Crafting A Cascading Calla Lily Silk Wedding Bouquet

Creating a silk cascading calla lily wedding bouquet is a simple DIY project that can add a touch of elegance to your special day. With the right materials and a bit of creativity, you can design a stunning bouquet that will impress and delight. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you craft your own beautiful bouquet.

Choosing the right silk flowers

Calla lilies are a popular choice for wedding bouquets, and silk flowers are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to fresh flowers. Silk flowers can be a more sustainable, cost-effective, and convenient option. Here are some tips for choosing the right silk flowers for your cascading calla lily wedding bouquet:

Quality

When choosing silk flowers, it is important to select high-quality blooms that look realistic. Opt for a specialised retailer or premium store to ensure the flowers closely mimic real calla lilies. Quality silk flowers will have intricate details, natural-looking petals, and a lifelike texture. Check customer reviews to gauge the quality and realism of the flowers.

Colour

Calla lilies come in a variety of colours, from the traditional crisp white to ivory, purple, and even deep aubergine. Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. Some retailers may also offer customisation options, allowing you to match the flowers to your specific colour scheme.

Size and Shape

Calla lilies have a unique, elegant shape that lends itself well to cascading bouquets. Consider the size of the bouquet you desire and select flowers with an appropriate stem length. You can also mix and match different sizes of calla lilies, such as large and miniature varieties, to create depth and interest in your bouquet.

Mix and Match

While calla lilies are stunning on their own, you can also mix and match with other silk flowers and greenery. Complement the calla lilies with delicate ferns, eucalyptus, or orchids for a textured and natural-looking bouquet. If you wish to include fresh flowers, silk calla lilies can also be combined with real blooms for a unique and personalised arrangement.

Cost

Silk flowers can offer significant cost savings compared to fresh flowers, especially if you choose to rent them. However, it is important to note that high-quality silk flowers may come at a higher price. Compare prices from different retailers and consider your budget when making your selection.

With these tips in mind, you can create a stunning and elegant silk cascading calla lily wedding bouquet that suits your style and vision.

Using a bouquet holder

To make a silk cascading calla lily wedding bouquet using a bouquet holder, you can follow these steps and tips:

First, decide on the style of bouquet holder you want to use. Straight-handled holders are generally recommended as they offer more foam, which is better for larger bouquets. However, slanted holders are designed for cascading bouquets, allowing the flowers to flow forward and down in a natural manner. For a ribbon-wrapped handle, a slanted holder is also a good option.

When it comes to processing your flowers, it's important to rehydrate them immediately if they arrive in a dry state. Use a fast re-hydrator like Quick Dip and a flower food product to add to the water. This will help extend the life of your flowers and keep them looking fresh. Allow your bouquet holder to "float soak" by letting the foam head draw up water naturally. Forcing it below the water can cause dry patches that may harm your flower stems.

When choosing a bouquet holder, look for one made of lightweight and durable materials. The holder should have absorbent foam that can easily absorb water to help extend the life of your flowers. A plastic round cage around the foam provides convenience when arranging flowers and supports the weight of the bouquet. Before use, moisten the foam with water to make flower arrangement easier and to prevent the foam from falling off.

Some bouquet holders come with a lace collar or lace trim for added decoration. You can also decorate the handle with lace and rhinestones or stick-on pearls and rhinestones for a glamorous touch.

When creating your bouquet, keep in mind that the straight handle and rounded cage of the holder can help optimize the depth and dimension of the final product. Ensure the stems are securely placed within the foam. The bouquet holder is perfect for creating a waterfall effect with your silk cascading calla lilies.

Arranging the ferns and blossoms

Preparing the Materials:

Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials, including your silk calla lilies, ferns, blossoms, and any other greenery or floral accents you wish to include. Ensure you have a suitable bouquet holder and a glue gun or adhesive.

Creating the Base:

Start by cutting the fern stems to approximately 6 inches in length. Work around the bouquet holder, carefully attaching the fern stems to create a lush, green base. This will serve as the foundation for your arrangement. Remember to wrap the cut ends of the stems with floral tape to provide support and maintain moisture.

