Diy Wedding Flowers: Simple Steps For Bridal Bouquets

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and stressful endeavour, so it's no surprise that many people are turning to DIY options to save money. One way to do this is by making your own wedding flowers. This can be a fun and creative project, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some tips to help you get started:

- Create a list of what you need: Before you start, make a list of all the places you want flowers, such as bouquets for the bridal party, boutonnieres, corsages, table centrepieces, and any other decorations. This will help you understand the scope of the project and create a budget.

- Know your vision: Collect images of flower arrangements you like to help define your vision and share it with others. Be flexible, as your favourite flowers may not be in season or available.

- Understand the cost of flowers: Buying flowers can be expensive, especially if you want specific types or colours. Consider mixing expensive flowers with cheaper options, or using seasonal flowers to save money.

- Choose your flower sources: You can buy flowers from local flower farms, grocery stores, florists, or online retailers. Compare prices and availability to find the best option for your needs and budget.

- Plan your workspace and tools: Set up a clean and cool workspace with all the necessary tools, such as scissors, floral tape, ribbon, vases, and buckets.

- Give yourself enough time: Making wedding flowers can be time-consuming, so make sure you allow plenty of time for flower delivery, preparation, and arrangement. Enlist the help of family and friends to make it more enjoyable and efficient.

- Keep flowers fresh: Store flowers in a cool place, trim the stems, and change the water regularly to keep them fresh.

- Transport and store flowers carefully: Use boxes or buckets to transport flowers to the venue, and store them in a cool place until the wedding.

- Practice and be flexible: Flower arrangement may take some practice, so don't be afraid to experiment. Remember, your arrangements don't have to be perfect, and your unique creations will add a personal touch to your special day.

Choosing the right flowers

Seasonality

The availability of certain flowers will depend on the time of year you're getting married. Do some research to find out which flowers are typically in season during your wedding month. This will help you plan and pre-select some of the flowers you might want to include in your arrangements. Keep in mind that your favourite flowers may not be available, so it's good to have a range of options.

Colour Scheme

Consider what colours you'd like to include in your bouquets and centrepieces. This will help guide your flower choices and ensure they complement your wedding theme and décor. You can create a Pinterest board with floral inspiration to give yourself a clear visual reference when selecting and arranging your flowers.

Suppliers

There are various places to buy cut flowers, including flower markets, supermarkets, and online retailers. Flower markets offer a wide variety of blooms but may require an early morning start for trading. Supermarkets can be a convenient option, but the selection may vary, and you can't always guarantee they will have what you want. Online retailers, such as Bloom & Wild, offer a convenient delivery option and often include flower food to keep your blooms fresh.

Flower Types

When choosing flowers for your bouquet, consider a mix of focal flowers, filler flowers, and statement flowers. Focal flowers are the main attraction, like roses or peonies. Filler flowers add texture and dimension, such as baby's breath or greenery. Statement flowers are taller blooms that add height and movement, like lilies or delphiniums. You can also add in some greenery for stability and to fill out your arrangements.

Storage and Care

To keep your flowers fresh before arranging them, store them in a cool place, out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources. Change the water regularly, and consider adding flower food to the vases to extend their vase life. If you're arranging the flowers yourself, it's best to do it one to two days before the wedding to ensure they look their best.

Sourcing flowers

The first step in your DIY wedding flower journey is to buy the flowers. You can save money by buying wholesale flowers, which will avoid the premium added on by florists.

Local flower markets are a great place to start, but be aware that some are trade-only. Wholesale flower prices are often discussed in terms of price per stem. If you're in the US, Sam's Club offers great deals on roses and baby's breath, and you can order online.

If you're looking for an online wholesale delivery service, FiftyFlowers ships flowers from Ecuador a few days before the wedding. You will be responsible for hydrating the flowers and putting together the arrangements.

Kukka Flowers is another online option, offering affordable pre-designed DIY wedding flower packages. They ship flowers overnight to your chosen location 2-3 days before your wedding, with detailed assembly instructions provided.

If you're looking for a more personal touch, you could try contacting small local flower farms. Many sell at farmer's markets and directly from their farms. While they may be confined to the growing season and may not offer certain industry-standard flowers, they can be a great source of knowledge about what flowers will be in bloom.

For a more budget-conscious option, you could try grocery store flowers. These are usually white roses, baby's breath, and carnations, and the bunch sizes and variety may be limited.

If you're not concerned about budget and are looking for a specific type of flower, a florist is always an option. Your DIY flowers will be the most expensive here, but you'll get exactly what you want, and they will be in perfect condition.

Finally, if you're a keen gardener, you could try growing your own cut flowers. This option gives you a lot of variety, but be aware that the timing of blooms may be unpredictable, and some flowers may not ship well.

Arranging bouquets

Choose your flowers:

Select flowers that are in season to get the best prices and ensure availability. Consider the colour scheme and theme of your wedding, and choose a mix of blooms, fillers, and greenery to create a stunning arrangement. You can buy flowers from local flower markets, wholesale suppliers, or even grow your own.

Prepare the flowers:

Remove any leaves from the stems that will be below the waterline, and cut the stems at a diagonal angle to allow for better hydration. You can also cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stems to promote optimal hydration. If you're using roses, remove any brown or discoloured guard petals.

