Franklin Dean
Preparing flowers for a wedding bouquet is a fun and creative task that can be accomplished in a few simple steps. Whether you're working with fresh flowers or artificial blooms, proper preparation is essential to ensure your bouquet looks perfect on your big day. From selecting the right flowers to arranging and storing them, here's a guide to help you create a stunning DIY wedding bouquet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | Flowers should be sourced 2 days before the wedding, arranged 1 day before, and finished on the morning of the wedding |
| Budget | DIY bouquets are less expensive than professionally-crafted bouquets |
| Flowers | Daffodils, peonies, lilacs, tulips, chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, ranunculus, and greenery |
| Design | Complementary or contrasting colours, classic or whimsical style, tight or cascading bouquet |
| Tools | Floral tape, satin ribbon, wire, wire cutters, glue, ornamental pieces, mirror, tissue paper, buckets, water, flower food, knife or scissors |
| Preparation | Remove flowers from box set, straighten stems, separate greenery branches, cut stems at a diagonal angle, place in water with flower food, remove excess leaves and buds |
| Assembly | Insert flowers into greenery spray in a circular direction, with larger flowers in the centre |
| Finishing touches | Tie wire around stems, trim stems, wrap stems in ribbon, dry stems, attach ribbon or fabric, spritz with water, cover with tissue paper |
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What You'll Learn
Selecting flowers and ordering them in advance
Selecting flowers for your wedding bouquet is a crucial part of wedding planning. It is essential to consider the season and availability of flowers when making your selection. To make the most of your flower budget, opt for in-season blooms as they guarantee the best quality at a lower price. For instance, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best for fall.
You can order flowers for your wedding six months to one year before the wedding date. This allows enough time for the florist to understand your vision, make suggestions, and procure the flowers you want. It also ensures you get the best selection and service for your special day. When choosing a florist, consider their access to the best flowers and their ability to create efficient floral arrangements.
If you plan to order seasonal flowers, consider doing so even earlier. Certain colours and varieties are very popular when in season, so florists may need additional time to source the best blooms. It is also important to note that the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette will influence your flower selection. For example, you may want to choose complementary colours for a subtle effect or integrate contrasting colours for added drama.
The type of flowers you select and the size of your bouquet will also impact the cost. If you are crafty and have the time, you can save money by creating your own bouquet. However, if you are short on time or want a more complex design, hiring a florist to create a custom bouquet is a great option.
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Preparing flowers and foliage stems
Unpack and Straighten Stems
Firstly, carefully unpack your flowers from the box and straighten their stems. This will help you work with the flowers more easily and ensure that they are ready for the next steps.
Strip Leaves and Foliage
Before arranging your flowers, prepare the stems by removing any leaves, shoots, and buds that fall below the point where the stems will be tied together. This area will form the handle of the bouquet, and stripping it will make the bouquet more comfortable to carry. Place the stems directly onto tissue paper to protect the blooms from bruising during this process.
Cut and Hydrate Stems
Cut the stems at a diagonal angle, also known as a 45-degree angle, to ensure a clear straw for water absorption. Place the flowers in buckets of clean, cool water as soon as possible, allowing them to hydrate for at least six hours or overnight. This step is crucial to the flowers' longevity and will help them perk up after their journey.
Trim Stems to Uniform Length
Before assembling your bouquet, trim the stems to a uniform length. Ensure the stems are long enough to hold comfortably but not so long that they interfere with the wedding dress. Use the shortest stems in your bouquet as a guideline, and don't be afraid to trim more if needed.
Wrap Stems with Floral Tape (Optional)
If desired, wrap any remaining exposed stems with green floral tape. Start near the base of the bouquet and work your way up to where the flowers and greenery begin to branch out. This step will help keep your bouquet neat and secure, and it will also protect your hands from any sharp edges.
By following these steps, you will have well-prepared flower and foliage stems that are ready to be arranged into a beautiful wedding bouquet.
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Creating the bouquet
Selecting the Flowers
Firstly, decide on the type of blooms you want to use. Consider the style of your wedding dress and the colour palette. Do you want complementary or contrasting colours? Think about the season and opt for flowers that are in bloom at that time of year. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs and tulips are perfect for spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are ideal for autumn.
Preparing the Flowers
Once you have sourced your flowers, it is important to prepare them properly. Cut the stems at a diagonal angle and place them in a bucket of cool water with flower food. Remove any excess leaves, shoots and buds that will fall below the point where you will tie the stems together. This will create a comfortable handle. You may also want to remove excess greenery from each stem to achieve your desired look.
