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

Floral wreaths are a unique and versatile wedding decoration that can be used to adorn anything from doors and gates to tables and chairs. They can even be used as a backdrop for the ceremony or as a prop for photos. Making your own floral wreath is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding. The process is simple and can be done with a range of materials, including silk flowers, fresh flowers, greenery, and wreath forms. You can also use various tools such as wire, glue guns, and zip ties to secure the flowers and greenery to the wreath form. Whether you choose to make your own or purchase one, a floral wreath is sure to add a touch of beauty and elegance to your special day.

Choosing your flowers

The type of flowers you choose for your wedding wreath will depend on the look you are going for, the setting of your wedding, and your budget.

Fresh vs. Artificial Flowers

Fresh flowers are a beautiful option, but they can be more expensive and less durable than artificial flowers. If you're looking for a more cost-effective and long-lasting option, artificial flowers are a great choice. You can find realistic-looking silk flowers that are almost indistinguishable from fresh flowers.

Flower Types

When it comes to choosing the type of flowers for your wreath, the possibilities are endless. You can select flowers based on your wedding colour palette, the season, or simply your personal preference. Popular options include peonies, ranunculus, roses, eucalyptus, ivy, and berries. You can also incorporate greenery and leaves to add texture and interest to your wreath.

Flower Size

Consider the size of the flowers you choose. If you're working with a smaller wreath form, opt for flowers with smaller blooms or use a mix of larger and smaller flowers to create a varied and interesting composition. Larger flowers can make a bold statement and are perfect for creating a cascading effect on a bigger wreath.

Flower Colour

Flower colour plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetic of your wreath. You can choose colours that complement your wedding theme or go for a more eclectic mix of vibrant hues. Soft pastel shades like blush create a romantic and elegant feel, while vibrant wildflowers can add a pop of colour and a boho vibe to your wedding décor.

Flower Availability

If you're set on having specific types of flowers, check their availability with your local florist, especially if you're using fresh flowers. Certain flowers may be harder to come by during particular seasons, so it's important to plan ahead and place your order in advance to avoid disappointment.

Flower Combinations

Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of flowers, colours, and textures to create a unique and eye-catching wreath. You can also add in other elements like ribbons, berries, or artificial fruit to give your wreath extra dimension and interest. Play around with different combinations until you find the perfect arrangement that suits your vision.

Creating the base

Firstly, you need to decide on the size and shape of your wreath. Do you want a giant wreath that can be used as a backdrop or a smaller, more delicate wreath for a door or table decoration? Common shapes include circles and hearts, but you can also create unique shapes like monograms or horseshoes for a whimsical touch.

If you opt for a circular wreath, you can use a hula hoop as your base. Hula hoops are inexpensive and readily available, and they provide a strong and flexible base for your wreath. You can spray paint the hula hoop to match your colour scheme or to blend in with the foliage. If you want a solid base, you can wrap the hula hoop with floral tape or cover it with greenery and flowers.

For a more rustic look, you can create a base using bendable PVC pipe. Form the pipe into a circle and use a connector to join the ends. You can also use flexible tubing or pool noodles, securing the ends with a bonding agent. Spray paint the base to your desired colour and let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

If you prefer a solid base, you can create one using plywood or scrap wood. Cut two half circles from plywood and attach them to a supportive frame. You can also use pre-made circular frames, which are available at craft stores or online. Another option is to use a floral foam wreath form, which can be soaked in water to ensure it holds the flowers firmly.

Once you have your base, you can start adding the foliage and flowers. If you're using a hula hoop or PVC pipe base, attach the greenery with floral wire or zip ties, overlapping the bundles to hide the wire. For a foam or wooden base, use floral pins to secure the foliage in place. Add a variety of leaves and greenery to create a full and interesting texture, then move on to adding your flowers.

Creating a sturdy and beautiful base for your floral wedding wreath is essential for a professional-looking finish. Take your time and be creative, and you'll be well on your way to crafting a gorgeous floral wreath that will wow your wedding guests.

Adding foliage

Start by arranging some of the leaves along the hoop and securing them with wire. Try to hide the wire by wrapping it underneath the leaves. You can then add another layer of leaves and wrap more wire around it. Keep adding foliage until you are happy with how full your wreath looks. You can use a variety of greenery and leaves to keep it interesting and hide any visible wire.

Once you are happy with the foliage, you can start adding your flowers.

Attaching flowers

If you are using a silk flower wreath, you can attach the flowers to the wreath form using hot glue. First, pull the flower off the stem. Then, add hot glue to the back of the flower and carefully press it onto the greenery or leaves. Hold it in place while the glue cools, and repeat this process for each flower. Once all the flowers are glued in place, hold up the wreath and check that everything stays in place and looks the way you want. You can always add more glue or wire if necessary to ensure everything is secure.

If you are using fresh flowers, you can attach them to the wreath form using floral pins. Soak the wreath form in water first to ensure it holds the flowers firmly. Then, attach the foliage to the wreath form, covering it so that the sponge isn't visible. You can also add different colours of foliage to create a balanced look. Finally, insert the flowers into the wreath and use floral picks to secure any additional decorations, like artificial fruit.

For a giant wedding wreath, you can use zip ties to attach garlands or greenery to a large hoop, overlapping as needed and filling in any empty spaces. Then, use a hot glue gun to attach larger focal flowers, followed by smaller secondary flowers and any additional greenery.

You can also create flower bundles with a mix of flowers, leaves, and berries, and tie them off with floral tape or zip ties. Lay out the bundles over the hoop and secure them with floral wire, overlapping the bundles in both directions to hide the wire. Finally, cut off any excess stems with wire cutters.

Displaying your wreath

Doors and Gates

Floral wreaths make a gorgeous welcome for your wedding guests. Hang them on church doors, or on the gates outside the ceremony venue.

Chairs and Pews

Smaller wreaths can be used to decorate chairs and pews inside the venue.

Backdrops

Large wreaths can be used as stunning backdrops for the ceremony, or for photos. You could even use one as a backdrop for a dessert table, letting the sweets do the talking!

Centrepieces

Lay a wreath flat on a table for a unique centrepiece. Add candles or food in the middle for a magical effect.

Monograms

Create a monogram wreath with your new shared initial. Hang it on a door or entryway for a warm welcome.

Suspended Wreaths

Hanging wreaths at different heights creates a beautiful, ethereal effect. They can be used to decorate the space above the head table, or as suspended centrepieces along the length of rectangular tables.

Photo Props

Wreaths make a sweet photo op, especially with rustic vintage frames. Add a banner with a meaningful quote to make it extra personal.

Chair Decor

A mini wreath hung on the chairs at the sweetheart table will set the seats apart. You could even wear it as a crown!

Frequently asked questions