Succulent Wedding Bouquets: Diy Guide For Brides

Succulents are a bold and beautiful addition to any wedding bouquet. With their unique shapes and forms, they can be used to create a simple yet effective arrangement. Making your own bouquet is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding. All you need are some succulents, floral wire, tape, and ribbon. You can also add in some cut flowers from the garden, such as roses or peonies, to create a mixed bouquet.

Choosing your succulents

Variety

When creating a succulent bouquet, it's essential to choose a variety of succulents in different shapes, sizes, and colours. This will add interest and texture to your bouquet. Look for succulents with tight rosettes, as these are considered the signature of a quality succulent bouquet. You can find succulents in various shades of green, purple, blue, pink, and even peach.

Size

The size of your succulents will depend on the overall size and design of your bouquet. For a bridal bouquet, consider using larger succulents as focal points, with smaller succulents filling in the gaps. For bridesmaid bouquets, you may want to use smaller succulents to create a more delicate and proportional arrangement.

Colour Scheme

Consider the colour scheme of your wedding when choosing your succulents. Succulents come in a range of colours, so you can easily find ones that will complement your theme. For example, if you're having a soft and romantic wedding, opt for succulents in pastel shades of green, blue, and purple. If you want a bolder look, go for brighter colours like pink or peach.

Availability

Some succulents may be more readily available than others, depending on the season and your location. If you're working with a florist or supplier, they can advise you on the best options. It's also a good idea to choose succulents that are well-established and premium quality to ensure they look their best for your big day.

Personal Preference

Lastly, don't forget to choose succulents that you personally love! This is your special day, so select succulents that speak to you and fit your unique style. Whether you prefer a simple and elegant look or a bold and vibrant design, there are succulents to match your taste.

Adding stems to succulents

Succulents are a great choice for wedding bouquets as they are low-maintenance and can be easily propagated. Here are some detailed steps to add stems to succulents for your wedding bouquet:

Choosing the Right Succulents:

Select succulents with distinct stems, such as stacked crassulas or upright sedums. You can also opt for succulents with fleshy leaves like jade plants, echeveria, or sempervivum rosettes. Ensure the succulents are well-hydrated and healthy, with firm, plump leaves.

Preparing the Succulents:

Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut the stems of the chosen succulents. The length of each cutting should be around 2-4 inches, with at least two sets of nodes for rooting and two sets of leaves. Remove the bottom 2 inches of leaves from the stem to expose the nodes, as this is where new roots will form. Allow the cut ends to dry and form a callus, which typically takes around 2-5 days. This step is crucial to prevent rot and fungal diseases.

Adding Stems:

Use floral wire to create stems for the succulents. Stick the wire through the thick part of the stem, right under the flower or leaf, and pull it through until both sides are even, reaching at least halfway down. Wind the wire around the stem to provide support and make arrangement easier.

Taping the Stems:

Starting at the top of the stem, hold floral tape in place and twist the flower or leaf while pulling the tape. Pull the tape tightly as you wrap it to ensure it adheres well. This step will help hold the arrangement together.

Arranging the Bouquet:

Once you have created stems for all the succulents, start arranging them. Begin with the largest flowers or succulents as your focal point, and fill in the rest of the bouquet. You can add filler flowers or foliage for a more diverse arrangement. Secure the stems with wire and tape as you go to hold everything in place.

Finishing Touches:

After completing the arrangement, wrap the stems with wire and tape, leaving a few inches at the bottom so you can put the bouquet in water. Finally, wrap the bouquet with ribbon of your choice, securing it with pretty pins. You can also add a blue pin for your "something blue" wedding tradition.

Your succulent wedding bouquet is now ready! This process takes some time and care, but the result will be a beautiful and unique addition to your special day.

Preparing the flowers

Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. For this project, you will require floral stem wire, floral tape, scissors or shears, and, of course, your chosen succulents and any additional flowers or greenery. You can purchase succulents from your local nursery or florist, or even order them online. Select a variety of shapes and sizes, and colours to add interest and texture to your bouquet.

Once you have your materials, it's time to start preparing the flowers. Remove the succulents from their pots and gently wash away the soil from the roots. You can then cut back the roots to the desired length. This process will help you create a neat and manageable base for your bouquet.

The next step is to create a "stem" for each succulent. Take a piece of floral wire and insert it into the base of the succulent, bending it to form a loop. This will provide a sturdy base for your bouquet and make it easier to arrange the flowers. Ensure that the wire is securely attached and that there are no sharp edges that could damage the succulent or your hands.

After creating the stems, wrap the base of each succulent and the top of the floral wire with floral tape. This step will provide extra support and help protect the succulents. It is important to use floral tape, as it is designed specifically for this purpose and will not damage the delicate plants.

Now that your succulents have stems and are securely wrapped, you can start assembling your bouquet. Begin by placing your largest or most prominent flowers in the centre, using them as anchors. Gradually add the remaining flowers and greenery around them, filling in any gaps. Play around with the arrangement until you achieve a composition that you are happy with. Remember to pay attention to the overall shape and balance of the bouquet.

Once you have created your bouquet, it's time to secure it. Hold all the stems together as close to the base of the flowers as possible and wrap them tightly with floral tape. This step will ensure that your bouquet stays intact and that the flowers do not slip out of place.

By following these steps, you will have prepared your flowers and created a stunning succulent wedding bouquet. Now, you can move on to the final touches, such as wrapping the stems with ribbon and adding any additional decorations or embellishments. Enjoy your beautiful DIY bouquet!

Arranging the bouquet

To start, take your largest blooms or focal flowers and use them as an anchor in the centre. Then, fill in the rest of the bouquet, working in a circular pattern. You can cut some of the stems down to create different heights and dimensions. As you go, you can tie a couple of stems together with floral tape to reduce bulkiness.

Pay attention to how the bouquet is filling out and adjust as you go. It's a good idea to place each bloom at an angle so that the blooms face out, rather than up. Once you're happy with the arrangement, tape it all together with floral tape and then wrap the stems with a ribbon of your choice.

And there you have it—a beautiful, DIY succulent wedding bouquet!

Wrapping the bouquet

Wrapping the stems of your bouquet is an important step in holding your bouquet together and giving it a polished look. Here is a step-by-step guide to wrapping the stems of your succulent wedding bouquet:

Step 1: Secure the Bouquet

Before you start wrapping the stems, make sure that the bouquet is secured at the top, close to the base of the flowers. You can use floral tape for this step. Hold all the stems together and wrap the tape tightly around them. This will help to keep the bouquet tight and prevent it from falling apart.

Step 2: Choose Your Ribbon

The next step is to choose a ribbon that complements your bouquet. You can select a ribbon in a colour that matches your wedding theme or the colours of the succulents and flowers in your bouquet. The ribbon should be wide enough to wrap around the stems comfortably.

Step 3: Start Wrapping

Begin wrapping the ribbon around the stems, starting a few inches from the top, just below the floral tape. Hold the ribbon taut as you wrap it around, covering the floral tape completely. You can use straight pins to secure the ribbon as you go, if needed.

Step 4: Finish and Secure

Once you have wrapped the ribbon to the desired length, cut it neatly and secure the end with a small piece of tape or a drop of fabric glue. Make sure the ribbon is smooth and wrinkle-free. You can also add a decorative pin or brooch to the centre of the ribbon for a more ornate look.

Step 5: Add a Personal Touch (Optional)

If you want to add a personal touch to your bouquet, you can include a small charm or memento attached to the ribbon. This could be something meaningful to you, such as a family heirloom or a small photo. This step is entirely optional but can make your bouquet even more special.

Frequently asked questions