Creating A Woodland Wedding Bouquet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a woodland wedding bouquet is a fun and creative process that allows you to express your personality and style on your special day. It's also a cost-effective option, as you can save money by doing it yourself instead of hiring a florist. To make a woodland wedding bouquet, you'll need to choose the right combination of primary and accent flowers to create a stunning arrangement. Primary flowers are usually larger and more striking, while accent flowers add texture, colour variation, and depth. When selecting flowers, consider their colours, sizes, and symbolic meanings to add a layer of personal significance to your bouquet. You can also incorporate elements like ribbons, lace, or sentimental charms to make your bouquet even more unique. The process of assembling the bouquet involves preparing the flowers, creating the desired shape, and adding fillers and final touches. By following these steps and infusing your creativity, you can craft a beautiful and meaningful woodland wedding bouquet.

Choosing flowers and greenery

Primary Flowers:

The primary flowers are the stars of your bouquet and set the arrangement's theme and tone. These are usually larger and more striking blooms. Choose flowers that complement your wedding dress and colour palette. Consider whether you want complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look or contrasting colours for added drama.

Accent Flowers:

Accent flowers enrich and complement the primary flowers, adding texture, colour variation, and depth to your bouquet. Smaller flowers, such as baby's breath, can be tucked in to fill gaps and add a delicate touch.

Greenery:

Greenery like ferns or eucalyptus adds a natural, earthy element to your bouquet. It can be woven in around the edges, falling a bit longer than your main flowers for an elegant, effortless look.

Seasonal Flowers:

When choosing your flowers, keep seasonality in mind. Peonies, for example, have a sporadic growing season and can be expensive at certain times of the year. In contrast, hydrangeas are grown in greenhouses all year round and are generally less costly. Seasonal flowers, when in season, are typically the best quality and most affordable.

Symbolism:

Consider the symbolism of each flower as well. Every bloom can add a layer of personal meaning to your special day. You could also add your birth flower or a loved one's birth flower to make your bouquet even more unique.

Fillers:

In addition to flowers and greenery, you can include fillers like ribbons or lace wrapped around the stems for a polished look. You could also add something deeply personal, like a small photo or a sentimental charm, transforming your bouquet into a cherished keepsake.

Budget:

Your budget will also play a role in your flower selection. Determine your budget, the type of flowers you want, and how many you'll need. Then, research the best options within your price range. You can buy flowers from online wholesalers, grocery stores, or even places like Costco or Trader Joe's.

Happy planning!

Selecting a bouquet style

Colour Palette

Consider the colour palette of your wedding and choose flowers that complement or contrast with your theme. For a woodland wedding, you may want to opt for earthy tones, such as greens, browns, and neutrals. However, you can also add pops of colour, such as burgundy, blush pink, or ivory, for a unique and whimsical touch.

Size and Shape

The size and shape of your bouquet will depend on your personal preference and the style of your wedding dress. If you're opting for a cascading bouquet, go for a longer, more flowing arrangement. For a classic look, choose a tighter, more compact bouquet. The size should also be considered—a larger bouquet will make a statement, while a smaller one might be more elegant and subtle.

Flower Types

When selecting your flowers, think about the types of blooms that embody a woodland theme. Wildflowers, such as daisies, baby's breath, and ferns, can add a whimsical and natural touch. You can also incorporate textured greenery, like eucalyptus, to give your bouquet a woodsy feel. If you want to include larger flowers, try using peonies, dahlias, or chrysanthemums, depending on the season.

Personal Touches

Adding personal touches to your bouquet will make it even more special. Consider incorporating your birth flower or a sentimental colour into the arrangement. You can also add unique elements like charms, ribbons, or a small photo of a loved one. These additions will not only make your bouquet visually appealing but also infuse it with meaning and sentiment.

Seasonality

Taking seasonality into account is crucial when selecting your flowers. Opt for flowers that are in season to ensure the best quality and affordability. For example, peonies are in season during the spring, while hydrangeas are available all year round. By choosing seasonal flowers, you'll not only save costs but also ensure that your bouquet feels cohesive with the natural flora of the season.

Remember, your bouquet style is a reflection of your personality and the theme of your wedding. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flowers and arrangements. Enjoy the process of crafting something truly unique for your special day!

Sourcing flowers

Determine Your Style

Before you start sourcing flowers, it's important to have a vision for your bouquet. Do you prefer a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical like a cascading, garden-inspired arrangement? The style you choose will guide your flower selection and arrangement.

Choose Your Flowers

When selecting flowers, consider the style and colour of your wedding dress, as well as your wedding colour palette. Think about whether you want complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look or contrasting colours for a dramatic effect.

