Creating A Calla Lily Wedding Bouquet

Calla lilies are a popular choice for wedding bouquets due to their unique shape, beauty, and elegance. They are native to southern Africa and come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, yellow, and purple. Calla lilies symbolise purity, innocence, and beauty, making them a perfect choice for a wedding bouquet. In this article, we will discuss how to make a fresh calla lily wedding bouquet, incorporating different colours and flower types to create a unique and elegant arrangement.

Choosing the right flowers: Calla lilies come in a variety of colours and sizes

Calla lilies are a versatile flower that comes in a variety of colours and sizes, making them a popular choice for wedding bouquets. When choosing the right flowers for your calla lily wedding bouquet, consider the following:

Colour

Calla lilies come in a wide array of colours, from the commonly seen crisp white to more vibrant shades like orange, purple, and even a deep aubergine that borders on black. You can also find calla lilies in pink, yellow, and green. If you want to add a pop of colour to your bouquet, consider mixing and matching different shades of calla lilies to create a unique and vibrant arrangement. Alternatively, you can choose colours that complement your wedding theme, such as blush pink or cranberry for an autumn wedding.

Size

Calla lilies come in two main sizes: standard and miniature. Standard calla lilies have larger flower heads, typically measuring up to 5 inches in diameter, and thicker stems. They are only available in white and green. On the other hand, miniature calla lilies have smaller heads, usually 2 to 5 inches in diameter, and thinner stems. Miniature calla lilies come in a wider range of colours and are better suited for mixed bouquets as they do not dwarf other flower heads.

Shape

The natural trumpet shape of calla lilies makes them perfect for creating a cascading bouquet. When arranging the bouquet, the curved stems of the flowers can be gently kneaded and positioned to create a natural open space for other flowers. This helps to add depth and intrigue to the overall design of the bouquet.

Symbolism

Calla lilies have a long history of symbolising purity, innocence, and rebirth, making them an ideal choice for weddings. They also symbolise beauty and sophistication, adding an elegant touch to the bride's overall look.

Mixing colours: Use a ratio of colours to achieve the desired effect

Calla lilies come in a variety of colours, including white, pink, yellow, purple, orange, deep aubergine, and green. When mixing colours, it is best to use only miniature calla lilies as the larger varieties, known as "standards", tend to dwarf other flowers.

If you want a colourful bouquet, you can mix and match different colours of calla lilies to create a unique and vibrant arrangement. For example, you could create a bold and colourful bouquet by combining calla lilies and dahlias in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. This would be perfect for a summer or fall wedding.

For a more subtle approach, you could opt for a bouquet with a single dominant colour and a few accenting hues. For instance, a bouquet of mostly white calla lilies with a few purple or pink blooms for a romantic, feminine touch. Alternatively, you could go for a monochromatic bouquet with a single colour, such as a classic white calla lily bouquet, which is timeless and elegant.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even create an ombré effect with your calla lilies, gradually transitioning from light to dark shades of the same colour. This would be an eye-catching and unique way to incorporate your chosen colours.

When mixing colours, it's important to plan ahead and count out your calla lilies, setting aside enough for each bouquet and any corsages or boutonnieres. This will ensure that you don't run out of flowers and that your colour ratio stays consistent throughout your arrangements.

Flower care: Fresh flowers need to be properly cared for to ensure they stay fresh

Calla lilies are a popular choice for wedding bouquets, and with the right care, your fresh bouquet will stay beautiful throughout your special day. Here are some tips to ensure your calla lilies stay fresh:

Temperature and Humidity

Calla lilies prefer temperatures between 60 to 80°F (15 to 27°C). They thrive in humid and moist conditions but may need protection from hot afternoon sun. In very hot climates, a spot with partial shade in the afternoon will help prevent wilting. If your wedding is taking place in a colder climate, ensure the flowers are not exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this will cause the plants to go dormant.

Watering

Calla lilies like moist soil but be careful not to overwater. Check the soil regularly, and only water when the top inch becomes dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, so it's important to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. If you're using cut calla lilies in your bouquet, they will last up to 2 weeks when harvested properly.

Soil and Fertilizer

Calla lilies grow best in well-drained, porous soil. Sandy soils are good, but you may need to add fertilizer. Clay soils can be more challenging. For containers, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix. At the time of planting, apply a slow-release fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen, as this will encourage leaf and stem growth at the expense of flower production. A balanced liquid fertilizer applied every 2 weeks during the blooming period will keep your calla lilies healthy.

