Create A Sparkling Wedding Bouquet With Bling

Creating a bling wedding bouquet is a fun and creative process that allows you to express your personality and add a touch of sparkle to your special day. Bling bouquets typically feature crystal, rhinestone, or silk flowers, and can be purchased or crafted at home. This introduction will cover the necessary materials, steps to create a stunning arrangement, and tips for making your bouquet unique. Whether you opt for a simple or extravagant design, your bling bouquet is sure to make a statement as you walk down the aisle.

Choosing the right flowers

Primary and Accent Flowers

Primary flowers are usually larger and more striking, setting the arrangement's theme and tone. Accent flowers, on the other hand, enrich and complement the primary flowers by introducing texture, colour variation, and depth. When choosing flowers, consider their colours, sizes, and symbolic meanings to add a personal touch to your special day.

Colour Scheme

The colour of your flowers can be chosen to match or complement the colour of your wedding dress. You can opt for complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look or go for contrasting colours to add a bold, dramatic effect.

Style and Theme

The style of your bouquet should also align with the theme of your wedding. For a modern and simple design, consider using fewer varieties of flowers (1-3 types) and minimal to no greenery. Focus on flowers with interesting textures. If you prefer a whimsical, garden-inspired cascading bouquet, you can use more varieties of flowers (5-7 types) along with greenery to create a natural, gestural look.

Seasonal Availability

To make your bouquet more cost-effective, choose flowers that are in season. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are perfect for spring weddings, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are ideal for autumn nuptials.

Personalisation

To make your bouquet even more special, consider incorporating your birth flower or the flower of a loved one. You can also add a sentimental colour or a vintage charm to your bouquet for a unique and meaningful touch.

Preparing your materials

Gather Your Materials:

Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary tools and flowers for your bouquet. This includes a sharp pair of floral snips or scissors for trimming, and a beautiful ribbon or some floral tape to secure and decorate your bouquet.

Choose Your Flowers:

Select a variety of flowers in your desired colours and textures. Consider the style of your wedding and dress, and whether you want to complement or contrast your colour palette. If you're after a modern and simple design, opt for fewer varieties of flowers and minimal greenery. For a whimsical, garden-inspired look, choose more floral varieties and add lots of greenery.

Prepare the Flowers:

Once you've chosen your flowers, it's time to prepare them. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to increase water absorption and help your flowers stay fresh. Remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline in your bouquet holder, as these will only create clutter. If using fresh flowers, be sure to soak the bouquet holder in water for about an hour to hydrate the foam.

Timing is Key:

The timing of making your bouquet is crucial. Ideally, you should source your flowers two days before the wedding, create the bouquet the day before, and add any final ribbons or decorations on the day. This will ensure your flowers are at their best.

Don't Forget the Greenery:

In addition to your chosen flowers, don't forget to source some greenery. Ferns, eucalyptus, and baby's breath are great options to add texture and elegance to your bouquet.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning bling wedding bouquet.

Creating the cascade shape

Begin with your main flowers

Choose the largest and most striking blooms as the stars of the show. Place them in the bouquet holder, with the longest stems in the centre, to create a graceful cascade effect. These primary flowers will set the arrangement's theme and tone.

Add a touch of greenery

Weave in some ferns, eucalyptus, or other greenery around the edges. Allow them to drape naturally and fall a little longer than your main flowers for an elegant, effortless look.

Sprinkle in accent flowers

Tuck in smaller, delicate flowers, such as baby's breath, to fill gaps and add texture. These accent flowers enrich and complement the primary blooms, introducing colour variation and depth to your bouquet.

Check the balance

Rotate your bouquet as you work, ensuring it looks full and beautiful from every angle. Aim for a harmonious blend of colours and textures that reflects your personality and style. There's no right or wrong way to arrange the elements—let your creativity flow!

Adding fillers and final touches

Now that you've selected your blooms and sourced your flowers, it's time to add the fillers and final touches to your DIY bling wedding bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Secure the Bouquet:

Carefully wrap floral tape around the stems to keep everything in place and maintain the shape. This is the behind-the-scenes magic that holds your creation together.

Add Decorative Elements:

Personalise your bouquet by wrapping ribbons or lace around the stems for a polished look. You can also let some ribbons cascade with the flowers for an extra touch of whimsy and creativity.

Include Sentimental Touches:

Consider adding something deeply personal, like a small photo of a loved one who can't be with you on your special day, or a sentimental charm. These meaningful additions will transform your bouquet into a cherished keepsake.

Final Thoughts:

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to arrange the elements. It's your wedding, so let your personality shine through your floral choices. Enjoy the process, and you'll create something truly unique and beautiful.

Keeping it fresh

To keep your bling wedding bouquet fresh, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, request that your florist does not spray preservatives on your bouquet as this can cause browning when pressed. If you are planning to preserve your bouquet, it is also recommended to skip the bouquet toss or use an artificial bouquet.

After the wedding, or even during the reception, carefully remove any ribbons, pins, or wires wrapped around the stems. Cut about half an inch off the ends of the stems, or any parts that have turned brown, and place the flowers in fresh, room-temperature water. Keep the flowers out of direct sunlight and change the water daily until you are ready to preserve them.

If you are not planning to preserve your bouquet, you can still keep it fresh for a little longer by following the above steps and keeping the bouquet in water.

Preserving your bling bouquet

There are several methods you can use to preserve your bling wedding bouquet, ranging from simple DIYs to professional services. Here are some options to consider:

• Dried wedding bouquet: This is the simplest preservation method and can be done at home. Remove any excess leaves, greenery, broken petals, or anything that has started to rot or turn brown. Tie the stems together with twine, yarn, or string, and hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, dark spot. Leave it to dry for at least two weeks, or until the bouquet is completely dry. Once dry, you can showcase your bouquet in a vase or store it in a decorative glass box.
• Pressed wedding bouquet: This method involves pressing individual flowers or small groups of flowers between the pages of a heavy book. Place the flowers between two blank sheets of paper and put them towards the centre of a thick book, such as a dictionary. Check on them after about two weeks and re-press if necessary. Once dried, you can display the flowers in a frame.
• Silica gel wedding bouquet: Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs moisture from flowers, helping to preserve their shape, colour, and overall look. Place a layer of silica gel in an airtight container and nestle your flowers in the sand, being careful not to overcrowd the container. Gently pour more silica gel around the petals to cover the flowers completely. Seal the container and let it sit for about a week. Once the flowers are dry, gently dust off any remaining powder and finish with a protective sealant spray. You can then display your bouquet in a vase or display box.
• Resin wedding bouquet: This method involves encasing your flowers in clear resin, which can be poured into various moulds to create unique keepsakes. As this technique requires practice to achieve a smooth, clear, and bubble-free finish, it is recommended to outsource this to a professional. You can find artists on Etsy who offer resin bouquet preservation services, creating beautiful resin ring holders, initials, and decorative bookends.
• Dip the flowers in wax: This method will extend the life of your flowers for up to six months, preserving their original integrity and colour. Melt paraffin wax in a saucepan over low heat, then gently dip your flowers into the warm wax. Immediately hang the flowers upside down to dry.

Frequently asked questions