Creating A Wedding Pedestal Arrangement: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding pedestal arrangements are a great way to add a bold and beautiful floral touch to your wedding ceremony. They can be used to fill in empty spaces in your venue and can be easily transferred to different locations, such as from the ceremony to the cocktail hour and even the reception. Whether you choose fresh or artificial flowers, the process of creating a wedding pedestal arrangement is similar. You'll need a stable container, floral foam, and, of course, your choice of flowers and greenery. The arrangement process involves soaking the floral foam, adding greenery for shape, and then placing flowers of varying heights to create a stunning and natural-looking display.

Choose a stable container that covers 80% of the top of the pedestal

When creating a wedding pedestal arrangement, it's important to choose the right container to ensure stability and an aesthetically pleasing display. Here's a detailed guide to help you select a suitable container for your floral arrangement:

First and foremost, opt for a stable and sturdy container. This is crucial to prevent any accidental toppling, especially if the pedestal is in a high-traffic area. The weight of the container, along with the floral foam, will help to balance the entire arrangement.

The container you choose should cover approximately 80% of the top surface area of the pedestal. This leaves just enough space for a delicate border, creating a pleasing visual effect. Avoid containers with a base wider than the top of the pedestal, as this will appear unbalanced and may also affect stability.

Select a container that is low enough to provide stability, especially if you plan to create a tall arrangement. A good rule of thumb is to choose a container that is inversely proportional to the height of your flowers. This means that as the arrangement height increases, the container's height should decrease to maintain stability.

Before you begin arranging, measure the height needed for the flowers from the top of the pedestal. This will ensure your arrangement is proportionate and visually appealing. Keep in mind that flowers like lilies and some roses have long stems, typically around 36 inches, while most commercially sold flowers have stems between 18 and 24 inches.

By choosing the right container, you'll be well on your way to crafting a beautiful and secure wedding pedestal arrangement. Remember to consider stability, proportion, and visual appeal when making your selection.

Measure the height needed for the flower arrangement from the top of the pedestal

When creating a wedding pedestal arrangement, it's important to consider the height of the flower arrangement in relation to the top of the pedestal. This measurement will determine the overall height and proportion of your display.

First, you need to select the flowers you want to use. Some flowers, like lilies and certain types of roses, are available wholesale with longer stems, typically around 36 inches. Most commercially sold flowers have shorter stems, ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Knowing the stem length of your chosen flowers will help you measure the required height for your arrangement.

Next, you'll want to decide on the height of the flower arrangement itself. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that the taller the arrangement, the lower the base or container should be for stability. This is an important consideration, especially if the pedestal is in a high-traffic area where it might be accidentally bumped or knocked.

Now, measure the height from the top of the pedestal. This measurement will be the total height of your flower arrangement. It's crucial to get this right to ensure the stability of the overall display and to create a visually appealing composition.

Once you've determined the height needed for the flower arrangement, you can start creating your display. Soak the floral foam in a mixture of water and floral hydrating solution. This will provide a stable base for your flowers and help keep them fresh. Place the soaked floral foam in your chosen container, ensuring it sits securely and doesn't move around.

Soak floral foam in water with a floral hydrating solution

So, you've decided to take on the task of creating your own wedding pedestal arrangement – an ambitious but rewarding project! One of the most important steps is preparing your floral foam, which serves as the base for your flowers. Here's a detailed guide to ensure your foam is ready for arranging:

Firstly, gather your materials. You'll need a sink or a large enough container to hold water. Then, prepare your water mixture by adding the correct amount of professional floral hydrating solution to the water. It's important to follow the instructions on the floral solution to get the right concentration.

Now, it's time to soak the floral foam. Gently place the floral foam on top of the water. Do not push the foam into the water; it should float on the surface. The floral foam will slowly absorb the water and the floral hydrating solution. You'll know it's ready when it turns dark green and floats at or near the surface. This process ensures that your foam is fully hydrated and ready to support your flowers.

Be patient and allow the foam to soak for as long as it needs. Once it's fully hydrated, you can carefully lift it out of the water. The floral foam should now feel sturdy and moist. It now has the perfect consistency to hold your flowers in place.

Finally, place the soaked floral foam in your chosen container. It's important to choose a container that fits snugly on the pedestal and covers around 80% of its top surface. You want to leave about an inch of floral foam above the edge of the container. This extra inch will come in handy when you start arranging your flowers, as it will help create a draping effect that elegantly hides the stems and the top of the container.

By following these steps, you'll have a stable and hydrated floral foam base, ready for the next stage of your wedding pedestal arrangement!

Place the floral foam in the container with an extra inch above the edge

Now that you have soaked your floral foam in a hydrating solution, it's time to place it in the container. The container should be heavy and stable, as this will help to stabilise the arrangement. Choose a container that covers around 80% of the top of the pedestal.

The floral foam should sit about an inch above the edge of the container. This extra inch will help you create a draping effect with flowers and greenery that will elegantly hide the stems and the top of the container. If you need to, you can add more floral foam by soaking another piece and cutting off sections with a knife. It's important to create a tight fit so that the flower arrangement doesn't move within the container.

You can now start arranging the flowers by adding the greenery first. Cut the stems to the right length and push them into the floral foam. If your arrangement is going to be seen from one side, put tall greenery in the back, making a fan shape, and smaller greenery in the front. Use the greenery to give your arrangement its overall shape. Add in your flowers, gradually building up the arrangement.

Cut and arrange greenery first, followed by taller flowers

To make a wedding pedestal arrangement, you'll want to start by cutting and arranging your greenery, before moving on to the taller flowers. This will help give your arrangement its overall shape.

First, cut the stems of your greenery to the appropriate length. The length will depend on the height of your pedestal and the size of your container. If your arrangement will be seen from one side, put tall greenery in the back, making a fan shape, and smaller greenery in the front. If your arrangement will be viewed from all sides, you'll want to place the taller greenery in the middle, with shorter greenery in front, and on the sides. You can use smaller pieces of greenery to "collar" and disguise the design.

Next, you'll want to add your taller flowers. Place the tallest flower in the centre, at the required height. This will be the peak of your arrangement. Add other tall flowers next to it, cut slightly shorter, to create the fan shape. If you're using hydrangeas, place four on the bottom level and four towards the top, so they zigzag around the design.

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