Creating Wedding Reception Flowers: A Diy Guide

Flowers are a key part of any wedding, but they can also be expensive. Creating your own floral arrangements for your big day is a great way to save money and add a personal touch. Whether you're crafting bouquets, centrepieces, or decorations, it's important to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to source the right flowers and assemble your creations.

When making your own wedding flowers, it's crucial to consider the types of flowers you want, your colour palette, and the overall style of your wedding. You'll also need to think about the scale of your arrangements and the time it will take to put them together. Enlisting the help of friends or family can make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

There are several places to source wholesale flowers, including local flower markets, grocery stores, and online retailers. When choosing flowers, opt for those in season, as they will be more cost-effective and likely fresher. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of flowers and greenery to create unique and beautiful arrangements.

Whether you're crafting bouquets, centrepieces, or decorations, making your own wedding flowers can be a rewarding experience. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create stunning floral arrangements that fit your vision and budget.

Choosing flowers

Know Your Budget

Before you start choosing flowers, it's important to have a realistic idea of how much you want to spend. Wedding flowers can be expensive, with an average price tag of $2,000 for centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. If you're working with a tight budget, consider using more affordable flowers or greenery, or even dried flowers, which are becoming an increasingly popular choice.

Pick a Theme or Colour Palette

Decide on a theme or colour palette that ties in with your wedding aesthetic. This will help guide your flower choices and ensure a cohesive look. Do you want a classic, elegant bouquet or something more whimsical and garden-inspired? Are you looking for a specific colour scheme, or do you want to incorporate a variety of colours? Having a clear vision will make the selection process easier.

Consider the Season

Know Your Venue

The type of venue you've chosen for your wedding will also influence your flower choices. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider the weather conditions and the amount of sunlight the flowers will be exposed to. Certain flowers, like carnations and baby's breath, are more resilient and can withstand warmer temperatures, while others may require extra care and hydration. For indoor weddings, think about the size and style of the space. Tall, lavish centerpieces can create drama in a room with high ceilings, while smaller, more intimate arrangements may be better suited for a cozy venue.

Prioritize Your Arrangements

Not all flower arrangements are created equal. The bride's bouquet is typically the most important and photographed arrangement, so you may want to splurge on this. Other key arrangements to consider are the bridesmaids' bouquets, the groom's boutonnière, and any ceremony flowers such as altar or arch arrangements. If you're on a budget, you can repurpose some of the ceremony flowers for the reception, such as using aisle flowers as table centerpieces or ceremony arrangements around the head table.

Get Creative with Greenery

Greenery is not just a filler—it can be a stylish and budget-friendly alternative to flowers. Seeded eucalyptus and silver dollar eucalyptus add a beautiful silvery-green touch, while bay leaves or olive leaves bring a herbal fragrance. Greenery can be used to create garlands, decorate chair backs, or even form a table runner for a unique and eye-catching centerpiece.

Enlist Help

Creating your own wedding flowers can be a lot of work, so don't be afraid to ask for help. Enlist your bridal party, family, or friends to assist with the flower arrangements. If you know someone with floral design experience, even better! You can also consider mixing DIY arrangements with professionally designed pieces to reduce the workload and ensure a polished look.

Sourcing flowers

Understand your vision and be flexible:

Firstly, it is important to have a basic understanding of the look and feel you want for your wedding flowers. Creating a mood board on Pinterest or saving inspirational images can help you communicate your vision to others. However, remain flexible as your exact flower choices will depend on factors like seasonality and availability.

Create a list of all the places you want flowers:

Make a comprehensive list of all the places you would like flowers at your wedding. This could include bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, flower crowns, flower petals, aisle arrangements, large statement pieces, reception tables, the cake table, and even a flower wall. This list will help you estimate costs and create a workflow for the week of your wedding.

