Floral Wedding Arrangements: A Diy Guide

Creating your own floral arrangements for your wedding is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. While it may seem daunting at first, with some planning and creativity, you can achieve beautiful results. Here are some tips to help you get started:

- Start by deciding on a theme or colour palette for your floral arrangements. This will help you choose the right flowers and create a cohesive look for your wedding.

- Determine your flower budget and source your flowers accordingly. Buying in-season flowers from local suppliers or wholesale markets can help you save money.

- Enlist the help of friends or family members to make the process more enjoyable and less stressful.

- Plan ahead and give yourself enough time to experiment and create the arrangements. Fresh flowers should be sourced a day or two before the wedding, and arrangements can often be made in advance if stored properly.

- For the bridal bouquet, consider the style of your wedding dress and colour palette. Choose your favourite flower as the focal point and add two accent flowers or greenery to complement it.

- For centrepieces and other arrangements, start with greenery as the foundation, then add textural stems, accent blooms, and finally, your focal flowers.

- Get creative with vases, ribbons, and other decorative elements to enhance your floral arrangements.

- Repurpose your ceremony flowers at the reception to save money and create a cohesive look throughout the event.

Sourcing flowers: Opt for seasonal blooms from local farms, grocery stores, or online

When it comes to sourcing flowers for your wedding, you have several options to choose from. Opting for seasonal blooms is a great way to save money and support local businesses. Here are some tips for sourcing flowers for your wedding:

Local Farms

Buying flowers from local farms is a sustainable and cost-effective option. Flowers from local farms are usually fresher and more affordable than those from traditional florists. In the UK, you can use the Flowers from the Farm directory to find your nearest farmer florist and details of what they offer. Buying locally grown flowers not only supports local farmers but also helps reduce your carbon footprint.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores with floral sections often offer pre-ordered bouquets at affordable prices. For example, stores like Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods offer beautiful bouquets that can be customised to your preferences. Ordering ahead can save you money and ensure that you get the flowers you want. Additionally, some grocery stores may offer floral arrangement services, providing you with a collaborative experience.

Online

If you're looking for a wider variety of flowers at wholesale prices, online flower delivery services like FiftyFlowers are a great option. They offer a range of flower packs, including the popular blush and burgundy wedding pack, that can be delivered straight to your door. The flowers are shipped in from farms a few days before the wedding, and you are responsible for hydrating and arranging them. This option gives you more control over your flower choices and allows you to create unique arrangements with the help of your bridal party.

Flower Markets

If you live near a flower market, this can be a great place to source wholesale flowers at affordable prices. For example, the local flower market in San Francisco offers wholesale flowers to the public. However, some flower markets, like the one in Boston, are trade-only, so be sure to check before planning to source your flowers from a flower market.

Wholesale Clubs

Wholesale clubs like Sam's Club offer flowers at wholesale prices, often for less than a dollar per stem. You can find great deals on roses and baby's breath and conveniently order online. This option is perfect for those looking for a more affordable alternative to traditional florists.

When it comes to sourcing flowers for your wedding, you have a variety of options to choose from. Opting for seasonal blooms from local farms, grocery stores, or online retailers can offer a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. By planning ahead and getting creative, you can create beautiful floral arrangements that fit within your budget.

Prepping flowers: Remove leaves from stems, snip at a 45-degree angle, and keep in water

When preparing flowers for a wedding bouquet or arrangement, it's important to remove any leaves from the stems that will fall below the waterline of your vase. This is because leaves in the water will rot and promote bacterial growth, which can lead to plugged stems.

To ensure your flowers can absorb water effectively, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This will maximise the surface area of the stem in contact with the water. If you cut the stems straight, there is less chance of the water reaching the entire surface. Cutting at an angle also helps to prevent air bubbles in the stems, which can block water flow. Typically, cut 1-2 inches up from the bottom of the stem, or 3-4 inches if the flowers have been out of water for a long time.

After cutting, place the flowers directly into water (ideally lukewarm with fresh flower food) to prevent wilting.

Assembly: Start with a base, add larger flowers, then smaller blooms and greenery

Once you have your flowers and materials ready, it's time to start assembling your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a stunning arrangement:

Start with a Base

Before you begin, make sure your stems are tidy and organised. Start with one of your focal flowers (your favourite bloom) and rotate your bouquet as you add other stems around it. This will be the base of your arrangement.

