Creative Ways To Craft Affordable Wedding Bouquets

Creating a DIY wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a unique touch to your wedding. It can be a fun activity to do with your bridal party, and you don't need to be a floral expert to make a beautiful bouquet. The cost of a DIY wedding bouquet is much lower than a professionally crafted one, and you can save even more by choosing flowers that are in season. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making your own inexpensive wedding bouquet, from choosing the right flowers to assembling and decorating your bouquet.

Choosing flowers: Select flowers that are in season to save money

When choosing flowers for your wedding bouquet, selecting blooms that are in season is a great way to save money. For example, if you're having a spring wedding, opt for flowers such as daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips. In the fall, consider a bouquet with chrysanthemums and dahlias. If you're having a winter wedding, amaryllis is a beautiful and affordable option, while baby's breath and Queen Anne's lace are perfect for a summer celebration.

To make your dollar stretch even further, consider buying your flowers from a local grocery store or flower market. You can also look at local farms or gardens to source the floral varieties you want. Keep in mind that the cost of flowers will also depend on the size of your bouquet and the type of flowers you choose. If you're flexible with your flower choices and select blooms that are in season, you can create a beautiful and inexpensive wedding bouquet.

When choosing flowers for your bouquet, it's important to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. You can either choose complementary colours to create a subtle, balanced look or go for contrasting colours to add a dramatic touch. If you're not sure where to start, ask a florist for recommendations—they can help you find affordable and seasonal flowers that fit your vision.

Another way to save money on your wedding bouquet is to make it yourself. DIY wedding bouquets can be a fun and unique way to add a personal touch to your special day. By assembling the bouquet yourself, you can save on the labour costs associated with hiring a florist. However, keep in mind that creating your own bouquet may require more time and effort, so it's important to plan ahead and perhaps create a few practice bouquets before the big day.

Greenery: Add texture and fill empty space with greenery

Greenery is an essential component of a bouquet, adding texture and depth to the arrangement. It can be used to fill gaps between flowers and give the bouquet a more natural touch. When selecting greenery for your wedding bouquet, consider the following:

Type of Greenery

There are dozens of different varieties of greenery to choose from, each with its unique look and feel. Popular types of greenery for wedding bouquets include bay leaves, dusty miller, eucalyptus, ferns, ivy vines, magnolia leaves, monstera leaves, and succulents. Consider the overall aesthetic you are aiming for and choose greenery that complements your wedding theme and personal style.

Amount of Greenery

When creating a bouquet, it is essential to use the right amount of greenery. While you don't want to overwhelm the flowers, using too little greenery can make the arrangement look sparse and unfinished. A good rule of thumb is to use 35% greenery, 35% filler flowers, 20% accent flowers, and 10% texture flowers. This will ensure your bouquet looks full and lush without being too bulky or unbalanced.

Greenery Placement

When adding greenery to your bouquet, pay attention to its placement. Start by creating a base with the greenery, and then add in the larger focal flowers. Continue to add smaller flowers and additional greenery, balancing the design as you build. Pull certain flowers forward to create depth and dimension, and use greenery to fill in any empty spaces. Remember to stand in front of a mirror while assembling the bouquet to get a better idea of its overall shape and appearance.

Greenery Care

Just like flowers, greenery needs to be properly cared for to stay fresh and vibrant. Remove any damaged or unattractive leaves and cut the stems at an angle before placing them in water. Keep the greenery in a cool place and mist the leaves occasionally to prevent them from drying out. If using tropical leaves or succulents, be sure to research their specific care requirements.

Combining Greenery with Flowers

When combining greenery with flowers, choose blooms that complement the colour and style of the greenery. For a rustic wedding, consider pairing eucalyptus, bay leaves, and silver brunia with white roses and baby's breath. For a more whimsical or garden-inspired look, try combining ferns, ivy, or trailing vines with a mix of colourful flowers. If you want to create a simple and inexpensive bouquet, opt for greenery such as lemon leaves, fountain grass, and sea oats, which can be easily sourced and arranged.