Adding the Blossoms:

Incorporate the blossoms by cutting their stems to a similar length as the ferns, about 5-6 inches. Interweave the blossoms among the ferns, creating a bed of delicate flowers that complement the greenery. Play around with the placement until you achieve a balanced and harmonious look.

Positioning the Callas:

Now, it's time to add the stars of the show—the calla lilies! Cut the stems of 12 calla lilies, leaving about 3 inches of the stem attached to the flower. Place these calla lilies throughout the bed of ferns and blossoms, ensuring they are securely attached to the bouquet holder. This will form the main body of your bouquet.

Creating the Cascade Effect:

To achieve the cascading effect, cut 6 calla lily stems to varying lengths: 14 inches, 12 inches, 10 inches, and 6 inches. Carefully insert these stems into the bottom of the bouquet holder, following the image reference provided. By using different lengths, you'll create a graceful, flowing cascade that gives the bouquet its signature look.

Embellishing with Ivy:

Cut the miniature ivy garland into 14-inch lengths, giving you a total of 84 inches of ivy. Arrange three long stems of ivy on each side of the bouquet holder, towards the back. These ivy strands will gracefully cascade down, framing the calla lilies and adding a touch of elegance to the overall design.

Final Touches:

Take the leftover natural calla lily stems and bend them into gentle half-circles. Place these throughout the bouquet to add depth and dimension to the arrangement. Finally, spray the plastic handle of the bouquet holder with adhesive and wrap it with satin ribbon, securing it with pearl-topped corsage pins for a touch of glamour.

Remember to be creative and adjust the steps as needed to suit your unique bouquet design. Enjoy crafting your silk cascading calla lily wedding bouquet!

Placing the calla lilies

To create a cascading calla lily bridal bouquet, you'll need to follow these steps for placing the calla lilies:

Firstly, cut the stems off 12 calla lilies, leaving about 3" of the stem attached to the flower. This will create a bed of calla lilies on your bouquet holder. Ensure you save the stems that you cut off, as you'll use these later.

Next, cut 6 calla lily stems to the following lengths: (1) 14" long, (2) 12" long, (1) 10" long, and (2) 6" long. Place these stems into the bottom of your bouquet holder to create a cascading effect. Varying the lengths of the stems will give your bouquet a beautiful, flowing appearance.

Now, take the stems you cut off earlier and bend them into half-circles. Place these throughout the bouquet to add depth and dimension.

For the final touches, cut 6 calla lily stems to the following lengths: (3) 8" long and (3) 4" long. Place these stems at the top of your bouquet holder, allowing them to emerge from the arrangement. This will enhance the cascading effect and create a truly eye-catching display.

By following these steps and varying the lengths of your calla lily stems, you can achieve a stunning, elegant cascading bouquet that will be a perfect addition to any bridal ensemble.

Adding the finishing touches

Now that you have assembled your bouquet, it's time to add the finishing touches. Here are some ideas to elevate your silk cascading calla lily wedding bouquet:

Ribbon Wrap

Add a touch of elegance to your bouquet by wrapping the stems with a luxurious ribbon. Choose a colour that complements your calla lilies and any other flowers or foliage you have included. You can use hot glue or floral tape to secure the ribbon in place. This will also help to cover any visible floral foam or mechanical support.

Embellishments

Enhance your bouquet with delicate embellishments like pearls, crystals, or rhinestones. You can pin or glue these embellishments onto the ribbon-wrapped stems or even add them directly to the flowers for a touch of sparkle.

Greenery

If you want to create a more natural look, consider adding some cascading greenery to your bouquet. You can use ivy, eucalyptus, or other types of foliage to create a lush and organic feel. Greenery can also help to fill any gaps in your bouquet and make it look fuller.

Personalisation

Make your bouquet truly yours by adding a personal touch. You can include a small charm with your initials, your wedding date, or even a meaningful quote. Another idea is to incorporate something borrowed or blue into your bouquet, following the wedding tradition.

Final Presentation

Finally, present your bouquet in a way that showcases its beauty. You can place it in a stylish vase or container, or even create a special box to store and transport it. Adding a romantic note or a sprig of fresh flowers can also be a lovely finishing touch.

Remember, the finishing touches are all about personalising your bouquet and making it unique to you and your wedding. So, feel free to get creative and incorporate any elements that reflect your style and theme.

Frequently asked questions