Creating A Blooming Wedding Party With Diy Flowers

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and expensive endeavour, but one way to save money is to make your own flowers. It can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's important to plan ahead and be aware of the challenges. Start by settling on a theme or colour palette, and create a vision board to help guide your design choices. Enlist the help of friends and family to make the process smoother and less time-consuming. When it comes to sourcing flowers, consider buying in-season flowers from local suppliers, or even growing your own. Wholesale flowers can be purchased from local flower markets, or online from companies like FiftyFlowers. It's also a good idea to supplement with supermarket flowers or greenery from your own garden. When it comes to arranging your flowers, there are plenty of online tutorials to guide you, and remember to allow enough time for your creations to come together.

Choosing your flowers

Pinterest is a great resource for creating a board and filling it with floral inspiration to give yourself a clear visual reference point. YouTube also has some great videos on flower arranging, so it's worth getting an idea of how to build bouquets and making a mental note of any useful tips.

If you're planning on making flowers for your tables and venue, start collecting jars, vases and any other vessels to display your blooms in advance. Charity shops and car boot sales are great places to find these at affordable prices.

There are many places to buy cut flowers, including flower markets, supermarkets and online retailers. Buying from supermarkets can be a little risky as you can't guarantee they will have what you want, so it may be worth shopping around online to find affordable bouquets that contain the types of flowers you are looking for.

When it comes to buying your flowers, you can source them from local floral markets and, surprisingly, Costco and Sam's Club. These usually offer the best value.

Sourcing your flowers

Flower Types and Seasonality

Before you start sourcing your flowers, it's important to have a basic understanding of the types of flowers you want to use and their seasonality. Different flowers bloom at different times of the year, so it's essential to know what will be in season around your wedding date. For example, if you're planning a winter wedding, you might choose flowers like lilies of the valley or winter's rose camellia, which are typically in season during that period.

Suppliers and Purchasing Options

There are various places where you can buy cut flowers, including flower markets, local supermarkets, and online retailers. Flower markets can be a great source for specific blooms, but they often start trading early in the morning, and you may need to travel a considerable distance to reach one. Supermarkets like Aldi, Waitrose, and Trader Joe's can be good options, but the selection may vary, and you can't always guarantee they will have what you want. Online retailers like FiftyFlowers, Bloom & Wild, and Sam's Club offer convenience and a wide range of options, often at wholesale prices.

Budgeting and Cost-Saving Tips

Creating your own wedding flowers can be a significant cost saver, but it's important to set a budget and plan accordingly. Consider the number of arrangements you need, including bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations. Then, research the cost of the flowers you want and compare prices across different suppliers. Buying in-season flowers from local suppliers is usually the most cost-effective option. Additionally, consider using more affordable filler flowers and greenery, such as baby's breath, eucalyptus, and dusty miller, to stretch your budget further.

Timing and Flower Care

When sourcing your flowers, timing is crucial. Flowers have different vase lives, and some are more durable than others. Softer-stemmed flowers like daffodils or tulips, for example, have a shorter vase life and don't do well in heat. On the other hand, flowers with woody stems, such as hydrangeas, often last longer. Plan to source your flowers a few days before your wedding and store them properly to ensure they stay fresh. Keep them in a cool place, cut their stems at an angle, and provide plenty of clean water.

Timing and storage

Timing:

The timing of your flower arrangements will depend on the types of flowers you choose and how much time you have before the wedding. Here are some key timing considerations:

• Flower sourcing: Determine when your favourite flowers are in season and plan your wedding date accordingly. If your desired flowers are not in season, consider alternative varieties with a similar appearance. For example, if you love peonies but are getting married outside of their season, ranunculus can be a gorgeous substitute.
• Flower delivery: If you're ordering flowers online or from a local supplier, plan the delivery date to ensure the flowers arrive a few days before the wedding. This will give you time to condition and arrange them.
• Flower preparation: Most flowers will need to be trimmed, de-leaved, and hydrated upon arrival. Allow a few hours for this process and begin creating your bouquets and arrangements the following day.
• Bouquet assembly: Creating bouquets and arrangements can be time-consuming, especially if you're crafting multiple pieces. Set aside a full day for this task, and enlist the help of family and friends to make it more enjoyable and efficient.
• Final touches: On the day of the wedding, add any final touches to your bouquets, such as ribbons or wrapping. Transport the flowers to the venue, ensuring they remain hydrated and fresh until the ceremony.