Pests and Diseases

Calla lilies are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, slugs, Japanese beetles, and thrips. Bacterial soft rot, botrytis, powdery mildew, and gray mold are some of the diseases that may affect your flowers. Regularly inspect your flowers for any signs of pests or diseases, and take appropriate action if necessary.

Storage

If you've purchased your calla lilies ahead of time, proper storage will keep them fresh. Cut flowers should be placed in a vase with water and stored in a cool place. If you've purchased potted calla lilies, keep them in a sunny spot and water regularly.

By following these care tips, your fresh calla lily wedding bouquet will stay beautiful and elegant, adding a touch of sophistication to your special day.

Flower taping: Tape clusters of flowers together to create a growing bouquet

Flower taping is an essential step in creating a calla lily wedding bouquet. This technique involves taping clusters of flowers together to form a cohesive and beautiful arrangement. Here is a step-by-step guide to flower taping for your calla lily bouquet:

Sort and Count Your Flowers:

Before you begin taping, it's important to sort your calla lilies by colour and size. Count the number of flowers needed for each bouquet, ensuring you have enough for the desired number of bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres. This step ensures you don't run short of flowers during the design process.

Prepare Your Flowers:

Calla lilies have curved stems with a tendency to shoot off in different directions. To address this, gently knead and adjust the stems, breaking the thick fibres to position the flowers as desired. This step helps you control the direction of the stems and creates a more uniform base for taping.

Tape Clusters of Flowers:

Start by taping coloured miniature calla lilies together in bunches of two using light green florist tape. Forming these small clusters first will make it easier to create a larger bouquet while maintaining your desired colour distribution. The natural curve of the flower heads will leave a space for a third (white) calla lily.

Adjust Stem Heights:

If your white calla lilies have smaller flower heads than the coloured ones, adjust their stem heights before taping them to the cluster. Scoot the stems up higher so that the tops of the flower heads are even, creating a harmonious and balanced bouquet.

Create the Centre of the Bouquet:

For the centre of the bouquet, tightly cluster three white calla lilies together, taping them with floral tape. Position the flower heads close together, forming a triangle shape with the points of the lilies. This central cluster will serve as the foundation for the rest of the bouquet.

Add Taped Clusters to the Centre:

Gently place one of the taped clusters of coloured calla lilies against the central white cluster and secure it with tape. Continue adding more clusters around the centre, turning the bouquet as you go to ensure an even distribution of colours. The points of the flower heads should face outward, creating a circular effect.

Fill Gaps and Adjust Shape:

As you add taped clusters, your calla lily bouquet will quickly take shape. Continue taping clusters together, maintaining a circular shape. Use the last few bunches to fill in any gaps or adjust the shape if the bouquet looks lopsided.

By following these steps, you will create a stunning calla lily wedding bouquet with a cohesive and balanced arrangement of flowers. Flower taping is a controlled method that ensures your bouquet grows in a structured yet natural-looking way, showcasing the beauty and elegance of calla lilies.

Bouquet shaping: The bouquet should be evenly spaced with colour and have a circular shape

To create a calla lily wedding bouquet, you will need the following:

• 13 White Miniature Calla Lilies
• 20 Midnight Plum Miniature Calla Lilies
• #9 Sheer Ribbon
• Green Stem Wrap Tape
• Finishing Touch or Crowning Glory Flower Sealant

First, separate the flowers by colour and tape them into clusters. The number of flowers in each cluster will depend on the size of the bouquet you want to create. For a more colourful bouquet, use a ratio of two plum-coloured lilies to every white lily. If you are using flowers of different sizes, adjust the stems so that the tops of the flower heads are even.

To create the centre of the bouquet, tightly cluster three white calla lilies together and tape them with floral tape. The centres of these flower heads should be touching, with the points of the lilies forming a triangle shape.

Gently place one of the coloured clusters against the centre white cluster and tape firmly. Continue adding more clusters around the central white blooms, turning the bouquet as you go. The points of the lilies should all face outwards, creating a circular effect.

Keep adding taped clusters of flowers until you have used them all. The last few bunches can be used to fill in any gaps in your circle or to even out the bouquet if it looks lopsided.

Frequently asked questions