Creating Submerged Flower Wedding Centerpieces: A Step-By-Step Guide

Submerged flower centerpieces are a beautiful and cost-effective way to decorate your wedding venue. With just a few simple materials, you can create elegant and captivating floral displays that are sure to impress your guests. This DIY project is easy to execute and offers a unique twist on traditional flower arrangements, adding a touch of sophistication to your special day.

Choosing the right flowers

Flower Type

Opt for sturdy flowers with thick petals that can retain their shape and colour underwater. Orchids, roses, lilies, and calla lilies are popular choices due to their durability and visual appeal. These flowers have sturdy stems and multiple blooms, making them ideal for tall cylinder vases. Tulips and gladioli are also strong flowers that come in a variety of colours to complement your wedding theme. Avoid delicate flowers that are prone to wilting or bleeding colour, as these may not hold up well when submerged.

Pollen and Colour Bleeding

When choosing flowers, consider those without pollen, as it can cloud the water and affect the clarity of your display. Additionally, be cautious of flowers with thin petals, as they may disintegrate or bleed colour into the water. Always test your chosen flowers by submerging a few blooms in water for a few days to ensure they retain their colour and structure.

Weight and Floatation

Select flowers with heavier, larger stems to prevent them from floating to the top of the vase. You can also use weights or floral wire to anchor the flowers in place. Alternatively, fill the bottom of the vase with decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles to add weight and enhance the overall aesthetic of the arrangement.

Freshness and Longevity

To ensure your centrepieces look their best for as long as possible, choose flowers that are fresh and sturdy. Submerged flowers can last for several days, but their longevity depends on the type of flowers used and their freshness when submerged. If you're crafting the centrepieces in advance, opt for heartier flowers that can withstand prolonged submersion.

Quantity and Budget

Submerged flower centrepieces require fewer flowers compared to traditional arrangements, making them a cost-effective option. You only need a couple of focal flowers in each arrangement, allowing you to create elegant displays without breaking the bank. This is especially beneficial if you're working with a tight flower budget or prefer a minimalist aesthetic.

Remember to consider the size and shape of your vase when selecting your flowers. Taller vases may require flowers with longer stems, while wider vases can accommodate flowers with larger blooms. Experiment with different flower types and colours to create unique and captivating submerged wedding centrepieces that align with your wedding theme and style.

Preparing the vase

Choosing the Right Vase

Select a sturdy and high-quality glass vase, preferably made of thick glass. Cylinder vases are a popular choice for submerged flower arrangements. Consider the height and width of the vase, ensuring it provides ample space around the blooms for a graceful display.

Adding Decorative Elements

Enhance the aesthetic appeal and anchor your flowers in place by adding decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles to the bottom of the vase. You can also use floral frogs or weights, such as metal washers or glass gems, to hold the flowers in place. These elements add texture and visual interest to your centerpiece.

Filling the Vase with Water

Use distilled water to ensure maximum clarity and prevent cloudiness. If you're using pebbles or crystals, fill the vase about 70% with water. If you're only using flowers and fillers, fill it to about 85%. Slowly and carefully add the water to avoid creating bubbles.

Weighing Down the Flowers

Some flowers may tend to float to the top. To prevent this, tie fishing line or floral wire to the stems and secure them to a weight, such as a rock, before covering them with pebbles. This technique ensures that your flowers remain gracefully submerged.

Final Touches

If desired, add floating candles, greenery, or colourful LED lights to your centerpiece. These elements create a romantic and enchanting ambiance. You can also incorporate seashells and sand for a beach-themed wedding or add coloured water to match your wedding colour scheme.

Preparing the flowers

Firstly, select the right type of flowers. Opt for sturdy blooms with thicker stems, such as orchids, calla lilies, roses, or tulips. These flowers are less prone to wilting underwater and will retain their shape and colour. Avoid delicate flowers with thin petals and those with lots of pollen, as they can cloud the water.

Before you begin, gather your flowers, a glass vase, and distilled water to avoid bubbles. If you want to add decorative elements like pebbles, crystals, or floating candles, have those ready as well.

Now, it's time to trim the stems. Cut the stems to the desired length, considering the height of your vase and the amount of flower you want to submerge. Use floral wire if you need to help the flowers hold a specific shape or position. You can also add weights to the stems, such as floral frogs or metal washers, to prevent the flowers from floating to the top.

Once your flowers are prepared, carefully place them into the vase. If you're using pebbles or crystals, fill the vase about 70% full with water. If you're only using flowers and fillers, fill it to about 85%. Gently lower the flowers into the vase, being careful not to disturb the arrangement.

If you're using floating candles, you can add them at this point. Slowly fill the vase with distilled water, ensuring the flowers are completely submerged without spilling over. Make any final adjustments to the arrangement as the appearance of the flowers may change slightly underwater due to refraction.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating elegant and captivating submerged flower centrepieces for your wedding or any special event.

Arranging the flowers

Now that you have chosen your flowers, it's time to prepare your vase. Start by filling the bottom of your glass vase with decorative stones, marbles, or pebbles. This will enhance the aesthetic of your centerpiece and help anchor the flowers in place.

Next, trim the stems of your chosen flowers to the desired length, taking into account the height of the vase and the amount of flower you want to submerge. You can use floral wire to help the flowers hold a specific shape or position if needed.

Carefully place the flowers into the vase, positioning them among the stones until you achieve the desired arrangement. If you're using floral wire, gently bend and adjust the flowers to maintain their orientation.

Slowly fill the vase with distilled water to maximise clarity, being careful not to disturb the positioning of the flowers. Fill the vase high enough so that the flowers are completely submerged, but be sure not to overfill.

Finally, make any necessary adjustments to the flower arrangement. The appearance of the flowers may change slightly once submerged due to refraction, so tweak the arrangement until you're satisfied with how it looks underwater.

Maintaining the display

To keep your flowers submerged, you can use a flower frog or a similar weight, such as a rock, to anchor them down. Cover the weight with pebbles, crystals, or glass beads. If you are using floating candles, ensure they are of good quality and at least 3 inches thick.

To maintain the freshness of your flowers, change the water every 2-3 days. This will keep the water clear and prevent cloudiness, ensuring your centrepieces look stunning for longer.

Frequently asked questions