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

Creating a wildflower wedding bouquet is a fun DIY project for brides who want to inject a whimsical, bohemian, rustic, or garden-inspired vibe into their wedding. The wildflower look is characterised by its free-flowing, spontaneous, and carefree aesthetic, as though the flowers have been freshly picked from a meadow.

To make a wildflower wedding bouquet, you'll need fresh flowers, floral tape, scissors, and ribbon or burlap to wrap the stems. You can source flowers from your local farmer's market or order a wholesale wildflower pack online. When arranging the bouquet, select 2-5 flowers to form the centre, then secure the stems together with floral tape. Continue adding flowers, building outwards, and secure with more tape. Finally, wrap the stems with ribbon or lace, and cut them to the same length.

Choosing your flowers

Types of Wildflowers

Native wildflowers that can be used in wedding bouquets include irises, wallflowers, daisies, lavender, chrysanthemums, roses, gypsophila, and many more. If you have a favourite flower that isn't typically a wildflower, you can include it as your 'hero' flower among the wildflowers to create a unique and personalised arrangement.

Colour Scheme

Consider your wedding colour palette when selecting wildflowers. For example, sunflowers can add a deeper yellow shade, or you can opt for pastel wildflowers like lilac and baby's breath for a softer look. You can also incorporate your "something blue" into the bouquet with rare blue wildflowers.

Seasonal Availability

The season of your wedding will influence the types of wildflowers available. For spring weddings, take advantage of the abundance of blooms, while autumn weddings can feature seasonal flowers like dahlias and cosmos. Summer weddings can showcase vibrant wildflowers such as delphiniums, feverfew, sweet peas, and cosmos.

Texture and Fillers

Wildflower bouquets are not just about the flowers; they can also include grasses, grains, and herbs to add texture and interest. Consider pairing your wildflowers with eucalyptus, wheat, bulrushes, or rosemary sprigs for an extra wild touch.

Size and Shape

When choosing your wildflowers, think about the size and shape of your bouquet. Wildflowers come in various sizes, from delicate blooms to oversized bouquets. You can opt for a cascading bouquet that spills over your hands or a simple, elegant arrangement.

Meaning and Symbolism

Flowers have symbolic meanings, so consider looking up the significance of your favourite wildflowers. For instance, roses symbolise love, and thistles represent divine love and royalty. Choosing wildflowers with meaningful symbolism can add a special touch to your bouquet.

Budget

While wildflowers can sometimes be more affordable due to their availability, they may not always be the cheapest option. Creating a wildflower bouquet often requires a variety of different flowers and foliage, which can increase the cost. Consider your budget when selecting your flowers and look for ways to source them cost-effectively, such as from local farmer's markets.

Selecting your bouquet style

Bouquet Shape

The shape of your bouquet can vary depending on your personal preference and the overall style of your wedding. Some popular options include:

• Cascading bouquet: This style features flowers and greenery that cascade down the sides, creating a luxurious and overflowing look.
• Hoop or lantern bouquet: Hoop bouquets, also known as lantern bouquets, are a unique take on the traditional bouquet shape. They feature wildflowers arranged in cascades within a hoop or lantern-shaped structure, making them comfortable to carry down the aisle.
• Oversized bouquet: A larger, oversized bouquet gives the impression of overflowing love and can be a stunning statement piece.
• Simple bouquet: If you prefer a more understated look, a simple bouquet with a mix of wildflowers and traditional blooms can be elegant and innovative.

Colour Palette

When selecting your bouquet style, consider the colour palette that will best complement your wedding theme and attire. Wildflowers come in a variety of colours, including:

• Pastel hues: Delicate pastel shades of pink, lilac, and peach can create a whimsical and fairy-tale-like bouquet.
• Vibrant colours: Wildflowers such as sunflowers, lilies, dahlias, and poppies add a bold pop of colour to your bouquet.
• Neutral tones: For a more understated look, neutral-coloured wildflowers such as white daisies, baby's breath, and greenery create a classic and elegant bouquet.
• Jewel tones: Deep, vibrant colours like purple, violet, and magenta can be found in wildflowers such as wild delphiniums and lavender.

