Round Bouquets For Weddings: Diy Guide

Making your own wedding bouquet can be a fun and creative way to save money. The classic dome shape of a round bouquet complements most wedding gowns. To make a round bouquet, you'll need to select your flowers, assemble them, secure them, and finish the handle.

First, pick 1-2 focal flowers, 1-2 fillers, and some greenery. Roses are a popular choice, but you can also use peonies, lilies, dahlias, or calla lilies. Next, assemble your flowers by placing 3-4 stems of focal flowers in the centre, adding secondary flowers in complementary colours, and tucking in greenery and accents for texture. Continue filling in flowers to build a dome shape, rotating the bundle as you go. Secure the stems with wire or floral tape, trim them to your desired length, and wrap a ribbon around the handle.

Picking flowers and fillers

Picking a Colour Scheme

Traditionally, bridal bouquets feature white or cream flowers. However, you can choose colours that complement the bridal dress. If the dress is elaborate, a simpler bouquet in a single colour or a small range of colours is best. On the other hand, a dress with a simple cut can be paired with a more elaborate bouquet with a mix of colours and ornamentation.

You can also opt for a subtle bouquet by choosing colours similar to the wedding gown, with a few accent colours to add depth. A classic combination is white, cream, peach, and light pink flowers. If you want something bolder, try complementary colours like yellow and violet, blue and orange, or red and green.

Choosing the Main Flowers

Select one to three strong primary flowers with long, sturdy stems to support the bouquet. It's best to choose flowers that will be in season during your wedding, as out-of-season flowers can be expensive and difficult to source. Popular choices include single roses, peonies, double dahlias, and calla lilies.

Adding Secondary Flowers

You can create a single-variety bouquet or add some secondary flowers for more variety. Popular choices for secondary flowers include small single roses, spray roses, and freesia. You can also add "filler flowers", which are usually small, green flowers that give a natural look to the bouquet. Examples include wax flower, baby's breath, and seeded eucalyptus.

Size and Quantity

The size of your bouquet should match the bride's size and the venue. A good rule of thumb is to ensure the bouquet is no wider than the bride's waist. For the number of flowers, 15 to 30 is typical, but it's a good idea to get some extra in case you need to make changes.

Preparing the Flowers

Before you start arranging, trim the stems of your chosen flowers underwater at a 45-degree angle. This allows the stems to absorb water better. Keep the flowers in a container of cool water until you're ready to create your bouquet.

Now you're ready to start arranging your round wedding bouquet!

Trimming stems

Trimming the stems is an important step in making a round bouquet for a wedding. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

• Before you begin, trim the stems underwater. Fill a bucket or sink with water and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) from the end. This allows the stems to take up water without forming air bubbles. Keep the flowers in water until you are ready to assemble the bouquet.
• Leave the stems long at this stage, as it will be easier to work with them. You can always trim them again once the bouquet is complete.
• When you are ready to assemble the bouquet, gather your flowers and start by choosing 3-4 stems of focal flowers. Cross the stems to make a spiral shape as you add more flowers.
• Continue adding your focal flowers, creating a square or dome shape for the center of the bouquet.
• Once you have your center, add in secondary flowers in complementary colors to create depth. Rotate the bouquet as you work, filling in gaps and ensuring a rounded shape.
• After you have added all your flowers and achieved the desired shape, bind the stems with wire or floral tape. Trim the stems evenly, leaving them about 7-8 inches long.
• To finish, cut a ribbon to your desired length and wrap it around the stems to conceal the wire or tape. You can tie a bow knot and leave trailing ribbons for a chic touch.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you've selected your flowers and have all the necessary tools, it's time to assemble your round wedding bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Create a base: Start by choosing your focal flowers—the ones you want to be the centre of attention. Hold 3–4 stems of these focal flowers in your non-dominant hand, just beneath the blossoms, where the stems cross. This will form the base of your bouquet.

Add secondary flowers: Choose flowers in complementary colours to create depth and build a dome shape. Continue filling in the flowers, rotating the bundle as you add more to ensure all gaps are filled in. You can also add hints of greenery and accents for texture.

