Creating A Loose, Romantic Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a loose wedding bouquet is an art, and it's easier than you think! Whether you're a professional florist or a DIY enthusiast, crafting a bouquet with a loose, airy feel can be achieved by following a few simple tips and tricks. From mastering the death grip to choosing the right flowers and varying stem heights, you can create a stunning arrangement that's perfect for any wedding.

Choose your flowers

When choosing flowers for your loose wedding bouquet, it's important to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want complementary colours to create a subtle, balanced look, or would you prefer to use contrasting colours for a bolder, more dramatic effect?

If you're going for a modern and simple design, Caroline Eells, the founder and lead designer of Passiflora Studio, suggests using one to three varieties of flowers, minimal greenery, and blooms with lots of textural interest. On the other hand, if you're after a garden-style bouquet, Eells recommends using five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery, with different textures and gestural qualities.

When it comes to sourcing your flowers, take a look at what's blooming in your friend's gardens, or check out local farms, grocery stores, or online flower markets to find the varieties you're looking for. To save money, pick flowers that are in season for your wedding. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are in season during spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best for fall.

Prep your flowers

To prep your flowers, start by deciding on the blooms you want to use. Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Think about whether you want complementary or contrasting colours. If you're going for a modern and simple design, opt for fewer varieties of flowers and minimal greenery. For a more garden-style bouquet, choose more varieties of florals and include lots of greenery.

Once you've decided on your flowers, source them from a friend's garden, local farms, grocery stores, or online. The timing of your wedding will also determine the types of flowers available to you. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are in season during spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best for fall.

When you have your flowers, use sharp floral snips to trim the stems. Remove all the leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to help them absorb water more easily. Keep the trimmed stems in a bucket of water as you work, to keep them fresh. If you're working in hot or dry conditions, research how to care for your chosen blooms.

Assemble the bouquet

Now, it's time to assemble the bouquet! Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, keeping in mind the dimension of the bouquet. It is recommended to stand in front of a mirror while assembling the bouquet so that you can see exactly what it looks like from the front.

Begin by creating a base with greenery and filler flowers. Then, add in your larger, focal flowers. Continue to add in smaller flowers and more greenery, balancing the design as you go. Remember to vary the heights of your stems to add dimension and airiness to the bouquet.

Once you are happy with your bouquet, snip the stems to trim them back, and secure the bouquet with a rubber band. Make sure the rubber band is tight before adding floral tape to hide it. Finally, add a ribbon to the stems. You can either loop the ribbon for a clean, classic look or let it cascade down the side of the bouquet for a more relaxed, garden-style feel.

Don't be afraid to get creative and make the bouquet your own! You can add in your birth flower, a charm, or use a sentimental colour to make the bouquet unique and special.

Add finishing touches

Once you've created a bouquet you're happy with, there are a few finishing touches you can add to make it extra special. Here are some ideas to consider:

Firstly, stand in front of a mirror to check what your bouquet looks like from the front. This will help you ensure that it looks perfect from the perspective of your guests and wedding photos. You can then start to add in your finishing touches, such as a beautiful ribbon or floral tape. Loop a ribbon around the stems for a classic look, or let it cascade down the side for a more relaxed, garden-style feel. If you want to add a unique element to your bouquet, consider including a charm. This could be a vintage trinket or something new, and it's a lovely way to honour a loved one who can't be with you on your special day.

If you're happy with the overall look of your bouquet but want to add a little something extra, consider including your birth flower or the flower of a loved one. This is a beautiful way to make your bouquet unique to you and your story. You could also add in a sentimental colour, such as your favourite colour or that of your partner's. This is a great way to add meaning to your bouquet and make it feel more personal.

Finally, don't be afraid to get creative and break the rules! A typical bouquet usually follows an odd-number rule, but you can add as many stems as you like to make it feel right. Trust your instincts, and remember that you can always start over if you need to.

Care for your bouquet

Now that you've created your loose wedding bouquet, it's time to ensure it stays fresh and beautiful for your special day. Here are some essential care tips:

• Hydration is Key: Flowers need plenty of water, so keep your bouquet in a vase of water as much as possible before the wedding. If you can, give them a break and place them in water throughout the day to keep them hydrated.
• Towel Dry Stems: If your bouquet is delivered in water, dry the stems with a towel before carrying them to prevent watermarks on your dress or dye stains from tinted blooms.
• Avoid Touching Blooms: Oils from your fingers can transfer to delicate petals, damaging them. So, avoid touching the blooms directly and only handle the stems when carrying or arranging the bouquet.
• Keep Them Cool: Store your bouquet in a cool, dark area, especially in the hours leading up to the event. If you have boutonnieres, flower crowns, or corsages, keep them in the fridge. Avoid placing flowers near hot light fixtures, fireplaces, blow dryers, or direct sunlight.
• Ask for Holding Instructions: Your florist can show you the proper way to hold your bouquet. There is usually a focal area or a front side that should face a certain direction in photos. It's often as simple as ribbons in the front or pins at the back, but it's worth asking for a demonstration to ensure you hold it correctly.
• Delegate Workload: Creating wedding bouquets can be overwhelming, so don't hesitate to delegate tasks to your bridal party, family, or friends. They can help with rehydrating, cutting stems, and arranging flowers.
• Rehydrate Flowers: When your flowers arrive, they may appear droopy due to dehydration from travel. Give them time to rehydrate and perk up by placing them in buckets of clean water for at least 6 hours before arranging.
• Cut Stems at an Angle: Use sharp scissors or a knife to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This ensures a clear path for the blooms to absorb water. Don't forget to wear thick gloves to protect your hands!
• Remove Low-Hanging Leaves: Get rid of any leaves that fall below the waterline, as they can carry bacteria that may infect the flowers and reduce their longevity.
• Maintain Ideal Temperature: Keep your flowers in a cool place, away from direct sunlight or heating vents. A basement, garage, or air-conditioned room is ideal.
• Change Water Daily: Use lukewarm water initially to help the flowers bloom, then switch to cooler water to slow down the blooming process once they're arranged.
• Spray with Crown and Glory: After arranging, spray your flowers with Crown and Glory to lock in moisture and add a nice sheen.

By following these care tips, your loose wedding bouquet will stay fresh and fabulous, ensuring it looks perfect in all your wedding photos!

Frequently asked questions