Creating Wedding Flower Bouquets: Fresh Blooms, Beautifully Arranged

Making your own wedding bouquet is a fun and exciting way to add a personal touch to your special day. It can also save you money and time. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of creating a fresh flower wedding bouquet, from choosing your flowers to assembling and wrapping your bouquet. We'll also offer tips on how to make your bouquet unique and special. By following these simple instructions, you'll be able to create a beautiful and professional-looking bouquet for your wedding day.

Choosing your flowers

Seasonality

It is essential to choose flowers that are in season for your wedding date. This will not only ensure the flowers are fresh and vibrant, but it will also be more cost-effective. For example, if you're getting married in the spring, consider using tulips, peonies, or lilacs. For a summer wedding, roses, sunflowers, or daisies are excellent choices. If your wedding is in the fall, you might opt for chrysanthemums and dahlias, while daffodils are a great choice for a winter wedding.

Color

Consider the color scheme of your wedding when selecting your flowers. You might want to go with a monochromatic look or choose complementary colours to make your bouquet pop. Also, think about how the colours will look against your wedding dress and in the photos. Remember, the traditional choice for most weddings is white, but you can choose whatever colour you like!

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your bouquet will depend on your personal preference and the style of your dress. A trailing bouquet, for instance, can be stunning with a ball gown, while a small, round bouquet may be perfect for a simpler dress. Additionally, consider the size of the flowers themselves; larger blooms may be overpowering in a small bouquet.

Sentiment

Incorporating flowers with special meaning can make your bouquet even more memorable. You might want to include your grandmother's favourite flower or the blooms from your first date. These thoughtful touches will make your bouquet unique and sentimental.

Popular Choices

While the choice of flowers ultimately depends on your preferences, wedding theme, and colour palette, there are some blooms that are particularly popular for wedding bouquets. Roses, with their timeless and romantic appeal, are a classic choice and come in a variety of colours and sizes. Peonies, known for their lush and voluminous blooms, exude elegance and femininity. Hydrangeas, with their large, full heads and abundant petals, add a touch of whimsy and charm. Baby's breath, often used as a filler flower, provides a delicate and ethereal contrast to larger blooms. Greenery, such as eucalyptus, ferns, ivy, or dusty miller, adds depth, texture, and a touch of nature's beauty to your bouquet.

Preparing your flowers

Remove Excess Foliage and Thorns:

Use your hands or a stem stripper to carefully remove any unwanted foliage, thorns, or damaged petals from the stems. This will ensure a neat and tidy appearance for your bouquet.

Cut the Stems:

Fill a sink or bucket with water. Holding the stems underwater, use a sharp knife or stem cutter to cut the stems at an angle, approximately 2 inches from the bottom. This technique helps the flowers absorb water more effectively.

Hydrate the Flowers:

Allow the flower stems to rest in the water for a few seconds to drink, then place them in a bucket filled halfway with cool water. This step ensures that your flowers are well-hydrated before you start arranging them.

Timing is Key:

Ideally, you should prepare your flowers one day before the wedding. This will ensure that your bouquet is fresh and vibrant for the big day. Keep the stems in water as long as possible, and mist the flower heads to maintain their freshness.

Prepare the Stems:

Before you begin constructing your bouquet, remove any excess leaves from the floral stems, especially those that fall below the waterline in the bucket. This will help prevent bacteria from forming in the water.

Trim the Stems at an Angle:

Using a sharp pair of floral snips, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This will create a larger surface area for the flowers to absorb water and help them stay fresh for a longer period.

By following these steps, you will have well-prepared flowers that are ready to be arranged into a beautiful wedding bouquet. Remember to handle the flowers gently and keep them hydrated for the best results.

Assembling your bouquet

Now that you've chosen your flowers and prepared them, it's time to assemble your bouquet!

Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, keeping in mind the overall shape and size you're aiming for. Stand in front of a mirror as you work, so you can see what the bouquet will look like in your hand.

For a classic dome-shaped bouquet, take one stem at a time and use your other hand to hold the flowers in place. Assemble four flowers at an even height in a square shape – these will be at the centre of the dome. Then, arrange the other flowers one by one around the centre flowers to create the dome shape.

If you're going for a more natural, loose bouquet, use your hand as a "vase" to build the foundation of your arrangement with greenery. This will help set the flow and shape of your bouquet. Some popular types of greenery include ruscus, eucalyptus, and leather leaf. Hold the stems about halfway down the desired length of your bouquet and add in your focal flowers. Focal flowers are the stars of the arrangement and tend to have one large bloom per stem.

