Many couples need to stick to a wedding budget, and one way to save some money is to DIY certain projects for the big day. If you love florals and have a creative eye, you might want to try your hand at making the bouquets for the event. Putting together the flowers you'll walk down the aisle with during the ceremony can be a fun and meaningful project—and you don't need to be a professional to pull it off!
How long before the wedding can you make your bouquet?
To make sure your wedding bouquets with fresh flowers look their best, it’s wise to make them within 24 hours of the event. With that in mind, pick them up close to when you’re ready to start putting the arrangements together, and when you’re done, place each bouquet in a container of water and in a cool place (the fridge is fine).
How to make wedding bouquets with fresh flowers
Choose your blooms
The first step is to figure out what blooms you want to include in your bouquet. You can choose something with meaning—like your birth month flower; your mother’s favorite bloom; the first flower your partner ever gave you; etc.—or simply go with something that matches your wedding colors and style. While wedding bouquets are traditionally in shades of white, ivory and cream, these days couples are getting much bolder with their color choices, so don’t be afraid to incorporate any of those bright hues into the bouquet.
As far as how many types of flowers, select at least two different styles. You will need a strong primary flower, such as roses, peonies, calla lilies, hydrangeas and the like. You can choose more than one primary flower, but if you have a tight budget, stick with one. Then you can fill your bouquet out with your secondary flowers, such as baby’s breath, waxflowers or different types of greenery.
Buy the right amount
Once you’ve chosen your flowers, be sure to purchase extra blooms--about 20 percent more than you think you will need. This will give you a buffer in case you make any mistakes, as well as allow you to make changes to your design as you're working.
Gather your supplies
In addition to your flowers, you will also need the following to put together your bouquet:
Flower tape
Flower shears
Ribbon
Pearl tipped pins
Do the prep work
Use the flower shears to prepare your flowers for arrangement. Not only should you remove any foliage and thorns along the stems, but also take off damaged or discolored outer petals. When done, trim all the stems to around 10 inches. Once you put the arrangement together, you can trim them further if needed.
Put it all together
While holding the flowers at their stems just below the blossom head, start to create your bouquet with the largest of your primary flowers (around 3 or 4) in the center. As you put them together, cross the stems. Add more of your primary flowers—one at a time—around the center blooms, making sure to continue to cross the stems as you go.
Once you have added your primary flowers, you can do the same with your secondary ones, but using them as a filler for any empty spaces between the primary blooms. If you want a more rustic look for your bouquet, create an outer ring using small or large leaves.
Wrap it up
You will need to wrap your bouquet twice: Once with the floral tape, and then again with your selected ribbon. With the floral tape, start wrapping about one inch below the flower heads and continuing to wrap the tape around the stems until you reach around 2 to 3 inches above the ends of the stems.
For the second layer, begin wrapping the ribbon about one-third of the way down the stem, working up towards the flowers. Wrap around as many times as you need to cover all of the floral tape. You can then secure the ribbon with pearl-headed pins, which can add some glamour to your overall look.
How to source flowers for a DIY bouquet
If you’re not sure where to find your flowers, first pay a visit to your local farmer’s market, but keep in mind that they might get different blooms in each week, so you would have to be flexible with your arrangement. If not, you can put in an order with your local supermarket to make sure you get exactly what you want. There are also some websites, such a Blooms by the Box, where you can buy flowers in bulk.
Unique wedding bouquets alternatives
Not sure you want to go the traditional route with your bouquets? Here are some other ideas that will look just as gorgeous on the big day:
Paper flowers
Get the same look as a floral bouquet without any worries about ]wilting.
Corsages for all
Instead of carrying a bouquet, the wedding party can wear beautifully-designed wrist corsages.
Broach bouquets
Gather some inexpensive broaches in an array of sizes, colors and styles for a truly unique look. Make it more meaningful by asking family members and friends to lend you their own broaches for the event.
Greenery
Nature loving brides will appreciate the look of an arrangement made up of different types of greenery, from leaves and herbs to berries and olive branches.
Feathers
This creation will give off a vintage/boho vibe, and you can get as colorful and creative as you like.
Floral crown
Skip the bouquet entirely and wear your favorite flowers around your head to complete your wedding day look.
Single bloom
Who needs a big bouquet? Walk down the aisle holding a single bloom of your favorite flower.
Succulents
There are so many of these plants to choose from, and you can easily pair them with other types of greenery.
To find a professional for your other wedding flowers, discover floral designers to find the perfect team for your big day.