Make Your Wedding Bouquet Shine: Simple Tricks For Beginners

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. It can also be a cost-effective option, as the labour involved in arranging a bouquet can significantly increase its price. In this guide, we will cover everything from choosing the right flowers and materials to assembling and customising your bouquet, so you can make a stunning arrangement that shines as bright as you do on your wedding day.

Choose a colour scheme: a single colour or bold contrasts will make your bouquet stand out

When creating a wedding bouquet, choosing a colour scheme is essential to making your bouquet stand out. Opting for a single colour or bold contrasts will make a statement and catch your guests' eyes as you walk down the aisle.

If you want to create an elegant and sophisticated look, consider a monochromatic colour scheme. This involves choosing one colour and incorporating different shades of it throughout your bouquet. For example, you could use varying shades of pink or white flowers, adding in some greenery for contrast. This will create a cohesive and elegant look that is pleasing to the eye.

On the other hand, if you want your bouquet to truly pop, go for bold colour contrasts. Pair bright, deep purples with soft yellows, or vibrant reds with gentle whites. This will create a striking visual element that is sure to turn heads. You could also try pairing blues and pinks, or whites and oranges for a modern and exotic look.

When choosing your colour scheme, consider the style of your wedding dress and the overall theme of your wedding. You may want your bouquet to complement your dress, or you may prefer a contrasting bouquet that adds a pop of colour. If you're having other flowers at your wedding, such as centrepieces, consider coordinating your bouquet with those as well.

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different colour combinations. You can also add in greenery to soften the bouquet and give it a fresh, natural feel. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to flower colours, so let your personality shine through!

Pick your flowers: fresh, dried, or faux flowers all have pros and cons

Picking the right flowers for your wedding bouquet is essential to making it shine. You can choose from fresh, dried, or faux flowers, each with its pros and cons.

Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding bouquets and offer a vibrant and natural look. They can be more challenging to work with, as they require careful handling and hydration to stay fresh and beautiful throughout your special day. The cost of fresh flowers can also vary depending on the season and availability. For example, peonies and tulips are in high demand during certain times of the year, making them more expensive, while flowers like hydrangeas, which are grown in greenhouses all year round, are usually more affordable. If you opt for fresh flowers, consider hardy stem varieties like roses, carnations, and delphiniums, which are long-lasting and easier to arrange.

Dried flowers are an on-trend choice and offer a wide range of colours and textures. They are a more sustainable option and eliminate the worry of wilting. However, dried flowers can sometimes appear static and lack movement. To counteract this, you can add dried grasses and delicate textures to your bouquet or mix dried flowers with fresh blooms.

Faux flowers, or artificial flowers, are a practical choice and have the advantage of longevity. They offer a wide range of colour options and can be a more cost-effective alternative to fresh flowers. High-quality silk flowers or artificial wildflowers can look incredibly realistic, so investing in good-quality faux flowers is recommended. With faux flowers, you have the freedom to create a unique and everlasting bouquet, as you are not limited by seasonal availability.

Whether you choose fresh, dried, or faux flowers for your wedding bouquet, each option presents a unique set of benefits and considerations. By taking into account the style, colour scheme, and overall theme of your wedding, you can make an informed decision that will help your bouquet shine and complement your special day.

Prepare your flowers: trim stems, remove leaves, and soak the bouquet holder

Preparing your flowers is a crucial step in creating a beautiful wedding bouquet. Here's a detailed guide to help you with this process:

Trim the Stems:

Use a sharp pair of floral snips or wire cutters to cut the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle. This specific angle is important because it increases the surface area for water absorption, helping your flowers stay fresh for a longer period. Leave the stems slightly longer than you need as you can always trim them shorter later.

Remove Leaves:

Strip off any leaves from the stems that might sit below the waterline in your bouquet holder. This step helps to reduce clutter and ensures that the flowers remain the focal point. If you're using greenery, you may want to keep some leaves for a natural effect, but generally, it's advisable to remove most leaves from the stems.

Soak the Bouquet Holder:

If you're using fresh flowers, it's essential to soak the bouquet holder. Immerse it 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 to stay hydrated throughout your wedding day.

With these preparation steps completed, your flowers will be ready for the next stages of bouquet assembly. Remember to be mindful of the timing of your preparations, keeping the flowers fresh and hydrated, and always enjoy the creative process of crafting your unique wedding bouquet.

Assemble your bouquet: add flowers, greenery, and accents, rotating as you go for a balanced look

When assembling your bouquet, it's important to rotate as you go to ensure a balanced look from every angle. This is how you do it:

Start by building the shape and framework of your bouquet, thinking about dimension as you go. Stand in front of a mirror to see what it looks like from the front. Choose 2-4 flowers to be the "base" of your bouquet. You can use a mirror to help you assemble the bouquet and see what it looks like from the front. Start with a base of one or two main flowers, then add in larger, focal flowers. You can use larger flowers like roses or peonies as focal points. Continue to add in smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build.

Add layers gradually, rotating the bouquet slightly with each addition to ensure even distribution. Pull certain flowers forward to create depth and dimension. Try to pull your focal point flowers forward to emphasise them more. When you're happy with the shape and size of your bouquet, it's time to lock it in place. Wrap with floral tape, starting just below the flower heads and moving downward. Reinforce with floral wire for added stability, especially if you have a large bouquet.

Secure your bouquet: use floral tape, wire, and ribbon to hold the stems together

To secure your bouquet, you will need floral tape, wire, and ribbon. You may also need a hot glue gun.

First, take your floral tape and wrap it around the stems of the bouquet. This will help to hold the stems together and maintain the shape of the bouquet. Begin wrapping the stems about one inch from the flower heads, and move downward, covering the exposed stems.

Next, you can reinforce the bouquet with floral wire. Wrap the wire around the stems, beneath the floral tape, for added stability. This is especially important if you have a large bouquet.

Now, take your ribbon and cover the floral tape and wire. Start at the top of the stems, near the flowers, and work your way down, securing the ribbon with a hot glue gun at the base. You can use any type of ribbon, but an opaque ribbon will hide the glue better than a sheer one.

Finally, you can add any decorative elements, such as pearls, beads, or a meaningful charm, to the stems.

Frequently asked questions