Crafting Wedding Vases: A Step-By-Step Guide

The wedding vase is an important part of the wedding ceremony in Native American culture. The vase is handcrafted and symbolic of the idea of marriage. Traditionally, the parents of the groom mould the vase by hand using clay from the banks of a local river. The vase is then fired in an open pit, cleaned, and polished. The shape of the vase and its decorative features are meant to symbolize the marriage that is to take place. The two spouts on the vase represent the couple, and the handle in the middle represents the unity they will achieve when they come together on their wedding day. The space between the handle and the spouts is a representation of the couple's circle of life.

Choosing the right vase shape for your flowers

Location and Proportion

The location of your flowers will influence the type of vase you choose. Consider whether the flowers will be placed on a table, floor, or hung on a wall. Table vases are typically smaller and hold a bouquet or a few flowers, while floor vases are larger and bottom-heavy to support bigger arrangements. Wall vases can add depth and personality to your space, especially if you have children or pets who might knock over table or floor vases.

The proportion between the flowers and the vase is also key. As a general rule, your flowers should be between one and a half to two times taller than the vase. For larger flowers, a heavier vase will balance out the arrangement and prevent it from looking top-heavy.

Vase Shape and Arrangement

Different vase shapes offer different qualities and can greatly impact the final look of your floral arrangement. Here are some common vase shapes and how they affect your flower arrangements:

• Bud vases: These small, narrow vases are perfect for holding a single flower or a tiny bouquet. They are budget-friendly and can be used to create whimsical, no-fuss arrangements.
• Cylinder vases: Tall, narrow vases with straight sides are ideal for holding long-stemmed flowers. They create elegant, tall, and symmetrical arrangements.
• Trumpet vases: Tall vases with a narrow base and a wider flared opening are perfect for long-stemmed, lush arrangements. The flared top allows for flowers to be arranged at different angles, creating beautiful shapes.
• Jar vases: These vases have a broader base and a slightly tapered neck, providing support for large bouquets. The wide opening lets you angle stems to create fuller-looking arrangements.
• Bowl/Fishbowl vases: These vases have broad openings, allowing stems to sit at various angles and hang over the edge, resulting in expansive, full arrangements.
• Pedestal vases: With a narrow base and a wide top, these vases are ideal for formal floral centerpieces that seem to spill over the edges. They provide height to the arrangement.
• Bulb vases: Bulb vases have a very wide bottom to hold plenty of water and a narrow neck to support the plant. They are perfect for flowering bulbs with thick, straight stems, preventing top-heavy blooms from tipping over.
• Bottle vases: Bottle vases are usually tall with a dramatically narrower neck. They are perfect for a single tall flower or a small arrangement of blooms with thin, long stems.

Style and Colour

When choosing a vase, consider a style and colour that complements your interior décor. Clear glass vases are a classic, contemporary favourite, while coloured vases can be used to link with the colour of your flowers. Copper and brass vases can add warmth to your arrangements, especially during autumn. If using artificial flowers, opaque coloured vases can disguise the thicker stems, creating the illusion of a natural bouquet.

Using vase fillers to support flowers and add colour

Vase fillers are a fun and simple way to elevate your wedding centrepieces. They can be used to support flowers, weigh down a vase, and add colour and texture to an otherwise plain glass or acrylic vase. Fillers can also be used to emphasise your wedding theme. For example, shells and starfish can be used as fillers for a beach-themed wedding, or silk autumnal leaves for a fall wedding.

• Natural vase fillers: These can be either edible or non-edible. For instance, you could use fruit, such as apples, kiwis, oranges, or lemons, which will not only add a pop of colour but will also fill the room with a sweet fragrance.
• Man-made vase fillers: This could include colourful thumbtacks, spray-painted pinto beans, or scrabble tiles.
• Eco-friendly vase fillers: These can be found in nature or at your local grocery store. For example, you could use river rocks, sand and seashells, pinecones, or branches.
• Water gel beads: These are a great option for a simple yet impressive arrangement. Clear water gel beads can be used as a base for your flowers, and they come in a variety of colours to match your wedding theme.
• Lights and candles: Adding fairy lights or candles to your vase can create a warm and romantic ambiance.
• Flowers and plants: Using additional flowers or plants as fillers can add texture and volume to your arrangement. For example, you could use hyacinths, which have a delicate floral scent, or succulents, which are low-maintenance and long-lasting.
• Other decorative fillers: There are many other decorative fillers that can be used to add interest and colour to your vases. For instance, you could use pearls, acrylic diamonds, glass gemstones, or dried plant decorations.

