Creating Wedding Flower Sprays: A Step-By-Step Guide

Spray roses are a popular choice for wedding flower arrangements, from boutonnieres to bouquets and centrepieces. They are known for their miniature blooms and spray-shaped clusters, with multiple blooms on a single stem. Spray roses are smaller than standard roses, with a more open and fanned-out appearance. They are also more affordable, making them a great option for DIY wedding flowers. When creating a bridal bouquet, it's important to consider the style of the wedding dress and the colour palette. The founder and lead designer of Passiflora Studio, Caroline Eells, suggests using complementary colours to add subtle balance or contrasting colours for a dramatic effect.

Choosing the right flowers for your bouquet

The bridal bouquet is a beautiful focal point that highlights the beauty of the wedding dress and symbolises life and newness as the couple enters their married life together. It is also a key accessory that completes the bride's outfit and ties together the wedding colours and theme. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect flowers for your bouquet:

Define Your Wedding Theme and Colour Palette

The flowers you choose should match your wedding theme and colours. For example, for a whimsical garden wedding, bright sunflowers and wildflowers would be a perfect choice. In contrast, for a classic ballroom affair, elegant roses and lilies in soft pastel colours would be more suitable. Matching your flowers to your overall look will create a cohesive and stunning atmosphere.

Consider Seasonal Availability and Budget

The availability of certain flowers will depend on the season, and this will impact both their availability and price. Flowers that are in peak season are often more readily available and affordable, as they are easier for florists to source and require less transportation and storage. On the other hand, choosing out-of-season flowers can be more expensive, as they may need to be imported or grown in specialised conditions. Therefore, it is essential to consider how seasonality will affect the availability and cost of your chosen flowers.

Understand the Symbolism of Flowers

Different flowers have symbolic meanings that can add depth to your wedding. For example, roses represent love and passion, lilies stand for purity and devotion, and sunflowers symbolise joy and happiness. By choosing flowers with meanings that resonate with you, you can send a message that reflects your feelings and the overall sentiment you wish to convey on your special day.

Choose the Right Shape

The shape of your bouquet should complement the silhouette and details of your wedding dress. For instance, if you have a form-fitting dress, a narrow bouquet can highlight its shape, while a ball gown would be better paired with a fuller, more dramatic bouquet. When consulting with your florist, bring a picture of your dress and ask for their recommendation on the best bouquet shape to complement it.

Incorporate Your Personality and Style

Your bouquet is a statement piece that reflects your unique style and personality. Don't be afraid to get creative and add unique elements like berries, succulents, or other types of greenery to make your bouquet stand out. You can also incorporate a personal touch by including family heirlooms or using coloured ribbons to pay homage to traditions or cultural beliefs.

Work with a Professional Florist

While DIY weddings are popular, it is recommended to leave the flowers to a professional florist. They can help bring your vision to life and handle all the little details like sourcing, prepping, and setting up your floral arrangements. When choosing a florist, read reviews, browse their portfolio, and schedule a consultation to discuss your vision, budget, and any specific requests. Be sure to provide them with plenty of visual inspiration and communicate your ideas clearly so they can help bring your dream bouquet to life.

Selecting the best flowers for boutonnieres

Boutonnieres are an important accessory for the groom and groomsmen at a wedding. They are usually worn on the left lapel and are meant to complement the bridal bouquet and the groom's suit. When selecting flowers for boutonnieres, it is important to consider the colour, style, and type of flowers that will best suit the occasion. Here are some tips to help you select the best flowers for your wedding boutonnieres:

Choose flowers that complement the bridal bouquet: The boutonniere should coordinate with the bridal bouquet in terms of colour, style, and type of flowers used. This creates a cohesive look for the wedding party.

Select sturdy and long-lasting flowers: Look for flowers that can maintain their shape and freshness without water for an extended period. Examples include carnations, orchids, and ranunculus.

Consider the colour scheme: Choose flowers that align with the wedding's colour palette or theme. This could be a single colour or a combination of colours that complement each other.

Think about the size of the flowers: Smaller, tight blooms are often preferred for boutonnieres as they create a lighter and more elegant look. Examples include spray roses, mini calla lilies, and gardenias.

Add greenery: Greenery such as ivy, ferns, herbs, and baby's breath can be added to the boutonniere to create a more natural and rustic look. They also help to fill out the arrangement.

Incorporate meaningful flowers: Certain flowers have symbolic meanings that can add a special touch to the boutonniere. For example, roses represent love, lilies symbolise purity, and hyacinths stand for constancy of love.

Don't be afraid to be unique: While classic boutonniere flowers are always a safe choice, you can also explore less traditional options to add a unique twist. For instance, sunflowers for a rustic-themed wedding or lilacs for a pop of colour.