Primary flowers, which are usually larger and more striking, will set the theme and tone of your bouquet. Accent flowers, on the other hand, enrich and complement the primary flowers by adding texture, colour variation, and depth.

Know Your Seasonality

Consider the season when choosing your flowers. For example, peonies have a sporadic growing season and can be expensive at certain times of the year, while hydrangeas are grown in greenhouses all year round and are generally more affordable. Opting for flowers that are in season will ensure better quality and more affordable prices.

Source Your Flowers

Now it's time to source your flowers! If you have access to a garden, start by exploring what's blooming there. You can also check local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets to find the floral varieties you're looking for. Don't be afraid to mix and match suppliers – you can get roses from one place and greenery from another. Online wholesalers are another great option for buying flowers in bulk.

Prepare Your Flowers

Once you've sourced your flowers, it's important to prepare them properly. Use your hands or a stem stripper to remove all foliage from the stems, and trim the stems to approximately the same length. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to increase water absorption and help your flowers stay fresh longer.

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to sourcing beautiful flowers for your DIY woodland wedding bouquet!

Preparing flowers and materials

The first step in making a woodland wedding bouquet is preparing your flowers and materials. This involves choosing the right flowers, trimming the stems, and removing excess leaves. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Choose your flowers: Select a variety of flowers in complementary or contrasting colours to match your wedding dress and colour palette. Consider the style of your bouquet, whether you prefer a classic, tight bouquet or something more whimsical like a cascading arrangement. For a modern and simple design, choose 1-3 varieties of florals with a lot of textural interest. For a garden-style bouquet, go for 5-7 varieties of flowers and greenery with different textures and gestures.
• Trim the stems: Using a sharp pair of floral snips, cut the stems of your flowers at a 45-degree angle. This will increase the surface area for water absorption, keeping your flowers fresh for longer.
• Remove excess leaves: Strip off any leaves that might sit below the water line in your bouquet holder. This helps reduce clutter and focuses attention on the flowers.
• Soak the bouquet holder: If you're using fresh flowers, soak the bouquet holder in water for about an hour to hydrate the foam and provide a water source for your flowers.
• Prepare your workspace: Set up your workspace in a kitchen or outdoor space, ensuring easy cleanup and plenty of counter space. Keep all flowers in big buckets.
• Prep your flowers: Use your hands or a stem stripper to remove all foliage from the stems. Make sure all stem lengths are approximately the same, trimming as you go.
• Choose your base flowers: Select 2-4 flowers to be the base of your bouquet. These flowers will be the anchor for the rest of the arrangement.

With these steps, you'll have prepared flowers and materials ready for the next steps in creating your woodland wedding bouquet.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you've selected your flowers and have all the necessary tools, it's time to assemble your woodland wedding bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Create the base: Choose 2-4 flowers to be the foundation of your bouquet. These flowers will serve as the "base" around which you'll build the rest of the arrangement.
• Add focal flowers: Select larger, more prominent flowers to be the focal points of your bouquet. Place these in the centre of your arrangement, creating a graceful cascade if you're going for a cascading bouquet.
• Incorporate greenery: Add some greenery, such as ferns or eucalyptus, to complement the flowers. Let the greenery fall naturally, a bit longer than your focal flowers, for an elegant, effortless look.
• Include accent flowers: Tuck in smaller flowers, such as baby's breath, to fill gaps and add texture. These accent flowers will enhance the overall design and create a harmonious blend of colours and textures.
• Check the balance: Rotate your bouquet as you work, ensuring it looks full and beautiful from all angles. Stand in front of a mirror to get a better idea of how the bouquet will look from the front.
• Trim the stems: Once you're happy with your bouquet, use sharp floral snips to trim the stems. Cut them at a 45-degree angle to increase water absorption and help keep your flowers fresh. Leave about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of exposed stem where you'll wrap the stems, and 4-5 inches of exposed stem at the bottom.
• Secure the bouquet: Use a rubber band to tightly secure the stems together. Then, wrap floral tape around the stems to hide the rubber band and give your bouquet a neat, professional finish.
• Add ribbon: Loop a ribbon around the stems for a classic look, or let it cascade down the side of the bouquet for a more relaxed, whimsical aesthetic. You can also add ribbons or lace as decorative elements for a polished touch.
• Final touches: Consider adding something personal, such as a small photo or a sentimental charm, to your bouquet. You can also include a family heirloom or a locket with photos to make your bouquet even more meaningful.

Remember, there's no need to stress if your bouquet doesn't turn out exactly as you envisioned on the first try. Feel free to experiment, rearrange, and add your own creative flair. Enjoy the process of creating something beautiful and unique for your special day!

Frequently asked questions