Remember to choose vase fillers that complement your wedding theme and colour palette, and don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different fillers to find the perfect combination for your special day.

Creating a Native American wedding vase

To begin crafting the vase, the groom's parents need to find clay from a local riverbed. This clay is then combined with temper (sand or silica) to give the clay body. The vase is then hand-built and fired outside in an open pit. Once the vase is cleaned and polished, it is ready to be used in the wedding ceremony.

The wedding vase is comprised of two spouts and a handle in the middle. The two spouts represent the couple, with one spout for the husband and the other for the wife. The handle in the middle symbolises the unity achieved in marriage, and the space between the handle and the spouts is the couple's circle of life.

Before the wedding, the vase is filled with a special liquid to represent the union of the couple. This liquid could be nectar made by a medicine man, water, or an herbal tea. During the ceremony, the couple takes turns drinking from the vase, turning the vase clockwise between each sip. Finally, they drink from the vase together, symbolising their union. If they manage to do this without spilling any liquid, it is said that they will have a long and happy life together.

The wedding vase becomes a cherished item in the couple's home, symbolising the sanctity of their marriage.

The meaning behind the shape of a Native American wedding vase

The Native American wedding vase is a handcrafted vessel that plays a vital role in the wedding ceremony and is cherished by the couple for the rest of their married lives. The vase is traditionally created by the parents of the groom using clay from the banks of a local river, which is then fired in an open pit.

The shape of the wedding vase is highly symbolic. The vase has two spouts, each representing one half of the couple. In the middle is a handle that joins these two parts, symbolising the unity achieved in marriage. The space between the handle and the spouts is said to represent the circle of life.

Before the ceremony, the vase is filled with a liquid that represents the joining of the couple in marriage. This may be nectar made by a medicine man, tea, or water. During the wedding, the newlyweds take turns drinking from the vase, offering each other a sip, or they may drink from it simultaneously. If they can perform this ritual without spilling a drop, it is said to bring good luck for a long and happy life together.

DIY wedding flower advice

Wedding flowers can be a large expense, but doing them yourself can save you money and allow you to be creative. Here is some advice for creating your own wedding flower arrangements:

Choosing the Right Vase

Cylinder and square glass vases are inexpensive and simple enough for beginners. They are also versatile and can be used for a variety of flower types and arrangements. For example, for flowers with hollow stems like ranunculus, use a thinner cylinder and a medium height to tightly pack the flowers together. This will provide stability for the naturally curly stems.

If you want to practice your flower arranging before the big day, a trumpet vase is a good option. This type of vase may take a few tries to perfect but is generally simple to make. Place a piece of floral foam inside the top of the vase and build around it with flowers that have fuller blooms, such as hydrangeas, roses, and peonies. This will help to cover the foam without needing too many secondary flowers and fillers.

Choosing the Right Flowers

When choosing flowers, consider the height of your vase. For taller vases, use flowers with longer stems such as roses and peonies. For shorter vases, consider flowers like hydrangeas or even a single Dutch hydrangea. If you are using square vases, 5"-7" should be big enough to make a statement.

Creating the Arrangement

When creating your arrangement, consider mixing and matching vase sizes to create a bundle of arrangements with different heights. Choose three types of focal flowers and place one type in each vase. Then, put the different height vases together to create a large, easy centerpiece.

If you are using a square vase, try wrapping an aspidistra leaf around the inside of the vase. Just be sure to use the right amount of water so that the leaf doesn't float. Then, place your flowers in an interesting, non-uniform pattern.

Fillers and Accents

Vase fillers are a fun and easy way to fill space in a vase, support flowers, add weight, and bring colour, texture, and interest to your arrangement. Fillers can also emphasize your wedding theme. For example, you could use shells and starfish for a beach-themed wedding or silk fall leaves for an autumnal wedding.

Frequently asked questions