Creating Wedding Bouquets: Easy Diy Or Tricky Task?

Creating your own wedding bouquet can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it can also save you money. While it may sound intimidating, it's not as challenging as it seems. With some simple materials and a bit of practice, you can create a beautiful, custom arrangement that complements your wedding dress and theme. The process typically involves choosing your flowers, removing leaves and trimming stems, arranging the flowers, securing them with tape or rubber bands, and adding a ribbon for the finishing touch. You can also add personal touches, such as your birth flower or a sentimental colour. However, it's important to consider the time and effort required, especially if you're already managing a busy wedding schedule.

Choosing your flowers

If you're using fresh flowers, hard-stem flowers like roses, carnations, and delphiniums are strong and long-lasting. Softer stems, like ranunculus and tulips, are more difficult to work with as they break more easily and can wilt faster. Tropical florals like orchids, anthurium, and protea or woody stems like waxflower are also fail-safe and very strong. A mixed greenery bouquet (ferns, spireal, ruscus, and different varieties of eucalyptus) is a beautiful option.

If you're using dried flowers, they can be stiff and lack movement, so consider adding dried grasses and delicate textures to add some movement or mix with fresh flowers.

The type of flowers you choose will also depend on the style of your wedding dress and your colour palette. If you're going for a more modern and simple design, consider using only one to three varieties of florals, very little to no greenery, and florals that have a lot of textural interest. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, use five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and flowers with a lot of different textural and gestural qualities.

To save money, pick your flowers based on the timing of your wedding. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn. You can also order flowers online or consider buying them from a local grocery store or flower market.

Preparing your flowers

Sourcing and Timing:

Start by deciding on the types of blooms you want, considering your wedding dress style and colour palette. If you have access to a garden, you can pick flowers from there, or you can source them from local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets. It is best to make your bouquet the day before the wedding. Source your flowers two days prior, and create the bouquet the day before, storing it in a refrigerator if possible.

Tools and Materials:

Ensure you have the necessary tools and materials, including sharp floral snips or shears, ribbon (or floral tape), and a bucket of water. You may also need floral foam, wire, and wire cutters, depending on your bouquet style.

Stem Preparation:

Before you begin constructing your bouquet, prepare the flower stems and greenery. Remove all leaves from the floral stems and the bottom halves of the greenery stems. Strip off any excess foliage, thorns, and damaged or unattractive outer petals. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, about 2 inches from the bottom, and place them in a bucket of water to hydrate. If using roses, peonies, or ranunculus, allow them to fully open by hydrating for a few days before the wedding.

Assembly:

When assembling your bouquet, stand in front of a mirror to visualise the final result. Start by choosing a focal flower, which will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. Hold it near the blossom end and add the next flower at an angle, keeping the blooms at the same height. With each subsequent flower, rotate the bouquet a quarter turn to the right. Add filler flowers, usually small, green flowers, at the same angle to maintain symmetry.

Final Touches:

Once you are happy with your bouquet, secure the stems with a rubber band or floral tape. Trim the stems to a comfortable length, leaving enough room for you to hold the bouquet easily without interfering with your wedding dress. You can use floral tubing to encase the stems and conceal any exposed wire, providing a professional finish. Finally, wrap the stems with ribbon, securing it with hot glue if needed, to create a handle and add the finishing touch to your bouquet.

Remember, it is essential to plan and prepare your flowers properly to ensure they are in the best condition for your special day.

Assembling your bouquet

Now that you've sourced your flowers and prepared them, you're ready to assemble your bouquet. Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, thinking about dimension as you go. It's a good idea to stand in front of a mirror while you assemble the bouquet so that you can see exactly what it looks like from the front.

Start with a base of sturdy/thicker stems like peonies and greenery for structure and shape, then add the smaller, focal flowers. You can use a variety of flowers, but it's recommended to stick to 1-3 varieties for a modern and simple design. If you want a more whimsical, garden-style bouquet, use 5-7 varieties of flowers and greenery. Continue to add in larger flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build.

