Creating A Beautiful Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating your own wedding bouquet is a fun and creative way to express yourself on your big day. It can also save you money, as florist fees can be expensive. Making your own bouquet gives you the freedom to customise your arrangement to your liking, and it can be a meaningful activity to do with your family and friends. Whether you're going for a classic, tight bouquet or a whimsical, cascading arrangement, there are a few key steps to follow. First, you'll need to choose your flowers and remove the leaves from the stems. Next, you'll want to pick a focal flower and add additional flowers at an angle to create a rounded shape. You can then add filler flowers and tie the stems together. Finally, you'll wrap the stems with floral tape and ribbon to create a handle.

How to Make a Wedding Bouquet

Choosing flowers and colours

Choosing the flowers and colours for your wedding bouquet is an important part of the wedding planning process. It can be an overwhelming decision, but there are several things to consider that will help you make the right choice.

Firstly, it is important to consider the style and colour of your wedding dress. The bouquet should complement the dress, not distract from it. If your dress is white, any colour will work, but a matching white bouquet with lush green foliage is a beautiful option. For an ivory dress, peach, orange and pink flowers are a great choice. If your dress is coloured, try flowers in varying shades of the same colour or opt for a complementary colour. The size of the bouquet is also important—a simple dress can be paired with a single stem, while a more detailed dress suits a larger bouquet with mixed flowers.

The shape of the bouquet is another key consideration. If the feature detail of your dress is on the skirt, avoid a trailing bouquet, but if you have a long train, a more dramatic bouquet can help balance the look. The bouquet should also be narrower than your waist to avoid hiding it.

Seasonality is another important factor. In-season flowers are typically more affordable and of better quality. They also complement the time period of your wedding—for example, bright pastel colours for a spring wedding or dark greenery, red roses and white flowers for a winter wedding.

Your wedding theme and colour palette will also influence your choice of flowers. For a whimsical garden wedding, bright sunflowers and wildflowers are a good choice, while a classic ballroom affair might call for elegant roses and lilies in soft pastels. You can play with shades and tones to create a nuanced look, and incorporating greenery adds a natural touch.

Finally, don't forget to consider the size and weight of the bouquet. You don't want something that will be uncomfortable to carry or that will cover up beautiful details on your dress.

Selecting tools and materials

Selecting the right tools and materials is essential for creating a beautiful and long-lasting DIY wedding bouquet. Here are the key items you will need:

Flowers and Greenery

Choose flowers that reflect your style and vision for the wedding. Consider the colour palette, the season, and the overall aesthetic. Pick flowers that are in season to ensure freshness and affordability. Select a mix of focal flowers (larger blooms), secondary flowers (smaller blooms), and filler flowers (tiny blooms or clusters) to create visual interest and depth. Some popular choices include roses, peonies, lilies, hydrangeas, ranunculus, and dahlias.

Floral Scissors or Sharp Snips

You will need a sharp pair of floral scissors or snips to cut the flower stems without crushing them. Using regular kitchen scissors can damage the stems and affect the vase life of the flowers.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is crucial for securing the stems together and creating a sturdy base for your bouquet. It is flexible and conforms to the shape of the bouquet, providing a strong foundation.

Ribbon or Lace

Ribbon or lace adds a decorative touch to your bouquet. Choose a colour and texture that complements your flowers. Cut the ribbon to a suitable length, allowing for a bow or knot, and secure it with floral wire or tape.

Pins or Corsage Pins

These are essential for securing the ribbon in place and adding any extra embellishments, such as a brooch or charm.

Floral Wire or Twine

Floral wire or twine is used to wrap around the stems for added support and structure. It can also be used to secure the ribbon in place.

Floral Foam and Floral Preservative (Optional)

Floral foam is optional and can be used to arrange the flowers if needed. A floral preservative can be mixed with water to help extend the life of your bouquet.

