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

Flower garlands are a versatile addition to your wedding décor. They can be used on a wedding arch, draped over chairs, hung on tables, or even on your getaway car. You can use fresh, fake, fabric, or paper flowers to create garlands that add the perfect touch to a bridal shower, wedding ceremony, or dinner party. This article will guide you through the process of making a flower garland for your wedding, including choosing the right flowers, materials, and techniques, as well as providing tips for maintenance and preservation.

How to Make a Flower Garland for a Wedding

Choosing flowers: Select fresh, fragrant flowers with cultural significance

Flowers are a key part of the decoration and ritual involved in a wedding. Choosing the right flowers for your garland is crucial for creating a perfect and lasting impression. Here are some tips for selecting fresh, fragrant flowers with cultural significance for your wedding flower garland:

Select Fresh Flowers

The freshness of the flowers is essential to ensure they remain vibrant and beautiful throughout the wedding ceremony. Opt for flowers that are freshly picked, with healthy petals, sturdy stems, and no blemishes. Choose flowers that are slightly open but not fully bloomed, as they will last longer and maintain their shape.

Consider Cultural Significance

Flowers can hold different meanings and symbolism across various cultures. For example, in Indian weddings, jasmine, roses, and marigolds are traditionally woven into intricate garlands. These flowers represent blossoming love and are considered auspicious. Marigolds, in particular, are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. In South Indian weddings, jasmine, lotus, firecracker flowers, and tulsi (holy basil) are also used for their spiritual significance and divine connotations.

Incorporate Fragrant Flowers

Fragrant flowers not only enhance the ambiance but also hold symbolic meanings. Jasmine, with its sweet fragrance, is believed to bring good luck and future success. Gardenias, lilies, and lavender are other options known for their delightful scent. However, if you have guests who are sensitive to strong fragrances, use these flowers sparingly.

Choose Flowers That Complement Your Theme

Consider your wedding theme, colour palette, and season when selecting flowers. For example, if you're having a rustic summer wedding, wildflowers or garden roses may be a better choice than more formal options. Think about the colours and varieties available for each flower type and how they will enhance your wedding aesthetic.

Add Cultural or Personal Touches

Personalise your garland by incorporating flowers that hold special significance for you and your culture. For instance, in certain South Indian communities, garlands made from tulsi hold special importance, symbolizing purity and divine blessing. You can also add decorative elements like beads, pearls, or ribbons to enhance the visual appeal and cultural significance of your garland.

Mix and Match

Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of flowers to create a unique and visually appealing garland. You can combine fully bloomed roses with rosebuds, or intersperse red roses with white or pink ones for a contrasting effect. Adding greenery, such as eucalyptus, can also enhance the overall look and provide a nice base for your floral arrangement.

Materials: Gather string, thread, needle, scissors, floral tape, and decorations

When making a flower garland for a wedding, it's important to gather the right materials. You will need string, thread, a needle, scissors, floral tape, and any decorations you want to add.

The type of string you choose is important. For a delicate garland, you might opt for tapestry thread, which can be used to sew strings of fresh flowers together. If you're making a sturdier garland, you'll need a strong string or even floral wire. This will form the base of your garland and keep your flowers in place.

A needle is also essential, especially if you're threading flowers or stringing paper flowers together. Choose a strong needle that can pierce through the base of each flower without bending.

Scissors are another must-have. You'll need them to cut the string or thread to the desired length and also to trim flower stems. If you're using fresh flowers, pruning shears can help with this task.

Floral tape is useful for binding flowers together to create a fuller garland. It's especially handy if you want to create a garland that can be viewed from all sides.

Finally, don't forget to add your own creative touches with decorations. Beads, pearls, and ribbons can add a touch of elegance and visual interest to your garland. If you're making an Indian garland, mango leaves are believed to bring purity and ward off negativity.

Assembly: Pierce and thread flowers, adding tape to secure

When assembling your flower garland, you'll want to start by threading a strong needle with a durable string or floral wire. The length of the string or wire will depend on how long you want your garland to be.

Once you have your threaded needle, you can start piercing the flowers at the base and threading them onto the string. It's important to be gentle during this process to avoid bruising or damaging the petals. Pack the flowers tightly together to create a full appearance, and consider alternating colours or types of flowers to create a pattern and make the garland look more intricate.

As you go, you can wrap floral tape around the stems of the flowers to secure them in place and to give your garland a more polished look. Continue adding flowers and taping them until you've reached your desired length.

Finally, secure the ends of the garland with knots and add any decorative elements, such as ribbons or beads, to complete the look.

Storage: Keep flowers cool, hydrated, and protected

To keep your flowers cool, hydrated, and protected, follow these steps:

Firstly, store your flowers in a cool, shaded place, avoiding direct sunlight and heat. Aim for a temperature of around 2°C to 3°C (36°F to 38°F) if possible. Keep them away from windowsills and radiators, and out of the path of direct light or heat sources.

Secondly, ensure the flowers are well-hydrated. Before arranging them, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle, cutting about a quarter to half an inch from the bottom. This will maximise their water absorption. Use a sharp knife or scissors, and cut the stems under water if possible. Place the flowers in a vase filled with fresh water, ensuring the stems are fully submerged.

Thirdly, protect the flowers by keeping the vase clean. Use a clean vase, rinsed thoroughly with a mixture of bleach and water, or warm water and soap, to eliminate harmful bacteria. Change the water daily, or at least every other day, to prevent bacterial growth and keep the flowers hydrated.

Additionally, you can add flower food to the water to provide extra nourishment. A simple recipe for this is 1 quart of water, 1 teaspoon of bleach, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Alternatively, you can use a packet of flower food that comes with some bouquets, or a mixture of lemon-lime soda and water.

Finally, mist the flowers regularly with water to keep them hydrated, and handle the garland gently to avoid bruising or damaging the petals.

Display: Hang garlands or drape over chairs, tables, and doorways

Garlands are a versatile and eye-catching way to decorate your wedding. They can be draped, hung, or wrapped to create a romantic and natural atmosphere. Here are some ideas for displaying garlands to make a statement on your big day:

Hang Garlands from the Ceiling or Archways:

• Create a suspended grid of lemon leaf garlands to transform the space into a secret garden. Add crisp table linens and taper candles for a refined and unique look.
• For an outdoor wedding, hang garlands from trees or archways. Drape them over branches or doorways to frame the ceremony or reception area.
• If you have cables, rafters, or suspended lighting, use them to hang different sizes of garlands, creating an intimate atmosphere.
• For a whimsical touch, wrap a trellis ceiling with ivy garlands, suspending them from the ceiling to create a unique installation.

Drape Garlands Over Chairs:

• Adorn the backs of the wedding party chairs with lush greenery and fresh blooms that match your wedding colour palette. This will call attention to the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
• For a more subtle approach, opt for sheer tulle with small bouquets attached. This fairy-tale-like detail will be a breeze to place over the shoulder of each chair.
• If you're looking for a rustic touch, try mason jar flower bouquets. Set them next to the aisle on the ground or attach them to the chairs with twine.

Drape Garlands Over Tables:

• For a family-style dinner, drape garlands down the entire length of the table to create a cohesive and impactful look.
• For round tables, garlands can be looped into wreaths. Leave them as floral centrepieces or add lanterns for a romantic, twinkling effect.
• If you're having a sweetheart table, drape a garland across the front to add a decorative touch without taking up too much space.

With these ideas, you can create a stunning display at your wedding, adding colour, texture, and a touch of nature to your special day.

Frequently asked questions