Sunflower Wedding Bouquets: Diy Guide For Brides

Sunflowers are a bold and cheerful choice for a wedding bouquet. They are large, bright, and beautifully sunny, and they can be used to create a rustic, relaxed, or even sophisticated look. Sunflowers are also versatile, pairing well with flowers of any shape, size, and colourway. They are relatively inexpensive and can be used in a variety of ways across multiple seasons. For example, sunflowers can complement a bright colour palette for a summer wedding or be used as dried flowers for a fall wedding. Whether you want them to be the focal point or a simple accent, there are many ways to incorporate sunflowers into your wedding bouquet.

Choosing complementary flowers

Sunflowers are large, bright, and cheerful flowers that can be used in a variety of ways to create a stunning wedding bouquet. When choosing complementary flowers, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, consider the colour palette you want to create. Sunflowers are typically associated with yellow, but they can also be found in other hues such as white, burgundy, and even chocolate. Deciding on a colour scheme will help guide your choice of complementary flowers.

For a bold and vibrant look, pair sunflowers with other bright blooms such as yellow daisies, orange lilies, magenta roses, or purple garden roses. Adding a few sunflowers to a bouquet of colourful flowers will create a stunning contrast and make the sunflowers stand out. If you want to create a more subtle and romantic bouquet, consider using pastel-coloured flowers such as peach, cream, or blush tones. Flowers such as ranunculus, roses, and chrysanthemums in these colours will complement the sunflowers beautifully.

The size and variety of the flowers you choose are also important considerations. Sunflowers are large flowers, so pairing them with smaller blooms such as baby's breath, cosmos, chamomile, or black-eyed Susans can add texture and interest to the bouquet. On the other hand, you can create a dramatic statement by pairing sunflowers with other large blooms such as dahlias, protea, or hydrangeas. Adding greenery such as eucalyptus, myrtle, or ivy can also help to balance out the boldness of the sunflowers and create a more elegant and natural look.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box when choosing complementary flowers. Sunflowers are versatile and can be paired with a wide range of blooms to create a unique and personalised bouquet. For example, succulents might seem like an unlikely pairing, but their shape mimics that of sunflowers, creating a cohesive look. Similarly, thistles and baby's breath create an interesting contrast with the large, bold sunflowers.

Adding filler flowers

Choose Filler Flowers that Complement Sunflowers:

Select filler flowers that will accentuate the beauty of the sunflowers. Carnations, roses, mini calla lilies, daisies, gaillardia, hydrangeas, or geraniums can provide a stunning colour and textural contrast to the bold and vibrant sunflowers. These filler flowers come in a variety of colours and sizes, allowing you to create visual interest and depth within the bouquet.

Add Nature-Inspired Elements:

If you're aiming for a more natural or rustic look, consider adding sprigs of mint and lavender to your bouquet. These herbs will not only add a subtle fragrance but will also create a whimsical, nature-inspired feel. You can also incorporate large green leaves to balance out the size of the sunflowers and give a sense of fullness to the arrangement.

Incorporate Romantic Touches:

Baby's breath and sunflower buds are excellent choices if you want to infuse a romantic vibe into your bouquet. These delicate filler flowers add a soft and ethereal touch to the overall design. You can also mix in brown or burgundy sunflowers alongside the yellow ones for a fall-themed wedding.

Experiment with Colour Accents:

Purple and orange accents work particularly well for autumn-themed weddings. You can choose filler flowers or greenery in these colours to create a vibrant and seasonal bouquet. Additionally, consider using floral tape to attach small purple or orange flowers to the sunflowers for a cohesive look.

Remember, when adding filler flowers, it's important to maintain a balance and not overwhelm the sunflowers. The key is to enhance the beauty of the sunflowers, not distract from them. Play around with different combinations of filler flowers and greenery to find the perfect arrangement that suits your style and theme.

Wrapping the bouquet

Preparing the Stems:

• Start by removing any leaves from the sunflower stems. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut away the leaves, leaving about 2 inches of the stem intact.
• Next, use floral tape or rubber bands to secure the stems together. Place one band near the flower heads and another about 4 inches below it.
• Cut the stems to your desired length. You can place the stems underwater to trim them to the right height, ensuring the flowers absorb enough water.

