Creating Wedding Flower Decor: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding flower decorations can be expensive, so it's no surprise that many couples opt to make their own. Not only is it better for your budget, but it also adds a handmade, personal touch to your big day. Whether you're making bouquets, centrepieces, or both, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, decide on the types of blooms you want to use and source them from local farms, grocery stores, or online. Consider the style of your wedding and dress, as well as your colour palette. You'll also want to buy vases and floral supplies like scissors, tape, pins, and ribbon. When it comes to assembly, it's best to make your bouquets and centrepieces the day before the wedding and store them in a cool, shady place. If you're making bouquets, start with a base and add in larger flowers before moving on to smaller blooms and greenery. Centrepieces can be as simple or complex as you like, but just remember to keep scale in mind. And don't be afraid to get creative and make your arrangements unique!

Sourcing flowers and materials

Choose Your Flowers

Decide on the types of blooms you want to use. Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Think about whether you want complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look or contrasting colours for added drama. If you're going for a modern and simple design, opt for one to three varieties of flowers with interesting textures. For a garden-style bouquet, choose five to seven varieties with different textures and gestures. You can also add in your birth flower or a sentimental colour to make it extra special.

Source Your Flowers

Once you've decided on the types of flowers you want, it's time to source them. If you have access to a garden, see what's blooming there. Otherwise, local farms, grocery stores, and flower markets are great options. You can also order flowers in bulk online. When buying flowers, pick hardy varieties that will last longer and put them directly into clean water. Store them in a cool, shady place to keep them fresh.

Timing is Key

The timing of making your flower decorations is important. Ideally, source your flowers two days before the wedding and create the bouquets and centrepieces the day before. This will ensure that your flowers are at their best on your big day.

Gather the Right Tools

To create your flower decorations, you'll need some essential tools. These include sharp floral snips for trimming, beautiful ribbons or floral tape, and vases or containers for your arrangements. Don't forget to also get floral supplies like floral scissors, floral foam, floral wire, pins, and ribbon for bouquets and boutonnieres.

Practice Makes Perfect

If you're new to flower arranging, it's a good idea to practice beforehand. Buy some flowers from the grocery store and try out different arrangements. This will help you get a feel for it and improve your skills before the big day.

Choosing a bouquet style

• Consider your wedding dress and colour palette: The bouquet should complement your dress and the overall colour scheme of the wedding. Think about whether you want complementary colours for a subtle balance or contrasting colours for a bolder, more dramatic effect.
• Decide on the style: Do you want a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical like a cascading, garden-inspired arrangement? If you're going for a modern and simple look, opt for fewer varieties of flowers and minimal greenery. For a garden-style bouquet, choose more varieties of flowers and greenery, and play with different textures and gestures.
• Source your flowers: Look for flowers that are in season and match your colour scheme. You can find these at local farms, grocery stores, or even a friend's garden. If you're crafty, you could also make paper flowers or use coffee filters and skewers to create unique bouquets.
• Timing is key: Ideally, you should source your flowers two days before the wedding and make the bouquet the day before. This ensures the flowers are fresh and vibrant for your big day.
• Prepare the flowers: Remove all the leaves from the stems and cut the bottoms at a 45-degree angle. Keep them in water to stay fresh while you work.
• Assembly: Start with a base and add larger flowers first, then fill in with smaller flowers and greenery. Stand in front of a mirror while assembling to get a better idea of the final look. Don't be afraid to start over if needed—flowers are resilient!
• Secure the bouquet: Once you're happy with the arrangement, trim the stems and secure them with a rubber band. Then, use floral tape to hide the rubber band and add a ribbon for a classic or cascading look.
• Make it special: Add a unique touch to your bouquet by including your birth flower or a charm that holds sentimental value. You can also incorporate your favourite colour or that of your partner's to make it more meaningful.

Making paper flowers

Paper flowers are a beautiful, unique, and budget-friendly way to add a handmade, personal touch to your wedding décor. They can be used to create a variety of decorations, from bouquets and boutonnieres to centrepieces and backdrops. Here is a step-by-step guide to making paper flowers for your wedding:

Choose your flower type and design:

First, decide on the type of paper flowers you want to make. Popular options include crepe paper flowers, coffee filter flowers, paper dahlias, and giant tissue paper flowers. You can also get creative and experiment with different types of paper, such as frosted paper or watercolour paper. Once you've chosen your flower type, look for tutorials and inspiration online to help you come up with a design.

Gather your materials:

Depending on the type of paper flowers you're making, you'll need different materials. For example, crepe paper flowers might require Elmer's glue, scissors, and circle-shaped cutouts for the foundation, while coffee filter flowers only need coffee filters, skewers, florist's tape, and scissors. Other general supplies you may need include floral scissors, floral tape, pins, floral foam, floral wire, and ribbon.

Prepare your workspace:

Before you start crafting, create a clean and spacious workspace. You'll need room to spread out your materials and give your flowers time to dry if needed.

