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

Wedding flower bouquets can be expensive, but they are a great way to make a statement. If you're on a tight budget, a DIY wedding bouquet is a great option. It's not as challenging as it seems and can be achieved with simple materials and a few steps. This paragraph will discuss how to make a wedding flower bouquet, including the benefits of a DIY bouquet, the cost, how to source flowers, the materials needed, and the steps to create a beautiful arrangement. By the end, you'll be able to make a stunning, custom bouquet for your or a loved one's special day.

Choosing your flowers

The flowers you choose for your wedding bouquet are important, and you should select colours and varieties that match your wedding's theme. Traditionally, most flowers in a bridal bouquet are white, with some splashes of pink or other pastel colours. However, you should choose the flowers that you want! If you have a coloured theme to your wedding, a bouquet is a great item to match.

Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want complementary colours to bring some subtle balance to your décor, or would you rather integrate contrasting colours to add drama?

If you're going for a more modern and simple design, you might prefer to use one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers that have a lot of textural interest. For a more garden-style bouquet, you could try five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

The type of flowers you select will also depend on the season of your wedding. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn. You can save money by choosing flowers that are in season.

If you have access to someone's garden, take a look at what's blooming there. If not, you can source flowers from local farms, the grocery store, or online.

Selecting a style

Colour Palette

Consider the colour palette of your wedding and whether you want your bouquet to match or complement it. Traditionally, bridal bouquets feature white as the main colour, with accents of pastel shades like pink. However, you can choose any colour combination that aligns with your theme or personal preference. If you have a coloured theme for your wedding, using similar colours in your bouquet can create a cohesive look for your special day.

Dress Style

The style of your wedding dress should also be taken into account. Think about whether you want your bouquet to be a bold contrast or a subtle complement to your dress. For example, if your dress has intricate details, you might opt for a simpler bouquet, and if your dress is more understated, a vibrant, textured bouquet can add interest to your overall look.

Bouquet Shape

The shape of your bouquet can vary from a classic, tight arrangement to something more whimsical, like a cascading garden-inspired design. If you prefer a modern and minimalist style, a simple bouquet with one to three types of flowers and minimal greenery can be very effective. On the other hand, if you're aiming for a lush, garden-style look, you can use five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery, incorporating different textures and shapes.

Focal Flowers

When selecting your flowers, think about which ones will be the focal points of your bouquet. These are the blooms that will stand out and draw attention. In a bouquet with a clear focal flower, you can use that as a centrepiece and build the rest of the bouquet around it. Alternatively, you can create a more cohesive look by using multiple varieties of flowers without a clear standout.

Seasonal Flowers

Using seasonal flowers is a great way to save money and ensure your flowers are fresh and vibrant. For spring weddings, consider daffodils, peonies, lilacs, or tulips, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are perfect for fall. You can also add a personal touch by including your birth flower or a sentimental colour in your bouquet.

Sourcing flowers

The type of flowers you choose for your DIY wedding bouquet will depend on the style of your wedding dress, your colour palette, and the season. If you have a wedding colour theme, you can match your bouquet to it. Traditionally, bridal bouquets feature white flowers with pastel colours like pink. Popular choices include peonies, roses, lisianthus, and green trick dianthus.

If you want a classic, tight bouquet, you should opt for one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers with a lot of textural interest. For a whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, you can choose five to seven varieties of florals and greenery with different textural and gestural qualities.

Consider whether you want complementary colours for a subtle balance or contrasting colours to add drama. If you have access to someone's garden, you can look at what's blooming there. You can also source flowers from local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets. Ordering flowers in bulk online is another option.

To save money, pick flowers that are in season. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in the fall.

Preparing flowers

The first step in making any bouquet or flower arrangement is to remove all the leaves from the stems. You can do this gently by hand. Be careful not to damage the stems. Do this for all your flowers before moving on to the next step.

Next, you will need to trim the stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle and keep the flowers in a bucket of water as you assemble the bouquet. This will ensure the flowers stay fresh. If you are using tropical blooms during a dry spell, or if temperatures are high, research the best way to keep them vibrant.

Before you start constructing your bouquet, consider your colour palette and the style of your wedding dress. You may want to use complementary colours to create a subtle, balanced look, or you might prefer to use contrasting colours to add drama. If you have a coloured theme to your wedding, you can match the bouquet to this theme.

Now, choose a focal flower. This is the flower that will be the centre of attention within your bouquet. Hold this flower with your fingers near the blossom end.

Finally, before you start to assemble your bouquet, gather your tools. You will need a sharp pair of floral snips or shears (or scissors) and some ribbon or floral tape.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you have selected your flowers and prepared them by removing the leaves and cutting the stems, it's time to assemble your bouquet. The process can be creative and fun, so don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments as you go. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:

Step 1: Create the Base: Start by choosing a base flower for your bouquet. This will be the foundation of your arrangement. Hold the flower near the blossom end, which will be the focal point of your bouquet.

Step 2: Add the Second Flower: Choose a second flower that complements the first one. Add it at an angle, facing towards the left, ensuring that the bloom height matches that of the base flower. This will give your bouquet fullness and balance.

Step 3: Build the Shape: As you continue adding flowers, rotate the bouquet a quarter turn to the right after each addition. This will help you position the next flower diagonally and angled to the left, creating a rounded and well-filled shape. Play with dimension as you go.

Step 4: Incorporate Focal Flowers: After establishing the base and adding some secondary flowers, it's time to add larger, focal flowers. These will be the stars of your bouquet, so place them thoughtfully among the other blooms.

Step 5: Add Smaller Flowers and Greenery: Continue building your bouquet by adding smaller flowers and greenery to fill in the gaps and create a natural, textured look. Balance the design as you work, ensuring that all elements come together harmoniously.

Step 6: Finalize the Bouquet: Once you are happy with the overall look of your bouquet, it's time to secure it. Cut the stems to a comfortable length—about two hand lengths with some extra wiggle room. Use a rubber band to tightly bind the stems together, then wrap floral tape around the stems to hide the rubber band.

Step 7: Embellish with Ribbon: Finish off your bouquet by wrapping a ribbon around the stems. Start with the shiny side of the ribbon facing the stems, then wrap it around, leaving some extra length at the end. Tie a knot and add a bow to complete the look.

Remember, assembling a bouquet is a creative process, so feel free to adjust and experiment until you achieve your desired result. Don't stress over perfection; enjoy the moment of creating something beautiful and unique for your special day.

Frequently asked questions