Creating Unique Wedding Bouquets: A Guide To Bouquet-Making

Wedding bouquets are a significant part of any wedding ceremony. They are often the centrepiece of the bridal outfit and are frequently photographed. Making your own wedding bouquet can be a fun and creative way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. This paragraph aims to introduce the topic of how to make wedding bouquet ideas by highlighting the importance of wedding bouquets and the benefits of creating your own, before providing a step-by-step guide on how to make a beautiful DIY wedding bouquet.

Choosing your flowers

The flowers you choose for your DIY wedding bouquet are key to making a statement on your big day. Whether you opt for a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical, like a cascading arrangement, the style you choose will dictate how you approach your flowers.

If you're going for a modern and simple design, consider using one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers with lots of textural interest. Garden-style bouquets, on the other hand, call for five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

When choosing your flowers, it's important to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want complementary colours to bring subtle balance to your décor, or do you want to integrate contrasting colours for added drama?

If you have a coloured theme to your wedding, a bouquet is a great way to match this theme and ensure it's coherent throughout your big day. Traditionally, most flowers in a bridal bouquet stick to white, with some splashes of pink or other pastel colours. However, you should ultimately choose colours and flowers that match your preferences.

To make your dollar stretch as far as possible, pick your flowers based on the timing of your wedding. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn.

Selecting a colour scheme

Start With Your Wedding Theme: If you have a specific wedding theme or colour palette in mind, use that as your starting point. For example, if you're going for a rustic theme, you might choose earth tones like burgundy, navy, and forest green. If your wedding is more modern, you might opt for a monochromatic colour scheme or a bold pop of colour.

Consider Your Favourite Colours: Your wedding is a reflection of you and your partner, so don't be afraid to infuse your personality into your bouquet. If you have a favourite colour or a combination of colours that you love, use them as a starting point for your colour scheme.

Look to Nature: Nature can provide inspiration for your bouquet colours. Take a walk outdoors or browse through nature photography to find colour combinations that appeal to you. For instance, soft pastels of a sunrise or the vibrant hues of wildflowers can offer a gorgeous colour palette.

Think About Contrast: Creating contrast within your bouquet will make it visually interesting. Play around with different shades to find a balance of light and dark that looks pleasing. You can also introduce varying textures, such as lush peonies, delicate baby's breath, and feathery eucalyptus, to add depth and dimension.

Browse Colour Palettes Online: There's a wealth of online resources and wedding blogs dedicated to colour palettes. Browse these sites for inspiration and ideas to get a sense of the colour combinations that resonate with you. Pinterest, Instagram, and wedding planning websites are great sources for curated colour schemes and real-wedding examples.

Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: It's okay to step outside your comfort zone and experiment with unique colour combinations. If you're feeling adventurous, try incorporating unexpected accents or exploring different shades within the same colour family. Sometimes, taking a risk with your colour choices can make your bouquet exceptional and memorable.

Arranging your bouquet

Choose your flowers and colours:

First, decide on the types of blooms and colours you want to incorporate into your bouquet. Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. You may want to choose complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look, or go for contrasting colours to add drama and make a statement.

Determine your bouquet style:

Are you going for a classic, tight bouquet, or something more whimsical like a cascading arrangement? This decision will dictate how you approach your flowers. For a modern and simple design, use fewer varieties of florals and very little to no greenery. If you're after a garden-style bouquet, choose more varieties of florals and greenery, and opt for flowers with different textures and gestures.

Prepare your flowers:

Once you've selected your blooms, it's time to prepare them for the bouquet. Remove all the leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Using a sharp pair of floral snips or shears, cut the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. Keep the stems in a bucket of water as you work to keep them fresh.

Start with greenery:

When you're ready to begin assembling your bouquet, start by creating the foundation with greenery. Hold the stems about halfway down the desired length of your bouquet and add greenery to set the flow and shape. Popular types of greenery include ruscus, eucalyptus, and leather leaf.

Add focal flowers:

Now, add a few focal flowers to your arrangement. These are the stars of your bouquet—the blooms that catch the eye. Focal flowers tend to have one large bloom per stem. Roses, proteas, anemones, sunflowers, ranunculus, and mums are all popular choices.

Add fillers and line flowers:

Continue building your bouquet by adding filler flowers, line flowers, and more greenery at a diagonal angle. Filler flowers are the smaller blooms that complete the overall look, such as baby's breath, poms, spray roses, and mini carnations. Line flowers, on the other hand, add height and a "wow factor". Examples include bells of Ireland, snapdragons, and delphiniums.

