Creating A Wedding Bouquet With A Holder: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding bouquet is a fun and creative way to save money on your big day. There are many different styles of bouquet holders to choose from, including straight-handled and slanted holders. Straight-handled holders provide more foam for flowers, while slanted holders are designed for cascading bouquets, allowing flowers to flow forward and down in a natural manner. When creating your own bouquet, it is important to properly process your flowers and ensure they are well-hydrated. Using professional products, such as flower food, can help extend the life of your flowers. Additionally, fully saturating the bouquet holder in water before use is recommended to optimize performance.

Choosing the right holder style

When choosing the right holder style for your wedding bouquet, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the shape of the bouquet holder should complement the silhouette and details of your wedding dress. If you have a mermaid or form-fitting dress, a narrow bouquet can highlight its shape. On the other hand, a ball gown or Cinderella-style dress can be enhanced with a fuller, more dramatic bouquet.

Secondly, the size of the bouquet holder is important. Standard bridal bouquets are typically 11"-13" in diameter, while small bridal bouquets average 7"-9" and large bridal bouquets are 13"-15". The bouquet should be within a few inches of your hip and bust measurements, as you'll likely hold it just below your belly button.

Thirdly, the type of flowers and arrangement you want will influence the holder style. For a round bouquet with clean lines and minimal greenery, a rounded cage holder can provide a compact and stable design. If you're aiming for a cascading bouquet, a slanted holder will help achieve that waterfall shape while reducing some of the weight.

Additionally, consider the functionality and ease of use. Bouquet holders are a great way to achieve a sturdy and controlled arrangement, eliminating the need to figure out how to keep the flowers together. They also provide an all-day water supply for the flowers through their embedded floral foam, making them ideal for outdoor events.

Finally, some bouquet holders come with decorative handles, eliminating the need to cover the handle with ribbon or wire. You can also opt for a simple holder and decorate it with lace, ribbon, or wire to match your wedding theme and your personal preference.

Rehydrating flowers

When making a wedding bouquet, it's important to use fresh flowers. However, if your flowers have arrived in a dry state, you can rehydrate them using a fast re-hydrator like Quick Dip. You can also use liquid flower food that mixes easily with water. Follow the directions on the label—using too much won't hurt the flowers, but it will be a waste of product.

To rehydrate flowers, you can also allow the bouquet holder to "float soak". This means letting the foam head draw up water naturally. Don't force the holder below the water to "hurry" it along, as this could cause dry patches that could damage your flowers.

If you're looking to preserve your wedding bouquet, there are several methods you can use, including drying, pressing, or professional preservation services. Air-drying is one of the most popular methods—simply hang the bouquet upside down in a dry, well-ventilated space for several weeks. This works best for sturdy flowers like roses and lavender.

If you prefer a flatter keepsake, you can press your flowers between the pages of heavy books or in a flower press. Once pressed, the flowers can be displayed in a frame or kept in a memory book.

Using liquid flower food

When making a wedding bouquet, it is important to use liquid flower food to ensure your flowers stay vibrant and fresh for as long as possible. The purpose of flower food is to provide nutrients to the flowers, which helps to combat the rapid onset of wilting.

Most flower food contains sugar, acid, and bleach. Sugar acts as a nutrient for the stems, acid maintains the pH level of the water, and bleach reduces the amount of bacteria and fungi. Some flower food may also contain chemicals known as "stem un-pluggers", which prevent the stem from closing so that the flower can absorb the food and water.

To use liquid flower food, start by choosing a clean container for mixing and storing. Follow the directions on the label, as the amount of flower food required may vary depending on the product. Generally, you will need to combine warm water, sugar, vinegar, and citric acid or lemon juice. Mix well until all the ingredients are dissolved.

Once you have prepared the flower food, be sure to change the water and trim the stems of your bouquet every two to three days, adding the flower food mixture each time. Keep the bouquet away from direct sunlight or heating and cooling vents to prevent the flowers from drying out.

Soaking the Belle holder

• Allow the Belle Holder to "float soak". This means letting the foam head draw up water naturally. Do not force the holder below the water level to speed up the process, as this may create dry patches that could affect your flower stems.
• Fill a container with enough water to fully submerge the foam portion of the holder. Ensure the water is at room temperature, as hot or cold water can damage the foam.
• Submerge only the foam part of the Belle Holder in the water. Allow it to soak for about 30 minutes or until the foam is fully saturated.
• After the foam is fully soaked, carefully remove the holder from the water, allowing any excess water to drip off. The holder is now ready to be filled with flowers.
• It is important to note that the Belle Holder should be soaked close to the time of use. Soaking it too far in advance may cause the foam to dry out, impacting its ability to hold and hydrate the flowers.
• If you are working with fresh flowers, it is crucial to process them correctly. Rehydrate your flowers immediately if they have been transported in warm conditions. Use professional products like Quick Dip and flower food to extend the life of your flowers.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your Belle Holder is properly soaked, providing a suitable base for your wedding bouquet and helping to keep your flowers fresh and hydrated.

Using bouquet pins

Before you start, make sure you have the right materials. You will need a bouquet holder, fresh or artificial flowers, floral foam, a ribbon, hot glue, scissors, and embellished pins. The number of flowers and the type of ribbon you choose can vary depending on your preference and the theme of the wedding.

Once you have gathered all the materials, start by preparing your flowers. Ensure they are well-hydrated, especially if they have just been delivered. Use a professional flower rehydrator and follow the instructions on the label. Adding flower food will also help keep them vibrant and healthy.

The next step is to prepare the bouquet holder. Decide on the type of holder you want, either straight-handled or slanted. If you're using a straight-handled holder, you can cut the stems of your flowers to the appropriate length. However, if you prefer a cascading bouquet, choose a slanted holder, which allows the flowers to cascade down naturally. Soak the floral foam in water, allowing it to absorb water evenly without forcing it. This step is crucial to keep your flowers fresh.

Now, it's time to arrange the flowers into the holder according to your desired design. Be creative and experiment with different flower placements until you achieve the look you want. Once you're happy with the arrangement, secure the flowers in place using the floral foam.

Finally, it's time to decorate the handle. Cut a ribbon that complements the wedding theme or the bridal dress. It should be about 20 to 24 inches long and 2 inches wide. Add a strip of hot glue underneath the plastic cup that holds the bouquet, and carefully press one end of the ribbon to it. Let it dry, and then start winding the ribbon around the handle, overlapping as you go to ensure no part of the handle is visible. Once you reach the bottom, cut any excess ribbon, leaving a little allowance for securing the wrap. Don't forget to fold the raw edge of the ribbon neatly before gluing it in place.

To enhance the look of your bouquet, add embellished pins to the folded portion of the ribbon. Poke the pins vertically and downward without pressing them into the handle itself. Now you have a beautiful and personalised wedding bouquet!

Frequently asked questions