Create A Wedding Hairdo: Bouquets On Your Head

Creating a wedding hairdo that resembles a bouquet is a unique way to express yourself on your big day. While it may sound intimidating, making your own bouquet hairdo is not as challenging as it seems. With simple materials and a few steps, you can create a stunning, custom arrangement. Start by choosing hardy flowers like roses, which are easier to arrange and can endure a little handling. Remove any leaves from the stems and cut the stems at an angle, allowing them to soak in water before use. Assemble the flowers into a dome shape, using a mirror to guide you. Secure the bouquet with floral tape or a rubber band, and trim the stems to the desired length. Finish the look by wrapping the stems with ribbon, securing it with hot glue, and adding any desired accents or decorations. With creativity and attention to detail, you can achieve a beautiful bouquet hairdo for your wedding.

Choosing your flowers

Choosing the right flowers for your wedding hairdo is a fun but challenging task. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect blooms for your special day:

Define Your Wedding Theme and Colour Palette:

• Choose flowers that complement your wedding theme and colours. For example, bright sunflowers and wildflowers for a whimsical garden wedding, or elegant roses and lilies in soft pastels for a classic ballroom affair.
• Play with shades and tones for a nuanced look. For instance, if your bridesmaids are wearing Bordeaux dresses, you could incorporate some deep red flowers into your bouquet.
• Balance delicate flowers with fuller, textured options, and consider adding greenery for a natural touch.

Consider Seasonal Availability and Budget:

• Seasonal availability greatly impacts flower selection. Flowers in peak season are usually more affordable and accessible, as they are easier for florists to source.
• Opting for flowers that are out of season can be pricier, as they may need to be imported or grown in specialised conditions.
• To save costs, choose flowers that are in season for your wedding. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips for spring, and chrysanthemums and dahlias for autumn.

Understand the Symbolism of Flowers:

• 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.
• Select blooms that reflect your feelings and the message you want to convey.

Choose the Right Shapes and Varieties:

• The shape of your bouquet should complement your wedding dress and hairstyle. A narrow bouquet might suit a mermaid or form-fitting silhouette, while a fuller bouquet could be more suitable for a ball gown.
• Consult a florist to determine which flower varieties are in season and will match your colour palette and theme.
• Classic options like roses and calla lilies are versatile and can be used in various arrangements.
• For a whimsical, romantic look, consider delicate flowers like ranunculus, anemones, or sweet peas.

Remember, your wedding flowers should reflect your personality and style. Don't be afraid to get creative and mix and match different blooms to create a unique bouquet!

Preparing your flowers

The first step in making a bouquet is to prepare your flowers. Start by removing any leaves, thorns, or damaged petals from the stems. You can do this with your hands or a stem stripper. Be careful not to damage the stems.

Next, cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom. You can use a stem cutter, a sharp knife, or floral snips for this. Then, fill a sink or bucket with water and place the stems in the water, holding them underwater as you cut. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds, then place the stems in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use them.

If you are working with roses and want to open the blooms, place the stems in a bucket of hot water for a couple of minutes. However, be careful not to leave them in too long, or you may kill the flowers.

Keep the stems long while you work, and trim them to the desired length once you have finished constructing the bouquet.

Selecting your flowers

When selecting flowers for your bouquet, it is essential to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. You can choose complementary colours for a subtle effect or integrate contrasting colours for a bolder, more dramatic look.

For a classic, tight bouquet, use one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers with textural interest. If you prefer a more whimsical, garden-inspired cascading arrangement, choose five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and select flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

Timing

Timing is crucial when making your own wedding bouquet. Ideally, you should source your flowers two days before the wedding and create the bouquet the day before. This will ensure that your blooms are at their best on your wedding day.

