Guide To Creating Stunning Tall Flower Arrangements For Weddings

Tall flower arrangements are a popular choice for weddings, adding a touch of luxury and elegance to the event. They can be used to create a dramatic impact and transform the space, especially in venues with high ceilings or outdoor settings. Creating tall flower arrangements can be stressful for florists, requiring careful planning and execution to achieve the desired height and stability. This paragraph will provide an introduction to the topic of how to make tall flower arrangements for weddings, offering tips and suggestions for florists and event planners to craft stunning displays that will wow guests and elevate the wedding décor.

Choosing a vase

Height and Width

The height and width of the vase will determine the overall scale of the flower arrangement. For tall flower arrangements, opt for a vase that is proportionate to the flowers and the surrounding décor. A standard height for tall floral arrangements is about the width of a door frame, typically paired with a 24-inch vase. However, you can adjust the height to fit your specific needs and the size of your venue.

Material and Design

Vases come in various materials such as glass, crystal, acrylic, ceramic, and metal. Glass and crystal vases are popular choices for tall flower arrangements as they create a sense of elegance and sophistication. Acrylic vases can add a trendy and modern touch to the overall design. Metal vases, such as gold or silver pedestals, are perfect for a timeless and luxurious look. Consider the colour and design of the vase to complement the flowers and the wedding theme.

Stability and Transportation

When choosing a vase, consider its stability, especially if the wedding is outdoors. Tall flower arrangements have a high centre of gravity and can be susceptible to toppling over in windy conditions. Opt for vases with a sturdy base or consider using floral foam and tape to secure the flowers and enhance stability. Additionally, think about how the arrangements will be transported and displayed at the venue. Ensure the vases are lightweight and easy to move, especially if you plan to transfer them between different locations during the wedding.

Creativity and Uniqueness

Vases come in various shapes and designs, offering an opportunity to get creative and unique. Consider shaped vessels, such as a swan, to make a statement and reflect the couple's personality. Hanging or suspended vases can also be an unexpected and eye-catching choice. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and choose a vase that aligns with the wedding's theme and overall aesthetic.

Practicality and Maintenance

Consider the practicality and maintenance of the vase, especially if using fresh flowers. Fresh flowers require a water source, so ensure the vase is suitable for holding water and won't leak. Additionally, think about the longevity of the flowers and how to maintain their freshness throughout the event. Using floral food and sprays can help extend the life of the flowers, keeping them hydrated and fresh-looking.

In summary, choosing the right vase for tall flower arrangements involves considering the height, width, material, stability, creativity, and practicality. The vase should complement the flowers and enhance the overall aesthetic of the wedding while also being functional and easy to transport and maintain.

Selecting flowers

Flower Types and Colours:

• Classic wedding flowers such as roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, orchids, and lilies are always a popular choice for tall centrepieces.
• For a bold statement, opt for bright colours like burgundy, pink, or even a mix of pastel hues.
• You can also create a unique pop of colour by choosing just two colours for your arrangement.
• To add an interesting twist, pair traditional flowers like roses with an unexpected choice such as anthuriums or pampas grass.
• If you're looking for something elegant yet whimsical, consider terrariums with dainty arrangements enclosed in pretty glass containers.
• For a tropical wedding, incorporate palm leaves, pretty blooms, and even display tropical fruits like pineapples and mangos.
• Baby's breath is a delicate blossom that can be used to create fluffy, cloud-inspired arrangements.
• If you're after a more natural, earthy vibe, swap out popular greenery like eucalyptus for fern fronds or smilax, which has shiny, rich green leaves.
• Flowering tree branches, such as lilac, wisteria, pear blossoms, or bougainvillea, offer the best of both worlds, combining flowers and greenery.
• For a fall wedding, consider a moody colour palette with deep hues, pops of greenery, and even a few feathers for added interest.

Flower Placement and Design:

• Tall, round floral arrangements are a classic choice for weddings, creating a dramatic and luxurious look.
• To add movement and visual depth to your tablescape, choose flowers that "cascade" down the sides of the centerpiece.
• If you're using a tall vase, start by inserting flowers at the top and around the sides to establish the height and width of your design.
• For a cohesive look, especially in venues with high ceilings, tall flower arrangements can help break the barrier between low tables and high ceilings, drawing guests' eyes upward.
• If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider using artificial flowers, which are lightweight, long-lasting, and allergy-friendly. They're also less likely to blow over in a breeze.
• To create a garden-inspired wedding look indoors, use tall, lush arrangements of flowers and foliage, and even add trees to bring the outside in.
• If you want to make a statement, try a floral runner down the length of your reception table, or opt for blooming tables instead of large vases.
• For a unique vessel, choose a shaped container, such as a swan, rather than a traditional vase.
• To fill in any gaps in your arrangement, use extra greenery and branches.
• For easy transportation, place your last few blooms on-site, allowing for flat transportation without crushing the flowers.

With these tips and ideas, you can create stunning tall flower arrangements that will wow your wedding guests and make your special day even more memorable.