Cut and shape your petals:

Using your chosen paper, carefully cut out petal shapes. You can find templates online or design your own. Consider the size and shape of your petals, as this will impact the overall look of your flower. For a more realistic look, try cutting the petals in a way that mimics the veining of real flower petals.

Assemble your flowers:

Now it's time to bring your flowers to life! Follow the instructions from your chosen tutorial to assemble your flowers. This might involve attaching the petals to the foundation, rolling or curling the petals for a 3D effect, or assembling multiple layers of petals for a full bloom. Take your time and be patient during this step, as assembling the flowers can be delicate work.

Add stems and leaves (optional):

If you want your paper flowers to have stems, you can attach them using floral wire or skewers. You can also cut out paper leaves and attach them to the stems for a more realistic look. This step is optional, depending on how you plan to use your paper flowers in your decorations.

Create your decorations:

Once your paper flowers are ready, it's time to incorporate them into your wedding décor. You can use them to create bouquets, centrepieces, hanging decorations, or even a flower crown for the bride or bridesmaids. Get creative and let your paper flowers add a unique touch to your special day!

Creating centrepieces

Flowers and Greenery

Arrange flowers or greenery in a simple yet elegant display. You can source your favourite flowers or a mix of up to four different kinds from a floral shop or even a grocery store. To save some money, opt for in-season flowers. For a garden-fresh look, you can even hand-pick wildflowers. If you're not interested in full floral arrangements, you can place single stems in bud vases. Alternatively, create a garland of eucalyptus leaves or other greenery, which is easy to find and buy in bulk, and drape it across the centre of the table. You can also add some fairy lights to your floral garlands for a sparkly night-time display.

Candles

Candles are a great way to add a warm and romantic glow to your wedding tables. Taper candles, in particular, can enhance any wedding look, especially if you opt for colourful rainbow varieties. For a unique twist, paint plain taper candles in colours of your choice. You can also add some bling to your candles by sticking gold leaf to them.

Fruit and Food Displays

Edible centrepieces are a unique and delicious option that is sure to be a hit with your guests. Fill large glass bowls with colourful fruit like peaches, oranges, and cherries, or choose fruits that match your colour palette.

Lamps

For a homely and artistic touch, include lamps on your reception tables. You can reuse pieces from your own home, borrow from loved ones, or find second-hand items. To make it more unique, spray-paint the lampshades or press flowers onto them.

Succulents and Cacti

Succulents and cacti are versatile and can be included in many different wedding aesthetics. Head to your local nursery or plant store and place them in the middle of each table. For a whimsical touch, pair cacti with a variety of candles.

Heirloom China and Ceramics

Using family heirlooms as centrepieces is a great way to save money and infuse your wedding with a sense of connection and history. If you have any chinoiserie-style vases or ceramics that fit your colour scheme, add them to your tablescape for a unique and elegant touch.

Remember, you can mix and match different elements to create centrepieces that truly reflect your style and personality.

Transporting arrangements

Transporting your wedding flowers is a delicate task, but with careful planning, it can be done without any damage to your arrangements. Here are some tips for preparing and transporting your flowers to the venue:

Preparing your flowers for transport:

• Use the right box: Choose a sturdy box that fits your arrangement snugly. You can use the box your flowers were delivered in or any other box of suitable height. For smaller arrangements, shoeboxes can also work.
• Cut an X: Place your arrangement on top of the box and mark the bottom outline. Cut an X with a knife, removing the excess cardboard. Place the arrangement inside the box, securing it with packing tape if needed.
• Use floral foam: If you're worried about spills or prefer not to transport your flowers in water, you can use floral foam to keep your flowers hydrated. Soak the foam in water and place it inside your vase or container before adding the flowers.
• Pack with care: For bouquets with exposed stems, use plastic cups with a small amount of water to keep them hydrated during transport. Surround the cups with balled-up newspaper or tissue paper to prevent shifting. For sealed bouquets, place them in a small box with a bed of paper towels to prevent sliding.
• Anchor and secure: For arrangements in vases, carefully secure the vase to the bottom of the box with tape or adhesive putty. Surround the vase with rolled-up towels or use tissue paper or bubble wrap to fill any gaps and prevent movement.
• Label clearly: If you're mailing your flowers or using a plane to transport them, clearly label the package with 'Fragile' and 'This Side Up'.

Transporting your flowers:

• Vehicle: Transporting flowers in a car or vehicle is the most common and flexible method. You have control over the environment and handling. Wrap organic flower stems in damp paper towels and place them in a sturdy, well-labelled box. Surround the bouquet with towels to prevent movement and pack them securely to avoid damage.
• Plane: This option is ideal for destination weddings but requires significant pre-planning. Place your flowers in a carry-on bag, including the weight of the flowers in your overall baggage calculation. Check with your airline about any regulations for carrying floral arrangements.
• Mail: Mailing flowers is convenient for long distances, especially if you're using faux flowers. However, it's not ideal for organic flowers. Choose a reliable shipping service with tracking and insurance for extra peace of mind.

With these tips, you can safely transport your wedding flowers and ensure they arrive in perfect condition!

Frequently asked questions