Designing the Bouquet
Now for the creative part! Lay out your flowers and greenery on a large table, placing the stems directly onto tissue paper to protect the blooms. Take your greenery and separate the branches so that the leaves radiate outwards. Then, take your flowers one by one and insert them into the greenery, creating a globe-like shape. Place larger flowers towards the centre and smaller accent flowers around the edges.
Final Touches
Once you are happy with your bouquet, it is time to secure the stems. Tie a piece of wire around the stems and then trim any excess with wire cutters. Leave the stems long enough to hold comfortably, but not so long that they interfere with your dress. Wrap any exposed stems with green floral tape to protect your hands and keep the bouquet in place. Finally, add a satin ribbon in your chosen colour around the base of the bouquet, securing it with hot glue. You can add a final flourish with ornamental pieces, such as pins or diamantes.
Storing the Bouquet
It is important to store your bouquet correctly so that it stays fresh for your wedding day. Place the bouquet in deep water overnight so that the stems can drink. Keep the flowers in a cool place, avoiding draughts and direct sunlight, which can cause wilting.
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Storing the bouquet
If you want to store your wedding bouquet, it's important to act fast and get the stems in water as soon as possible. Store the flowers in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight until you're ready to use them or preserve them.
One way to preserve your bouquet is to hang the flowers upside down to dry. First, tie a piece of string to each stem. Hang them individually to keep the flowers in the best shape. Choose a dark and temperate area that is out of the way, like a closet. Let your flowers air-dry for at least two weeks, or longer if the temperature is cooler. The colour of your bouquet will gradually fade, but it will still look nice in a vase or hanging on a wall.
Another method involves submerging the flowers in silica gel, which removes moisture to retain the blooms' shape and colour. You can buy silica gel at most craft stores. Ensure your flowers are completely submerged in the gel, without compromising their shape. Leave them in an airtight container for up to seven days.
You can also preserve your flowers by pressing them. First, separate the flowers and place the individual stems between two sheets of clean parchment paper. Then, place them inside a heavy book or a flower press. Weigh the book down with another object and leave for at least seven to ten days. Make sure the flowers are completely dry before removing them.
If you're looking for a more permanent preservation method, you can send your bouquet to a professional preservation service. They can create a range of products, from paperweights to jewellery, that will keep your wedding flowers intact forever.
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Finishing touches on the wedding day
The wedding day is finally here, and it's time to put the finishing touches on your bouquet. You've sourced your flowers, created a plan, and assembled the bouquet. Now, it's all about those final steps to ensure your bouquet looks perfect as you walk down the aisle.
Start by giving your flowers a fresh cut, trimming the stems to your desired length. Be sure to cut the stems at an angle, about 1 to 1.5 inches from the flower head, using sharp scissors or a knife. This will ensure the blooms can easily absorb water and stay hydrated. Remove any excess leaves or damaged petals for a neat and tidy look.
Now, it's time to wrap your bouquet. You can use floral tape to add support and create a beautiful composition. Wrap the stems while leaving your preferred amount of stem exposed, between 0 to 4 inches. Use the floral tape as a guide, pinning the ribbon horizontally and wrapping until the tape is covered. Secure the ribbon with a pin.
If you're using floral foam or an Oshun pouch, ensure it's fully soaked in water before placing your bouquet inside. Soaking the foam for 20-30 minutes is ideal. This helps keep your flowers hydrated and securely in place. Secure the foam with waterproof tape to avoid any mishaps.
Finally, mist your blooms with a spray bottle of water, especially if you're in a hot climate or if the flowers are tropical. Apply the spray evenly to the petals and leaves, following the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid waterlogging the blooms; a fine mist will do the trick.
With these finishing touches, your wedding bouquet will look stunning and stay fresh throughout your special day. Enjoy your beautiful creation and congratulations!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to prepare your wedding bouquet the day before the wedding. This will ensure that the flowers are fresh and blooming on the day.
To keep your DIY wedding bouquet fresh, it is important to cut the stems at an angle and place them in a bucket of cool water with flower food. Keep the flowers in a cool place and avoid direct sunlight to prevent wilting.
The choice of flowers depends on your wedding dress, colour palette, and the season. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips are ideal for spring weddings, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are better for fall.
When designing your wedding bouquet, start by removing any excess leaves and shoots from the stems. Insert larger flowers towards the centre and arrange smaller accent flowers around them in a circular direction. Secure the stems with wire and trim them to a uniform length, leaving enough space to comfortably hold the bouquet.
To finish your wedding bouquet, wrap the stems with floral tape and create a handle using a satin ribbon. Secure the ribbon with pins and give the bouquet a light spritz of water to keep it fresh. You can also add ornamental pieces from a floral box set to enhance the design.
