Creating A Gerbera And Rose Wedding Bouquet

A wedding bouquet is a beautiful way to incorporate the colours and themes of your special day. Gerbera daisies and roses are a popular choice for brides, with their vibrant colours and symbolism of innocence, purity and cheerfulness. This guide will take you through the steps of creating your own gerbera and rose wedding bouquet, from choosing your colour scheme to building and decorating your bouquet. We will also offer tips on how to care for your bouquet so that it stays fresh and beautiful for your big day.

Choosing the right flowers

Gerbera daisies and roses come in a wide variety of colours, so choosing the right flowers for your wedding bouquet is important. Gerberas are a beautiful, large variation of the daisy flower that represents innocence, purity, and cheerfulness. They are a popular choice for wedding bouquets.

Firstly, you should choose a colour scheme that works with your wedding theme and dress. You can select from a rainbow of shades, from hot pink and purple to orange and yellow, cerise, turquoise, and classic white. You can also add in other flowers to complement the gerberas and roses, such as eucalyptus, anemone, ranunculus, or even succulents.

When choosing your flowers, opt for those with strong stems and clear blooms. You will also want to ensure the stems are soaked in water and plant food for several hours before creating your bouquet. This will help to keep them fresh and ensure your bouquet has staying power.

The number of flowers you choose will depend on the size of your bouquet and any additional bridesmaids' bouquets you may wish to create. A typical bridal bouquet might consist of 10 roses and 8 gerberas, with surrounding greenery. A bridesmaid's bouquet may consist of 7 gerberas.

Preparing the flowers

First, choose the colour scheme for your flowers. Gerbera daisies and roses come in a wide variety of colours, so you should have no trouble finding flowers that match your wedding theme and dress.

Once you've selected your flowers, remove any additional greens or foliage. Soak the stems in water and plant food for several hours before making your bouquet. Choose flowers with strong stems and clear blooms.

Separate the flowers by colour, and identify which flowers have straight stems and which have stems with a natural curve. To create your centre base, take three flowers (vary the colours if you like) with straight stems and hold them loosely in one hand. Ensure the blooms are facing out.

Now, begin adding additional flowers with bent stems around your centre base. Keep in mind that Gerbera daisies have stems that are not totally straight, which is good for your bouquet. Work gently with the stems to create the desired shape. Keep adding flowers, rotating the bouquet as you go, and regularly check that the blooms are facing out. If they begin to overlap, adjust the height of the flowers you are adding.

Finally, add the flowers with the biggest bends in the stem last, as they will help the bouquet take a nice, round shape. You can also add foliage to your bouquet, as this will help hold the stems straight and provide support for the blooms.

Building the bouquet

Now for the fun part—putting your bouquet together! Separate your flowers by colour, and identify which flowers have straight stems and which have stems with a natural curve. To start, take three flowers (vary the colours if you like) with straight stems and create your centre base. Ensure the blooms are facing out. Hold loosely in one hand.

Now begin adding additional flowers with bent stems around your centre base. You’ll notice that Gerbera daisies have stems that are not totally straight, but this is good for your bouquet. You’ll need to work gently with the stems to create the bouquet shape that you want.

Keep adding flowers, rotating your bouquet as you go. Check often that the blooms are facing out. If they begin to overlap a bit, adjust the height of the flowers you are adding. The flowers with the biggest bends in the stem should be added last, as they will help the bouquet take a nice, round shape.

Adding foliage to your gerbera daisy and rose bouquet is a good idea, as it will help hold the stems straight. Put your foliage right under the blooms to help support them.

Once you have built your bouquet, secure the stems together with an elastic band or floral tape. Trim the bottom of the stems to an equal length. You can create a handle for your bouquet by covering the elastic or tape with a piece of satin ribbon. Secure with pearl-headed pins (try choosing pins that match the buttons on your dress).

Adding foliage

When adding foliage, it's important to put it right under the blooms to help support them and create a neat appearance. You can also use the foliage to fill in any gaps or spaces between the flowers, creating a fuller and more lush bouquet. The amount of foliage you add will depend on the size and style of your bouquet, as well as your personal preference.

If you want to add a pop of colour or texture, consider using a combination of different types of greenery. For example, you could pair a heartier type of greenery with a softer variety to create contrast and interest. Just be sure that the foliage you choose complements the colour scheme of your flowers and fits with your wedding theme.

Once you've added the foliage, be sure to secure it in place with floral tape or elastic bands. This will help keep your bouquet intact and make it easier to handle. You can then trim the stems to the desired length, ensuring they are all even and easy to manage.

Decorating the handle

Now that your bouquet is built, it's time to decorate the handle! Start by securing the stems together with an elastic band or floral tape. Trim the stems to an equal length, and then cover the elastic or tape with a piece of satin ribbon. You can secure the ribbon with pearl-headed pins, perhaps choosing pins that match the buttons on your wedding dress.

When it comes to decorating the handle, the possibilities are endless. You can add a vintage brooch or string of pearls for a touch of elegance. Play with different textures by mixing lace and twine. You might also want to add some greenery or baby's breath for a more natural look. If you're feeling creative, you could even try your hand at wire wrapping the handle with thin, flexible wire and adorning it with small beads or pearls.

Remember, this is your chance to personalise your bouquet and make it unique to your style and theme. So feel free to experiment and have fun with it! Just be sure to handle the bouquet gently to avoid damaging the flowers.

Lastly, to ensure your bouquet stays fresh, make it the day before the wedding and keep the stems in water and plant food. Store it in a cool place, and build the handle on the morning of the wedding to prevent it from getting ruined by water or condensation.

Frequently asked questions