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

Making your own wedding posy bouquet is a great way to save money and create something meaningful and unique. It can be a fun and creative process, but it's important to get the right technique to ensure a beautiful result. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make a stunning bouquet, from choosing your flowers to adding the finishing touches. We'll also offer tips on how to make it special and unique to you. So, whether you're a bride-to-be or a guest looking for a thoughtful gift, read on to learn how to make a wedding posy bouquet.

Choosing the right flowers

Consider the Season

The availability of certain flowers will depend on the time of year. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are in season during spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are more suitable for fall. If you're working with a tight budget, choosing flowers that are in season can help reduce costs.

Colour Scheme

Think about the colour scheme of your wedding and choose flowers that complement or contrast with it. Do you want to incorporate your wedding colours into your bouquet, or perhaps add a sentimental or beloved tone? You can also opt for a monochromatic bouquet, using flowers of varying shades of the same colour.

Style and Size

The style of your wedding and your dress can help guide your flower choices. For a modern and simple design, consider using fewer varieties of florals and minimal greenery. If you're going for a whimsical, garden-inspired look, you may want to include more varieties of flowers and greenery to create a natural, unstructured feel.

The size of your bouquet is also important. Posy bouquets are typically small and round, designed to be held in one hand. If you're creating a bouquet for the bride, consider a larger, more statement-making arrangement. For bridesmaids or flower girls, a smaller posy bouquet is a great choice.

Focal Flower

When choosing your flowers, select one type of flower to be the focal point of your bouquet. This could be a flower that you particularly love or one that ties in with your colour scheme or wedding theme. Build the rest of your bouquet around this central bloom.

Filler Flowers and Greenery

In addition to your focal flower, choose some smaller blooms and greenery to fill out the bouquet and give it a natural look. Filler flowers are usually small and green, adding texture and interest to the arrangement. Greenery, such as eucalyptus, dusty miller, or ferns, can also be used to add depth and create a rustic or woodland feel.

Preparing the flowers

Before you start constructing your bouquet, make sure the flower stems and greenery are prepped and ready. Remove all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. This will make the bouquet more comfortable to carry. It will also ensure that the bouquet looks neat and tidy.

When removing the leaves, gently pull or cut them off, being careful not to damage the stem. You can do this by hand or with shears or scissors.

Once you have removed the leaves, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Keep the flowers in a bucket of water as you do this to keep them fresh.

If you are using flowers that are not in season, research the best way to keep them vibrant. For example, if you are using tropical blooms during a dry spell, look into how to keep them from wilting.

Now you are ready to start building your bouquet!

Picking a focal flower

When choosing a focal flower, consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. The focal flower should complement the bride's dress and the style of the bouquet. If you are aiming for a romantic, vintage-style bouquet, flowers such as garden roses or peonies are a great choice. For a modern, minimalist design, a small cluster of gerberas, Callas, anemones, or ranunculus flowers might be a better option.

• Garden roses: Their fragrance, colour, shape, texture, and eye-catching appearance make them stand out in any wedding bouquet. They are available year-round, making them a versatile choice.
• Peonies: Peonies have an elegant look and can be show-stopping when fully opened. They will automatically become the focal point of your bouquet, especially when combined with other flowers.
• Anemones: Anemones have bright colours and dark centres, providing a strong contrast that is visually striking in any wedding bouquet. They are also associated with love and romance, making them a natural choice for wedding bouquets.
• Lilies: Lilies have a unique flower shape, colour, and size, making them a statement choice for wedding bouquets. They are a popular choice for cascading bridal bouquets.
• Gerberas: The bloom size of gerbera daisies is perfect for any wedding bouquet style, and their range of vibrant colours makes any bouquet an attention-grabber.
• Orchids: Orchids are often considered the "Cadillac" of cut flowers and are an excellent choice for an elegant focal flower. While Cattleya and Japhet orchid varieties were traditionally used, many brides now choose phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchid varieties for a less formal look.
• Calla lilies: Also known as Zantedeschia, these flowers have an unusual shape and colour that makes them stand out in any bouquet. They are a trendy choice for wedding bouquets.

Adding more flowers

Once you have your focal flower in place, it's time to start building your bouquet by adding more flowers.

Louise Avery, an expert florist and owner of Louise Avery Flowers, recommends choosing a main flower that you want to use at the centre and tying string or raffia to the stem at the point that will become the base of the bouquet and the top of the handle. Then, add stems of foliage around this central bloom and bind them together.

Now, you can add more flowers and foliage sprigs to the bouquet, placing each new stem into the bouquet at a diagonal angle. Remember to always add new stems in the same direction to create a spiral effect. Keep a tight grip on the bouquet and carefully twist it in your hand to make it easier to add more flowers. Continue adding flowers and foliage until you're happy with the look of your bouquet and have used all your materials.

It's important to note that the number of flowers you add will depend on the size and shape of your bouquet, which should complement your wedding dress and body type. For example, a delicate and modest dress pairs well with a small bouquet, while a classic and grand gown may benefit from a larger, more extravagant arrangement.

When adding more flowers, consider the colour scheme of your wedding and the season. Choose flowers that are in season to ensure they are fresh and vibrant. For instance, tulips, peonies, and lilacs are great for spring weddings, while roses, sunflowers, or daisies are perfect for summer.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of flowers and foliage to create a unique and personalised bouquet. Popular choices include roses, peonies, lilies, and hydrangeas. However, you can also incorporate greenery such as eucalyptus, ferns, ivy, and dusty miller to add depth and texture to your bouquet.

Storing the flowers

Initial Care:

• After purchasing your flowers, ensure they receive a good long drink of water. This will make them stronger and help them hold their heads up better.
• It is best to buy flowers a couple of days before the wedding. However, for flowers that are cut when they are in a tight bud, such as freesias or lilies, buy them up to a week early to allow them enough time to open fully.
• The temperature will also affect how fast they open, so adjust your purchase timing accordingly.

Preparing the Flowers:

• Lay out your materials on a large table or worktop and place all stems directly onto tissue paper to protect the blooms from bruising.
• Prepare the flower and foliage stems by removing all leaves, shoots, and buds that will be below the point where you will tie the stems together. This area will form the handle of the bouquet, so stripping it will make it more comfortable to carry.
• Set up a mirror in front of you so you can see the front of the bouquet as others will view it while you work.

Storing Overnight:

• Once you have added all the flowers and tied them securely, it's time to store the bouquet correctly.
• Place the bouquet in deep water overnight to ensure all the stems drink well.
• Store the flowers in a cool place, such as a shed or garage, and avoid draughts.
• Never place them in direct sunlight, as they will wilt.
• Keep them away from ripening fruit, especially bananas, as this can affect their freshness.
• Do not store them in a household fridge, as it will be too cold, and if it's winter, ensure the flowers are kept in a frost-free place to avoid frost damage.

Final Touches:

• On the morning of your wedding, dry the stems that will form the handle with a clean tea cloth.
• Wrap ribbon, lace, or spare dress fabric around the stems to create an attractive and comfortable handle, covering any string used earlier. Secure this with pretty pins.
• Give the bouquet a light spritz with fresh water, then lightly place a sheet of damp tissue paper over it to keep it fresh until you are ready to walk down the aisle!

Remember to handle the flowers gently and carefully throughout the entire process to avoid any damage.

Frequently asked questions