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

A wedding bouquet is an important part of a bridal ensemble, and making your own can be a fun and creative way to express yourself on your big day. Whether you opt for a classic dome shape or something more whimsical, creating your own bouquet is a chance to add a personal touch to your wedding. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make a beautiful bouquet, from choosing your flowers to assembling and securing them, and adding the finishing touches.

Choosing flowers and colours

Choosing the right flowers and colours for your wedding bouquet ball is a crucial step in the process of making one. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect combination:

Choose Flowers that Complement Your Wedding Dress and Colour Palette:

Start by considering the style of your wedding dress and your chosen colour scheme. Do you want to go for complementary colours that will create a subtle, balanced look, or do you prefer a bolder statement with contrasting hues? Think about whether you want your bouquet to blend seamlessly with your dress, or if you want it to be a vibrant focal point.

Select Flowers that Fit Your Wedding Season:

Take into account the season in which your wedding will take place. For spring weddings, consider flowers like daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips, which are in season during this time. Chrysanthemums and dahlias, on the other hand, are perfect for fall nuptials. Choosing flowers that are in season can also help you stay within your budget.

Decide on the Style of Your Bouquet:

Are you envisioning a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical like a cascading arrangement? The style you choose will guide your flower selection. For a modern and simple design, Caroline Eells, the founder and lead designer of Passiflora Studio, recommends using one to three varieties of florals, minimal greenery, and flowers with textural interest. In contrast, a garden-style bouquet calls for five to seven floral varieties, a mix of greenery, and flowers with different textures and gestural qualities.

Pick a Focal Flower:

Select a flower that will be the centre of attention within your bouquet. This could be a light pink peony, an avalanche rose, or any other flower that speaks to you and fits your colour scheme. This focal flower will be the starting point for the rest of your bouquet.

Add Accent Flowers and Filler Flowers:

Choose smaller, accent flowers in complementary or contrasting colours to place around your focal flower. These will add pops of colour and interest. Additionally, consider adding filler flowers, which are usually small, green flowers that give a natural, lush look to your bouquet.

Experiment with Different Combinations:

Don't be afraid to play around with different flower placements. If you don't like how a certain flower looks in one spot, try moving it to another location within the bouquet. This is your chance to get creative and experiment until you achieve a combination that makes you happy.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing flowers and colours for your wedding bouquet ball. Let your personal style and preferences guide you, and don't be afraid to break traditional rules if it feels right for your special day!

Preparing the flowers

The first step in preparing your flowers is to remove all the leaves from the stems. This can be done by hand or with a special machine if you have access to one. Be gentle to avoid damaging the stems.

Next, use your hands or a stem stripper to remove any excess foliage, thorns, and damaged or unattractive outer petals. If you're using roses and want to force the blooms open, place the stems in a bucket of hot water for a couple of minutes. However, don't do this too far in advance, or you might kill the flowers.

Then, fill a sink or bucket with water and cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom, while holding them underwater. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds, and then place the stems in a bucket of cool water until you're ready to use them. Keep the stems long while you work, and only trim them to a shorter length when you've finished constructing the bouquet.

If you're making a bouquet with a dome shape, you'll need around 30 to 60 stems for the bride and 20 to 40 for each bridesmaid bouquet. It's best to stick to hardier flowers like roses, which are easier to arrange and can withstand some handling.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you've gathered your flowers and materials, it's time to start assembling your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful and elegant wedding bouquet ball:

• Start by selecting four flowers that will form the centre of your bouquet. Choose flowers with sturdy stems, such as roses, and ensure they are at an even height to create a square shape. These flowers will be the focal point of your arrangement.
• With your first four flowers in hand, continue adding flowers around the centre flowers one by one. Build the shape and framework of your bouquet, thinking about dimension as you go. Stand in front of a mirror to get a better idea of how the bouquet looks from the front.
• As you add more flowers, rotate the bouquet a quarter turn to the right each time. This will ensure that the bouquet remains symmetrical. Add larger flowers towards the centre and smaller accent flowers around the edges to create a globe-like shape.
• Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, insert some filler flowers, usually smaller, green flowers, between the larger flowers. This will give your bouquet a natural look. Ensure that you insert these filler flowers at the same angle to maintain symmetry.
• When you are happy with your bouquet, it's time to secure the flowers in place. Tie a tight knot at the highest point of the stems that you can reach. This will ensure that your flowers stay together and look neat.
• Cut off any excess string so that it is not visible when the bouquet is being held. You can also use floral tape or a rubber band to bind the stems together, about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads.
• Trim the stems to the same length, leaving them long enough to be held comfortably. A good guideline is to measure two hand lengths from the string, then add about 3 extra centimetres.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape or ribbon to give your bouquet a polished look. Start by wrapping the tape or ribbon from the top of the stems downwards, covering any exposed wires or stray ends. Leave about 40 centimetres of ribbon at the end for tying a bow.
• Tie a knot or a bow to finish off your bouquet. You can also add a separate length of ribbon to create a bow, placed just beneath the flower heads.
• Mist the flower heads and keep the bare stems in water for as long as possible to ensure they remain fresh and vibrant.

Securing the bouquet

Now that you have assembled your bouquet, it's time to secure it. This will ensure that your bouquet stays intact and doesn't fall apart as you walk down the aisle. Here are the steps to secure your bouquet:

Use a rubber band 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 help keep the flowers in place. Repeat the binding process towards the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem beneath the bind. You can trim the stems to the desired length later.

If you prefer, you can place the stems in water and wrap them later. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

Cut the stems to the desired length, usually about 7 to 8 inches long. This will ensure that the bouquet is comfortable to hold and doesn't interfere with your wedding dress. Use a paper towel to dry off the stems before proceeding.

Cut a length of ribbon, approximately three times the length of the stems. You can choose a ribbon colour that complements your bouquet and wedding theme. Tuck the end of the ribbon inside the top bind and start wrapping it in a spiral down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap the ribbon back up the stem in a spiral motion.

At the top, tuck the cut end of the ribbon underneath and secure it with a couple of pins. Push the pins through the ribbon and into the stems to hold it in place. If you wish to add a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it just beneath the flower heads.

Your bouquet is now secured and ready to be displayed! Keep in mind that you can always add your own creative touches to make it unique and personalised.

Finishing the handle

Now for the finishing touches! This is where the ribbon comes in, adding a flourish to your bouquet and making it easier to hold.

First, cut the stems so they are all the same length, about 7 to 8 inches long. Dry the stems with a paper towel. Cut a length of ribbon about three times as long as the length of the stems. Tuck the end of the ribbon inside the top bind and start wrapping it in a spiral down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap it in a spiral back up the stem. At the top, tuck the cut end of the ribbon underneath and secure it with a couple of pins pushed through the ribbon and into the stems. If you want a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it just beneath the flower heads.

You can also use a satin ribbon in your choice of colour to create a handle. Hot glue the ribbon around the base of your bouquet. This will create a "handle" and give your bouquet a polished finishing touch. Use an opaque ribbon to hide the glue better. Sheer ribbons are better reserved for tying a bow.

Frequently asked questions