With these tools and materials, you will be well-equipped to create a stunning and personalized DIY wedding bouquet that reflects your unique style and vision for your special day.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you have your flowers and tools ready, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Start by building the shape and framework of your bouquet. Stand in front of a mirror to get a clear idea of what the front of the bouquet looks like.
• Choose a focal flower, which will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. Hold the flower near the blossom end.
• Add the next flower at an angle, facing towards the left, ensuring that the bloom is at the same height as the focal flower.
• Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet a quarter turn to the right each time. This will position the bouquet for the next flower to be added diagonally and angled leftward.
• Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, insert some filler flowers, usually smaller, green flowers, in between the larger flowers. Ensure that you put all the filler flowers in at the same angle to maintain symmetry.
• Tie the flowers together with a rubber band or floral wire. You can also use floral tape, which professionals prefer as it sticks to itself and doesn't damage delicate stems.
• Cut the stems, leaving enough room for the bouquet to be held comfortably.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape, starting from the top and moving downwards. Leave some space at the bottom to maintain the natural look of the bouquet.
• Add a ribbon by placing the shiny side of the ribbon against the stems and wrapping the rest around them. Leave some ribbon at the end to tie a knot and create a bow.
• Tie a knot with the remaining ribbon to secure the bouquet.

Your DIY wedding bouquet is now ready!

Adding finishing touches

Adding the Finishing Touches

Now that your bouquet is almost complete, it's time to add some final flourishes to make it truly special. Here are some ideas to elevate your bouquet and give it a professional finish:

Ribbon

Adding a ribbon to your bouquet is a great way to elevate your design and add a polished finish. Choose a ribbon that complements your colour scheme and wraps neatly around the stems. You can tie it in a bow, leaving a fair amount of excess for a flowing, elegant effect. Alternatively, you could try a single loop or experiment with multiple loops and different colours. Using hot glue can help to secure the ribbon in place and create a neat handle.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is essential for securing your bouquet and giving it a smooth, professional finish. It sticks to itself and not to anything else, so it won't damage delicate stems. Start wrapping the tape firmly from the bottom of the blooms and continue down the stems. Finish off by wrapping floral tape just over the size of one hand to keep the bouquet's natural look.

Wire

Floral wire can be used to secure the stems of your bouquet, especially if you're using delicate flowers that need extra support. Wrap the wire tightly around the stems in two or three places to hold them together.

Charms

Adding a charm to your bouquet can lend a unique and interesting element to your arrangement. You could choose something vintage or new, or even use it as a way to honour a loved one who can't be with you on your special day.

Birth Flowers

Integrating the bloom associated with your birth month into your bouquet is a wonderful way to make it unique to you. Alternatively, you could honour a loved one by adding a flower from their birth month.

Sentimental Colours

Adding a sentimental or beloved colour to your bouquet is another way to infuse meaning into your flower selection. Whether it's your favourite colour or that of your partner's, it will make your bouquet even more special.

With these finishing touches, your DIY wedding bouquet will be truly stunning and unique. Enjoy creating something beautiful and don't stress over perfection—flowers are very resilient!

Cost-saving tips

Creating your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money. Here are some tips to keep the costs down:

• Pick seasonal flowers – choosing flowers that are in season will help you save money. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs and tulips are in season in spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in fall.
• Buy from a local grocery store or flower market – you can often get a great deal on flowers at your local grocery store or flower market. You'll likely only spend around $25, compared to $250 for a florist-crafted bouquet.
• Keep it simple – you can create a beautiful bouquet with just a few blooms. Opt for a classic, tight bouquet with one to three varieties of florals and very little to no greenery.
• Use flowers from a friend's garden – if you have access to a friend's garden, you can save money by using the flowers that are in bloom.
• Buy in bulk online – if you don't have access to a garden, you can buy flowers in bulk online.
• Time it right – if you're making your own bouquet, create it the day before the wedding so that the blooms are at their best.
• Skip the florist ribbon – instead of buying a florist ribbon, you can use a beautiful ribbon that you already own or find an affordable option at a craft store.
• Borrow tools – you will need a sharp pair of floral snips for trimming. If you don't already have some, see if you can borrow some from a friend or family member.
• Get creative – add a unique touch to your bouquet by incorporating your birth flower or a sentimental colour. You could also add a charm that holds a special meaning for you.

Frequently asked questions