Add Larger Flowers

Continue adding in larger, focal flowers to create a framework for your bouquet. Think about dimension as you build and stand in front of a mirror to see what it looks like from the front.

Then Smaller Blooms

Next, add in smaller flowers to fill in any gaps and create a balanced design. You can use a variety of blooms to add interest and texture to your bouquet.

Finish with Greenery

Finally, add in some greenery. Greenery is often underestimated, but it can elevate your arrangement by giving it texture and making your blooms pop. It is also cheaper than fresh flowers!

Budgeting: DIY bouquets cost less than $250, while florists charge $250+ for bridal bouquets

Budgeting: DIY Bouquets Cost Less Than $250, Florists Charge $250+ for Bridal Bouquets

Creating your own bouquets for your wedding is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. While a florist may charge upwards of $250 for a bridal bouquet, you can create your own for less than $250, giving you more funds to spend elsewhere on your wedding.

Where to Buy Wholesale Flowers

To create your own bouquets, you'll want to buy flowers from an online wholesale shop. Wholesale flowers are sold in bulk at a lower price. Here are some places to consider:

• Local flower markets
• Sam's Club
• Online wholesale delivery services like FiftyFlowers

The cost of wholesale flowers will depend on the type of flowers you choose and the amount you need. Here's a breakdown of the average cost for different types of bouquets:

• Bridal bouquet: $45 to $130
• Bridesmaid bouquet: $15 to $50
• Boutonnieres and corsages: $1 to $5
• Vase centerpieces: $18 to $60
• Ceremony flowers: $50 to $150

Tips for Creating Your Own Bouquets

• Choose flowers that are in season to get the best prices.
• Use more greenery in your bouquets to cut down on the number of flowers you need.
• Plan to create your bouquets a few days before your wedding to give yourself enough time.
• Ask your bridesmaids or family members to help you assemble the bouquets.
• Wrap your bouquets with ribbon, burlap, or lace.

Example of DIY Wedding Flowers

Here's an example of how one person created their own wedding flowers for under $450:

• They bought a Burgundy Blush DIY Wedding Flower Pack and a Eucalyptus Greenery Pack from FiftyFlowers.
• They purchased big buckets from a hardware store, flower food from a local florist, ribbon, and burlap to wrap the bouquets.
• They spent about four hours arranging the flowers with the help of their family and friends.
• The final result was beautiful bouquets and centerpieces that looked professionally made.

Timing: Make bouquets the day before the wedding, and store finished arrangements in a cool place

Timing is everything when it comes to wedding floral arrangements. You want your flowers to look as fresh as possible, so it's best to make the bouquets the day before the wedding and store them in a cool place. Here are some detailed instructions to help you create beautiful bouquets that will last through your special day:

Prepare the Flowers:

• When your flowers arrive, remove them from the boxes and put them in water immediately. Flowers are super dehydrated when delivered, so they need to be hydrated.
• Use large buckets or vases and fill them with 4 inches of water.
• Strip the flowers of any leaves below the waterline and cut about an inch or two off the bottom of the stems at an angle to allow for better water absorption.
• If you're making the bouquets the day before, change the water if it becomes cloudy and add flower food to preserve the flowers.

Create the Bouquets:

• Gather your supplies: floral tape, ribbon, burlap, or any other materials you want to use to wrap the bouquets.
• Start with the bride's bouquet. Take 20-25 stems and create a base by wrapping 4 stems together with floral tape. Then, add stems around the base to create a full bouquet.
• For bridesmaids' bouquets, use 15 stems and follow the same process.
• Leave enough stem length for a nice bouquet, but don't make them too long.
• Wrap the stems with floral tape, then add a decorative wrap of ribbon, burlap, or lace. Secure it with pins.

Store the Bouquets:

• Keep the bouquets in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Store them in a vase or bucket with fresh water.
• If possible, store them in a refrigerator that is not too cold and does not contain fruits or vegetables, as these release ethylene gas which can harm the flowers.
• Alternatively, you can create a cool storage area by placing a vase or bucket of flowers in a room with the air conditioning turned down.
• Keep the bouquets hydrated and fresh until the wedding day.

Transporting the Bouquets:

• On the wedding day, transport the bouquets to the venue in buckets or vases with water.
• Keep them in a cool, shaded area until needed.
• Have someone responsible for bringing the bouquets to the ceremony and ensuring they are available for photos.

By making the bouquets the day before and storing them properly, you'll ensure that they look fresh and beautiful for your wedding day!

Frequently asked questions