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

Succulents are a popular choice for wedding bouquets, and it's easy to see why. With their bold shapes and unique forms, they make a statement at any wedding. Plus, they can be saved and replanted after the big day, creating a lasting memory of the occasion. Making a succulent bouquet is simple and can be done by anyone, even with little experience. All you need are some basic materials, such as floral stem wire and tape, and a selection of succulents and flowers to create a beautiful arrangement.

Choosing your succulents

Succulents are a bold and increasingly popular choice for wedding bouquets. They are long-lasting and can be saved and replanted after the wedding to create a lasting memory of your special day.

When choosing your succulents, it's important to select a mix of varieties to create an interesting and textured bouquet. You can opt for a monochromatic colour scheme or go for a burst of vibrant shades. Succulents with rosettes are considered a signature of a quality bouquet, so look out for these.

You can source your succulents from a local florist, garden centre, or even a grocery store. If you're making multiple bouquets, buying in bulk online may be a more cost-effective option. When selecting your succulents, look for established, premium-quality plants with tight rosettes.

• Echeveria: These come in various colours, including soft pastel shades, and pair well with blooms like Blosfeldiana and Mini Pink Carnations.
• Aeonium: This variety produces blooms, adding a unique touch to your bouquet.
• Perle von Nurnberg: Blue-green and purple succulents in this variety complement other flowers like thistle and white filler blooms.
• String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This cascading succulent adds a unique, trailing element to your bouquet.
• Crassulas: These come in various shapes and sizes, offering an array of colours to your arrangement.

When choosing your succulents, consider the overall colour scheme and theme of your wedding. Succulents can be paired with traditional blooms like roses, baby's breath, and Alstromeria, or you can create a fully succulent bouquet for a unique and modern look.

With their bold shapes and interesting forms, succulents are a great way to make a statement with your wedding bouquet.

Adding stems to the succulents

Firstly, select floral stem wire, which is readily available at craft stores. This wire will act as the foundation for your succulent stems. Next, carefully remove the succulent from its nursery pot and gently wash away any soil clinging to the roots. This step ensures that your bouquet remains clean and free from dirt.

Now, it's time to create the "stem." Take the floral wire and insert it into the base of the succulent. Bend the wire to form a loop, which will provide stability and a sturdy base for the succulent. Secure the wire in place by wrapping floral tape around the base of the succulent and the top of the wire. This step not only strengthens the connection but also gives it a neat appearance.

At this point, you can repeat the process for as many succulents as you plan to include in your bouquet. Once you have created "stems" for all your succulents, you can start assembling your bouquet. Gather your succulent "flowers" and any additional cut flowers you wish to include. Hold all the stems together as close to the base of the flowers as possible. Secure this bundle with floral tape, tightly wrapping it around the stems to create a tight bouquet.

As a final touch, wrap the stems with a pretty ribbon of your choice. This adds a delicate and elegant finish to your bouquet. You can even use a blue ribbon or pin to incorporate your "something blue" into the bouquet, a charming wedding tradition.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create a stunning wedding bouquet with succulents that have elegant and secure stems.

Creating the bouquet's base

Now you need to create a "stem" for each succulent. Take a piece of floral wire and insert it into the base of the succulent. Bend the wire to form a loop. This will act as the stem. Wrap the base of the succulent and the top of the floral wire with floral tape. This will help to secure the wire in place and provide a neat finish.

Now you can start to assemble your bouquet. Gather your succulent "flowers" and any other cut flowers you wish to include. Hold all the stems together as close to the base of the flowers as possible. Secure the stems with floral tape. This will hold the bouquet together.

Finally, wrap the stems with a pretty ribbon of your choice. You can secure the ribbon with pins, and perhaps include a blue one for your "something blue".

Finishing the bouquet

Once you have your bouquet arranged, you'll want to finish it off with some ribbon. This will cover the wires and floral tape, giving your bouquet a polished look.

First, wrap the stems with wire and tape, leaving a few inches at the bottom so you can put the bouquet in water. Then, cut the ribbon to the desired length. You can use one long piece of ribbon or a few shorter pieces, depending on the look you want to achieve. Starting at the top of the bouquet, wrap the ribbon around the stems, overlapping it slightly as you go. Secure the ribbon with hot glue or fabric glue as you wrap, making sure to cover any exposed wire or tape. You can also use pretty pins to secure the ribbon in place. This is a great way to add a bit of extra decoration to your bouquet and incorporate your wedding colours.

If you want to include a "something blue" in your bouquet, you can use a blue pin to secure the ribbon. This is a fun way to include this wedding tradition in a subtle and unique way.

Finally, trim the stems to the desired length, and your bouquet is ready to go!

Wrapping the stems

First, hold all the stems together at the top, as close to the base of the flowers as possible. Secure the stems with floral tape. This will hold the blooms together tightly. Next, wrap the stems with wire and tape, leaving a few inches at the bottom so you can put the bouquet in water. Finally, wrap the stems with your chosen ribbon. You can use pretty pins to keep the ribbon in place. If you are making a bridal bouquet, you could use a blue pin for your "something blue".

Frequently asked questions