Creating A Fresh Flower Wedding Garland

Wedding garlands are a versatile and beautiful addition to any wedding ceremony or reception. They can be draped over arches, chairs, tables, doors, and even getaway cars. Whether you're crafting a garland for a wedding or any other festive occasion, it's important to understand the cultural significance and traditions associated with garlands. Indian weddings, for example, have a deep cultural connection with garlands, known as varmala, which symbolize the union and acceptance of the bride and groom.

Creating a wedding garland can be a fun and cost-effective project, and you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make one using fresh flowers and foliage. In this guide, we will explore the steps to make a stunning wedding garland, choosing the right flowers, and essential tips for maintenance and preservation. So, get your creative juices flowing, and let's dive into the world of wedding garland-making!

Choosing flowers: Select fresh flowers with cultural significance

Flowers are a key part of wedding decor, and choosing flowers with cultural significance can add a layer of personalisation to your special day. When selecting fresh flowers for your wedding garland, consider the following:

Roses

Roses are perhaps the most popular and romantic flower, and their symbolism varies depending on colour and age. Red roses symbolise beauty, love, romance, and courage, while red rosebuds represent purity and beauty. If you want to express love at first sight, opt for thornless red roses. Orange roses convey desire, fascination, and sensuality, while peach roses express gratitude and genuine feelings. Yellow roses signify joy, friendship, and new beginnings. Light pink roses stand for admiration, while dark pink roses show appreciation and gratitude. White roses, often used in bridal bouquets, symbolise purity, innocence, and secrecy.

Peonies

Peonies are one of the most popular wedding flowers worldwide, boasting large blooms in an array of pinks and purples. They symbolise good luck, empathy, wealth, romance, honour, and a long marriage, making them an excellent choice for any wedding celebration.

Ranunculus

Commonly known as buttercups, ranunculus is a ruffled bloom that comes in yellow, pink, orange, red, and purple hues. They are often associated with children and symbolise friendship, joy, youth, happiness, charm, and attraction, making them ideal for young couples in love.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, with their voluminous blooms, have inspired artists, musicians, and writers. According to Japanese mythology, they represent heartfelt emotion and gratitude for acceptance or understanding. Legend tells of a Japanese emperor who showered the family of his true love with hydrangeas to apologise for neglecting them due to his duties. Pink hydrangeas are said to best represent heartfelt gratitude, while blue hydrangeas symbolise frigidity, and white hydrangeas stand for boasting.

Calla Lilies

Calla lilies are intriguing flowers, often used in both weddings and funerals. They are said to represent youth and fertility, as well as death. According to Greek legend, they originated from the drops that fell to the ground as Hera nursed young Hercules.

These are just a few examples of the cultural significance of fresh flowers for wedding garlands. You can also explore the meanings of other flowers, such as dahlias, daisies, lilies of the valley, baby's breath, and bells of Ireland, to create a wedding garland that truly reflects your cultural traditions and personal sentiments.

Preparing flowers: Hydrate and trim flowers to maintain freshness

Preparing flowers is an important step in maintaining their freshness and longevity for your wedding garland. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:

Hydration is key: Fresh flowers will stay vibrant and perky if they are well-hydrated. Before you begin creating your garland, cut the stems of your flowers underwater, preferably at an angle, to ensure they can absorb enough water. Place the flowers in buckets of water, especially if you are preparing them a few days in advance, as suggested by Jodie McGregor, an award-winning florist.

Trim the stems: After the flowers have had a chance to hydrate, trim their stems to the desired length. For a garland, it is recommended to cut the stems to around 15 cm, as suggested by We Are Scout. This length allows for easy handling and ensures the flowers won't be too heavy.

Create mixed posies: To maintain the freshness of your garland, group flowers into mixed posies of four to five flowers each. This way, you can easily add them to your garland and ensure a natural, uncontrived look.

Wrap stems with floral tape or wire: To further preserve the flowers' moisture, wrap their stems with floral tape or wire. This provides support and helps the flowers stay hydrated, especially if you are using delicate blooms.

Keep flowers cool: Store the flowers in a cool place, such as a basement or garage, to slow down their wilting. Place them in buckets of water or mist them and store them in large plastic bags to retain moisture.

