Creating Wedding Flower Bouquets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding flower bouquets can be expensive, so why not try making your own? It's easier than you think and a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. You'll need a few simple materials, such as flowers of your choice, floral tape, and scissors or shears. The first step is to remove the leaves from the flower stems and pick a focal flower that will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. Then, add flowers at an angle, rotating the bouquet as you go, before inserting filler flowers to create a natural look. Finally, tie the flowers together, cut the stems, and wrap them with floral tape to keep them in place. With these steps, you'll be able to create a stunning, custom arrangement that serves as the perfect accessory for your wedding.

Choosing your flowers

The flowers you choose for your DIY wedding bouquet should reflect your preferences and the theme of your wedding. Traditionally, bridal bouquets feature white flowers, with some touches of pink or other pastel colours. However, you can choose any colours and flowers that match your wedding's theme.

If you're going for a more modern and simple design, consider using only one to three varieties of flowers, very little to no greenery, and flowers with a lot of textural interest. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, you can use five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery, with different textures and gestures.

When selecting your flowers, consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Decide if you want complementary colours for a subtle balance or contrasting colours for added drama.

To save money, choose flowers that are in season. Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are in bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best for fall. You can also look at what's blooming in someone's garden, or source your flowers from local farms, grocery stores, or online.

For a simple bouquet, choose one type of flower that you want to be the centre of attention, such as a light pink peony. Then, add other flowers at an angle, facing towards the left, ensuring the blooms are at the same height. You can use roses, lisianthus, and other filler flowers to add colour and a natural look to your bouquet.

Bouquet style

There are many different styles of wedding bouquet to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics and appeal. Here is a detailed description of some of the most popular styles:

Nosegay

The nosegay bouquet is a small, dainty option, typically reserved for flower girls, the mother of the bride, or brides looking for a more understated floral arrangement. It usually consists of a few stems of the same flower, cut to a uniform length, and wrapped tightly with ribbon. This style is perfect for those on a budget due to its small size.

Pomander

The pomander bouquet is a ball-shaped arrangement that hangs from a ribbon worn around the wrist. It is most commonly carried by flower girls but can be a pricey choice due to the 360-degree floral coverage and labour-intensive construction.

Posy

The posy bouquet is a classic, elegant choice, famously carried by Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry. It typically features a round formation of blooms with tightly bound stems of the same length and minimal to no additional foliage. This style is ideal for those seeking a traditional, romantic, or glamorous look, rather than a boho vibe.

Round

The round bouquet is another classic style, often seen at formal and traditional weddings. It usually features one type of flower, assembled tightly together in a dome shape, with no foliage to maintain its curved silhouette. This bouquet style is commonly created with roses or ranunculus but can also be crafted with parrot tulips for a glamorous twist.

Hand-Tied

The hand-tied bouquet, also known as a garden wedding bouquet, is a popular choice for couples and florists who prefer a natural, loose design. This medium-sized bouquet utilises blooms and greenery of various stem lengths to create a slightly asymmetrical, lush arrangement. The stems are typically tied with long ribbons that hang loose, emphasising the free-flowing shape.

Asymmetrical

The asymmetrical bouquet is a popular, modern choice that features a mix of foliage and florals. One side of the bouquet is noticeably higher than the other, or it may have a prominent accent on one side.

Sourcing flowers

The first step to making your own wedding bouquet is to decide on the type of blooms you want to use. Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want complementary colours for a subtle balance, or would you prefer to integrate contrasting colours for a bolder, more dramatic look?

If you're going for a modern and simple design, opt for one to three varieties of florals, little to no greenery, and flowers with a lot of textural interest. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, choose five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

Once you've decided on the style and types of flowers you want, it's time to source them. If you have access to a garden, start by looking at what's blooming there. If not, you can try local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets. You can also check online to order flowers in bulk, or consider buying them from a local grocery store. To save money, pick flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn.

Some popular flowers used in bridal bouquets include:

• Green trick dianthus
• Light pink peony
• Avalanche rose
• Lisianthus

Timing and prep

Timing is key when it comes to making your own wedding bouquet. Ideally, you'll want to source your flowers two days before the wedding, create the bouquet a day before, and then add any finishing touches, like a ribbon, on the day of the wedding. This way, your blooms will be at their best when you walk down the aisle.

Before you start constructing your bouquet, there are a few preparation steps to take. First, remove all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. This will not only make your bouquet look neater but also save you time later on. Then, using a sharp pair of floral snips or shears, cut the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. As you work, place the stems in a bucket of water to keep them fresh.

If you're working in a hot climate or using tropical blooms during a dry spell, be sure to research how to keep them vibrant and fresh until your wedding day.

Now that your flowers are prepped, you can start building your bouquet. Begin by choosing a focal flower—one that you want to be the centre of attention. Hold this flower near the blossom end, and add the next flower at an angle to the left, ensuring the blooms are at the same height. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet a quarter turn to the right each time, to create a well-filled and rounded arrangement.

Constructing the bouquet

Before you begin constructing your bouquet, ensure that the flower stems and greenery are prepped and ready. Remove all the leaves from the stems of your flowers and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. It's important to be delicate during this process to avoid damaging the stems.

Now, select your first flower. Choose a flower that you want to be the centre of attention within your bouquet. Hold the flower with your fingers near the blossom end. This will be your focal flower. Next, add another flower at an angle facing towards the left, ensuring that the bloom remains at the same height as the focal flower. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet a quarter-turn to the right each time, positioning it for the next flower to be added diagonally and angled leftward.

Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, insert some filler flowers between the flowers you already have. These are usually smaller, green flowers that give a natural look to the bouquet. Ensure that you put all the filler flowers in at the same angle to maintain symmetry.

Now it's time to tie the flowers together. Tie a tight knot at the highest point of the stem that you can reach. Then, cut off any excess string so that it's not visible. To ensure comfort, measure two hand lengths from the string, and add an additional 3 centimetres. Cut the stems to this length.

Finally, wrap the stems together with floral tape, starting from the top and moving downwards. Don't wrap all the way to the bottom; instead, wrap just over the size of one hand to maintain the bouquet's natural look while ensuring everything is held firmly in place.

Frequently asked questions