If you're going for a classic, dome-shaped bouquet, assemble four flowers at an even height in a square shape. These will be at the centre of the dome. Arrange the other flowers one by one around the centre flowers to create a dome shape.

Once you've constructed a bouquet you're happy with, snip the stems to trim them back and secure the bouquet with a rubber band. Make sure it's tightly wrapped before adding floral tape to hide the rubber band.

Finally, loop a ribbon around the stems for a clean, classic look, or allow it to cascade down the side of the bouquet for a more relaxed, garden-style aesthetic. Tie a knot to finish it off, and you're done!

Securing your bouquet

Step 1: Choose the Right Materials

Select a ribbon or floral tape that complements your bouquet's colour scheme. Floral tape can be easily found in gardening stores or online at a low cost. If you opt for a ribbon, it is recommended to have approximately 1.5 meters in length.

Step 2: Remove the Leaves

Strip all the leaves from the stems of your flowers. This step ensures a neat and tidy bouquet. You can do this by hand, carefully removing each leaf without damaging the stem.

Step 3: Arrange the Flowers

Choose a focal flower that will be the centrepiece of your bouquet. Hold this flower near the blossom end. Then, add the next flower at an angle towards the left, ensuring the bloom is at the same height as the focal flower. Continue adding flowers, rotating the bouquet to the right each time before adding a new flower. Don't forget to include filler flowers, which are usually small, green flowers that give a natural look to the bouquet.

Step 4: Tie the Flowers Together

Once you're happy with the arrangement, it's time to secure them in place. Tie a tight knot at the highest point of the stems. This will keep all the flowers together, looking beautiful and symmetrical. Cut off any excess string so that it's not visible when the bouquet is held.

Step 5: Cut the Stems

Cut the stems to a comfortable length. Measure about two hand lengths from the knot, and add an extra 3 centimetres to ensure the bouquet can be held comfortably for an extended period.

Step 6: Wrap the Stems

Use the floral tape to wrap the stems together, starting from the top and moving downwards. Avoid wrapping all the way to the bottom; instead, cover just over the size of one hand to maintain the natural look of the bouquet while providing enough support.

Step 7: Add the Ribbon (Optional)

If you're using a ribbon, place the shiny side (if there is one) facing the stems, so the matte side is visible. Start by placing one end of the ribbon over the top of the flowers, then wrap the rest of the ribbon around the stems. Leave about 40 centimetres of ribbon at the end.

Step 8: Tie a Final Knot

Use the remaining ribbon to tie a final knot, securing the bouquet and adding a stylish touch. You can also create a bow with the ribbon for a more decorative finish.

Your bouquet is now secured and ready for the big day! Remember to store it carefully and consider the climate to ensure the flowers stay fresh and vibrant until the wedding.

Finishing touches

You've picked your flowers, you've assembled your bouquet, and now it's time to add those final flourishes.

Wrap the stems

Wrapping the stems of your bouquet will help to keep it together, maintain its shape, and add a touch of elegance. You can use floral tape or an elastic band to secure the stems, and then tie with ribbon. When choosing your ribbon, opt for something that complements your colour palette. You could also use a vintage ribbon for something a little different. The ribbon can be tied in a bow or left to cascade down the side of the bouquet for a more relaxed look.

Mist the flowers

To keep your bouquet looking fresh, mist the flower heads well and keep the bare stems in water for as long as possible.

Store in the fridge

Before the ceremony, store your bouquet in the fridge, away from direct sunlight and in a cool area. Make sure the fridge is empty, as the ethylene gas released from fruits and vegetables can cause flowers to wilt.

Practice makes perfect

If you're nervous about making your own bouquet, it might be a good idea to practice beforehand. Buy some fresh flowers and experiment with different arrangements and techniques.

Add a charm

For a unique touch, add a charm to your bouquet. This could be something vintage or new, and it's a great way to honour a loved one.

Frequently asked questions