Secure the bouquet: Once you're happy with the shape and arrangement of your bouquet, it's time to secure it. Use floral tape or a rubber band to bind the stems together, about 3–4 inches below the flower heads. Make sure the binding is tight and secure.

Trim the stems: Cut the stems to the same length, leaving them fairly short (about 6–8 inches long). This is important, especially if the bouquet is meant to be held in front of the bride, to avoid the stems scraping the dress.

Wrap the stems: Use a ribbon to wrap the stems and conceal the floral wire or tape. Cut the ribbon to your desired length and wrap it around the handle several times. You can finish it off with a bow knot, leaving the trailing ribbon long for a chic touch.

Your round wedding bouquet is now ready! Remember, it's not worth stressing over. Enjoy the process of creating something beautiful, and don't be afraid to get creative and make it your own.

Securing the bouquet

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to secure it so it stays intact. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Bind the stems

Use rubber bands or floral tape to bind the stems together at the spot where they naturally join, which is usually about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads. This will hold the bouquet together and provide a base for further decoration.

Step 2: Repeat the binding

Wrap another rubber band or layer of floral tape towards the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem below the second bind. This will ensure that the bouquet is securely held together.

Step 3: Cut the stems

Using a stem cutter or a sharp knife, cut the stems so that they are all the same length. For a bridal bouquet, a length of about 7 to 8 inches is ideal. You can also trim the stems at an angle to help the flowers absorb water more effectively.

Step 4: Dry the stems

Use a paper towel to dry off any moisture on the stems. This is an important step to ensure that the ribbon or tape you use in the next step adheres properly and doesn't slip.

Step 5: Wrap with ribbon

Cut a length of ribbon that is about three times the length of the stems. Start wrapping the ribbon at the top, near the flower heads, and spiral it down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap the ribbon back up the stem to cover any exposed areas.

Step 6: Secure the ribbon

Tuck the cut end of the ribbon underneath the wrapped area and secure it with a couple of pins. Push the pins through the ribbon and into the stems to hold it in place. You can also use corsage pins, floral adhesive, or a glue gun for a more secure hold.

Step 7: Add a bow (optional)

If you want to add a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it just below the flower heads. This gives the bouquet a chic and elegant touch.

Your bouquet is now secured and ready to be displayed! You can place it in water to keep the flowers fresh until your wedding day.

Finishing the handle

Now that you have a beautiful bouquet, it's time to finish the handle. This is a crucial step as it ensures the bouquet is comfortable to hold and looks elegant. Here are some detailed instructions on how to finish the handle of your round wedding bouquet:

Trimming the Stems

First, trim the stems to a comfortable length. The stems should be long enough to hold easily but not so long that they interfere with the wedding dress. A good rule of thumb is to trim the stems to about two fist lengths, adding an extra inch or two for the open wire at the bottom. You can always trim more later if needed.

Binding the Stems

Next, bind the stems together to create a neat and secure handle. You can use wire, floral tape, or natural raffia palm for this step. Wrap the binding material tightly around the stems, starting from the base of the bouquet and working your way down. Leave a small gap between the binding and the flowers/greenery to allow for some flexibility.

Adding Ribbon

Adding a ribbon to your bouquet handle is a beautiful way to elevate the design and add a personal touch. Choose a ribbon that complements your bouquet and wedding theme. Cut the ribbon to your desired length, allowing for some excess. You can either tie a bow with the ribbon or wrap it around the stems for a more polished look.

If you choose to wrap the ribbon, start by gluing one end of the ribbon to the base of the bouquet. Pull the ribbon tight and begin twisting and covering the handle. This first pass will likely have some bumps, so don't worry too much about perfection. Rewrap the handle, paying attention to the spacing between the edges of the ribbon. When you reach the top, fold the ribbon at an angle and glue it down. Cut off any excess ribbon and secure any loose ends with a small amount of hot glue.

Final Touches

At this point, you can add any final touches to your bouquet handle. You might want to add some bouquet jewellery or pearl-tipped pins for a glamorous look. You can also add filler flowers or greenery to the handle to create a natural, organic look. Play around with different ribbons, twines, and braids to create unique designs.

And that's it! You now have a beautifully finished handle for your round wedding bouquet. Enjoy your creation and congratulations on taking on this creative project!

Frequently asked questions