Finalise and secure your bouquet:

Check for any gaps or holes in your bouquet and fill them with filler flowers or greenery. You can also place a layer of greenery around the outside of your arrangement to hide the stems. To secure the bouquet, tie the stems with floral wire, then cover with floral tape. Finish it off by wrapping a ribbon of your choice around the stems and securing it with pins.

Trim the stems:

Finally, trim the stems of your bouquet, leaving a few inches below the ribbon. This will ensure that the bouquet is comfortable to hold and won't interfere with the wedding dress. Place your finished bouquet in a vase with cool water to keep the flowers fresh and hydrated.

Adding finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to add the finishing touches. Here are some ideas to elevate your bouquet and give it a polished look:

Ribbon

Adding a ribbon to your bouquet is a great way to elevate its design and add a personal touch. You can choose a ribbon in your wedding colours or a colour that is meaningful to you. Consider using two ribbons of different textures and tying them together in a bow. For example, you could use a sheer ribbon and a satin ribbon to create an elegant and sophisticated look. Leave a fair amount of excess ribbon to create a flowing, elegant effect. You can also experiment with different types of bows, such as creating multiple loops or adding accents to the middle of the bow.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is essential for securing your bouquet and giving it a neat appearance. Wrap the stems of your bouquet with floral tape, covering any exposed wire or glue from the previous steps. This will help to keep your bouquet together and protect your hands while holding it. Choose a green floral tape to blend in with the stems, or select a colour that complements your flowers.

Pins

Adding pins to your bouquet can enhance its overall look and provide a subtle touch of sparkle. Try using pearl floral pins or other decorative pins that match your wedding theme. Insert the pins down the front of the bouquet or at the back to secure any ribbons or lace. If you're using pins with sharp ends, insert them at a downward angle to prevent them from poking through the ribbon or lace.

Charms

If you want to add a unique and sentimental touch to your bouquet, consider incorporating a charm. It could be a vintage trinket or a new one, depending on your preference. Charms can be a way to honour a loved one who has passed or simply add a special element that holds meaning for you.

Filler Flowers

Don't be afraid to add some final filler flowers to your bouquet if you feel it needs some extra fullness or colour. Small, green filler flowers can be added at the same angle to maintain symmetry. You can also use these flowers to fill in any gaps or holes in your bouquet, ensuring it looks lush and complete.

Remember, your wedding bouquet is a reflection of your personal style and creativity. So, feel free to experiment and add any finishing touches that make it truly yours!

Caring for your bouquet

Your wedding bouquet is an important part of your big day, so it's crucial to keep it looking fresh and fabulous. Here are some tips to help you care for your bouquet and ensure it stays beautiful throughout the celebrations:

• Hydration: Flowers need lots of water, so keep your bouquet in a vase of water as much as possible. If you have to take them out for photos or the ceremony, be sure to put them back in water at the earliest opportunity.
• Towel Dry: If your bouquet is delivered in water, have a towel handy to dry the stems before you carry them. This will prevent watermarks on your dress and stop any tinted water from dripping onto the blooms.
• Avoid Touching Blooms: Try not to touch the petals directly as the oils from your fingers can damage the delicate flowers.
• Keep Them Cool: Store your bouquet in a cool, dark area, especially in the hours leading up to your event. If you have boutonnieres, flower crowns, or corsages, keep them in the fridge. Keep all floral arrangements away from heat sources like hot light fixtures, fireplaces, and direct sunlight.
• Holding Your Bouquet: Ask your florist to show you how to hold the bouquet properly. They will create a focal area or a front side, so it's important to hold it the right way to showcase the design.
• Flower Care: Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle and keep them in a bucket of water. Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline, as these can carry bacteria that can infect the flowers.
• Storage: Keep your bouquet in a cool place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Change the water daily, using lukewarm water to help the flowers bloom, and then cooler water to slow the blooming process.
• Food and Flowers Don't Mix: Do not store your flowers in a regular fridge where food is kept, as flowers can be affected by food bacteria. Citrus fruits, in particular, give off a gas that is harmful to flowers, so keep them well away.
• Spray: You can use a product like Crown and Glory to lock in moisture and give your bouquet a nice sheen.
• Preservation: If you want to preserve your bouquet, there are several methods you can try, including pressing, air-drying, adding petals to taper candles, using silica gel, or dipping the flowers in wax.

Frequently asked questions