Consider the season: Choose flowers that are in season, as they are more likely to be fresh and vibrant. For example, tulips for a spring wedding or dahlias for a summer or fall wedding.

Keep it simple: Sometimes, less is more. A single flower or a small cluster of flowers can make a sophisticated statement. This is especially true for more formal weddings.

Plan ahead: Discuss your ideas with the bride-to-be and agree on a budget. If you are doing a DIY boutonniere, make sure to practice beforehand and source the necessary materials.

By following these tips and trusting your instincts, you can create beautiful and memorable boutonnieres that will enhance the overall aesthetic of your wedding.

Creating corsages with spray roses

Spray roses are a popular choice for corsages due to their smaller heads and versatility. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating corsages with spray roses:

Preparing the Roses:

• Wash your hands and spray them with a sealant to prevent brown spots caused by oil transfer from your fingers to the flower heads.
• Remove any outer petals that are not perfect, including brown or spotted "guard petals."
• Choose roses of various sizes, using the fully bloomed ones for the centre and the smaller heads and buds for the outer edges of the corsage.
• Cut the stems very short for the centre of the corsage, ensuring the flower feels firm to the touch.

Assembling the Corsage:

• Add a small amount of greenery to each flower and wrap them together with floral tape.
• Cut the assembled flower/greenery pieces to a manageable length, leaving a stem of about one to two inches.
• Using floral wire, tie the pieces together to create an arrangement that will fit nicely on a wrist.
• Cut a small piece of cardboard, approximately two inches long, and glue it to a ribbon.
• Attach the flower arrangement to the cardboard using hot glue, holding it in place for a few seconds to secure it.

Tips and Tricks:

• Spray roses tend to open wide quickly, so don't be surprised if you see some browning on the outer petals.
• Fully opened spray roses can last longer than expected, but watch for signs of ageing like petal transparency and petals dropping, as they may not hold up in a corsage.
• To encourage the roses to open, place them outside in nice weather or a sunny spot.
• Spray roses are versatile and easy to work with, making them a great choice for DIY wedding flower arrangements.

DIY centrepieces for your wedding

DIY centrepieces are a fun way to cut costs and involve your wedding party in the process. They can be used for any style of wedding, from an intimate farm wedding to a massive function. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, you can make a statement that suits your wedding.

• Tall, cylindrical glasses filled with water and a floating candle, grouped together in a glass hurricane.
• Mason jars wrapped in burlap, filled with water and a floating candle, with glass pebbles at the base in your theme colours.
• Glass hurricanes filled with lemons and limes offer a vibrant, fresh scent and are perfect for spring and summer weddings.
• Potted herbs like thyme, sage, and rosemary, or fresh lavender sprigs arranged in glass jars, are understated and perfect for warmer months.
• Tree centrepieces: find dry branches and sand and paint them, or leave them as they are for a rustic look. Place the branch inside a glass jar, secure it with pebbles, stones, or glass marbles, and arrange flowers at the top. Hang decorations like crystal chains and flowers from the branches, and leave leaf-shaped tags and pens for guests to write notes and hang them from the tree.

For flower arrangements, it is recommended to test centrepieces first. You will need a vessel, such as a salad bowl or a vase, floral frogs, floral putty, chicken wire, waterproof tape, and sharp floral snips or pruners. When choosing flowers, consider structural flowers and greenery, supporting flowers, focal flowers, and textural flowers and foliage. Structural flowers and greenery create the shape of your arrangement, and can include eucalyptus, berry branches, and delphiniums. Supporting flowers fill in your arrangement, focal flowers are the star of the show, and textural flowers and foliage add movement and whimsy, like Queen Anne's Lace and chamomile.

There are many ways to preserve your wedding flowers, from simple DIYs to professional services, so you can keep your centrepieces long after your wedding day.

How to care for your spray roses

Spray roses are a beautiful addition to any wedding. They are versatile, hardy, and predictable, and come in a variety of colours, including light pink, lavender, bright medium pink, deep pink, dark red, mauve, creamy blush, and white and cream.

To care for your spray roses, follow these simple steps:

When they arrive

• When your spray roses arrive, open the box and remove the flowers from the packaging.
• Recut the stems and place them in fresh, clean water.
• Remove any leaves that are below the waterline.
• Pluck off any brown or spotted buds or guard petals.

To encourage blooming

To encourage the flowers to open, place them outside in nice weather or in a sunny spot.

To extend their life

• Keep the flowers in a cool location, out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources.
• Change the water after two days or if it looks dirty.
• Add flower food to the water, following the instructions on the packet.
• Recut the stems every two to three days, or as needed.
• Remove any broken or browning stems and set them aside for boutonnieres and corsages.

Spray roses will last anywhere from five to ten days when properly cared for. By following these simple tips, your spray roses will perform beautifully in your wedding decorations.

Frequently asked questions