Types of Wildflowers

When choosing your bouquet style, consider the types of wildflowers you want to include. Some popular options include:

• Irises, wallflowers, and kalanchoe tubiflora: This combination creates a vibrant, bohemian-style bouquet.
• Garden phlox, clematis, and craspedia: Incorporating multiple contrasting flower species creates a magical and whimsical look.
• Cosmos, aster, and limonium: For a delicate and elegant look, these wildflowers add texture and dimension to your bouquet.
• Calla lilies and seeded eucalyptus: Perfect for an autumn wedding, this combination exudes autumnal hues and a contemporary style.
• Rudbeckia, echinacea, and hibiscus: This combination of wildflowers creates a captivating and diverse floral look with intricate, delicate grass and alluring delphiniums.

Adding Extras

To enhance your wildflower bouquet, consider adding some extra elements such as:

• Grasses, grains, and herbs: Adding wheat, bulrushes, or rosemary sprigs can increase the wild, bohemian vibe of your bouquet.
• Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus leaves, especially when spray-painted gold, can give your bouquet a unique and modern touch.
• Feathers: Feathers add texture and colour, creating a feathery, flowing bouquet.
• Succulents: Spray-painted succulents or leaves can be a unique and eye-catching addition to your bouquet.

Arranging your bouquet

Arranging your wildflower wedding bouquet is a fun and creative process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful arrangement:

• Select 2-5 flowers to form the centre of your bouquet. Choose flowers that complement each other and go well with your wedding theme and colour palette. For example, you could use sunflowers, lilies, and dahlias as a vibrant base.
• Use floral stem wrap to secure the stems of your chosen flowers tightly together. This special tape sticks to itself when pulled tight, making it easy to secure the stems.
• Build on your centre by adding a couple of flowers at a time. Secure each new addition with floral tape, gradually increasing the size and shape of your bouquet.
• Once you are happy with the overall shape and size, add a final layer of stem wrap to secure all the stems together.
• Cut the stems to the same length using scissors or floral shears. Ensure they are all trimmed neatly and evenly.
• Choose your wrapping material. You can use ribbon, lace, washi tape, or even twine for a rustic look. Carefully wrap your chosen material around the stems, covering the floral tape completely. Secure the wrapping with a pin.
• If you have any leftover flowers, you can create smaller bouquets for your bridesmaids or put the flowers in vases to complete your wildflower theme.

Remember, wildflower bouquets are meant to look free-flowing and spontaneous, so don't worry about creating a perfect shape. Embrace the natural, uneven look of wildflowers and have fun arranging your dream wedding bouquet!

Wrapping your stems

Now that you have your wildflower wedding bouquet ready, it's time to wrap the stems! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need floral tape, scissors, and ribbon or burlap to wrap the stems. You can also use pins to secure the wrapping. If you want to add a personal touch, consider using a special pin, like a family heirloom, as your "something old."

Step 2: Secure the Stems with Floral Tape

Start by wrapping the floral tape around the stems, about 2 inches down from the buds. Wrap the tape tightly, overlapping slightly as you work your way down the stems. Leave about 1 1/2 inches of the stems unwrapped at the bottom.

Step 3: Cut the Stems to the Same Length

Once the tape is secure, use your scissors to cut the stems so that they are all the same length. Try to cut the stems as evenly as possible to create a neat and tidy look.

Step 4: Wrap the Stems with Ribbon or Burlap

Now, take your ribbon or burlap and wrap it tightly around the floral tape, completely covering it. Cut off any excess ribbon. You can use a pin to secure the wrapping tightly and ensure it doesn't come undone.

Step 5: Embellish with Twine or Other Accessories

You can add extra embellishments, such as a twine bow, to give your bouquet a unique touch. Get creative and add any other accessories that match your wedding theme or colour palette.

Step 6: Create Matching Boutonnieres

If you have any leftover flowers, you can create matching boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen. Follow the same steps as above, but on a smaller scale. This will add a cohesive look to your wedding party's floral arrangements.

Adding the finishing touches

Now for the finishing touches! Once you're happy with the design of your wildflower wedding bouquet, it's time to wrap the stems. You can use floral tape, starting about 2 inches down from the buds, wrapping tightly and overlapping slightly as you work your way down the stems. When you're done, cut the excess tape and use a pin to secure it. You can then wrap ribbon, lace, or burlap over the floral tape to add a personal touch and completely cover it. You can also add a bow or twine for an extra special touch.

If you have any leftover flowers, you can create boutonnieres or put the flowers in vases to complete your wildflower theme. You can also add grains or grasses, such as wheat, bulrushes, or rosemary sprigs, to your bouquet for added texture and a more bohemian look.

Your wildflower wedding bouquet is now ready for the aisle!

Frequently asked questions