Creating Submersible Floral Wedding Centerpieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a submersible wedding centerpiece with flowers is a unique and captivating way to decorate your wedding venue. This type of centerpiece combines the beauty of flowers with the serene and weightless effect of being underwater, resulting in a stunning visual display that is both elegant and tranquil. Not only do they elevate the ambiance of the event, but they are also cost-effective, versatile, and long-lasting. By following a few simple steps, you can easily make your own submersible floral centerpiece, adding a touch of creativity and elegance to your special day.

Choosing the right flowers

Flower Type

Opt for flowers that are sturdy and less prone to wilting or losing colour underwater. Orchids, roses, lilies, and calla lilies are popular choices as they maintain their shape and vibrancy when submerged. Avoid delicate flowers that are prone to wilting, and those with pollen, as it can cloud the water.

Colour Scheme

Consider your wedding's colour scheme and select flowers that complement it. Whether you're aiming for a romantic, sophisticated, or fun atmosphere, choose flowers that enhance the overall theme.

Stem Length

When choosing flowers, pay attention to the stem length, especially if you plan to submerge the entire flower. Longer stems can be trimmed, but it's essential to ensure they are not too short, which may cause the flowers to float to the top.

Flower Size

Select flowers with larger blooms or multiple blooms on a single stem, such as orchids with multiple flowers on a vertical stem. These will create a fuller, more impressive display and are ideal for tall cylinder vases.

Freshness

For your submersible centrepiece, choose fresh flowers that have not started to open completely. Flowers that are too mature may wilt or shed petals more quickly. Aim for blooms that are still partially closed, as they will last longer and open gradually underwater.

Water Considerations

Avoid flowers that bleed colour when submerged, as this can affect the clarity of your display. Additionally, if you plan to use tap water, steer clear of flowers that are highly sensitive to minerals, as these can cloud the water over time.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, choose flowers that you find beautiful and align with your vision. Whether it's a favourite flower, a bloom that holds special meaning, or one that simply catches your eye, trust your instincts and select flowers that bring you joy.

Preparing the vase

To prepare the vase for your submersible wedding centerpiece, you will need a glass vase, flowers of your choice, distilled water, and decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles.

Start by filling the bottom of your vase with the stones, marbles, or pebbles. This will enhance the aesthetic of your centerpiece and help to anchor the flowers in place. If you are using pebbles or crystals, fill the vase to about 70% full with water. If you are only using flowers and fillers, fill the vase to about 85%.

Slowly and carefully place your flowers into the vase, positioning them among the stones and making any necessary adjustments to achieve the desired look. If you are using taller flowers, you may need to trim the stems to the desired length, considering the height of the vase and how much of the flower you want to submerge.

If you find that your flowers are starting to float, you can try a few different methods to anchor them in place. One option is to use floral wire to help hold a specific shape or position. Alternatively, you can tie fishing line to the stems, tie them to a rock, and then cover the rock with pebbles.

Once you are happy with the arrangement, slowly fill the vase with distilled water to maximize clarity, being careful not to disturb the positioning of the flowers. Fill the vase high enough so that the flowers are completely submerged, but be careful not to overfill.

Anchoring flowers with stones

Selecting the Right Flowers:

Choose flowers that are known to maintain their shape and color well underwater. Orchids, roses, lilies, and calla lilies are excellent options as they are less prone to wilting or bleeding color. Opting for hardy and durable blooms will ensure your centerpiece lasts longer.

Preparing the Vase:

Start by filling the bottom of your glass vase with decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles. These add a touch of elegance to your centerpiece and provide a functional anchor for your flowers. The weight of the stones will help to keep your flowers submerged and prevent them from floating to the top.

Trimming the Stems:

Before placing the flowers into the vase, trim their stems to the desired length. Consider the height of your vase and how much of the flower you want to submerge. You can also use floral wire to help the flowers hold a specific shape or position if needed. This step ensures your flowers are arranged neatly and stay securely anchored.

Arranging the Flowers:

Carefully place the flowers into the vase, positioning them among the stones. Adjust the flowers as needed to achieve the desired look. If using floral wire, gently bend and manipulate the flowers to maintain their orientation. This step may require some patience and experimentation to get the arrangement just right.

Adding Water:

Slowly fill the vase with distilled water to maximize clarity. Avoid using tap water as it may contain minerals that can cloud the water over time. Fill the vase high enough to completely submerge the flowers, but be careful not to overfill and cause spillage.

Final Adjustments:

Once the flowers are submerged, their appearance may change slightly due to refraction. Make any necessary adjustments to the arrangement until you are satisfied with how it looks underwater. You can also add accessories like LED lights, colored stones, or floating candles to enhance the visual appeal of your centerpiece.

By following these steps, you can create a stunning and unique submersible wedding centerpiece with flowers anchored securely in place by the stones. This technique is a beautiful and practical way to elevate your wedding décor or any special event.

Trimming stems

Trimming the stems is an important step in creating a submersible wedding centerpiece with flowers. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to guide you through this process:

Firstly, select flowers with sturdy stems, such as calla lilies, orchids, tulips, or gladiolus. These flowers are less prone to wilting and will hold up well underwater. Avoid flowers with delicate stems that may not be strong enough to remain submerged.

When trimming the stems, consider the height of your vase and the desired level of submersion for your flowers. Cut the stems to the appropriate length, ensuring they are long enough to reach the water and achieve the desired effect. Use sharp scissors or garden shears to make clean cuts, as this will help the flowers absorb water more effectively.

If you want to create a specific shape or arrangement with your flowers, you can use floral wire to bend and manipulate the stems. This technique is especially useful if you want to ensure your flowers remain in a certain position within the vase. Attach the floral wire to the stems before placing them in the vase, and then adjust as needed.

For taller vases or if you want to create a fuller look, consider trimming some stems shorter and others longer. This will add visual interest and depth to your centerpiece. Play around with different stem lengths until you achieve the desired effect.

If you find that your flowers are floating to the top, you can try a few techniques to weigh them down. One method is to use decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles at the bottom of the vase to anchor the stems. Alternatively, you can tie fishing line to the stems and secure them to a small weight, such as a rock, which can then be discreetly covered with pebbles.

By carefully trimming and arranging your flower stems, you can create elegant and captivating submersible centerpieces that will impress your wedding guests.

Adding water

When you are ready to add water, slowly fill the vase with distilled water to maximise clarity, ensuring not to disturb the positioning of the flowers. Fill the vase high enough so that the flowers are completely submerged but not so high that water spills over.

If you are using pebbles or crystals, fill the vase to about 70% capacity before adding the flowers. If you are only using flowers and fillers, fill the vase to about 85% capacity.

If your flowers start to float, you can tie fishing line to their stems, tie them to a rock, and then cover them with pebbles.

To change the water without disturbing your arrangement, gently pour out the old water and carefully refill the vase using a small watering can with a long, narrow spout.

Frequently asked questions