Creative Ways To Craft Affordable Wedding Bouquets

Creating your own wedding bouquet is a fun and creative way to save money on your big day. While it may seem daunting, making your own bouquet is a simple process that can be done by anyone. By choosing your own flowers and colours, you can create a unique and personalised arrangement that complements your wedding dress and venue. With just a few basic tools and some careful planning, you can design a beautiful bouquet that will be the perfect accessory as you walk down the aisle.

Choosing flowers: Opt for seasonal flowers for better quality and affordability

When choosing flowers for your DIY wedding bouquet, opting for seasonal flowers is a great way to improve quality and affordability. "Seasonality" is a term used in the flower industry to describe flower varieties with very seasonal growing patterns. When certain flowers are in season, they are typically the best quality and the most affordable. For example, peonies are extremely expensive at certain times of the year and unavailable in the hot summer months due to their sporadic growing season. In contrast, hydrangeas are grown in greenhouses all year round, making them less costly because they are more readily available.

To make your dollar stretch as far as possible, pick your flowers based on the timing of your wedding. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in the fall. If you're looking for a classic bouquet, white, cream, peach, and light pink flowers are a good choice. For a more complementary mix, try yellow and violet, blue and orange, or red and green.

When selecting flowers, it's also important to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. If you want a more modern and simple design, choose one to three varieties of flowers with interesting textures and very little to no greenery. For a garden-style bouquet, opt for five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery with different textural and gestural qualities.

If you have access to a garden, consider using flowers from there. You can also source flowers from local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets. Buying flowers online in bulk is another option, but be sure to order extra in case you change your mind or need to make adjustments.

Picking colours: Complement the bridal dress with similar or contrasting shades

When it comes to picking colours for your wedding bouquet, it's important to consider the style and colour of your bridal dress. The bouquet should complement the silhouette and details of your dress, not distract from it. Here are some tips for choosing the right colour palette for your bouquet:

If you're wearing a white or ivory gown, you have a lot of flexibility, as any colour palette will work well. You can opt for a cohesive look by choosing flowers in similar shades to your dress, or go for a contrasting pop of colour. For example, a classic red bouquet with a white dress says romance, passion and sensuality. Adding a collar of dark green leaves to a white bouquet can also make it stand out beautifully against a white dress.

For off-white, cream, or champagne-coloured dresses, warm shades like peach, blush, or soft pastels will complement the dress without clashing. If your dress has any coloured accents, such as a sash or embroidery, incorporating those colours into your bouquet will create a cohesive look.

If you're wearing a coloured wedding dress, you may want to opt for a monochromatic colour scheme, using flowers that are different shades of the same colour as your dress. For example, if your dress is blue, you could use flowers ranging from intense deep blue to paler blues. Alternatively, you can use a complementary colour—one that is opposite to the dress colour on the colour wheel. So, if you're wearing a red dress, a mostly green bouquet will create a natural colour harmony. Other complementary colour pairs are yellow/purple and blue/orange.

The style and silhouette of your dress should also be considered when choosing your bouquet colours. If your dress is romantic and flowing, opt for loose, cascading bouquets with soft flowers like roses, peonies, or hydrangeas. For a sleek and modern dress, choose a more structured bouquet with clean lines and contemporary flowers like calla lilies or orchids.

Sourcing flowers: Check local farms, grocery stores, or buy in bulk online

When it comes to sourcing flowers for your DIY wedding bouquet, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can check local farms or grocery stores for the floral varieties you desire. This option allows you to see the flowers in person and select those that are of good quality and in your desired colour palette. It is also a more affordable option, with the potential to find unique blooms that will make your bouquet special.

Another option is to buy flowers in bulk online. This can be a convenient choice, as it saves you from having to visit multiple stores. Online flower wholesalers often offer a wide variety of flowers, including roses, peonies, calla lilies, hydrangeas, sunflowers, and more. They may also provide same-day shipping and lower prices compared to supermarkets. Some online stores to consider include FiftyFlowers, Blooms By The Box, Sam's Club, and Bunches Direct.

When buying flowers online, it is important to plan ahead to ensure that your flowers arrive on time for your wedding day. Additionally, consider the season of your wedding, as certain flowers, such as daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips, are more affordable in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are more affordable in the fall.

Whether you choose to source your flowers from local farms, grocery stores, or online wholesalers, it is important to compare prices, consider the freshness of the blooms, and plan for any necessary arrangements or preparations.

Timing: Make the bouquet a day before the wedding for fresh blooms

Making a DIY wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. And with the right timing, you can ensure your bouquet looks fresh and beautiful.

If your wedding is on a Saturday, aim to source your flowers on Thursday. This gives you time to trim the stems, remove any leaves, and give them a fresh cut at a 45-degree angle. Place the flowers in a bucket of water overnight to keep them hydrated and ready for arrangement.

On Friday, you can start building your bouquet. Begin by creating the shape and framework, adding larger flowers first, followed by smaller blooms and greenery. Remember to stand in front of a mirror to get a clear view of the front of the bouquet. Secure the stems with a rubber band and floral tape, leaving the ribbon for the final touches on the wedding day.

By assembling your bouquet the day before, you'll have fresh blooms that look their best when you walk down the aisle. This timing also gives you some flexibility to make any adjustments and ensures that your flowers are neither too closed nor too open.

So, with some advance planning and a bit of creativity, you can have a gorgeous DIY wedding bouquet that fits your budget and adds a unique touch to your celebration.

Tools: Floral snips, ribbon, and floral tape are essential

Floral snips, ribbon, and floral tape are essential tools for creating a cheap wedding bouquet. Here are some tips for choosing and using these tools effectively:

Floral Snips

Floral snips, also known as clippers, are essential for trimming flower stems and greenery. Look for a sharp pair of floral snips that feel comfortable in your hand. Keep them clean and disinfected between uses to ensure they stay sharp and help reduce the spread of disease between plants. You can find floral snips at most gardening stores or online at sites like Etsy and Amazon.

Ribbon

Ribbon adds a beautiful finishing touch to your bouquet. Opt for a colour that complements your wedding colour palette or the flowers in your bouquet. You'll need enough ribbon to wrap around the stems of your bouquet, with a little extra for tying a bow. Consider the type of material you prefer, as well as the width and length of the ribbon. For a classic look, choose a simple ribbon, or go for something more whimsical like a patterned or textured ribbon.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is used to secure the stems of your bouquet together. It comes in various colours, but green and dark green are the most common, as they blend in well with the stems and foliage. You can find floral tape at craft stores, gardening stores, or online. It's usually inexpensive and easy to get hold of. When wrapping the stems, start from the top and work your way down, being careful not to wrap all the way to the bottom. This will help the bouquet maintain its natural look while keeping the stems firmly in place.

Frequently asked questions