Creating Succulent Wedding Bouquets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Succulents are an increasingly popular choice for wedding bouquets, favoured by boho-chic enthusiasts and modern event organisers. They are low-maintenance, long-lasting, and inexpensive. Creating a bouquet with succulents is simple: all you need to do is add a stem so you can bundle the “blooms” together. This can be done by removing the succulent from its pot, washing away the soil, and cutting back the roots. Then, insert a piece of floral wire into the base of the succulent and bend it to form a loop. Wrap the base of the succulent and the top of the wire with floral tape. Finally, assemble your bouquet, using a combination of succulents and fresh flowers, and secure the stems with floral tape and a pretty ribbon.

Choosing your flowers

Succulents are a unique and beautiful choice for a wedding bouquet, and there are many options for which flowers to include alongside them.

Firstly, it is important to remember that succulents are not fans of water, so your bouquet may be better suited to the wedding day itself, rather than sitting in a vase at home.

A popular choice for a bouquet is white roses. These provide height and colourful petals or blooms, which add to the overall beauty of the bouquet. You could also try alyssum, which are tiny filler flowers that can be used to cover any gaps in the bouquet.

If you want to make your bouquet particularly eye-catching, try the Echeveria Succulent. There are several variants to choose from, as well as sizes, and with their rosette formations, they can be the centrepiece of the bouquet.

For a bright pop of colour, the Graptopetalum Bella (or a similar flowering succulent) is a great choice. This succulent features stunning bright pink flowers that add character to the bouquet.

Finally, for a bouquet with a difference, try the String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) Succulent. These add a focal point and length to the bouquet without interfering with the beauty of the flowers.

With these flowers, you can create a stunning, unique bouquet that will last the whole day without wilting or drying out.

Preparing the succulents

Step 1 – Get the succulents ready: Remove the succulents from their pots and gently shake off any loose dirt. If there are still roots attached, carefully cut them back. It is important to be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the succulents.

Step 2 – Create stems for the succulents: This step involves adding a stem to the succulents so that they can be easily incorporated into the bouquet. Take a piece of floral stem wire and insert it into the base of the succulent, bending it to form a loop. This will serve as the new stem.

Step 3 – Secure the stems with floral tape: Wrap the base of the succulent, including the top of the floral wire, with floral tape. This will help to stabilise the new stem and ensure that the succulent stays securely attached.

Step 4 – Trim the succulents (optional): Depending on the desired look of the bouquet, you may want to trim the succulents to a specific size or shape. Use sharp pruning shears or flower shears to carefully cut the succulents to the desired length.

Step 5 – Arrange the succulents: Once the stems have been created and secured, you can start arranging the succulents with other flowers to create your bouquet. Play around with different combinations of succulents and flowers to find a composition that you like.

Step 6 – Secure the arrangement: Once you are happy with your arrangement, use floral wire to secure the stems together. Hold all the stems at the top, as close to the base of the flowers as possible, and wrap them tightly with floral wire. This will help to keep the bouquet intact.

By following these steps, you will have a beautiful and unique succulent wedding bouquet that is sure to make a statement.

Making stems for the succulents

If you are making a bouquet with flowers, you can then follow the same process for the flowers, or you can use the floral wire to strengthen the stems of the flowers. Wrap the wire from the base of the bloom to halfway down the stem. Cover the wiring with floral tape, starting from the base of the bloom, twisting the flower until you reach the end of the wire.

Arranging the bouquet

Now that you have your flowers and succulents ready, it's time to start arranging them into a beautiful bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start by choosing your largest blooms or most eye-catching flowers to act as the anchor of your bouquet. Place these in the centre and begin building around them.
• Add in the other flowers and succulents, filling in the gaps and creating a full, circular shape. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with how it looks. Remember to include hanging succulents strategically so they can be seen from all angles.
• Once you have your arrangement, wrap the stems together with floral wire to keep the bouquet in place. Be careful with the wiring, as succulents are more fragile than they look.
• Cover the wire with floral tape. Start at the top of the stems and work your way down, pulling the tape tightly as you wrap. This will help hold everything in place and give the bouquet a more polished look.
• Finish off the bouquet by wrapping a ribbon around the stems. You can use pretty pins to secure the ribbon and add a personal touch, such as a blue pin for your "something blue".
• Finally, trim the stems to your desired length with flower shears. This will give your bouquet a neat and even finish.

Your succulent wedding bouquet is now ready to be admired and enjoyed!

Wrapping the stems

Prepare the Stems

Before wrapping the stems, ensure that you have trimmed them to the desired length and removed any excess leaves or greenery. Leave some greenery to fill in the spaces in the bouquet if needed. It is also important to cut the stems at an angle to add varying heights and dimensions to the bouquet. This will give your bouquet a more dynamic and interesting look.

Choose Your Wrapping Materials

You can use a variety of materials to wrap the stems, including floral tape, ribbon, wire, or a combination of these. Floral tape is essential for securing the stems together and creating a smooth base for further wrapping. Choose a ribbon that complements the colours of the succulents and any additional flowers in your bouquet. You can also use wire to add support and structure to the stems, especially if you are using heavier succulents or flowers.

Wrap the Stems

Start by holding all the stems together at the top, as close to the base of the flowers as possible. Secure them with floral tape, pulling it tightly as you wrap to ensure it adheres well. You can also use clear shipping tape if you prefer. This will create a cohesive base for the rest of your wrapping.

Finish with Ribbon

Once the stems are securely taped, wrap your chosen ribbon around them, covering any remaining visible wire or tape. You can use flower head pins to secure the ribbon in place, choosing a blue pin for your "something blue" if desired. Ensure that the sharp parts of the pins are not poking out, so they don't catch on anything or cause any injuries.

Final Trimming

As a final step, trim the stems to your preferred length, ensuring that they are even. Use sharp flower shears or pruning shears for a clean cut. Now you have a beautiful, hand-crafted succulent wedding bouquet!

Frequently asked questions