Create Your Dream Succulent Wedding Bouquet

Succulents are an increasingly popular choice for wedding bouquets, adding bold shapes and colours to the arrangement. They are versatile, coming in a variety of shades of green, from dusty to dark green, and even burgundy, making them suitable for weddings in any season. This guide will take you through the steps to make your own succulent wedding bouquet, from choosing your flowers to the final wrap.

Choosing your succulents

Succulents are a bold and beautiful choice for a wedding bouquet, and with their unique shapes, colours, and textures, they can be the perfect addition to your floral arrangement.

When choosing your succulents, it's important to consider the colour scheme and season of your wedding. Succulents come in a variety of shades, from light dusty green to dark green, and even burgundy. They pair well with many flowers, such as burgundy calla lilies for an autumn wedding or white hydrangeas for a classic look. If you're going for a minimalist or desert-inspired theme, try combining green succulents with champagne roses. For a playful, rainbow-inspired bouquet, include succulents in bold pops of colour, tied with coordinating rainbow ribbon streamers.

You can find succulents in different sizes, with larger varieties giving your bouquet a dramatic pop. When selecting your succulents, consider mixing and matching different varieties, textures, and colours to create a unique and eye-catching arrangement.

Most succulents thrive in spring and autumn, so these seasons usually offer the widest variety. Check with your local florist to see which types are available for your wedding date.

Remember, even though succulents have thick leaves, they are fragile and should be handled with care.

Adding stems to succulents

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need floral wire, floral tape, scissors, and, of course, your chosen succulents.

Next, carefully remove the succulents from their pots and gently wash the dirt off their roots. This will ensure that your bouquet stays clean and also gives you a chance to inspect the health of your plants.

Now, it's time to add the stems. Cut a piece of floral wire that is long enough to reach from the base of the succulent to the desired length of the stem. Gently stick the wire through the centre of the succulent, right under where the leaves begin to branch out. Wiggle the wire through, being careful not to damage the plant, until both sides are even. Then, wind the wire around the base of the succulent to secure it in place. This provides support and gives you more control when arranging your bouquet.

Once the wire is in place, it's time to cover it with floral tape. Starting at the top, hold the tape in place with your thumb and then twist the succulent while pulling on the roll of tape. Pull the tape tightly as you wrap it to ensure that it sticks properly. Continue wrapping the wire until you reach the bottom.

Repeat these steps for each succulent, and then you can begin arranging them with the rest of your chosen flowers.

Finally, remember that succulents are delicate, so handle them with care. If you plan to make your bouquet ahead of time, keep in mind that succulents can last a while without water, but they will eventually need to be replanted to stay fresh.

Combining with other flowers

Combining succulents with other flowers in your wedding bouquet is a great way to add a unique texture and pop of colour. Succulents are versatile and can be found in different colours and textures, making them a perfect addition to any bridal bouquet.

When pairing succulents with other flowers, consider the aesthetic of your wedding and the season. For example, dark green succulents combined with burgundy calla lilies create a woodsy fall wedding vibe, while light green succulents and white hydrangeas are a classic pairing. If you're going for a rustic fall wedding, try combining succulents with seasonal shades like burgundy and golden yellow, and adding cascading eucalyptus leaves for a bohemian touch.

For a summer wedding, succulents paired with vibrant pink peonies and white roses create a whimsical and fun bouquet. You can also add in some greenery like eucalyptus for a garden-fresh look. If you want to keep it simple and elegant, try a combination of white roses, succulents, and yellow craspedia.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different flower combinations to create a bouquet that reflects your unique style and vision for your wedding day.

Wrapping the stems

Preparing the Stems:

Before you begin wrapping, ensure that you have prepared the stems of your succulents and any other flowers you are using. Remove the succulents from their nursery pots, gently wash away the soil, and cut back the roots. You can also trim the ends and leaves of the flowers, leaving some greenery for a more natural look. This preparation will give you a clean base to work with and ensure that your bouquet stays fresh for longer.

Creating the "Stem":

To create a cohesive bouquet, you need to add a stem to your succulents so that you can bundle the "blooms" together. Take a piece of floral stem wire and insert it into the base of the succulent. Bend the wire to form a loop, which will serve as the new stem. This step provides structure and support to the succulents, allowing them to stand tall within the bouquet arrangement.

Taping the Stems:

Once you have created the "stems" for your succulents, it's time to secure them with floral tape. Wrap the base of each succulent, including the top of the floral wire, with the tape. This will help to conceal the wire and give a smooth finish to the stems. The tape also provides additional support, ensuring that the succulents remain firmly attached to their new stems.

Assembling the Bouquet:

Now, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Gather your succulents and any other flowers you wish to include. Arrange them in your hand, paying attention to the overall shape and balance of the bouquet. Place your biggest blooms in the centre and fill in with the other flowers and succulents, moving in a circular pattern. You can cut some of the stems to varying heights to add dimension and create a more dynamic composition.

When you are happy with your arrangement, it's time to wrap the stems together. Hold all the stems together as close to the base of the flowers as possible. Secure them tightly with floral tape, pulling the tape as you wrap to ensure a snug fit. This step will help to unify the bouquet and give it a neat appearance. You can also tie a couple of stems together with floral tape as you go to eliminate bulkiness and create a more streamlined bouquet.

Finishing Touches:

Finally, add the finishing touches to your bouquet by wrapping the stems with a pretty ribbon of your choice. You can select a ribbon that complements the colours of your flowers or matches your wedding colour scheme. Secure the ribbon in place with pins, and you may even want to include a blue pin for your "something blue" if you are following that tradition.

Replanting succulents

When to Replant:

The best time to replant succulents is in the spring or early fall, before their peak growing season. Avoid replanting during their dormancy or when they are in bloom as it can disrupt their growth cycle. Generally, succulents should be replanted every two years, but this may vary depending on their specific conditions and growth.

Signs That Your Succulent Needs Replanting:

• The succulent has outgrown its current pot, with roots filling the pot or growing out of the drainage holes.
• Signs of pests, diseases, or an unhealthy appearance.
• Soil with poor drainage, indicated by water not soaking through the drainage holes.
• The succulent leans or topples over, requiring a more stable pot made of a heavier material.

Choosing the Right Pot and Soil:

Select a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one, usually about 10% taller and wider for slow-growing succulents, and 2 inches wider for faster-growing varieties. Ensure the pot has large drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

The soil mix should be well-draining and specifically designed for succulents, containing elements like coarse sand, perlite, or pumice. It should also include some organic matter to provide nutrients.

Step-by-Step Guide to Replanting:

• Water the succulent moderately a day or two before replanting.
• Loosen the soil around the edges of the pot and gently remove the plant, supporting the main stem or rosette.
• Inspect the roots for any pests, diseases, or root rot. Trim overly long or tangled roots with clean, sharp scissors.
• Prepare the new pot by adding a layer of small stones or gravel at the bottom for improved drainage.
• Fill the new pot about one-third full with the fresh succulent soil mix.
• Place the succulent in the center of the pot, ensuring the base of the stem or the lowest leaves are slightly above the rim.
• Add more soil, filling the pot but leaving some space at the top for easier watering.

Care After Replanting:

• Wait a few days before watering your newly replanted succulents.
• Keep the plant in a shaded spot for a few days, even if it is usually grown in direct sunlight.
• Do not fertilize immediately after replanting; wait a few weeks to allow the plant to adapt to the new soil.

Frequently asked questions