Determine your style:

Are you envisioning a classic, tight bouquet or a whimsical, cascading garden-style arrangement? The style you choose will dictate your approach to sourcing flowers. For a modern and simple design, consider using fewer varieties of flowers and minimal greenery. For a garden-style look, opt for more floral and greenery varieties with different textures and shapes.

Source your flowers:

Now it's time to source your flowers. If you have access to a friend's garden, see what's in bloom. Otherwise, local farms, grocery stores, or florists are great options for finding fresh flowers. You can also order flowers in bulk online, but be cautious of potential delivery issues. Growing your own cut flowers is another option if you're an experienced gardener.

Understand the cost of buying DIY flowers:

The cost of your DIY flowers will depend on several factors, including the type of flowers, seasonality, and availability. Expensive flowers like roses, peonies, and orchids will increase your budget, whereas less costly options include carnations, mums, and alstroemeria. Buying in-season flowers from local suppliers is the best way to stretch your budget.

Choose the right flowers for the right place:

When choosing flowers, consider the location of your wedding and the weather conditions. If your wedding is outdoors, avoid placing flowers in direct sunlight or high temperatures, as this can cause them to wilt. Select tougher flowers that can withstand the elements, and provide water sources to keep them hydrated.

Understand the workload:

Creating DIY flower arrangements can be time-consuming, so be sure to give yourself and your helpers enough time. Estimate how long each arrangement will take to create and plan accordingly. For example, a complex design for 30 tables could take up to 15 hours to complete. Involve friends and family to make the process more enjoyable and efficient.

Storage and preparation:

To ensure your flowers stay fresh, store them in a cool place, out of direct sunlight, and in clean water with floral preservatives. Prepare your workspace with all the necessary tools, such as scissors, pruners, florist tape, chicken wire, and vases or containers.

Happy planning!

Timing

Start Planning Early

Begin by creating a list of all the places you want flowers at your wedding, from the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres to centrepieces and ceremony arrangements. This will help you understand the scope of the task and create a workflow for the week of the wedding. It's also important to have a basic idea of your vision for the flowers, including colour palette and theme. This will guide your flower choices and ensure you have a cohesive look.

Source Your Flowers

Decide whether you will grow your own flowers, buy them from a local florist or market, or order them online. If you're buying or ordering flowers, do this several days before the wedding to allow time for delivery and any issues that may arise. If you're growing your own, make sure you give the flowers enough time to bloom and be prepared to pick them at the right time of day. For example, peonies should be picked at the "marshmallow" stage when the buds are just beginning to open.

Prepare the Flowers

Once you have your flowers, you'll need to prepare them for arranging. This includes stripping the flowers of any leaves below the water line and cutting the stems at an angle to allow for optimal hydration. You'll also want to remove any damaged or discoloured flowers and give the flowers a fresh cut before placing them in clean water. Add flower food to the water to help preserve the flowers.

Create a Timeline

Creating the floral arrangements will likely take longer than you think, so give yourself ample time. Boutonnieres, bouquets, and cocktail table adornments will be quicker to create due to their smaller size, but centrepieces and ceremony arrangements can take several hours. If you have a large number of tables or guests, the task will be even more time-consuming.

Enlist Help

Don't try to do it all yourself. Enlist the help of friends, family, or a professional florist to share the workload and relieve stress. This is especially important if you're creating the arrangements close to the wedding day, as you don't want to be rushed or overwhelmed.

Store the Arrangements

Many floral arrangements can be made a day or two in advance if stored in a cool place. Soft-stemmed flowers, such as daffodils or tulips, don't do well in heat and will only last 3-5 days, so keep them somewhere cool before the wedding. Harder-stemmed flowers, like hydrangeas, often have a longer vase life. For outdoor weddings, be mindful of the sun and heat, and choose flowers that can withstand the conditions.

Final Touches

On the day of the wedding, add the finishing touches to your arrangements. This includes wrapping the stems of the bouquets with ribbon, lace, or burlap, and securing them with floral tape or pins. Be sure to keep the flowers in water until the last minute, and transport them safely to the venue.

