Creating A Unique Wedding Bouquet With Buttons And Brooches

A wedding bouquet made from brooches, buttons, and other materials is a unique and eye-catching alternative to a traditional flower bouquet. This type of bouquet is a great option for brides who want a non-floral arrangement that carries emotional value. By incorporating vintage jewellery and other decorative items, you can create a one-of-a-kind bouquet that will be a lasting memento of your special day. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to make your own wedding bouquet using brooches, buttons, and other materials. From gathering supplies to assembling your bouquet, we will provide tips and tricks to ensure your DIY project is a success.

Choosing your materials

Brooches and Jewellery:

Start by collecting a variety of brooches and other jewellery pieces such as earrings, necklace pendants, rings, and hair accessories. You can mix and match different types of jewellery to create a unique and personalised bouquet. Consider the colour scheme and try to collect pieces that roughly fit within that colour palette. You can also add special items like Scrabble tiles with the initials of the couple or a watch if the bride isn't wearing one.

The number of brooches and jewellery pieces you'll need will depend on the size of your bouquet and the diameter of the pieces. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 50-80 pieces in total. You can source these items from family heirlooms, craft stores, or online platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Amazon. If you're on a budget, try shopping at clearance sections of stores or buying wholesale brooches.

Base and Stems:

For the bouquet's base, you have a few options. You can use a pre-made bouquet holder, which typically includes a caged floral foam ball mounted on a handle. Alternatively, you can create your own base using styrofoam and a wooden dowel, which you can spray paint in a metallic colour. Another creative option is to use a foam noodle bath toy and cut it to the desired length.

To create stems for your brooches, you'll need green floral wire. Cut the wire into pieces, with two wires for each brooch and an extra pair for larger brooches. You can also use florist stub wires.

Embellishments:

To add extra flair to your bouquet, consider incorporating some silk flowers, such as a large hydrangea or other flowers in your chosen colour scheme. These flowers will help fill out the bouquet and protect your brooches from rubbing against each other. You can also use fabric flowers or book page flowers for a unique touch.

Ribbon is another essential material for wrapping the stems and creating an elegant handle. Choose a colour that complements your colour scheme. You can also use tulle or fabric to add softness and texture to your bouquet.

Lastly, don't forget to gather the necessary tools for assembly, such as needle-nosed pliers, wire clippers, and a hot glue gun with glue sticks.

With these materials and a bit of creativity, you'll be well on your way to crafting a stunning and personalised wedding bouquet!

Making the base

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary materials and tools. For the base, you will specifically need a bouquet holder or a foam block, which will serve as the foundation of your bouquet. Additionally, you will need items such as green floral wire, a glue gun, ribbon, and, optionally, a large silk flower, such as a hydrangea.

Step 2: Prepare the Bouquet Holder

If you have chosen to use a bouquet holder, you may want to customise it to match your colour scheme. In a well-ventilated area, spray paint the bouquet holder and allow it to dry thoroughly. This step can be skipped if you are satisfied with the colour of your holder or if you are using a foam block.

Step 3: Create the Stem

Now, you will create the "stem" of your bouquet. If you opted for a bouquet holder, attach a wooden dowel to the holder using an adhesive such as E6000 glue. Allow this to dry for 24 to 36 hours to ensure a secure bond. If you are using a foam block, you can skip this step.

Step 4: Wrap the Stem

Once the glue is completely dry, wrap the stem with ribbon to create an attractive and comfortable handle. Secure the ribbon with hot glue or super glue, ensuring that it does not come loose. You can also add extra embellishments to the stem, such as pearls or beads, for a more personalised touch.

Step 5: Finalise the Base

As a final touch, you may want to add some silk flowers or other decorative elements to your base. This will help fill out the bouquet and protect your brooches and other jewellery from rubbing against each other. Simply insert the stems of the silk flowers into the foam or arrange them around your bouquet holder. Now, your base is complete and ready for the addition of brooches, buttons, and other decorative pieces!

