Crafting A Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bouquets are an important part of any wedding ceremony. They are carried by very special people throughout the ceremony and frequently photographed. Making your own wedding bouquet can be a fun and creative process that allows you to connect with your design and make your wedding journey more meaningful. It also saves you money. In this article, we will discuss the steps to make a beautiful DIY wedding bouquet, from choosing your flowers to assembling and securing them. We will also provide tips on sourcing flowers and preparing them for your big day.

Choosing your flowers

Choosing the right flowers for your wedding bouquet is a big task. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect blooms for your special day:

Define Your Wedding Theme and Colour Palette

The flowers you choose should match your wedding theme and colours. For example, bright sunflowers and wildflowers would be perfect for a whimsical garden wedding, while elegant roses and lilies in soft pastels would complement a classic ballroom affair. Selecting blooms that echo your chosen colour palette and playing with shades and tones can create a more nuanced and cohesive look. Don't forget to consider adding greenery for a natural touch.

Consider Seasonal Availability and Your Budget

Seasonal availability plays a significant role in flower selection. Flowers in peak season are generally more affordable and accessible, as they are easier for florists to source. Choosing flowers that are out of season can be more expensive and may require importing. Opting for in-season flowers ensures freshness, affordability, and a wider variety. If you have a favourite flower, consider this when picking your wedding date.

Understand the Symbolism of Flowers

Different flowers have symbolic meanings that can add depth to your wedding. For instance, roses stand for love and passion, lilies represent purity and devotion, and sunflowers signify joy and happiness. Pick blooms that align with the emotions and message you want to convey.

Choose the Right Shape and Size

The shape and size of your bouquet should complement the silhouette and details of your wedding dress without taking away from it. If you have a mermaid or form-fitting dress, a narrow bouquet may flatter your form. In contrast, a ball gown or Cinderella-style dress could be enhanced by a fuller, more dramatic bouquet. Ensure the bouquet doesn't hide your waist, as this is likely your narrowest part.

Consider the Exact Colour of Your Wedding Dress

The colour of your wedding dress is crucial when selecting flowers. There are numerous shades of white, ivory, and cream, and a florist can recommend blooms to complement the exact hue of your gown. If you have fabric swatches, present them to your florist for a precise match.

Add a Personal Touch

Incorporate a personal touch into your bouquet to honour the "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" tradition. Attach a family heirloom, such as lace or a pendant, or use coloured ribbon or lace to tie off your bouquet, adding a unique detail while also adhering to the tradition.

Assemble your tools

To make a wedding bouquet, you will need to assemble the following tools:

• Floral snips or shears: You will need a sharp pair of scissors or shears to trim the flower stems. Floral snips are ideal, but regular scissors will also do the job.
• Ribbon: Choose a ribbon that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. Consider the length of the ribbon, as you will need enough to wrap around the stems and create a bow. You may want to use two different types of ribbon—one to create a "handle" and one to tie a bow. Opt for an opaque ribbon to hide any glue, and a sheer ribbon for the final decorative touch.
• Floral tape: Use floral tape to secure the stems of your bouquet and to cover any exposed wire. You can find floral tape in most gardening stores or online. It is usually inexpensive and easy to obtain.
• Wire and wire cutters: You will need wire to tie around the stems to secure them before trimming. Wire cutters can then be used to cut the excess wire and trim the stems to the desired length.
• Hot glue: Use hot glue to secure the ribbon to the stems and to add any decorative accents.
• Pearl floral pins: These pins can be inserted into the bouquet for added decoration. Inserting them at a downward angle will prevent them from poking through.
• A bucket of water: To keep your flowers fresh, place them in a bucket of water as you work.
• Vase: Use a vase to hold your bouquet and help you build its shape and framework.
• Gloves: Gloves can protect your hands and clothes from any residue or damage while handling the flowers and tools.

Prepare your flowers

Before you start constructing your bouquet, make sure the flower stems and greenery are prepped and ready. Remove all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. If you are using roses, remove any guard petals—these are the dull or brown outer petals that florists include to protect the blooms during transit.

Now, snip the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle and keep them in a bucket of water as you assemble your bouquet. This will help keep your flowers fresh and hydrated.

Be sure to consider your current climate and the flowers' natural habitats. If temperatures are high or you're using tropical blooms during a dry spell, research the best way to keep them vibrant until your big day.

Timing

One of the key considerations of making your own wedding bouquet is timing. Ideally, source your flowers two days before the wedding, create the bouquet the day before, and add the ribbon on the day of the nuptials. This will ensure your blooms are at their best for the wedding.

Add greenery

Adding greenery to your wedding bouquet is a great way to create a natural, organic look. It can also be a budget-friendly option, as greenery is usually cheaper than flowers.

There are many different types of greenery to choose from, each with its own unique texture and colour. Popular choices include eucalyptus, dusty miller, bay leaves, ivy, and ferns. When selecting your greenery, consider the overall style and colour palette of your wedding. For example, dusty miller, with its light green hue and fuzzy texture, is a popular choice for vintage-inspired themes and pastel colour palettes. If you're having a tropical wedding, consider monstera leaves or succulents. For a rustic wedding, olive branches or eucalyptus might be a better fit.

Once you've chosen your greenery, it's time to start building your bouquet. Start by removing all the leaves from your floral stems and the bottom halves of your greenery stems. This will help to create a clean, cohesive look. Next, snip the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This will help the stems absorb water and stay fresh. Place the stems in a bucket of water as you work to keep them hydrated.

Now you're ready to start assembling your bouquet. Begin by building the shape and framework, using the greenery to create the base of your bouquet. Add in larger, focal flowers, followed by smaller flowers and additional greenery to create depth and dimension. Remember to stand in front of a mirror as you work so you can see the bouquet from the front.

Once you're happy with your bouquet, trim the stems to the desired length, making sure they are comfortable to hold but not too long that they interfere with your wedding dress. Secure the stems with a rubber band, floral tape, or wire, and finish with a ribbon of your choice.

Adding greenery to your wedding bouquet is a great way to create a natural, organic look that reflects your personal style. With a little creativity and some simple materials, you can easily make a stunning bouquet that will wow your guests.

Focal flowers and fillers

Focal flowers are the stars of your bouquet. They are the florals that catch your eye, with one large bloom per stem. You will likely have one to three types of focal flowers in your arrangement. Some common focal flowers are roses, peonies, dahlias, hydrangeas, proteas, anemones, sunflowers, ranunculus, and mums.

Filler flowers are the smaller blooms that make up a bouquet or arrangement. Although they are not the flowers that immediately draw your eye, they play an important role in completing the overall look and style of a wedding bouquet. Filler flowers can include baby's breath, poms, spray roses, mini carnations, and snapdragons.

When creating a bouquet, it's important to consider the balance and contrast between your focal flowers and the filler flowers. While the focal flowers are the stars, the filler flowers add complementary visual interest and texture, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the bouquet. They fill in gaps between larger blooms, creating a fuller, more cohesive arrangement without significantly increasing cost.

You can also add line flowers to your bouquet. These are tall flowers that can add height and an extra "wow factor". Some examples of line flowers are bells of Ireland, snapdragons, and delphiniums.

Frequently asked questions