Create the bouquet shape:

Start by choosing a focal flower, which will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. Hold it near the blossom end. Add the next flower at an angle, facing towards the left, ensuring the bloom is at the same height as the focal flower. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet a quarter turn to the right each time. You can also add filler flowers, usually small, green flowers, to give a natural look to the bouquet. Ensure that all filler flowers are inserted at the same angle to maintain symmetry.

Secure the bouquet:

Tie the stems tightly together with floral wire or string. Cut off any excess string so that it's not visible. Wrap floral tape around the stems, covering the wire or string, to hold the bouquet firmly in place. Finish it off with a ribbon of your choice, securing it with pins.

Final touches:

Trim the stems of your bouquet, leaving a few inches below the ribbon. Place the bouquet in a vase with cool water to keep it fresh. You can also add flower food to the water to help preserve the flowers. Enjoy your beautiful DIY wedding bouquet!

Tips:

• It's a good idea to create a plan for your bouquet before you start arranging. Consider the style, colour palette, and types of flowers you want to use.
• When ordering flowers online, think about how many bouquets you need, the colours and textures you want, and the size and style of your bouquets.
• Assemble your tools and supplies, including shears or scissors, floral tape, ribbon, and vases or buckets for the flowers.
• It's best to make the bouquet one or two days before the wedding, so the flowers are fresh and vibrant on your big day.
• If you're making multiple bouquets, consider assembling an assembly line with your helpers to streamline the process.

Storing flowers

Storing your DIY wedding flowers correctly is essential to ensure they look their best on the big day. Here are some tips to help you store your flowers and keep them fresh:

Timing

Plan to have your flowers delivered two days before your wedding. This will give them enough time to rehydrate and perk up before the event. If your wedding is on a Saturday, get your flowers delivered on Thursday, and then you can arrange them on Friday.

Storage

Store your flowers in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and heating vents. An air-conditioned room, basement, or garage is ideal. If possible, keep them in a walk-in cooler.

Buckets and Water

Have clean buckets of water ready for your flowers as soon as they arrive. Allow the flowers to drink for at least six hours before you start arranging them. Lukewarm water is ideal at the beginning to help the flowers bloom, but keep the water cooler once they've been arranged to slow down the blooming process. Change the water daily.

Flower Prep

When your flowers arrive, cut the stems on a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife or scissors. This ensures the bloom has a clear straw to pull water from. Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline, as these can carry bacteria that can infect the flowers. Keep the flowers in their original packaging for the first two hours of hydration, then remove the packaging to allow the petals to open up fully.

Food and Other Additives

You can purchase flower food from a local florist to help preserve your flowers. You can also add a few drops of bleach mixed with a teaspoon of sugar to the water to fight bacteria and feed your flowers. Alternatively, you can add a quarter of a cup of lemon-lime soda to each bouquet or arrangement's water source. The acidity and sugar in the soda will perk up your flowers.

Spray

You can also spray your flowers with a product like Crown and Glory to lock in moisture and give them a nice sheen. Hairspray can also help your flowers look fresh for longer—simply stand a foot away from the bouquet and give the undersides of the leaves and petals a quick spray.

Displaying flowers

Displaying your DIY wedding flowers is an important part of the process. Here are some tips and tricks to help you showcase your arrangements beautifully:

Choosing the Right Flowers

When selecting flowers for your wedding, it's essential to consider the seasonality and availability of blooms. Be flexible and create a colour palette and theme rather than focusing on specific varieties. This will ensure you can adapt to substitutions and still achieve your desired look. Understand the cost of flowers and be realistic about what you can achieve within your budget.

Containers and Vases

Start collecting jars, vases, and other vessels for your flowers well in advance. Charity shops and car boot sales are great places to find unique and affordable options. If you're using flower markets, be prepared for early starts, as trading often begins around 4 am. For a more convenient option, consider buying from supermarkets or online retailers, but be aware that their stock may be less predictable.

Storage and Preparation

To keep your flowers fresh before arranging, store them in a cool, dark place, such as a cellar or refrigerator. Remove any leaves below the waterline and cut the stems at an angle to promote hydration. If you're using flowers that have been shipped, they will likely need to be rehydrated, so allow them time to open up and bloom.

Work Space and Helpers

Designate a workspace with a clear surface for arranging your flowers. Recruit helpers to make the process more enjoyable and efficient. It's a good idea to make the bride's bouquet first, so she has first pick of the flowers, and then use it as a template for the bridesmaids' bouquets.

Bouquet Assembly

When creating bouquets, start by choosing focal flowers and adding greenery and filler flowers to complement them. Hold the stems in your hand and keep adding and arranging until you're happy with the balance of colours and heights. Secure the stems with floral tape and add ribbon for extra colour. Place the finished bouquets in jars with flower food to keep them fresh until the wedding.

Centrepieces and Extra Flowers

For table centrepieces and other flower arrangements, follow similar principles as for the bouquets. Create balanced compositions and make use of any leftover flowers and greenery. Display your centrepieces in vases or jars with water and flower food to keep them fresh. If you have extra flowers, consider using them to decorate other areas of your venue, such as the cake table or guest book area.

Frequently asked questions