By following these steps, you will be able to maintain the freshness of your flowers and create a beautiful, vibrant wedding garland. Remember to handle the flowers gently and work efficiently to ensure the flowers stay fresh throughout the preparation process.

Assembly: String flowers onto durable thread, piercing through the base

To assemble your wedding garland, you'll need to gather some essential materials. These include fresh flowers of your choice, a sturdy string or thread, and a big needle for threading the flowers. You may also want to include decorative elements such as beads, pearls, or mango leaves to add a special touch. Scissors and pruning shears will be necessary for any cutting tasks.

Once you have all your materials, you can begin assembling your garland. Start by threading the strong needle with the durable string or floral wire. You want to ensure that the string is long enough to accommodate the desired length of your garland. Then, carefully pierce through the base of each flower and thread them onto the string. It is important to handle the flowers gently to avoid bruising or damaging the petals.

To create a full and intricate look, pack the flowers tightly together and consider using alternating colours or types of flowers to create an eye-catching pattern. Periodically check the length of your garland and adjust the spacing as needed to maintain uniformity. If you are using different types of flowers, you can create a cascading effect by arranging them in a specific order. For example, you can start with larger blooms and gradually add smaller flowers to create a sense of depth and visual interest.

Once you have reached your desired length, secure the ends of the garland with knots. At this point, you can add any final decorative touches, such as ribbons or additional embellishments, ensuring that your garland suits the aesthetic of the wedding ceremony. Your wedding garland is now ready to be displayed and admired!

Placement: Arrange flowers to cover stems and be viewed from any side

When creating a wedding garland with fresh flowers, placement is key. You want to arrange the flowers so that they cover the stems and look beautiful from every angle. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this:

Start by creating a small bunch of three flowers. The placement of these initial flowers is important as it sets the foundation for the rest of the garland. Position the flowers so that the petals of each flower cover the stem of the flower in front of it. This technique will ensure that your garland looks full and lush, and no stems are visible.

Once you're happy with the placement of the first three flowers, use floral tape to wrap their stems together. The floral tape will help to secure the flowers in place and provide a base for adding more blooms. Make sure to cut your flower stems to a similar length, approximately 3 inches long, before taping them together.

Now, continue adding flowers to your garland, one by one. After placing each flower, wrap the stem with floral tape to secure it in place. Take your time with this step, ensuring that the flowers are arranged neatly and no stems are visible. Remember to cover all angles, so the garland looks beautiful from any side.

As you add more flowers, you can start to create a pattern or a particular shape. For example, you might want a fuller, more rounded garland or a longer, trailing design. Play around with the placement of the flowers to achieve your desired look. Remember to keep wrapping the stems with floral tape as you go to hold everything in place.

Finally, when you're happy with the length and overall look of your garland, finish it off with a final wrap of floral tape to secure the last flower in place. Step back and admire your handiwork! You should now have a beautiful, fresh flower garland that can be used to decorate arches, drape over chairs, or hang over tables at your wedding.

With careful placement and attention to detail, you can create a stunning wedding garland that will be a show-stopping addition to your big day.

Finishing touches: Add ribbons or decorative elements to suit the wedding aesthetic

Wedding garlands are a versatile addition to your wedding decor. They can be draped over chairs, hung on tables, or even used to decorate the getaway car!

Finishing Touches:

Add ribbons or other decorative elements to your garland to suit the wedding aesthetic. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Use satin ribbons to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garland. You can weave the ribbons through the flowers or use them to tie the garland in place.
• If you're using a flower garland as a table runner, consider adding decorative elements like beads or crystals to the ribbons.
• For a whimsical touch, attach long, flowing ribbons to the ends of your garland. These can be left to flutter in the breeze, adding movement and softness to your decor.
• If you're hanging garlands from a doorway or arch, consider adding ribbons that trail down from the garland, creating a romantic and elegant look.
• For a more rustic or natural look, use twine or jute string instead of ribbons.
• If you want to add a pop of colour, choose ribbons in bright hues that complement the colour scheme of the wedding.
• For a more subtle approach, opt for ribbons in neutral tones such as ivory, beige, or soft grey.
• Personalise the garland by incorporating the wedding colours or using ribbons with the couple's names or initials printed on them.
• If you're crafty, you can even make your own customised ribbons with stamps or stencils.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about customising the garland to suit the wedding aesthetic and the couple's personality. So, be creative and have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions