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

Floral wedding hoops are a gorgeous alternative to traditional bouquets and can be used as decorations or as a unique, lightweight bouquet for the bridal party. They are versatile, romantic, and can be made to suit any wedding budget and theme. This introduction will cover how to make a floral wedding hoop, including the materials you will need and the steps to create a beautiful, long-lasting display.

Choosing flowers

When choosing flowers for your wedding hoop, it's important to consider the colour scheme and the types of flowers that will be used. You can opt for fresh flowers or silk flowers, depending on your preference and budget. Fresh flowers will only last for about 36 hours without a water source, so keep that in mind when planning.

If you choose fresh flowers, you'll need to rehydrate them for 4-12 hours before starting your project. Give each stem a fresh diagonal cut and place them in water, keeping them out of the heat and sun. You'll also need to clean the flowers by removing any leaves and thorns, and adding a slanted cut to the end of the stem.

For silk flowers, you can find a variety of colours and types to match your wedding theme. Go for a few greens as fillers and then choose some colourful Spring tones like ranunculus, tulips, garden roses and more.

When selecting flowers, consider the size of the hoop and the overall design you want to create. You can make your hoop as elaborate or delicate as you like. Choose flowers in different sizes, from large focal flowers to smaller secondary blooms. Don't forget to include some greenery to fill in any gaps and add texture to your hoop.

Some popular flower choices for wedding hoops include roses, spray roses, hypericum berries, eucalyptus, lisianthus, delphinium, thistle, and eryngium. Play around with different combinations and layouts until you find the perfect design for your special day.

Picking a hoop

The hoop is the most important component of your floral wedding hoop, and there are a few things to consider when choosing one.

Firstly, you need to decide on the size. For a bouquet, you'll want something that's easy to carry, so an 8-10 inch hoop is a good choice. If you're making a larger display, such as a backdrop or wall decoration, you can go for something bigger, like an 18-inch hoop.

The material of the hoop is also important. Metal hoops are a popular choice and can be found in craft stores or online. You can spray paint them to match your colour scheme, or leave them as they are for a more rustic look. Embroidery hoops can also be used and come in a variety of sizes.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to wrap your hoop. Some people like to wrap their hoops in twine or ribbon before adding flowers and greenery. This can add texture and interest to your design, but it's not necessary if you want a more minimal look.

Finally, think about how you're going to attach your flowers to the hoop. Floral wire is a popular choice and can be twisted around the hoop to secure greenery and flowers. Hot glue guns are also useful for attaching larger flowers and can be used in conjunction with wire for extra stability.

With these considerations in mind, you can choose the perfect hoop for your floral wedding display.

Preparing flowers

Firstly, you'll need to select your flowers. This can include a mix of larger blooms, such as roses, and smaller accent flowers or greenery, like eucalyptus or baby's breath. You can choose fresh flowers or opt for silk flowers, which will last longer. If you're using fresh flowers, it's normal for them to look a bit tired upon arrival, so give each stem a fresh diagonal cut and place them in water to rehydrate for 4 to 12 hours before proceeding.

Once your flowers are prepared, you can start by cutting the stems to the desired length. For roses, cut the stem about 1 inch from the bloom. You can also remove any thorns and leaves with a floral knife, adding a slanted cut to the end of the stem. Then, insert a floral wire through the base of the stem, threading it through about 4 to 5 inches before bending it back to meet the other end. Wrap the entire length of wire in floral tape, pulling on it to activate its stickiness. This process adds stability and helps retain moisture.

Next, you can begin arranging the flowers on the hoop. Start with your greenery, forming and securing it around the hoop with floral wire. You can use eucalyptus or any other type of foliage you prefer. Continue adding greenery until you achieve the desired fullness. Then, move on to your largest flowers, using hot glue or floral wire to attach them to the hoop. Fill in the gaps with your secondary flowers, gluing or wiring them in place. Finally, add a few more filler greens to complete the look.

If you're using fresh flowers, remember that they will only last for about 36 hours without a water source. So, it's best to create your floral hoop as close to your wedding as possible to ensure it looks its best.

Attaching flowers to the hoop

Start by laying out your greenery around the hoop. You can use a variety of greenery, such as silver dollar eucalyptus or dusty miller. Secure the greenery to the hoop with floral wire, twisting it tightly and trimming any excess stems. This will form the base of your arrangement and add fullness.

Next, you can start adding your largest flowers or focal points. These can be glued directly onto the hoop or onto the greenery. If you're using glue, be sure to use a hot glue gun for a strong hold. For a more secure hold, you can also use floral wire to attach the flowers. Cut the stems of the flowers to about 1 inch and insert a 4-5 inch piece of wire through the base of the stem. This will add stability and make it easier to attach the flowers to the hoop.

Once your larger flowers are in place, you can start filling in the gaps with smaller flowers and additional greenery. Again, you can use glue or wire to attach these, depending on your preference. Remember to lay out your flowers before gluing or wiring them down to ensure you're happy with the arrangement.

Finally, add any extra accents or filler greens to finish off your design. You can use small pieces of berries or eucalyptus to fill in any holes and cover up any visible tape or wire. Using a small piece of cardboard, add some glue and dip the ends of the leaves and berries into it. This will create a nice glob that can be used to adhere the pieces to the flowers, hoop, tape, or stems.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your floral wedding hoop, it's time to add some final flourishes to make it truly unique and special. Here are some ideas for finishing touches:

• Lighting: If you want to add a touch of magic to your hoop, consider weaving in some fairy lights or light strings. This can give your hoop a dreamy and romantic feel, especially if it's going to be displayed in the evening.
• Ribbons: Hang your hoop with a ribbon that matches your wedding colour scheme. You could also add a bow or other decorative elements to the ribbon to make it more ornate.
• Personalised Details: Add some personalised touches to your hoop, such as laser-cut bride and groom signs, or your wedding date. This will make your hoop feel extra special and unique to your big day.
• Greenery: If there are any gaps in your hoop, you can fill them with extra greenery. This will help to create a full and lush look, and can also be used to cover up any visible tape or wires.
• Glue: To finish off your design, use a small amount of floral glue to secure any loose ends and to seal the ends of the flowers, trapping moisture and keeping them looking fresh.
• Vases or Containers: If you're using your hoop as a table centrepiece, consider placing it in a vase or container. This will give it a more polished look and can also help to weigh it down if it's top-heavy.

Remember, these are just suggestions – feel free to get creative and add your own personal touches to your floral wedding hoop!

Frequently asked questions