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

Flowers are a staple at weddings, but they can be expensive. If you're looking for an alternative to a classic flower bouquet, consider making a wedding fan bouquet. This option is sustainable, long-lasting, and can be reused after your big day.

To make a wedding fan bouquet, you'll need flowers and greenery of your choice, ribbons, and some essential tools like floral snips and glue. You can also add personal touches, such as your birth flower or a sentimental colour.

If you're unsure where to start, there are various online tutorials to guide you through the process, ensuring your wedding journey is meaningful and your bouquet is truly unique.

Choosing your flowers

If you're going for a modern and simple design, consider using fewer varieties of flowers (one to three) and very little to no greenery. This will create a sleek, elegant bouquet. If you prefer a more whimsical, garden-inspired look, you can use multiple varieties of flowers and greenery to create a cascading arrangement.

When choosing your flowers, consider the time of year and what is in season. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best for fall. You can also add in your birth flower or a sentimental colour to make your bouquet unique and meaningful.

For a fan bouquet, you will also need to consider the structure and shape of the flowers and greenery. Look for flowers with interesting textures and gestural qualities that will add depth and dimension to your bouquet. You can experiment with different placements and pull certain flowers forward to create a natural, full look.

Some popular flower choices for wedding fan bouquets include dried grasses, pampas grass, ostrich feathers, peacock feathers, and faux flowers. You can also incorporate beads, rhinestones, and other decorative elements to add a special touch.

Remember to choose flowers that reflect your personal style and that will complement your overall wedding aesthetic.

Assembly

Begin by preparing your flowers and greenery. Remove the flowers from their box and straighten the stems. Take your greenery spray and separate the branches, ensuring the leaves radiate outwards for a natural look.

Now, you can start to assemble your bouquet. Insert the flowers into the greenery, one by one, in a circular direction to create a globe-like shape. Place larger flowers towards the centre and smaller, accent flowers around the edges. Experiment with the placement of the flowers and don't be afraid to remove and try again if you're not happy.

Once you've added all your flowers, pull certain blooms forward to create depth and dimension, emphasising the focal-point flowers. Then, add any ornamental pieces from your floral box set near these focal blooms.

Next, tidy up the stems. Tie a piece of wire around them and trim any excess with wire cutters. Cut the stems to a uniform length, ensuring they are comfortable to hold but not so long that they interfere with your wedding dress.

To protect your hands and create a professional finish, encase the stems in floral tubing. Insert 2-3 stems inside the tubing, covering any stray wires and keeping the bouquet neat and organised.

Finally, conceal any remaining exposed stems with green floral tape, wrapping from where the floral tubing ends to the base of the bouquet.

Adding a personal touch

Choose meaningful flowers

Select flowers that hold a special significance to you and your partner. This could be your birth flowers, or flowers that match the colour scheme of the bridal party's dresses or the overall wedding theme. You could also incorporate flowers that are traditionally associated with the season you're getting married in.

Add a personal charm

Include a small charm in your bouquet that holds sentimental value. This could be a vintage trinket or something new and sparkly. It's a lovely way to honour a loved one or add a personal touch that's unique to you.

Experiment with colour

Incorporate a sentimental colour into your bouquet. Whether it's your favourite colour, your partner's, or a combination of both, adding a pop of colour that holds meaning for you is a beautiful way to make your bouquet more personal.

Get creative with ribbons

Ribbons can add a polished finishing touch to your bouquet. Try using an opaque ribbon to hide any glue, and reserve sheer ribbons for a final flourish. You could also experiment with different colours and accents, or even glue on a meaningful message or quote.

Mix and match

Don't be afraid to break the rules when it comes to the number of stems or types of flowers in your bouquet. If you feel like adding an extra stem or including a particular flower that holds meaning for you, go for it! It's your special day, so let your creativity shine through.

Involve your guests

Involve your guests in your special day by creating a unique hashtag for them to use when sharing photos on social media. You could also create a custom colouring book for the kids' table, sharing your love story in a fun, interactive way.

Remember, your wedding fan bouquet is a reflection of you and your partner, so feel free to get creative and make it truly your own!

Finishing touches

Now that your fan bouquet is assembled, it's time to add the final flourishes. Here are some ideas to elevate your design and give it a polished look:

Ribbons and Handles

Add a satin ribbon in your chosen colour and secure it with hot glue around the base of the bouquet to create a handle. You can also tie a bow with a single or multiple loops using two ribbons near the handle. This adds a flowing, elegant touch to your fan bouquet. Opt for an opaque ribbon to hide the glue, and reserve sheer ribbons for the bow.

Ornamental Pieces

Enhance your bouquet by adding small ornamental pieces, such as dried flowers, beads, or crystals. Place them near the focal flowers to create a stunning visual effect.

Floral Tubing and Tape

To give your bouquet a professional finish, use floral tubing to cover any exposed wires and keep the stems neat and organised. Then, wrap the base of the bouquet with green floral tape to conceal any remaining exposed stems and secure the bouquet.

Engravings and Personalised Details

Add a unique touch to your fan bouquet by engraving your names, the wedding date, or a meaningful message on the fan. You can also personalise the ribbon colour, crystal colours, or even add accents to the middle of the bow.

Fan Wall Decorations

If you're feeling creative, go beyond the bouquet and incorporate fans into your wedding decor. Consider a giant bamboo folding fan as a wall decoration or backdrop, or opt for classic party fans in different sizes and colours to create a vibrant, festive atmosphere.

Remember, your fan bouquet is a reflection of your creativity and style. Don't be afraid to experiment and add those special finishing touches that make it uniquely yours!

Cost-saving measures

Making your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money, as much of the cost of a professionally crafted bouquet comes from the labour involved. Here are some tips for creating a cost-effective wedding fan bouquet:

• Choose in-season flowers – Using flowers that are in season will help to reduce costs. For example, if you're having a spring wedding, choose from blooms such as daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips.
• Select affordable flowers – Opt for less expensive flowers as your central wedding flower, such as baby's breath, carnations, or alstroemeria. You can also mix and match pricier flowers with more affordable options, like baby's breath.
• Go green – Greenery is a great way to fill out your bouquet and save money. However, it can still be expensive, so consider using pampas grass or spray-painted greenery as a cheaper alternative.
• Keep it simple – Stick to just a few types of flowers in your bouquet to save money. Single-flower bouquets can be elegant and cost-effective.
• DIY – Creating your own bouquet can save you a significant amount of money. Order flowers wholesale and assemble the bouquets yourself, or with the help of crafty friends.
• Buy in bulk – If you're making multiple bouquets, buying flowers in bulk can help reduce costs.
• Choose a green venue – Opting for an outdoor or indoor-outdoor wedding at a garden venue can provide natural floral decorations, saving you money on flowers.
• Shop around – Compare prices from different florists and try to bargain. Ask about any discounts for bulk purchases.
• Succulents – Consider using succulents or cacti as a cheaper and unique alternative to flowers.
• Focus on the bridal bouquet – If you want to make a statement, allocate most of your flower budget to the bridal bouquet and reduce costs on other areas, such as table arrangements and bridesmaid flowers.

Frequently asked questions