Burlap Bouquet: Diy Wedding Flowers With A Rustic Charm

Burlap flowers are a popular choice for rustic and country-themed weddings. They can be used as a bouquet or as decorations. Making your own burlap flowers for your wedding is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. The process is simple and only requires a few basic tools and materials. You can follow a step-by-step guide or get creative and experiment with different styles and colours.

Sourcing flowers and materials

You can then either source the flowers yourself or buy a pre-made bouquet and add your own personal touches. If you want to source the flowers yourself, you can look at what's in bloom in a friend's garden, or buy from local farms, grocery stores, or online.

If you want to make the bouquet from scratch, you will need the following materials:

• Two contrasting colours of burlap
• Needle with a large eye
• Small jewels or other decorations for the centre
• Wooden dowel cut to about 1' long
• Decorative pins
• Styrofoam ball
• Hot glue
• Fabric or lace

If you want to buy a pre-made bouquet and add your own touches, there are many options available on Etsy. You can buy burlap flowers with stems, or blooms-only burlap flowers to fill in details around your other decorations. You can also buy a ready-made bouquet and add in your own flowers or decorations.

Some examples of pre-made bouquets and flowers available on Etsy include:

• 5-piece natural burlap flowers
• Wired burlap ribbon
• Burlap flowers with stems in rustic wedding colours
• Lavender wood flower bouquet with burlap and sola wood flowers
• Flat-rolled rosette burlap flowers in various colours
• Burlap craft roses

Choosing a bouquet style

Consider the shape and size:

Decide if you want a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical like a cascading, garden-inspired arrangement. The shape and size of your bouquet will depend on your personal preference and the overall theme of your wedding. If you're aiming for a modern and simple design, opt for a smaller, more compact bouquet with fewer flower varieties and minimal greenery. On the other hand, if you want a more whimsical and natural look, go for a larger, cascading bouquet with a mix of different flowers and greenery.

Choose your color palette:

When choosing the color of your bouquet, consider the style of your wedding dress and your wedding color palette. You can either choose complementary colors for a subtle and elegant look or go for contrasting colors to add a dramatic effect. Burlap comes in various colors, so you can choose a shade that matches your wedding theme. You can also mix and match different colors of burlap to create a unique and interesting bouquet.

Decide on the types of flowers:

Burlap flowers can be combined with fresh flowers or other artificial flowers to create a stunning arrangement. You can choose from a variety of flower types, such as roses, sunflowers, dahlias, or peonies, to add texture and interest to your bouquet. Play around with different combinations of flowers to see what looks best together.

Embellishments and decorations:

To make your bouquet even more special, consider adding some embellishments or decorations. You can add a sentimental touch by including your birth flower or a charm that holds a special meaning. You can also use lace, ribbons, or pins to decorate your bouquet and make it more elegant. For instance, you can wrap the stems with lace or ribbon, or add decorative pins to secure the flowers in place.

Play with different styles:

Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles and textures to create a unique bouquet. You can combine burlap flowers with other fabric flowers, such as satin or lace, to add variety and interest. You can also experiment with different techniques for making burlap flowers, such as the 3-layer method or the loopy fabric version, to create a one-of-a-kind bouquet.

Remember, there is no wrong way to design your burlap flower wedding bouquet. Get creative, experiment with different styles, and have fun with the process!

Preparing the flowers

The first step in making a burlap flower wedding bouquet is to gather the necessary materials and tools. You will need two contrasting colours of burlap, a needle with a large eye, small jewels or other decorations for the centre, sharp floral snips, and a beautiful ribbon or floral tape.

Before you begin constructing the bouquet, make sure the flower stems and greenery are prepared. Remove all the leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle and place them in a bucket of water as you work on the bouquet. This will ensure that the flowers stay fresh and hydrated.

Next, cut your burlap into squares. You will need three squares in total, with the middle-sized square in a contrasting colour: 7", 5", and 3" (or your preferred proportions). Apply clear-drying glue to two opposite edges on each square, leaving an inch or so without glue at the corners.

Now, it's time to create the petal layers. Take the largest piece of burlap and fan-fold it into quarters, making sure the glued edges are longways. Fold it in half again, with the glued edges touching. Cut the narrow ends of the folded burlap into your desired petal shape, either rounded or pointed. Fold it in half again and use the first end as a guide to cut the opposite end into petals. Keep the burlap folded and loop a doubled burlap strand around the centre, securing it with a knot. Repeat this process with the smallest burlap square, which will be the top layer of your flower.

The middle layer is created differently. After folding the burlap into quarters, there is no need to cut the petals. Instead, fray the fabric by pulling out the horizontal threads until you achieve the desired amount of fringe.

Check if you are happy with the look of your three layers by stacking them together. If you are, it's time to sew them together. Using a strand of burlap as thread, attach the three layers by pulling the needle and thread through the centre of all three layers and back down again. Repeat this process two to three times, then knot the thread from underneath.

Finally, add a decorative touch to the centre of the top layer. You can glue or sew a jewel, or create a small ball from strands of burlap and attach it to the centre.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you have all your materials, it's time to start assembling your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful arrangement:

• Start by using hot glue to attach your fabric flowers to the bouquet. Try to space them evenly and don't leave too much space between the flowers. If there are small gaps, don't worry, you'll fill them in later.
• Cut your lace into 3-inch squares. Fold each lace square in half and pinch the bottom "point". Use decorative pins to secure the lace to the Styrofoam ball, filling in any gaps between the flowers. Also, fill in the bottom of the bouquet with these squares to cover any gaps near the dowel.
• You can also add some pins to the flowers to make them more decorative.
• If you want, glue buttons to the bottom of the bouquets to distinguish which bouquet belongs to each bridesmaid.
• Once you are happy with the placement of your flowers and lace, it's time to attach the bouquet to the handle. Carefully insert the glued end of the dowel into the hole in the Styrofoam ball. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure that it is secure.
• Now, you can wrap the dowel with fabric or burlap, using hot glue to seal the seams. This will give your bouquet a neat and finished look.
• Finally, add any additional embellishments or decorations to your bouquet. You can use ribbons, pearls, or any other decorative elements that match your wedding theme.

Remember, there is no single way to assemble a burlap flower bouquet. Feel free to get creative and make adjustments to these steps as needed. The most important thing is that you are happy with the final result!

Adding decorations

Using Fabric and Lace

You can use different types of fabric and lace to add texture and visual interest to your bouquet. Consider wrapping the stem of your bouquet with fabric or burlap, securing it with hot glue. You can also cut lace into squares, fold them in half, and pin them to the bouquet using decorative pins. This helps to fill in any gaps and adds a delicate touch.

Combining Different Flowers

Feel free to experiment with different types of flowers and colours to create a unique and personalised bouquet. You can mix and match burlap flowers with satin or lace flowers, or even add in some fresh flowers for a natural look. Play around with different combinations to see what looks best together.

Incorporating Jewels and Decorations

Adding small jewels, charms, or other decorative elements to the centre of your burlap flowers can give them a touch of sparkle and elegance. You can glue or sew these decorations onto the flowers for a secure hold. You could also try rolling strands of burlap into a small ball and gluing it to the centre for a more subtle effect.

Using Ribbons

Ribbons are a great way to add colour and softness to your bouquet. You can wrap a ribbon around the stems for a classic look or let it cascade down the side for a more relaxed, whimsical feel. Choose a ribbon colour that complements your wedding theme or colour palette.

Adding Sentimental Touches

Personalise your bouquet by incorporating your birth flower or that of a loved one. You could also add a sentimental colour, such as your favourite colour or that of your partner's, to make your bouquet even more meaningful.

Frequently asked questions