Assembling your bouquet

Now that you've gathered your flowers and materials, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Here are the steps to create a beautiful arrangement:

• Create a base: Start by building the shape and framework of your bouquet. Stand in front of a mirror to get a better idea of what the bouquet will look like in your hand. Choose 2-4 flowers to be the "base" or centre of your bouquet. Arrange them at an even height to form a square or circular shape.
• Add focal flowers: Continue adding larger, focal flowers around the centre to create the body of your bouquet. Rotate the bouquet a quarter turn to the right after each addition, positioning it for the next flower, angling the new flower towards the left.
• Include fillers and greenery: Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, add some filler flowers and greenery to create depth and a natural look. Ensure you insert these at the same angle to maintain symmetry.
• Secure the stems: Tie the stems tightly with a rubber band or floral tape. Trim the stems, leaving about 4-5 inches of exposed stem at the bottom. This will make it comfortable to hold the bouquet.
• Wrap the stems: Use floral tape to wrap the stems, starting 1 to 1.5 inches from the flower heads and working downwards. Leave some stem exposed at the bottom to maintain a natural look. The tape will provide support and create a consistent composition.
• Add ribbon: Wrap a ribbon around the stems for a classic look. You can also let the ribbon cascade down the side for a more relaxed, garden-style aesthetic. Tie a bow to finish it off and add a touch of elegance.

Remember, don't stress too much about making it perfect. Enjoy the process of creating something beautiful, and feel free to experiment and make adjustments as you go.

Securing your bouquet

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to secure it.

Use a rubber band or floral tape to bind the stems at the spot where they naturally join (about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads). Repeat the binding toward the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem beneath the bind to trim later. You can also use wire to tie the stems together, then trim the excess away with wire cutters.

If you want to add depth and dimension to your bouquet, pull certain flowers forward, emphasising the focal flowers. You can also add ornamental pieces near the focal flowers to elevate your design.

Finishing the Handle

Cut the stems so they are all the same length, about 7 to 8 inches long. Dry the stems with a paper towel, then cut a length of ribbon about three times the length of the stems.

Tuck the end of the ribbon inside the top bind and start wrapping it in a spiral down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap it back up the stem. At the top, tuck the cut end of the ribbon underneath and secure it with a couple of pins pushed through the ribbon and into the stems. If you want to add a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it just beneath the flower heads.

Wrapping the Stems

Wrap the stems with floral tubing to protect your hands while you walk down the aisle and to create a professional finish. Insert 2-3 stems inside the tubing, covering any stray wires, and continue until all stems are encased. Don't encase the stems all the way up to the base of the flowers and leaves—go about three-quarters of the way up.

Securing the Stems

Wrap any remaining exposed stems with green floral tape, starting where the floral tubing ends and wrapping up to the base of the bouquet. This will help your bouquet stay in place and protect your hands throughout the day.

Adding a Ribbon

Hot glue a satin ribbon in your chosen colour around the base of your bouquet to create a handle and add a polished finishing touch. Use an opaque ribbon to hide the glue, and reserve sheer ribbons for adding a bow.

Take two ribbons and tie a bow around your bouquet, near the handle, leaving plenty of excess to create a flowing, elegant effect. You can experiment with different colours, lengths, and styles of ribbon to add your own unique finishing touches.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to add the finishing touches! Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process:

• Secure the stems with tape or ribbon: Use floral tape or ribbon to wrap the stems together, just below the flower heads. This will help hold the bouquet together and give it a neat appearance. Start by wrapping the tape or ribbon around the stems a few times, then spiral it down the length of the stems. Cut the ribbon or tape and secure the end with a pin or hot glue.
• Trim the stems: Cut the stems to the desired length, ensuring they are comfortable to hold. Leave enough room for your hand to grip the bouquet, plus a little extra wiggle room.
• Add a personal touch: Consider adding a charm, your birth flower, or a sentimental colour to your bouquet. You can also experiment with different types of ribbons and creative ways to tie them. For example, you can tie a single-loop or multi-loop bow, or add accents to the middle of the bow with hot glue.
• Mist the flowers: To keep your bouquet fresh, mist the flower heads well and place the stems in water until you are ready to wrap them. This will help ensure the flowers stay vibrant and beautiful for your special day.
• Practice and enjoy: Creating a bridal bouquet is an enjoyable and creative process. Don't be afraid to experiment and add your personal touch. If you're feeling unsure, you can always do a practice run with less expensive flowers to get a feel for the process.

Frequently asked questions