Timing: Make the bouquet the day before the wedding

Making a DIY wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. If you're wondering when to make your bouquet, one expert recommends crafting it the day before the wedding. This timing ensures that your flowers are in their prime when you walk down the aisle. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful bouquet without the last-minute stress:

Step 1: Source your flowers

If your wedding is on a Saturday, consider sourcing your flowers on Thursday. This gives you enough time to prepare and arrange them without feeling rushed. Look for local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets to find fresh blooms at a lower cost.

Step 2: Prepare the flowers

Before you start assembling your bouquet, prepare the flowers and greenery. Remove any leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, and place them in a bucket of water to keep them hydrated.

Step 3: Design your bouquet

Now, it's time to arrange your bouquet! Start by choosing a focal flower, which will be the centrepiece of your arrangement. Add the next flower at an angle, keeping the bloom at the same height. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet slightly with each addition to create a well-rounded shape. Don't be afraid to experiment and move flowers around until you're happy with the result.

Step 4: Add depth and dimension

Once you have the main body of your bouquet, pull certain flowers forward to create depth and dimension. This makes your bouquet look more natural and full. Emphasise your focal flowers by bringing them towards the front.

Step 5: Secure the stems

Use floral tape or a rubber band to bind the stems together a few inches below the flower heads. Cut the stems to your desired length, making sure they're comfortable to hold. Wrap the stems with ribbon or more floral tape, creating a spiral pattern from the top down. Secure the ribbon with pins or hot glue, and add a bow or additional ribbons for a finishing touch.

Step 6: Store properly

After you've created your bouquet, store it in the refrigerator overnight to keep the flowers fresh. If you're using a refrigerator, make sure it's set to the right temperature and avoid placing the bouquet near fruits and vegetables, as they release ethylene gas which can cause flowers to wilt.

Tools: You will need shears/scissors, ribbon and floral tape/wire

Making your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and express your creativity. To get started, you'll need to gather the right tools and materials. Here's a detailed guide to help you understand how to use shears/scissors, ribbon, and floral tape/wire to create a beautiful and inexpensive wedding bouquet.

Shears/Scissors

A sharp pair of shears or scissors is essential for trimming and shaping your bouquet. You'll use these to cut the flower stems to the desired length and remove any excess foliage, thorns, or damaged petals. When selecting your cutting tool, look for something with a sharp blade that feels comfortable in your hand. Oasis Ribbon Shears are a good option for cutting ribbon, but any sharp scissors will do for the flowers.

Ribbon

Ribbon adds a beautiful finishing touch to your bouquet and can be used to create a handle for a polished look. Choose a ribbon colour and texture that complements your flowers and wedding theme. You'll need enough ribbon to wrap around the stems of your bouquet, usually about three times the length of the stems. You can also use ribbon to create a bow, adding elegance and symbolism to your bouquet.

Floral Tape/Wire

Floral tape and wire are essential for securing your bouquet. Green waxed floral tape is ideal as it blends in with the stems. You'll use this to bind the stems together, creating a neat and secure base for your bouquet. Floral wire can be used in addition to or instead of ribbon to secure the stems. It is also useful for creating decorative elements, such as ribbon flowers.

When working with these tools, take your time and be careful not to damage the flowers or ribbon. Follow online tutorials for step-by-step guidance on creating your bouquet, and don't be afraid to experiment and add your personal touches. With these tools and some creativity, you can make a gorgeous and inexpensive wedding bouquet.

Assembly: Stand in front of a mirror to see what the bouquet looks like

Now that you have all your materials and your flowers are prepped, it's time to assemble your bouquet. This is the fun part!

Stand in front of a mirror as you construct the bouquet. This will help you see what the bouquet will look like in your hand and observe how the shape is progressing.

First, take your filler flowers and hold them in place with one hand. Then, with the other hand, start arranging your flowers and greenery one by one around this central point. Turn the bouquet as you do this so that you don't miss any areas. Don't forget to incorporate greenery every so often. Make sure to leave about 4 to 5 inches of exposed stems at the bottom.

As you assemble, think about the dimension and shape of your bouquet. Start with a base and then add in larger, focal flowers. Continue to add in smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build.

Once you're happy with how your bouquet looks, it's time to secure it in place.

Frequently asked questions