Creating A Bridal Bouquet With Foam Flowers

Making your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. With the right materials and a bit of creativity, you can create a beautiful and unique arrangement that will perfectly complement your wedding dress and theme. Whether you choose fresh or artificial flowers, the process is quite simple and can be a fun project to do yourself or with your bridal party. By selecting your favourite blooms and following a few simple steps, you can design a stunning bouquet that will make a statement as you walk down the aisle.

Choosing your flowers

Choosing the right flowers for your wedding bouquet is a crucial step in the process. It is important to consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Do you want complementary colours to create a subtle balance or would you prefer to integrate contrasting colours for added drama?

If you are going for a modern and simple design, it is recommended to use one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and flowers that have a lot of textural interest. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, you should opt for five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with different textural and gestural qualities.

When it comes to the types of flowers, traditionally, most bridal bouquets stick to the colours of white, with some splashes of pink or other pastel colours. However, you should ultimately choose colours and flowers that match your preferences and wedding theme. If you have a coloured theme, a bouquet is a great way to ensure coherence throughout your big day.

Some popular flower choices for bridal bouquets include roses, peonies, lilies, tulips, chrysanthemums, dahlias, lisianthus, and baby's breath. You can also add some filler flowers, which are usually small, green flowers that give a natural look to the bouquet.

If you are using artificial flowers, look for flowers that come as single stems, with wire running through the stem and into the leaves, and a matte finish. These will be easier to work with and look more realistic. Polyester or rayon flowers are usually cheaper, while silk or cotton flowers tend to be more expensive and look more realistic.

Don't be afraid to get creative and add unique touches to your bouquet. You can include non-floral elements such as ribbons, fabric, beads, or even non-traditional items like LEGOs, gears, paintbrushes, or coloured pencils. Ultimately, the choice of flowers and design is up to you, so have fun and get creative!

Selecting your tools

Selecting the right tools is essential for creating a beautiful and cohesive wedding bouquet. Here are some key tools you will need to make your own bridal bouquet with foam flowers:

Floral Snips or Shears

A sharp pair of floral snips or shears is essential for trimming flower stems and greenery. This will help you achieve the desired length for your bouquet and ensure a neat appearance.

Floral Tape

Floral tape is used to secure the stems of your bouquet together. It provides a discreet way to bind the stems and create a cohesive look. You can find floral tape in most gardening stores or online at an affordable price.

Ribbon

A ribbon adds a elegant finishing touch to your bouquet. Opt for a satin ribbon in a colour that complements your wedding theme. You can tie it in a bow or create multiple loops for a more intricate design.

Wire and Wire Cutters

Wire is useful for securing the stems of your bouquet, especially if you are using artificial flowers. It helps to bind the stems together and can be concealed with floral tape. Wire cutters will help you cut the wire to the desired length and also trim any excess floral stems.

Embellishments

Embellishments such as berries, beads, feathers, or even non-floral elements like LEGO pieces or coloured pencils can add a unique and personalised touch to your bouquet. These unexpected accents will make your bouquet stand out and reflect your creativity.

Floral Foam

If you are creating a pomander bouquet, you will need floral foam to form the base. Cut the foam into a rounded cube or purchase a pre-formed foam sphere. This will serve as the foundation for your bouquet, with flowers and greenery inserted into it.

Sheet Moss

When creating a pomander bouquet, sheet moss is used to cover the floral foam core. Hold the foam core and slowly wrap it in sheet moss, securing it with floral pins. This provides a natural base for your flowers and greenery.

Hot Glue

Hot glue can be used to secure the ribbon to the base of your bouquet, creating a neat handle. It can also be used to attach embellishments or conceal any exposed wires.

Greenery

Greenery adds texture and interest to your bouquet. You can use a greenery spray, which has branches radiating outwards, or separate greenery stems. Greenery helps to fill out the bouquet and create a more natural, full look.

With these tools and your choice of foam flowers, you'll be well on your way to crafting a stunning and unique wedding bouquet.

Constructing the bouquet

Selecting your flowers and greenery:

First, decide on the type of blooms and greenery you want to use. Consider the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. Choose flowers that complement or contrast with your dress, depending on the look you want to achieve. If you want a classic, tight bouquet, go for 1-3 types of flowers with minimal greenery. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired look, choose 5-7 varieties of flowers and greenery.

