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

Creating a flower stand for a wedding can be a fun and creative process. It is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. When making a flower stand, it is important to consider the overall theme and style of the wedding and choose flowers that complement the colour palette. One can use leftover flowers, greenery, and accent florals to create a stunning arrangement. Simple materials such as wooden pallets, buckets, or repurposed old furniture can be used to create elegant ceremony columns. Floral foam can be cut to fit the diameter of the flower pots, and personal touches such as handmade signage, family heirlooms, or sentimental trinkets can be added to make the stand unique. Additionally, understanding the basic mechanics of setting up a flower stand and filling it with greenery is essential. This involves choosing the right cage, soaking it, and securely attaching it to the stand using florist wire. With creativity and attention to detail, a beautiful flower stand can be created to enhance the wedding ceremony.

Choosing a wedding flower: select flowers that complement your wedding's theme, style, and colour palette

Flowers are an integral part of weddings. They not only add a pop of colour and a touch of nature to the decor, but they also carry symbolic meanings and can be used to express your personal style and creativity. When choosing flowers for your wedding, it's important to consider your wedding's theme, style, and colour palette to ensure the flowers complement and accentuate the overall aesthetic. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect blooms:

• Determine your wedding style and theme: Before choosing your flowers, define the style and theme of your wedding. Are you going for a classic, elegant look, or a more rustic, bohemian vibe? Popular wedding themes include modern, glamorous, rustic, vintage, and beach, each calling for different floral choices. For instance, a classic wedding might feature white roses and peonies, while a rustic wedding could incorporate sunflowers or ranunculus.
• Consider your colour palette: Your wedding flowers don't have to be an exact match to your colour scheme, but they should complement it. Think about the colours used in your invitations, attire, table linens, and other decor elements. Dahlias, carnations, roses, tulips, and lilies come in a wide range of colours, making them versatile choices. If you want your flowers to be a specific shade, be as precise as possible when discussing with your florist.
• Seasonal availability: Opt for flowers that are in season during your wedding month. In-season flowers are more readily available and typically more affordable. For example, peonies and hydrangeas are ideal for spring weddings, while dahlias and mums are perfect for autumn nuptials.
• Venue considerations: The wedding venue will also influence your flower choices. If you're marrying in a natural setting like a park or garden, you may need fewer flowers. In contrast, an indoor venue like a banquet hall might require larger, more impactful arrangements. Choose flowers that suit the vibe of your venue.
• Personal preferences and symbolism: Don't forget to consider your personal preferences and the symbolic meanings of flowers. If you have favourite blooms, communicate this to your florist, who can suggest similar alternatives if your choices are not in season. You can also incorporate flowers that hold special significance or add embellishments that hold personal meaning to your arrangements.
• Consult a florist: Working with a professional florist is crucial in bringing your floral vision to life. Look for a florist whose style matches your wedding theme and who has experience with similar events. Share your inspiration, colour palette, and budget with them, and they will guide you in selecting the perfect flowers.

Using simple materials: create elegant ceremony columns from wooden pallets, buckets, or old furniture

Creating elegant ceremony columns from wooden pallets, buckets, or old furniture can be a simple and budget-friendly way to add a unique touch to your wedding decor. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Wooden Pallets:

• Source wooden pallets that are in good condition and have a similar size and shape.
• Sand the pallets to smooth out any rough surfaces and splinters.
• Paint or stain the pallets in a colour that complements your wedding theme. You can choose a single colour or create a ombre effect by blending different shades.
• Stack the pallets securely to create columns of varying heights.
• Decorate the columns with flowers, fabric draping, or string lights.

Buckets:

• Choose buckets made of metal or plastic in a colour that matches your wedding theme.
• Fill the buckets with flowers, either fresh or artificial, to create a simple and elegant display.
• If using metal buckets, consider wrapping them with fairy lights for a whimsical touch.
• Place the buckets at different heights by setting them on crates, wooden boxes, or risers.
• Group the buckets together to create a cohesive display.

Old Furniture:

• Look for old furniture pieces such as end tables, plant stands, or bookshelves that can be repurposed as ceremony columns.
• Give the furniture a fresh coat of paint in a colour that complements your wedding palette.
• Distress the furniture for a rustic or vintage look.
• Decorate the furniture with flowers, candles, or other decorative elements.
• Arrange the furniture pieces to create a unique backdrop for your ceremony.

Remember to consider the overall style and theme of your wedding when choosing materials and decorations for your ceremony columns. With a bit of creativity and some simple materials, you can create elegant and memorable displays for your special day.

Floral foam: cut it to fit the diameter of your flower pots and place it inside

Floral foam is an essential component of flower stands and arrangements. When working with floral foam, here are some detailed instructions to ensure a secure and aesthetically pleasing result:

Firstly, choose an appropriate container, vase, or basket that can hold water. If you opt for a basket, line it with strong plastic, or place a glass, ceramic, or plastic bowl inside. This forms the base of your flower stand.

