Creating Floral Wedding Hoops: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding flower hoops are a romantic, practical, and beautiful alternative to traditional bouquets. They are also versatile, lightweight, and easy to hold. You can make your own wedding flower hoops using a wooden or metal hoop, flowers, greenery, floral tape, and wire. First, lay out your flowers and greenery on the hoop to plan your design. Then, attach the flowers and greenery to the hoop using floral tape and wire. Finally, add any extra decorations, such as glue, ribbon, or a bow. Your wedding flower hoops are now ready to be hung up or carried down the aisle!

Choosing flowers and greenery

Fresh vs. Faux Flowers

Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to use fresh or faux flowers. Fresh flowers are classic and beautiful, but they need to be assembled closer to the wedding to avoid wilting. Faux flowers, on the other hand, can be crafted well in advance and will last much longer. They are also more cost-effective and practical, allowing for more "faffing".

Colour and Theme

The colour and theme of your wedding will play a significant role in choosing your flowers and greenery. For example, if you're having a beachside wedding, you might want to use palm fronds to create a tropical, relaxed feel. For a classic romantic look, opt for pink and white florals. A modern or bohemian wedding could feature bold, bright flowers with lots of greenery, while a rustic wedding might incorporate dried florals and silk ribbons.

Flower and Greenery Types

When it comes to choosing specific flowers and greenery, there are many options to consider. Popular choices include roses, spray roses, lisianthus, delphiniums, thistles, eucalyptus, dusty miller, baby's breath, peonies, tulips, and ranunculus. You can also add in filler greens or use colourful spring tones to create a vibrant, asymmetrical look.

Hoop Coverage

Another consideration is the amount of coverage you want on your hoop. You can choose to cover the entire hoop with flowers and greenery, or you can leave some of the hoop visible. Using flower tape can help create a base for your florals and ensure that the section underneath the flowers is all the same colour.

Size and Proportion

The size and proportion of your flowers and greenery should also be considered. Using a mixture of small and large blooms adds interest and depth to your hoop. You can also overlap greenery and flowers to create a full, lush look.

Preparing the base

Wedding flower hoops are a romantic, practical, and beautiful alternative to traditional wedding bouquets. They can be made from wood or metal and decorated with flowers and greenery. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing the base for your wedding flower hoops:

Before you begin, gather your supplies: a wooden or metal hoop, flower tape, flowers, greenery, scissors, and optionally, spray paint.

Step 1:

Start by deciding on the design of your hoop. You can do this by arranging your flowers and greenery underneath the hoop to get an idea of how you want the final product to look. Play around with different flower combinations and layouts until you find something that you like.

Step 2:

Once you have a general idea of your design, it's time to start preparing the base. If you're using a wooden hoop and want to paint it, now is the time to do so. Choose a colour that complements your flowers and spray paint the hoop, following the instructions on the can. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 3:

Take your flower tape and wrap it around the section of the hoop that you want to be covered with flowers and greenery. This creates a base for your florals and ensures that the section underneath the flowers is all the same colour. It also provides a bit of stickiness to help the flowers stay in place.

Step 4:

Now it's time to add the greenery. Cut small pieces of greenery and form them around the hoop, securing them with floral wire. Continue this step until you reach the desired fullness. You can also twist the greenery around the taped section of the hoop to secure it in place.

Step 5:

Use shorter strips of flower tape to attach the greenery to the hoop securely. Make sure to press the tape firmly so that the greenery stays in place.

And that's it! You now have a base for your wedding flower hoop that is ready to be decorated with flowers. Follow the steps above to create a beautiful and unique alternative to traditional wedding bouquets that your bridesmaids will love.

Attaching flowers and greenery

Start by attaching your greenery. Form small pieces of greenery around the hoop and secure them with floral wire, twisting it tight. You can also use floral tape as a base to attach the greenery to the hoop. This creates a uniform base for the florals and ensures that the section underneath is all the same colour. Continue adding greenery until you reach your desired fullness.

Next, add your largest flowers or focal blooms. You can either use floral wire or a hot glue gun to attach these. For flowers with longer stems, cut the stems about one inch from the bloom and insert a wire through the base of the stem. This adds stability when attaching to the hoop. Wrap the wire around the hoop, or use hot glue, to secure the flowers in place.

Finally, fill in any gaps with your secondary flowers. Again, lay them out first to see where they will look best, then attach them with wire or glue. Finish off with a few more pieces of greenery to create an asymmetrical look.

Finishing touches

Once you've attached all your flowers, it's time to add the finishing touches to your wedding flower hoop. Here are some ideas to make your hoop even more special and personalised:

• Add some extra greenery – Cut small pieces of greenery, such as eucalyptus, and use them to fill in any gaps or holes in your design. This will give your hoop a fuller, more cohesive look.
• Use glue for extra hold – Dip the ends of your greenery and flower pieces into some glue to help them adhere to the hoop, other flowers, or tape. This will also seal in the moisture of the flowers, helping them to last longer.
• Add a hanging ribbon – Choose a ribbon that complements your colour scheme and string it through the hoop for hanging. You could also add a bow or other decorative elements to the ribbon for an extra special touch.
• Jazz up your hoop – If you want to make your hoop even more eye-catching, consider adding some extra details such as a laser-cut bride and groom sign, or some sparkly embellishments.
• Make it personal – Incorporate flowers or colours that have a special meaning to you or your partner. This could be your favourite flower, a flower that holds sentimental value, or your wedding colours.
• Create a cohesive look – If you're making multiple hoops for your bridesmaids, try to create a cohesive look by using similar flowers, colours, or themes across all the hoops. This will make for some beautiful photos and create a sense of unity in your bridal party.

Displaying the flower hoop

Displaying your flower hoop is an important part of the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to showcase your beautiful creation:

Hanging Hoops

The most common way to display flower hoops is to hang them. You can hang them on a wall, a door, or even from the ceiling. If you're hanging them on a wall or door, consider the height so that they are easily visible. For ceiling hangings, ensure they are secure and won't fall, and also think about the length so they are not too low and obstructing.

Ceremony Backdrop

Flower hoops can be used as a backdrop for your ceremony, creating a beautiful floral setting for your wedding vows. Hang them at varying heights to create depth and a whimsical feel. You can also use different-sized hoops to add interest and variety to your backdrop.

Welcome Display

Greet your guests with a floral hoop display on the reception door. This is a lovely way to welcome your guests and set the tone for your wedding. You can also add signage to the hoop, perhaps with your names and the wedding date, or a simple "Welcome".

Bridal Party Accessories

Flower hoops can be used as an alternative to traditional bouquets for the bridal party. They are lightweight and easy to carry, and your bridesmaids will love having their hands free! You can also use smaller hoops for flower girls, or even the bride, if she prefers something unique and non-traditional.

Table Centrepieces

Smaller flower hoops can be used as table centrepieces. They add a romantic and whimsical feel to your tablescape and can be coordinated with smaller hoops for the bridal party to create a cohesive look.

Bridal Brunch Activity

If you're crafty, consider making your flower hoops a group activity during a bridal brunch. Get together with your bridesmaids and create your own hoops, perhaps with a glass of champagne and some light refreshments. It will be a memorable experience and a fun way to bond before the big day.

Frequently asked questions