Preparing your flowers:

Once you've selected your flowers, it's time to prepare them. Remove all the leaves from the stems, being careful not to damage them. You can do this by hand or with a sharp pair of floral snips. If you want to keep some greenery, leave the leaves at the base of the flower on the stem. Straighten the stems and cut them to the desired length, making sure they are comfortable to hold but not too long.

Building your bouquet:

Now, you can start assembling your bouquet. Begin with a focal flower that you want to be the centrepiece of your arrangement. Hold it near the blossom end, and add the next flower at an angle, facing towards the left, so that the blooms are at the same height. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet to the right each time before adding a new flower. Add smaller flowers and greenery to fill in the gaps and create a natural look. Play around with the placement of the flowers until you're happy with the overall shape and design.

Securing the bouquet:

When your bouquet is complete, secure the stems with a tight knot or a piece of wire. Cut off any excess string or wire, then wrap the stems with floral tape to keep them firmly in place. You can also use floral tubing to cover any exposed wire and give your bouquet a professional finish. Leave some of the stems exposed near the base of the flowers so you can add a final touch of ribbon.

Adding the finishing touches:

To finish your bouquet, add a satin ribbon in your chosen colour around the base. This will create a "handle" and give your bouquet a polished look. Then, take two sheer ribbons and tie them in a bow around the bouquet, leaving some excess for a flowing, elegant effect. You can experiment with different colours and styles of ribbon to add your own unique touch.

Constructing your own wedding bouquet is a creative and meaningful way to express yourself on your wedding day. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to experiment until you achieve your perfect bouquet!

Securing the bouquet

Now that you're happy with your bouquet’s design, it's time to secure the bouquet by tidying up the stems. First, tie a piece of wire around the stems to secure them in place, then trim the excess wire with wire cutters.

Some of your floral stems will likely be longer than others, so use your wire cutters to trim the stems so that they are all uniform in length. Make sure that you leave the stems long enough to comfortably hold your bouquet during your wedding, but not so long that they interfere with your wedding dress.

Try to use the shortest stems in your bouquet as a guideline when trimming. If they're still not short enough, you can always trim them down further. After trimming your stems, some pieces of wire might be exposed. To protect your hands while you walk down the aisle, encase the stems with floral tubing. This will create a professional finish. Take a piece of floral tubing and insert 2-3 stems inside. The goal is to cover up any stray wires and keep your bouquet neat and organised. Keep going until you've encased all the stems in your bouquet.

Don't encase the stems all the way up to the base of the flowers and leaves. Try to go about three-quarters of the way up. We'll take care of the stray wires at the base of your bouquet with floral tape. Now, let's conceal the exposed wires near the base of your bouquet. Wrap any remaining exposed stems with a layer of green floral tape. Start near where your floral tubing ends, then wrap the stems up to the base of your bouquet, where the flowers and greenery begin to branch out. This will help your bouquet stay in place and protect your hands throughout your whole wedding day.

Finishing touches

Now that you've assembled your bouquet, it's time to add the finishing touches. These final steps will elevate your bouquet and give it a polished look.

Wrap the stems

Use floral tape to wrap the stems together, starting from the base of the flowers and working your way down. This will help to stabilise the bouquet and provide a neat handle. You can also use ribbon or fabric to wrap the stems for a more decorative touch. If you're using ribbon, start by placing the shiny side of the ribbon facing the stems so that the matte side is visible. Then, wrap the rest of the ribbon around the stems, leaving some spare to tie a knot and create a bow. Secure the ribbon with hot glue if needed.

Add embellishments

Get creative and add some unique touches to your bouquet. You can include non-floral elements such as greenery, sprigs of berries, beads, feathers, or even glitter spray. You can also add a charm or a sentimental colour to make your bouquet extra special.

Secure the bouquet

Use wire or a rubber band to secure the stems of your bouquet, especially if you plan to add a lot of embellishments. Cut the stems to a comfortable length, leaving enough room for you to grip them easily. Make sure the stems are not too long, so they don't interfere with your wedding dress.

Your DIY wedding bouquet is now complete! Enjoy this special creation and cherish it as you walk down the aisle.

Frequently asked questions