Next, soak the floral foam (also known as an oasis) in water. Ensure the oasis is completely submerged and allow it to absorb water for about 15 minutes to ensure it is thoroughly saturated.

Once the floral foam is soaked, remove it from the water and use a knife to cut it to the appropriate size. You want the foam to fit snugly inside your chosen container, with about an inch of extra height above the container's top. This extra inch will be concealed by your flowers and greenery.

Before placing the foam into the container, make an "X" with green floral tape and tape it to the edges of the container. This will help secure the foam and prevent it from shifting. If there is excess water in the container, carefully pour some out, leaving enough to keep the foam moist.

Now, you are ready to start arranging your flowers! Choose a centre flower that is about 1.5 inches taller than your container. Remember to work with odd numbers—start with one centre flower, then add five more of the same variety around it. Cut the stems to your desired length, making the centre flower the tallest, and the surrounding flowers varying lengths.

Floral foam provides a stable base for your flower stand and helps keep your flowers hydrated. Be sure to check the water level in the container regularly, especially for flowers like hydrangeas, which need plenty of water.

Personal touches: add handmade signage, family heirlooms, or sentimental items to make the stand unique

Adding personal touches to your wedding flower stand is a great way to make your special day more memorable and unique. Here are some ideas to incorporate handmade signage, family heirlooms, or sentimental items:

Handmade Signage

Create a personalised welcome sign for your wedding flower stand. You can design and make this yourself, or even include a downloadable tutorial for a handmade flower box welcome sign. This adds a creative and intimate touch to your wedding decor.

Family Heirlooms

Incorporating family heirlooms is a wonderful way to honour your family's history and add a unique twist to your flower stand. Consider using antique champagne coupes for a toast, or styling the stand with vintage quilts or blankets. If you have access to beautiful heirloom furniture, such as an antique chair, it can make for a stunning addition to your wedding photos and create a cosy lounge area for your guests.

Sentimental Items

Sentimental items can be a great way to showcase your personality as a couple. You could include photos of you and your partner from your dating days, family photos, or even photos of your pets. If you have any sentimental jewellery, you can use it to wrap your bouquet, or have your bridesmaids wear cloned pieces. Small sentimental trinkets can also be added to your flower stand to make it truly yours.

Hanging flowers: transform your wedding venue with hanging flowers and disco decor

Hanging flowers are a great way to transform your wedding venue and create a breathtaking floral setting that will impress your guests. Here are some tips and ideas to achieve this:

Types of Hanging Flower Decorations:

• Flower Chandeliers: An oversized hoop covered in fresh blooms, greenery, or other botanical elements, single- or multi-tiered, sometimes combined with lighting.
• Garlands: Long, rope-like arrangements made with greenery leaves and flowers, strung from the ceiling to create a "tented" look.
• Botanical Bridge Centerpiece: An elongated arrangement supported by pedestals or suspended from above, creating the illusion of a floating centerpiece.
• Flower Clouds: Separate bundles of blooms suspended in a group, creating a whimsical, fluffy cloud-like effect.
• Upside-down Garden: Covering the entire ceiling or a large portion with hanging flowers, with little space between the stems, creating an immersive garden-like feel.

Cost of Hanging Flowers:

Hanging flower decorations can be more expensive than table centerpieces due to the time, care, and expertise required. A safe minimum budget is $100 per foot of the arrangement. Larger installations can cost four or five figures, so work with your florist to find creative solutions if you're on a tighter budget.

Hanging Flower Ideas:

• Freeform pastel table-spanning flowers with terracotta pots and light fixtures for a California secret garden vibe.
• Whimsical garden-inspired flower chandelier with blue delphiniums, pink dahlias, and yellow garden roses, perfect for a spring wedding.
• Wisteria-covered ceiling for an enchanting, fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
• Square baby's breath flower cloud for a sophisticated and whimsical touch above the dance floor.
• Voluminous floral clouds with white orchids and twiggy yellow blooms to complement the creamy whites and golds of reception tables.
• Colorful abstract hanging centerpiece with grasses, vines, and palm fronds for an organic, tropical feel.

Tips for Hanging Flowers:

• Always check with your venue about accommodating hanging flowers and any associated fees or stipulations.
• Consider the existing infrastructure, and whether additional support is needed, or if you can utilize light fixtures or beams.
• Choose flowers that suit your desired look—ivy and wisteria for a graceful, cascading effect, or sturdy roses and pampas grass for horizontal volume.
• Work with reputable vendors, including a florist and event designer, to ensure safe and successful execution.

Disco Decor:

In addition to hanging flowers, you can incorporate disco decor for a fun and unique touch. Here are some ideas:

• Disco balls and greenery accents: Pair shimmering disco balls with winding vines for a captivating ceiling display above the dance floor.
• Multi-tiered disco ball cluster: Conceal an eyesore like an industrial fan with a cluster of disco balls at varying heights, creating a chandelier effect.
• Paper lantern grouping: Combine paper lanterns with crystal chandeliers for a playful and creative contrast.

Frequently asked questions