Creating Your Own Wedding Bouquet: Is It Worthwhile?

Creating your own wedding bouquet is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. It can be a fun and creative project, allowing you to customise your bouquet to match your wedding theme and personal style. While it may seem intimidating, making your own bouquet is not as challenging as it seems. With some simple materials and a bit of time, you can create a beautiful arrangement that will be a memorable part of your wedding. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of creating your own bouquet, provide a step-by-step guide to making one, and offer tips for choosing the right flowers and assembling them into a stunning arrangement.

Cost savings

Making your own wedding bouquet can be a great way to save money. The cost of a professionally crafted bouquet includes the price of the flowers and the time and labour involved in creating the bouquet. By making your own bouquet, you can save on the labour costs.

A typical bridal bouquet usually costs around $250, whereas a DIY bouquet will be much less expensive. The cost of a DIY bouquet will depend on factors such as whether your preferred flowers are in season, the size of the bouquet, and the type of flowers you choose.

To save money, you can pick flowers that are in season. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in the fall. You can also buy flowers from a local grocery store or flower market, which may be cheaper than ordering them online.

In addition to the flowers, you will need some basic supplies such as floral snips, ribbon, and floral tape. These can be purchased at a low cost from most craft or gardening stores.

By making your own wedding bouquet, you can significantly reduce the cost of your wedding flowers while still creating a beautiful and meaningful arrangement.

Creative freedom

One of the biggest advantages of making your own wedding bouquet is the creative freedom it offers. When you make your own bouquet, you have the power to customise it to your liking. This means that you can make your bouquet as simple or decadent as you like, with any flowers you like, in any colour scheme you like.

For example, if you have a coloured theme for your wedding, you can match your bouquet to the theme to ensure that it is coherent throughout your big day. You can also choose to use complementary colours to bring some subtle balance to your décor, or integrate contrasting colours to add a bit of drama.

Making your own bouquet also means you can choose the size of your bouquet. If you want a classic, tight bouquet, you can make it so. Or, if you want something more whimsical, such as a garden-inspired, cascading arrangement, you can do that too.

You can also add a unique, interesting element to your bouquet by adding a charm. This could be something vintage or new, and it could be a way to honour a loved one who has passed.

Making your own bouquet gives you the creative freedom to make your bouquet truly your own.

Choosing flowers

• Seasonality: Think about the time of year and choose flowers that are in season. For spring weddings, consider daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips. For fall weddings, chrysanthemums and dahlias are excellent choices.
• Colour Scheme: Select flowers that complement your wedding colour palette. You can opt for complementary colours for a subtle, balanced look or go for contrasting colours to add a dramatic touch.
• Style of Your Dress: The style and colour of your wedding dress should also be considered when choosing flowers. For a modern and simple design, combine 1-3 varieties of florals with little to no greenery. If you prefer a garden-inspired, cascading bouquet, opt for 5-7 varieties of florals and greenery with different textures and gestures.
• Focal Flower: Pick a focal flower that will be the centre of attention in your bouquet. This could be a light pink peony or any flower that you particularly love and want to highlight.
• Hardier Flowers: If you're a beginner, it's best to choose hardier flowers like roses, which are easier to arrange and can withstand some handling.
• Budget: Consider your budget when selecting flowers. Typically, the cost of flowers depends on factors such as seasonality, the size of your bouquet, and the type of flowers chosen.
• Availability: If you have access to a garden with blooming flowers, that can be a great source for your bouquet. Alternatively, you can check local farms, grocery stores, or order flowers in bulk online.
• Practice: If possible, buy a few flowers and practice arranging them before your wedding day. This will help you refine your technique and ensure a beautiful result.

Preparing flowers

Timing and Storage:

• It is recommended to source your flowers two days before the wedding, allowing them to rehydrate and bloom fully.
• Store the flowers in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A basement, garage, or air-conditioned room is ideal.
• Change the water in the buckets or vases daily, using lukewarm water to help the flowers bloom, then switching to cooler water to slow the blooming process.

Flower Preparation:

• When the flowers arrive, remove any foliage and thorns from the stems. Also, discard any damaged or discoloured petals.
• Cut the stems at a uniform length, leaving them around 10 inches long for ease of handling.
• For the best results, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This ensures a clear path for the flower to absorb water.
• Remove any low-hanging leaves that fall below the waterline, as they can carry bacteria that may shorten the life of the flowers.
• Keep the flowers in their original packaging for the first two hours of hydration, then remove it to allow the petals to open fully.

Additional Tips:

• Be mindful of the temperature and the flowers' natural habitat. Research the specific needs of your chosen blooms, especially if using tropical flowers during a dry spell.
• Avoid placing flowers in a regular refrigerator where food is stored, as certain foods (especially citrus) emit gases that are harmful to flowers.
• If using a refrigerator, ensure it is empty, as some fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas, which can cause flowers to wilt.
• Always buy more flowers than you need to account for any mistakes or last-minute changes.

By following these steps, your flowers will be well-prepared and ready for assembly into a beautiful wedding bouquet.

Assembling flowers

Now that you have your flowers and tools ready, it's time to start assembling your bouquet. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful arrangement:

• Start with a base: Begin by choosing a focal flower that will be the centre of your bouquet. Hold it with your fingers near the blossom end. This will be your base.
• Add larger flowers: Insert the next flower at an angle, facing towards the left, ensuring that the bloom is at the same height as the focal flower. Repeat this process, rotating the bouquet to the right each time you add a new flower.
• Create dimension: Add depth and dimension by pulling certain flowers forward, especially your focal point flowers, to make your bouquet look more natural and full.
• Include filler flowers: Once you have the bulk of your bouquet ready, insert smaller, filler flowers between the larger blooms. These are usually small, green flowers that give a natural look to the bouquet. Ensure you insert them at the same angle to maintain symmetry.
• Secure the bouquet: When you are happy with your arrangement, tie a tight knot at the highest point of the stems to hold all the flowers together. Then, cut off any excess string so that it is not visible.
• Trim the stems: Cut the stems to a comfortable length, leaving enough room for the bouquet to be held easily. A good guideline is to measure two hand lengths from the string, plus an additional 3 centimetres.
• Wrap the stems: Use floral tape to wrap the stems from the top downwards, ensuring the flowers are firmly held in place. Wrap just over the size of one hand to maintain the natural look of the bouquet while providing enough support.
• Add ribbon: Cut a length of ribbon, approximately three times the length of the stems. Place the shiny side of the ribbon facing the stems, with the matte side visible. Wrap the ribbon around the stems, starting from the top, and secure it with pins. If you wish to add a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it below the flower heads.

Your DIY wedding bouquet is now ready! Enjoy creating a beautiful and meaningful arrangement for your special day.

Frequently asked questions