Adding greenery

Choose the Right Greenery

Select greenery that complements the flowers you have chosen and fits the theme of your wedding. Popular choices include eucalyptus, fern fronds, salal, and ruscus. For a more whimsical effect, consider using hanging vines and branches. If you're going for a polished and timeless look, opt for smilax, which has shiny, rich green leaves. Magnolia leaves are perfect for a Southern-inspired wedding, while tropical weddings call for palm leaves and monstera leaves.

Create a Foliage Base

Start by creating a base for your flower arrangement using greenery. Cut your greenery branches into varying sizes and place the longest branches on the outermost corners and edges of your floral foam block. Gradually add in more greenery to create an asymmetrical shape that resembles natural growth. This will provide a sturdy foundation for your flowers and help to conceal the mechanics of the arrangement.

Fill in Gaps

Once you have added your flowers, take a step back and look for any noticeable gaps between the florals. Fill in these gaps with extra greenery and branches to make the arrangement look fuller and more lush. Play around with the placement of the greenery until you are happy with the overall shape.

Add Embellishments

To take your flower arrangement to the next level, add some fun details and embellishments with greenery. Use any leftover greenery and spread it throughout the arrangement to add texture and interest. You can also mix in other accent florals or greenery, such as baby's breath or pampas grass, to create a more whimsical and lively design.

Conceal Mechanics

Greenery is also useful for concealing the mechanics of your flower arrangement. Add some greenery at the base of the design to break the line of the container and hide any unsightly design elements. This will give your arrangement a more polished and elegant look.

Transporting arrangements

Transporting flower arrangements for a wedding can be a tricky task, but with careful preparation, it can be done successfully. Here are some tips to help you transport tall flower arrangements:

Use Suitable Containers

Use buckets, preferably tall and narrow ones, to transport flowers with long stems. This will keep them supported, upright, and prevent them from flopping or tangling. If you're using vases for your arrangements, consider transporting them separately and combining them with the flowers at the venue to reduce the risk of breakage. Alternatively, opt for plastic cups with a small amount of water for corsages and boutonnieres with exposed stems.

Secure the Arrangements

Whether using buckets or vases, ensure they are secured properly to prevent wobbling, shaking, or tipping over during transport. Use a rack or box system to hold the containers in place. If using a box, place the arrangement on top and cut an opening for the vase to fit snugly. Use packing tape to secure the vase to the box, and put paper between the tape and the vase to avoid any damage.

Maintain Water Levels

Keep your flowers hydrated by ensuring there is enough water in the vases or buckets during transport. For bouquets, put about an inch of water in a spare vase or jar and carefully place the bouquet inside, being careful not to let the ribbon get wet.

Pack Efficiently

When loading your vehicle, cover every bit of space with full or empty buckets to prevent movement and reduce the risk of damage. Weave towels between vases to keep them upright and prevent banging or breakage.

Consider a Cooler

If possible, use a cooler to store your flower arrangements, especially if they need to be transported over long distances or in hot weather. This will help keep the flowers fresh and reduce the risk of wilting.

Timing

Ideally, tall flower arrangements should be made no earlier than the day before the event. If a cooler is not available, they can be left overnight but monitor water levels and evaporation, especially if they are placed near an air conditioner.

By following these tips and planning ahead, you can safely transport your tall flower arrangements for your wedding, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition for your special day.

Using artificial flowers

Artificial flowers are a great way to create tall, long-lasting centrepieces for weddings. Here are some tips on how to make them:

Choosing Your Flowers

The beauty of artificial flowers is that they can be sourced all year round. You can choose from a wide variety of faux flowers, including roses, orchids, lilies, hydrangeas, cherry blossoms, magnolias, and sunflowers. You can also include artificial greenery such as eucalyptus, baby's breath, pampas grass, and palm leaves.

Containers and Vases

Clear glass vases are a popular choice for displaying artificial flowers, as they allow you to see the flower stems and any decorative fillers. You can fill the bottom of the vase with corks, sand, pebbles, buttons, or marbles to add interest and colour. If you want to make your display look even more realistic, you can fill the vase with water. Other options for containers include jars, bottles, canisters, decorative boxes, and planter boxes.

Arranging Your Flowers

When arranging your flowers, cut and trim the stems to create different heights and layers. You can also pluck off any leaves or branches that look unattractive or obviously fake. Add dimension to your arrangement by including fillers such as singular green leaves, twigs, and branches. If you want a more natural look, bend the stems slightly to make it look like the flowers are reaching out for sunlight.

Mix and Match

To make your artificial flower arrangements more interesting, mix and match different types of flowers and containers. You can also alternate between high and low arrangements to add variety to your wedding decor. This can also help you save money on flowers.

Sizing

Tall flower arrangements typically take 30 to 45 minutes to create. When deciding on the size of your arrangement, consider the height of your vase and the width of the bouquet. Make sure that all the blooms peek over the edge of the vase. For sparse arrangements of two to three flowers, use very tall stems that rise ten or more inches above the vase. For denser arrangements of nine or more flowers, use shorter stems that sit just above the vase's edge.

Frequently asked questions