Choosing the Wrapping Material:

• You can choose from a variety of materials to wrap the stems, including ribbon, twine, or floral tape.
• Ribbons can be a great choice, especially if you want to match the wedding colors or add a touch of contrast. Consider using a colored ribbon that complements the sunflowers or the bride's dress.
• Twine provides a rustic or country look, perfect for a sunflower-themed wedding.
• Floral tape is another option and can be found in various colors, including green, to blend in with the stems.
• Begin wrapping the stems just below the flower heads, covering the rubber bands or floral tape.
• Wind the ribbon, twine, or floral tape tightly and neatly around the stems, working your way down towards the cut ends.
• Secure the wrapping material with a knot or a small amount of hot glue. You can also use a pearl pin to hold the ribbon in place, adding a touch of elegance.
• If using ribbon, you can leave a length of it trailing down for a romantic, flowing effect.

Adding Greenery:

• To enhance the wrapped bouquet, consider adding greenery, such as myrtle, foxtails, ivy, or craspedia.
• Place the stems of greenery through the sides of a bouquet holder, creating a full and lush look.
• You can also add filler flowers or additional greenery, such as money plant creeper, calla lilies, or roses, especially if you're creating a cascading bouquet.

Remember, the wrapping is not just functional but also adds to the overall aesthetic of the bouquet. Choose a wrapping material that complements the sunflowers and the wedding theme, and don't be afraid to get creative with your choice of greenery and filler flowers!

Using a bouquet holder

To make a sunflower wedding bouquet using a bouquet holder, start by soaking the holder in a solution of water and flower food. This will help to keep your flowers fresh. Next, you'll want to prepare your flowers. Remove the leaves from the sunflowers and cut 2 inches from the stems. You can also add in filler flowers at this stage if you wish—baby's breath, lavender sprigs, and mint are all good options for a nature-inspired bouquet.

Once your flowers are ready, it's time to start assembling the bouquet. Begin by inserting the stems of greenery through the sides of the bouquet holder. You can use a variety of greenery, such as myrtle, foxtails, ivy, or craspedia, depending on the look you're going for. Once the sides of the holder are full, it's time to add the sunflowers. Place them in the middle and sides of the holder, rearranging the greenery as needed so that it frames the sunflowers. Face the sunflowers in different directions to add interest and dimension to the bouquet.

At this point, you can add any additional filler flowers or greenery. Roses, calla lilies, and money plant creeper all work well, especially if you're going for a cascading bouquet. Once you're happy with your bouquet, give it a light spray of finishing spray to prevent the flowers from wilting. Finally, wrap a ribbon around the bouquet holder to create a softer surface for the bride to hold and secure it in place with a pearl pin.

Creating a rustic look

Sunflowers are a perfect fit for a rustic, relaxed wedding. To create a rustic look with your sunflower wedding bouquet, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide whether you want to use sunflowers as the focal point of your bouquet or as an accent flower. If you want them to be the star of the show, opt for a bouquet with mostly sunflowers and a few filler flowers. On the other hand, if you want a more subtle rustic vibe, use only a small number of sunflowers so that they become accent flowers rather than the main attraction.

When creating a rustic sunflower bouquet, consider using dried flowers and greenery. Sunflowers can be dried, and pairing them with dried grasses and textured greenery will give your bouquet a wildflower vibe. You can also add other types of dried flowers, such as baby's breath, which holds its colour and texture well when dried. Wrapping twine around the stems of the bouquet will further enhance the rustic aesthetic.

To add a pop of colour, consider including purple and orange accents, which work well for a fall wedding. You can also mix in brown or burgundy sunflowers with your yellow ones for a more autumnal feel. If you want to stick to a yellow and green colour palette, pairing sunflowers with chamomile and eucalyptus is a great option.

For a truly rustic look, you could make your sunflower wedding bouquet a DIY project. Gather your friends the night before the wedding and put your bouquets together by hand. This will not only add a personal touch to your wedding but also save you money on florist costs.

Frequently asked questions