipped to create a stunning DIY wedding bouquet!

Preparing flowers and greenery

Before you start constructing your bouquet, make sure the flower stems and greenery are prepped and ready. Remove all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. You can do this by hand, gently plucking each leaf, or with a sharp pair of floral snips or shears. Be careful not to damage the stems.

Next, snip the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Keep the flowers in a bucket of water as you work to keep them fresh. Consider the climate and the flowers' natural habitat, and research the best way to keep them vibrant if temperatures are high or you're using tropical blooms during a dry spell.

Now you're ready to start building your bouquet!

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you've gathered your flowers and tools, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your flowers and greenery: Remove any leaves from the stems, and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Keep the flowers in a bucket of water until you're ready to assemble. If you're using tropical blooms or facing high temperatures, research the best ways to keep them vibrant.
• Choose a focal flower: Select a flower that will be the centrepiece of your bouquet and hold it with your fingers near the blossom end.
• Add additional flowers: Place the next flower at an angle facing towards the 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. Add larger flowers towards the centre and smaller flowers around the edges.
• Include filler flowers: Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, insert smaller, green filler flowers between the larger blooms. Ensure you insert these at the same angle to maintain symmetry.
• Tie the stems: When you're happy with the arrangement, tie a tight knot at the highest point of the stems to hold the flowers together.
• Cut the stems: Cut the stems to a comfortable length for the bride to hold, ensuring there's enough room for her hands.
• Wrap the stems: Use floral tape to wrap the stems, starting from the top and moving downwards. Leave some of the stems exposed at the base, maintaining the natural look of the bouquet.
• Secure with ribbon: Choose a ribbon that complements your colour scheme. Place the shiny side of the ribbon facing the stems, and wrap it around, leaving some ribbon at the end. Secure the ribbon with hot glue at the back of the bouquet.
• Add finishing touches: Tie a knot with the remaining ribbon to finish off your bouquet. You can also add pearl floral pins or other accents to enhance the design.

Remember, don't stress too much about perfection. Floral arrangements are a creative process, and you can always adjust and experiment until you're happy with the result.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to add the finishing touches! Here are some ideas to make your bouquet look extra special:

Ribbon

Adding a ribbon to your bouquet is a great way to elevate its design and give it a polished look. Choose a ribbon that complements the colours of your flowers and bouquet theme. You can either tie the ribbon in a simple knot or create a bow with multiple loops. Leave a fair amount of excess ribbon to create a flowing, elegant effect. You can also experiment with different types of ribbons, such as sheer or opaque, and consider adding accents to the middle of your bow.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is essential for securing the stems of your bouquet together and giving it a neat appearance. Wrap the floral tape tightly around the stems, covering any exposed areas and ensuring that the bouquet is stable. This will also help protect your hands while holding the bouquet.

Pins

Corsage pins or pearl floral pins can be used to secure the ribbon to the stems and add a decorative touch. Insert the pins at a steep diagonal angle to prevent them from poking through the other side. You can also create a pearl design on your ribbon using these pins.

Glue

A hot glue gun can be used to secure the ribbon to the stems, especially if you want to hide the glue better. Use an opaque ribbon for this purpose.

Focal Flowers

If you want to add more depth and dimension to your bouquet, try pulling out certain flowers, especially the focal flowers, to bring them forward. This will create a natural and full look while emphasising the most important blooms.

Ornamental Pieces

Adding small ornamental pieces, such as those that come in floral box sets, can enhance the design of your bouquet. Place these pieces near the focal flowers to create a unique and engaging arrangement.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about customising your bouquet to your liking and making it truly yours!

Frequently asked questions