Storage:

Proper storage of your DIY wedding flowers is essential to keep them fresh and vibrant. Here are some tips for optimal flower storage:

• Containers: Use clean buckets or vases filled with water and flower food to store your flowers before and after arranging. Ensure the vessels are large enough to accommodate the stems and keep the flowers hydrated.
• Temperature: Store your flowers in a cool place, ideally in a refrigerator or a cool cellar. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, as these will cause the flowers to wilt prematurely.
• Timing: Flowers have varying vase lives, so it's crucial to time your arrangements accordingly. Softer-stemmed flowers like daffodils and tulips have a shorter vase life of 3-5 days, while flowers with woody stems, such as hydrangeas, tend to last longer.
• Filler flowers: Greenery and foliage are excellent fillers to extend the life of your arrangements. Sprigs of eucalyptus, baby's breath, and dusty miller add texture and dimension while keeping your flowers looking lush.
• Transportation: When transporting your flowers to the venue, use the original boxes with holes cut out to hold the flowers and vases securely. Alternatively, enlist someone to carefully carry the bouquets and arrangements, ensuring they don't get jostled during transit.

Remember, creating your own wedding flowers can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and attention to timing and storage. By following these guidelines, your flowers will look fresh and beautiful on your special day.

Arranging your flowers

Planning and Preparation

Before you start arranging your flowers, it's important to have a clear idea of what you want to create. Use Pinterest and YouTube to gather inspiration and get an idea of how to build bouquets. It's also a good idea to create a mood board that matches your wedding theme and colour palette. This will give you a clear visual reference point when you start arranging your flowers.

In addition, consider the types of flowers you want to use. If you have a favourite flower that is not in season, you may need to choose a similar alternative. For example, if you love peonies but are getting married outside of their season, ranunculus could be a good substitute. It's also a good idea to mix and match different types of flowers and greenery to add texture and dimension to your arrangements.

Timing and Storage

Tools and Materials

To arrange your flowers, you will need sharp flower shears or scissors, plastic buckets for storing the flowers, and ribbon, twine, and pins for wrapping the stems. If you are creating larger arrangements, such as centrepieces or flower arches, you may also need chicken wire and floral foam.

Creating the Bouquets

When creating the bouquets, it's a good idea to make the bride's bouquet first, so you can have the first pick of your favourite flowers. Hold the stems tightly in your hand and add more flowers and greenery, making sure the colours and heights are balanced. Once you're happy with the arrangement, wrap the stems with floral tape or twine, and then add ribbon for extra colour.

Creating Centrepieces and Other Arrangements

When creating centrepieces and other arrangements, such as table flowers, follow similar principles to the bouquets. Start by placing two blooms on each side of your vessel, and then fill in with other flowers and greenery, thinking about balance and dominance. Make sure one type of flower is the focus of each arrangement, with the others acting as supporting characters. For larger arrangements, you may need to use chicken wire and floral foam to secure the flowers in place.

Transporting your flowers

Transporting your DIY wedding flowers is a critical step in ensuring they look perfect on your big day. Here are some tips and tricks to help you safely get your flowers to the venue:

Preparing the Flowers for Transport:

• Use the boxes your flowers were delivered in or purchase suitable boxes from a hardware store.
• Cut holes (X's) in the top of the boxes and fold them inward. This will create a snug space for your flower arrangements and vases.
• If using a different box, place the arrangement on top and mark the box around the bottom. Cut an opening with a knife or box cutter, then remove the excess cardboard.
• For bouquets, put an inch of water in a spare vase or jar and carefully place the bouquet inside, ensuring the water doesn't touch the ribbon. You may need to remove the ribbon during transport and replace it at the venue.
• For corsages and boutonnieres with exposed stems, use plastic cups with a small amount of water to hold them. Place the cups snugly in a small box, using balled-up newspaper to fill any gaps.
• If the corsages and boutonnieres are sealed, carefully place them in a small box with a bed of paper towels to prevent sliding.
• Fill any gaps or spaces in the boxes with tissue paper, bubble wrap, or newspaper to prevent shifting and provide cushioning.
• Secure the arrangements to the box with tape or adhesive putty.
• Label the boxes with 'Fragile' and 'This Side Up' to ensure careful handling during transport.

Transporting the Flowers:

• Keep the flowers in a cool place before transport, such as a refrigerator or walk-in fridge, if possible.
• Transport the flowers in a vehicle, preferably with a cool storage area, to have complete control over the environment and handling.
• Place the boxes in a stable area of the vehicle, such as the floor or a flat surface, to prevent movement during transport.
• If possible, have someone responsible for transporting the flowers separately from the wedding party and guests. This will ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
• If you are transporting the flowers yourself, allow plenty of time and drive carefully to avoid any damage to the arrangements.

By following these steps, you can confidently transport your DIY wedding flowers and ensure they arrive in perfect condition for your special day.

Frequently asked questions