Creating Artificial Wedding Bouquets: A Diy Guide

Creating your own artificial wedding bouquet is a fun and cost-effective way to express your creativity and add a personal touch to your wedding. With just a few simple materials and steps, you can design a beautiful and long-lasting bouquet. This project is ideal for those who enjoy crafting and DIY, as it allows you to save money and create a unique keepsake. Whether you prefer a cascading bouquet or a classic round arrangement, the process is straightforward and offers plenty of room for experimentation. By selecting your favourite flowers and assembling them with care, you can make a meaningful bouquet that will be a cherished memento of your special day.

Selecting flowers and greenery

If you're going for a classic, tight bouquet, you should use one to three varieties of flowers and very little to no greenery. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading bouquet, you should choose five to seven varieties of flowers and greenery, with flowers that have different textural and gestural qualities.

When selecting flowers, consider the colour palette you want to achieve. You can either choose complementary colours to bring subtle balance to your bouquet or integrate contrasting colours to add drama. You can also add in your birth flower or a sentimental colour to make your bouquet unique and meaningful.

In terms of specific flowers, roses, peonies, calla lilies, baby's breath, jasmine, eucalyptus, trailing ivy, olive branches, and honeysuckle are all popular choices for artificial wedding bouquets. Phalaenopsis orchids are also a good choice for a cascading bouquet, as their waterfall-like blossoms create a graceful, elegant look.

When selecting greenery, choose varieties that provide visual depth and movement, such as eucalyptus, willow, or lamb's ear. For a tropical beach wedding, you could try structural palm leaves, or for a romantic spring garden ceremony, consider clematis vine.

Once you've decided on the type of flowers and greenery you want to use, you can either buy them online or check local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets to see if they have the varieties you're looking for.

Arranging flowers and greenery

Selecting your flowers and greenery

Before you start, lay out all of your flowers and separate them by bloom. This will allow you to easily grab flowers with one hand while holding the bouquet with your other hand. You can also ask a friend to help you with this part.

For a classic, tight bouquet, use one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers with a lot of textural interest. For a whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading bouquet, use five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

Arranging your flowers and greenery

Start by building the shape and framework of your bouquet, thinking about dimension as you go. Stand in front of a mirror while you assemble the bouquet so you can see what it looks like from the front.

Begin with a base of greenery and then add in larger, focal flowers. Continue to add in smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build. You can always move things around if it doesn't feel right. Once you’ve constructed a bouquet you're happy with, secure it with floral tape.

If you're making a cascading bouquet, place your focal flowers at the bottom of the bouquet and offset them to the side for visual interest. Add in your greenery, letting it trail below the bouquet.

If you're making a round bouquet, start by bunching together the three to four largest flowers to build a nucleus for your bouquet. Tape these together with floral tape at the base of the blooms. Rotate the bouquet in your hand as you add additional blooms, building it in concentric, outward circles until it reaches the size you want.

Adding finishing touches

Secure the bouquet with wire and then cut the stems to an even length. You want the stems to be long enough for you to comfortably grip them, but not so long that they are very visible. About seven to eight inches is a good length for most brides. Wrap the stems together with floral tape to stabilise the bouquet and hide the stems.

Adding depth and dimension

• Select a variety of flowers and greenery: Choose flowers in different sizes, such as large blooms like roses or peonies, and smaller flowers like baby's breath or jasmine. Don't forget to add greenery like eucalyptus, ivy, or olive branches to create depth and a natural look.
• Play with textures and sizes: Mix different textures and sizes to add depth to your bouquet. Combine large blooms with delicate accents, and use greenery to soften the bouquet and give it an organic feel.
• Create layers: Build your bouquet in layers, starting with a base of focal flowers and gradually adding smaller flowers and greenery. This will give your bouquet depth and a sense of movement.
• Add dimensional accents: Include dimensional accents like hanging vines, trailing greenery, or structural leaves to create depth and visual interest. These elements will make your bouquet look more dynamic and elegant.
• Consider colour: Choose a colour scheme that complements your wedding theme. You can go for a monochromatic look with varying shades of one colour or bold contrasts like deep purples with soft yellows.
• Personalise your bouquet: Add unique elements that represent you. This could be anything from Lego pieces to paintbrushes or feathers. Get creative and make your bouquet truly yours.

Securing the bouquet

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to secure it so it stays intact throughout your wedding day. Here are the steps to do this:

Step 1: Secure with Wire

Cut a piece of floral wire, about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, and wrap it around the stems just below the blooms. Twist the ends of the wire together and trim any excess, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of twisted wire. Then, tuck the ends into the stems to hide them. Pull the wire tightly to keep the stems fixed in place.

Step 2: Cut Stems to Desired Length

Use wire cutters to trim the stems to your desired length. The stems should be long enough for a comfortable grip but not too long that they are noticeable. A good length for most brides is about 7-8 inches (18-20 cm). It's better to err on the side of leaving them a little longer, as you can always go back and cut them shorter if needed.

Step 3: Wrap Stems with Floral Tape

Take your floral tape and start wrapping it around the stems at the base of the flowers, working your way down to cover the wire and stems completely. This helps stabilise the bouquet, hide the stems, and provide a nice handle. Tear or cut the tape when you've reached your desired length and tuck the loose end into itself.

Step 4: Add Ribbon Embellishment (Optional)

For an extra touch of elegance, you can wrap a ribbon around the stems. Choose a ribbon that complements your colour scheme and wrap it around the floral tape, covering it completely. Tie a bow and let the ends of the ribbon cascade down for a romantic, flowing effect.

Step 5: Final Touches

At this point, your bouquet is almost complete! Take a step back and admire your handiwork. If there are any stray wires or loose ends, make sure to tuck them away neatly. You can also add any final embellishments, such as beads, lace, or pins, to give your bouquet a personalised touch.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to add those final flourishes. Here are some ideas for the finishing touches to your artificial wedding bouquet:

Wrap the stems

Use a ribbon or fabric to wrap the stems for a polished look. Start at the bottom of the stems and work upwards, covering any visible wires or tape. Secure the ribbon or fabric with a dab of hot glue or a decorative pin. You could also use floral tape, but the ribbon or fabric will give a nicer finish.

Add some sparkle

Add some glitter or floral scents with a finishing spray. Hold the spray about 10-12 inches away from the bouquet and dust it lightly. You could also add a scent, such as lavender mist or your favourite perfume.

Add non-floral elements

Get creative and add some unique, non-floral elements to your bouquet. This could include greenery, feathers, ribbons, beads or even something more unusual like Lego, tiny gears or paintbrushes.

Add a charm

Add a charm to your bouquet as a unique, interesting element. It could be something vintage or new, and it's a great way to honour a loved one who has passed.

Make it personal

Add the flower associated with your birth month to make your bouquet unique to you. Alternatively, add a sentimental colour, such as your favourite colour or that of your partner.

Frequently asked questions