Attaching the buttons, brooches and baubles

Now that you have gathered your materials and tools, it's time to start assembling your bouquet! Here are the steps to attach the buttons, brooches, and baubles securely and create a beautiful arrangement:

• Prepare your materials: Before you begin, ensure that all your materials are ready. This includes your collection of buttons, brooches, and baubles, as well as the necessary tools such as wire, glue, and any additional decorations.
• Create stems for your embellishments: Take each button, brooch, or bauble and attach a length of wire to it to create a stem. You can do this by threading the wire through the clasp or wrapping it around the front of the piece. Make sure the wire is secure and won't slip off. You may need to use glue or pliers to secure the wire in place, especially for delicate pieces.
• Arrange your stems: Once you have created stems for all your embellishments, it's time to arrange them. You can start by inserting the stems into your chosen bouquet base, such as a foam block or a bouquet holder. Play around with the arrangement until you are happy with the composition and overall shape of the bouquet.
• Secure the stems: Once you have your desired arrangement, it's important to secure the stems in place. You can do this by wrapping the stems together with floral tape or by using glue to hold them in place within the bouquet base. Make sure that the stems are firmly attached and won't slip or move around.
• Add additional decorations: If you wish, you can add extra decorations to your bouquet. This could include silk flowers, ribbons, or other embellishments. For example, you could wrap the stems with ribbon to create a beautiful handle, or you could add some silk flowers among the buttons, brooches, and baubles to add texture and colour.
• Final touches: Take a step back and examine your bouquet. Make any final adjustments, such as trimming the stems to the desired length or adding extra glue or tape to ensure everything is secure. Your bouquet should now be ready to be displayed or carried with pride!

Wrapping the handle

• Start at the top of the handle and criss-cross the ribbon or fabric down the handle.
• Criss-cross the ribbon or fabric back up the handle.
• Secure the ribbon or fabric in place with some pearl pins, a hot glue gun, or a few little stitches.
• You could also add some little crystal beads or pearls down the handle to finish it off.

If you're using a bouquet holder, you can also glue a strip of ribbon to the very top of the stem bunch, bouquet holder, or foam noodle. Then, wrap the ribbon in a circular motion around the bouquet. When you get to the bottom, you can wrap the bottom with ribbon vertically and rewrap it horizontally, or you can leave the stems showing for 1/2 inch to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm). Place a strip of super glue at the end of your ribbon and tuck the end inside the other bands of ribbon at the top.

Embellishing the bouquet

Now that you have your bouquet, you can add some finishing touches to make it even more special. Here are some ideas to embellish your bouquet:

• Add some sparkle: You can add some sparkle to your bouquet by incorporating crystals, pearls, or silk rose petals. Just remember to use these elements sparingly, as a little goes a long way. Silver brooches can also be quite harsh, so consider opting for an antique finish or slightly tarnished look to add to the vintage feel.
• Wrap the handle: Wrapping the handle of your bouquet can be tricky, but it's worth it to create a seamless finish. You can use ribbon or fabric, starting at the top and criss-crossing it down, then back up again. Secure it with pearl pins, a hot glue gun, or even a few stitches to ensure it doesn't come undone. You could also add some crystal beads or pearls down the handle for extra glamour.
• Add extra embellishments: If you want to go even further, you can wrap the base of your bouquet with a necklace or sew on some pearls. You could also incorporate other types of jewellery, such as clip-on earrings, necklace pendants, or hair accessories, as these can look very similar to brooches when placed in the bouquet.
• Choose quality over quantity: While it may be tempting to fill your bouquet with lots of large brooches, a smaller bouquet with carefully selected, unique pieces will look far more elegant and age well over time. Scour charity shops and boot sales for vintage finds that have a history behind them, adding a touch of magic to your bouquet.
• Incorporate colour: If you want your bouquet to pop against your all-white wedding dress, consider adding some colour. You could style your bouquet in one or more of your wedding hues, such as blue, pink, or purple, for a bold and sparkling statement.

Frequently asked questions