Deborah Chan
A trailing wedding bouquet, also known as a cascading bouquet, is an arrangement of flowers that creates a natural, trailing effect as it literally cascades down from the bride's hands. This type of bouquet adds movement and drama to a bride's wedding-day look and has been popular since the 1980s when it was carried by Princess Diana.
To make a trailing wedding bouquet, you will need to choose your flowers, prepare your materials, and then assemble the bouquet. When selecting flowers, consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. You can opt for complementary or contrasting colours. For a classic, tight bouquet, use one to three varieties of florals and very little greenery. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired cascading bouquet, use five to seven varieties of florals and include more greenery.
Once you have chosen your flowers, you will need to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle and remove excess leaves. If using fresh flowers, soak the bouquet holder in water for an hour to hydrate the foam. To create the cascade shape, place your main flowers in the bouquet holder with the longest stems in the centre. Weave in some greenery, such as ferns or eucalyptus, and then add in smaller accent flowers to fill gaps and add texture. Secure the bouquet with floral tape and add decorative elements such as ribbons or lace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of flowers | Roses, orchids, lilies, stephanotis, dahlias, peonies, tulips, chrysanthemums, fritillaria, clementis, hellebore, blooming jasmine, berries on the vine, eucalyptus, astilbe, baby's breath, etc. |
| Colour palette | White, red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, blue, green, coral, peach, lilac, blush, neutrals, etc. |
| Style | Classic, tight, whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading, modern, simple, etc. |
| Size | Large, oversized, small, asymmetrical, etc. |
| Timing | Make the bouquet the day before the wedding. Source flowers 2 days before and add the ribbon on the wedding day. |
| Tools | Floral snips, ribbon, floral tape, bucket, glue, wire, wire cutters, floral tubing, etc. |
| Preparation | Trim stems at a 45-degree angle, remove excess leaves, soak the bouquet holder in water, etc. |
| Assembly | Build the shape and framework, add larger flowers first, add smaller flowers and greenery, balance the design, secure with a rubber band, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Choosing your flowers
Choosing the right flowers for your trailing wedding bouquet is a crucial step in creating a stunning arrangement. The perfect combination of primary and accent flowers can elevate your bouquet from simple to show-stopping.
Firstly, consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want to complement your dress with a similar colour palette, or would you rather add a dramatic pop of colour? If you're going for a modern and simple design, opt for fewer varieties of flowers and very little greenery. However, if you're after a whimsical, garden-inspired cascading bouquet, choose multiple varieties of florals and greenery to create a natural, wild effect.
When selecting your flowers, think about the colours, sizes and what they symbolise. Each bloom can add a layer of personal meaning to your special day. For example, you could include the flower associated with your birth month or that of a loved one.
If you're working with a tight budget, opt for seasonal flowers to save costs. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs and tulips are perfect for spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are ideal for autumn. You can also add in more greenery or choose high-quality silk flowers for a cost-effective alternative.
- Roses, orchids, lilies, stephanotis and trailing greenery for a traditional look.
- Orchids, fritillaria, clematis, hellebore, blooming jasmine and berries on the vine for a modern take.
- Roses, lisianthus, ranunculus, wild grasses and cocoa-coloured autumnal foliage for an organic, autumnal palette.
- Calla lilies, tulips, scabiosa, gardenia and stephanotis with lush vines like smilax for a modern design.
- Peonies, anemones, ivy and lace fern for a feathery, lush arrangement.
- Garden roses, anemones, wax flowers, sweet peas, white sage and banksia integrifolia for an ethereal pastel colour palette.
- Dahlias, roses, garden roses, spray roses, freesia, astilbe and orchids for a splash of pink.
- Roses, dahlias, peonies, garden roses, tulips, amaranthus, dusty miller and eucalyptus for a dramatic, overflowing bouquet.
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Preparing your materials
Before you start constructing your bouquet, you'll need to prepare your flowers and materials. Here are the steps to ensure your flowers look fresh and beautiful throughout your wedding day:
- Trim the stems: Cut the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle. This angle increases the surface area for water absorption, keeping your flowers fresh for longer.
- Remove excess leaves: Strip off any leaves that might sit below the water line in your bouquet holder. This helps to reduce clutter and focuses attention on the flowers.
- Soak the bouquet holder: If you're using fresh flowers, soak the bouquet holder in water for about an hour. This step is crucial as it hydrates the foam in the holder, providing a water source for your flowers.
With proper preparation, you'll create a solid foundation for putting together your bridal bouquet.
Now, let's move on to choosing the flowers for your trailing wedding bouquet.