Continue to add in smaller flowers and more greenery, balancing the design as you build. If you're using a variety of colours, consider placing the darker shades towards the centre and the lighter shades around the outside. Keep in mind that you want your bouquet to be balanced and rounded, with an even volume and shape.

Once you've added all your flowers and greenery, check for any gaps or holes and fill them in with more flowers or greenery. You can also use greenery to hide the stems and create a neater look.

Finally, trim the stems to your desired length, usually between 6 and 10 inches, and secure the bouquet with a rubber band. Wrap floral tape around the stems to hide the rubber band, and finish with a ribbon. You can either wrap the ribbon in a spiral down the stem or let it cascade down the side of the bouquet for a more relaxed look. Secure the ribbon with pins or by tying a knot or bow.

Securing your bouquet

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to secure it. This step is crucial to ensure that your bouquet stays intact and looks beautiful throughout your wedding day. Here's a step-by-step guide to securing your fresh flower wedding bouquet:

• Bind the stems: Use a rubber band or floral tape to tightly bind the stems together. Wrap the rubber band or tape around the stems a few times, just below the flower heads, at the spot where they naturally join. This will hold the stems together and provide a base for the rest of the wrapping.
• Repeat the binding: For added security, repeat the binding process towards the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem below the second bind. This will ensure that the bouquet stays securely in your hand.
• Cut the stems: Using a sharp pair of floral snips or a stem cutter, cut the stems to the desired length. Typically, stems are cut to be about 7 to 8 inches long for a bridal bouquet. This length makes it comfortable to hold and ensures the bouquet doesn't become too heavy.
• Dry the stems: Before wrapping the ribbon around the stems, it's important to dry them with a paper towel. This will help the ribbon stick better and prevent any water stains from forming on the ribbon.
• Wrap the ribbon: Cut a length of ribbon that is about three times the length of the stems. Start by tucking one end of the ribbon inside the top bind, just below the flower heads. Then, carefully wrap the ribbon in a spiral pattern down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap it back up towards the top, covering the floral tape completely.
• Secure the ribbon: Once you've wrapped the ribbon around the stems, it's time to secure it in place. You can do this by tucking the cut end of the ribbon underneath the wrapped portion and securing it with a couple of pins. Push the pins through the ribbon and into the stems to hold it in place.
• Optional bow: If you'd like to add a bow to your bouquet, cut a separate piece of ribbon and tie it just below the flower heads. You can also use a pre-made bow and attach it to the stems with pins or floral tape.

By following these steps, you'll have a securely bound bouquet that complements your wedding dress and theme. Remember to handle the flowers gently and work in a clean space to avoid any damage or stains on your bouquet.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time for the finishing touches! These final steps will help to perfect your bouquet and ensure it stays fresh and beautiful for your special day.

Wrap the Stems

Using floral tape, start wrapping the stems of your bouquet just below the flower heads. Spiral the tape around the stems several times and then continue wrapping in a spiral pattern down the length of the stem. This will help to secure the stems and give your bouquet a neat appearance.

Choose Your Ribbon

Opt for a ribbon that complements your wedding colour scheme or choose a luxurious silk ribbon for an elegant touch. Cut a length of ribbon that is roughly three times the length of the stems. You can also experiment with different wrapping techniques, such as crisscrossing the ribbon or creating a cascading effect, to add visual interest.

Secure the Ribbon

Start wrapping the ribbon around the stems from the top, where the stems meet the flower heads. Tuck the end of the ribbon underneath and begin wrapping downwards. When you reach the bottom, wrap the ribbon back up towards the top. Secure the ribbon by tucking the cut end underneath or tying it in a knot or a bow. You can also use pearl-headed pins to add a touch of glamour.

Mist the Flowers

To keep your flowers looking fresh, give the flower heads a light misting of water. This will help to hydrate the blooms and keep them looking vibrant.

Store in a Cool Place

Place your finished bouquet in a vase or container with cool water and store it in a cool place or the refrigerator until your wedding day. This will help to keep the flowers fresh and extend their lifespan.

Add a Charm

For a unique and interesting touch, consider adding a charm to your bouquet. This could be a vintage trinket or something new—it's entirely up to you! Charms can also be a thoughtful way to honour a loved one who can't be with you on your special day.

Frequently asked questions