Storage

Storing your DIY wedding flowers properly is essential to ensure they remain fresh and vibrant for your big day. Here are some tips for storing your flowers before and after arranging them:

• Have a cool storage space ready for your flowers. A basement, garage, or air-conditioned room is ideal. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and direct airflow.
• Use clean buckets filled with fresh water to store your flowers before arranging them.
• When your flowers arrive, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle and remove any leaves that fall below the waterline. This helps prevent bacterial growth and keeps the flowers hydrated.
• Change the water daily, and keep it lukewarm to help the flowers bloom. Once they are arranged, use cooler water to slow down the blooming process.
• Do not store your flowers in a regular refrigerator with food. Flowers can be affected by food bacteria and gases from certain citrus fruits.
• If possible, use a walk-in cooler to store your flowers and arrangements before the wedding.
• After arranging, continue to store your flowers in a cool place and refresh the water regularly.
• If using a florist or flower delivery service, schedule the delivery for two days before your event. This will give the flowers time to rehydrate and bloom.
• If using soft-stemmed flowers like daffodils or tulips, be aware that they are more heat-sensitive and typically last only 3-5 days.
• For longer-lasting flowers, choose varieties with woody stems, such as hydrangeas.
• If you're creating arrangements in advance, store them in a cool place. The closer you make the arrangements to your wedding date, the fresher they will look.
• To transport your flowers or arrangements, use clean buckets with fresh water, and keep them in a cool, shaded area of your vehicle.

By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your DIY wedding flowers stay fresh and beautiful, adding a special touch to your wedding day.

Arranging flowers

Choose your flowers:

When selecting flowers for your wedding, consider the season and choose flowers that are in bloom during that time. This will not only be more cost-effective, but it will also ensure the flowers are fresh and vibrant. If you're looking for a classic and romantic option, go for roses. For a whimsical and elegant touch, peonies are a great choice. Hydrangeas add a whimsical and charming touch, while baby's breath provides a delicate and airy contrast to larger blooms. Don't forget to incorporate greenery like eucalyptus, ferns, or ivy to add depth and texture to your arrangements.

Determine the shape and size:

The shape and size of your bouquets and centrepieces will depend on the style of your wedding dress, your body type, and the overall theme of your wedding. For a simpler dress, consider a more elaborate bouquet. If you're petite, opt for a smaller bouquet, while taller brides can carry a more dramatic arrangement. For a bohemian or rustic wedding, a loose and wildflower-inspired bouquet will fit the aesthetic.

Prepare your flowers:

When your flowers arrive, remove them from their packaging and give them a fresh cut at the bottom of the stems. Strip the leaves from the stems below the water line and place them in clean buckets of water. This will help the flowers hydrate and stay fresh. If you're using flowers with woody stems, such as hydrangeas, they will have a longer vase life. Softer-stemmed flowers, like daffodils or tulips, are more delicate and prefer cooler temperatures.

Create your bouquets:

To create a bridal bouquet, start by gathering four or five blossoms and building out the bouquet. You can use floral tape to secure the stems and add more flowers or greenery as needed. For bridesmaids' bouquets, use 15 stems, and for the bride's bouquet, use 20-25 stems. Wrap the stems with floral tape, followed by ribbon, lace, or burlap for a personalised touch.

Assemble your centrepieces:

For centrepieces, consider the size of your tables and the number of guests per table. Round tables can accommodate taller centrepieces without hindering conversation. For long, communal tables, opt for shorter arrangements to optimise space. You can use chicken wire and floral foam blocks to secure larger centrepieces, especially if you're moving them from the ceremony to the reception. Add candles, lanterns, or other decorative elements to enhance your floral displays.

Timing and storage:

Flower arrangements can be made a day or two in advance if stored in a cool place. However, softer-stemmed flowers may only last 3-5 days, so plan accordingly. It's also important to consider the timing of your wedding in relation to major holidays, as flower prices tend to increase during these times.

Frequently asked questions