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Creating the cascade shape
Begin with your main flowers
Choose the largest flowers as the stars of the show. Place them in the bouquet holder, with the longest stems in the centre, for a graceful cascade. This will form the base of your bouquet.
Add a touch of greenery
Weave in some trailing greenery, such as ferns or eucalyptus, around the edges. Let them fall a little longer than your main flowers for an effortlessly elegant look. This will add depth and interest to your bouquet.
Sprinkle in accent flowers
Tuck in smaller flowers, such as baby's breath, to fill gaps and add texture. These delicate blooms are like the finishing sparkles to your floral masterpiece. They will enhance the main flowers and add a pop of colour.
Check the balance
Rotate your bouquet as you go, ensuring it looks full and beautiful from every angle. It's all about creating a harmonious blend of colours and textures. You want the bouquet to be well-rounded and balanced, with no side looking sparse.
There is no right or wrong way to arrange the elements. It's your special day, so let your personality shine through your floral choices and have fun with it!
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Adding fillers and final touches
Secure the Bouquet
Carefully wrap floral tape around the stems to keep everything in place and maintain the shape. This is the magic that holds your creation together.
Add Decorative Elements
Personalise your bouquet with ribbons or lace. Wrap them around the stems for a polished look. If you're feeling adventurous, let some ribbons cascade with the flowers for a whimsical touch. You can also add a few strands of silk ribbon to create a dramatic lengthening effect.
Final Touches
Consider including something deeply personal, such as a small photo of a loved one who can't be there or a sentimental charm. These meaningful additions will transform your bouquet into a cherished keepsake. You can also add a small locket with photos or a family heirloom to make it extra special.
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How to assemble a bouquet
Now that you've selected your blooms, you need to assemble them into a beautiful bouquet. Here are the steps to guide you through the process:
Prepare the Flowers and Greenery:
Remove any leaves from the floral stems that will sit below the water line in your bouquet holder. Also, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to increase water absorption and help keep your flowers fresh. If using fresh flowers, don't forget to soak the bouquet holder in water for about an hour to hydrate the foam.
Build the Shape:
Start by building the shape and framework of your bouquet. Stand in front of a mirror to get a better idea of how it will look from the front. Begin with a base of greenery and then add in larger, focal flowers. Continue adding smaller flowers and more greenery, balancing the design as you build.
Add Depth and Dimension:
Pull certain flowers forward to create depth and dimension, emphasizing your focal point flowers. You can also add ornamental pieces near the focal flowers to take your design to the next level.
Secure and Trim the Stems:
Once you're happy with the arrangement, secure the bouquet with a rubber band and then floral tape. Trim the stems to a uniform length, ensuring they are comfortable to hold but not too long that they interfere with your wedding dress.
Encase the Stems:
Use floral tubing to encase the stems and cover any exposed wires, creating a neat and professional finish. Start from the base of the flowers and go about 3/4 of the way up the stems.
Secure with Floral Tape:
Wrap any remaining exposed stems near the base of the bouquet with floral tape to provide extra security and protection.
Create a Handle with Ribbon:
Use a satin ribbon and hot glue it around the base of the bouquet to create a handle. An opaque ribbon is best to hide the glue.
Tie a Bow:
Take two sheer ribbons and tie them in a bow around the bouquet near the handle. Leave some excess ribbon for a flowing, elegant effect. You can experiment with different colours and styles of ribbon to add your own unique touch.
Your trailing wedding bouquet is now ready! Enjoy creating this beautiful arrangement and don't be afraid to experiment and add your personal flair.
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Frequently asked questions
A trailing or cascading bouquet is an arrangement of flowers that cascade or trail down from the bride's hands, creating a natural, trailing effect.
The right combination of primary and accent flowers can turn a simple arrangement into a stunning masterpiece. Primary flowers are usually larger and more striking, while accent flowers enrich and complement the primary flowers by introducing texture, colour variation and depth. Consider the colours, sizes and what they symbolise when choosing your flowers.
First, trim the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area for water absorption. Then, remove excess leaves that might sit below the water line in your bouquet holder. If you're using fresh flowers, soak the bouquet holder in water for about an hour to hydrate the foam.
You will need a sharp pair of floral snips for trimming, and a beautiful ribbon or floral tape. Before you start constructing your bouquet, make sure the flower stems and greenery are prepared. Remove all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. Snip the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle and keep them in a bucket of water as you assemble your bouquet.
Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, thinking about dimension as you go. Stand in front of a mirror while you work so you can see exactly what it looks like from the front. Begin with a base of greenery, then add in larger, focal flowers. Continue to add in smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build. Once you’re happy with it, snip the stems, secure the bouquet with a rubber band and floral tape, and then add your ribbon.
