July 18, 2018
| 1 Comment
| Alexandria Heinz
Flowers add such a special, unique touch to a wedding. They have a major effect on the entire tone of the decor. There are romantic flowers, rustic ones, traditional or modern styles, and the list goes on and on. But here’s the catch – they can get expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to arrange your own wedding flowers and add a personal touch at the same time.
In addition to the many styles to choose from when arranging your wedding flowers, there are many different arrangements necessary to fully decorate a venue. These include centrepieces, ceremony decor, table arrangements, bouquets, and wearables. There are DIY opportunities all throughout, and you can take on as many or as few as you like. If you do have a professional florist on hand, be sure to communicate your DIY game plan to ensure everyone is working on the same page.
The two most important arrangements at any wedding are the bride’s bouquet and the table centrepieces. Maybe these sound daunting, but they are actually a huge opportunity to let your personal taste and talent shine! You have complete control over the end product and the mood it will set, whereas with a florist, you can only hope they understand your needs after a short consultation. To start, this floral arrangement guide from flower experts at FTDFlowers will come in handy, with detailed tips for all shapes and sizes of arrangements.
How to Create a Bouquet
Here are the key tips on how to arrange your wedding flowers:
First of all, choose the vase or container you plan on using first, then the flowers. This way you can ensure a cohesive look. Keep your flower choices limited – a primary flower you want to show off, one or two secondary blossoms, and some greenery. Keeping things simple now will make a more visually appealing arrangement later.
Secondly, begin to cut the stems to a length appropriate to their container. But put the scissors down! Scissors are blunt on a delicate stem and can damage its ability to soak up water. Instead, use a sharp knife and cut at a 45-degree angle to maximise the surface area for water absorption. While you’re at it, cut off any extra leaves that will be submerged in water.
Next, fll your vase halfway with water and mix in plant food. Change the water and add more food every 3 days. Flowers get thirsty!
Make a grid of tape on the opening of the vase. Criss-cross the bottom layer of greenery to create a sturdy base. You could also tie the stems together with twine for stability, but the grid will come in handy when arranging later.
Add your primary flowers first, then secondary ones. Space them out evenly in a way you enjoy. When making smaller arrangements, it’s good to note that odd numbers of flowers create more visual appeal.
Finally, fill in any gaps with leftover greenery.
Click here to watch this fab video tutorial by FTD Flowers to help you arrange your wedding flowers.
Flower Combinations
Voila! It’s that easy to build your own flower arrangements. With some practice and online inspo, creating your own centrepieces will be a breeze. Picking the flowers to use, however, can lead to decision paralysis. There are literally millions of choices and combinations.
First things first, know your theme. What feelings are you trying to instil? Reflect that in your flower choices. Many flowers hold symbolism, so use these meanings to guide your choices. These are just some suggestions for common wedding themes:
Elegant/Traditional: White and green is a classic combo for good reason. Paired some greenery with white roses, majolicas, or sweet peas for an elegant and simple arrangement.
Picture by Patrick Moyer
Romantic: Roses are the symbol of love, but not the only option to achieve the feeling. Lisianthuses, Dahlias, and carnations all come in beautiful shades of deep red and pink.
Modern: Succulents make great substitutes for flowers. Pair them up with a soft, bright coloured bud like Limonium or sage for a pretty, modern look.
Rustic: Larkspur, scabiosa, and sunflowers all instil feelings of the wide open countryside. Place them in mason jars or a flower box to really bring the farm to table.
Keep in mind that just like you should limit the number of flowers you use, you should also limit the color palette. If your main flower is bold or bright, choose secondary flowers with muted colors to keep focus on your favourites and not overwhelm.
Wedding Flowers By Season
Designing your own decor isn’t the only way to save. There are so many inexpensive flowers that will still help create lush arrangements. Classic choices include Baby’s Breath and Poms, but there are also more unconventional choices like moss, branches, fronds and green grapes. Curly willow and forsythia are other elegant options that will draw the eye upwards.
Before choosing these options, it will be helpful to know what is in season. Spring wedding flowers are often very different from fall wedding florals. Depending on your wedding theme, it may be best to match your florals to the season. This is a thoughtful touch, but it will also save your wallet. Shipping in out-of-season flowers is costly, and regardless, in-season blooms will be much brighter and healthier! Check out these suggestions:
Spring: Lilac Acoma Iris Summer Snowflake Garden Rose Azalea | Summer: Dahlia Lavender Peony Sunflower Phlox | Fall: Pansy Flowering Kale Dianthus Marigold Nemesia | Winter: Calendula Winter Jasmine Rose Tulip Ranunculus |
Of course flowers are lovely, but are not the only option for sprucing up a reception hall. Don’t forget about plants! Cacti and succulents are cute and trendy right now, plus require little to no maintenance. Use them as centrepieces, and offer them to guests as a memento from the day that will last for years.
Candles (real or electric, depending on your venue’s rules) add romance to a centrepiece. Fairy lights draped across the table add a whimsical little detail. What we are trying to say is, don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
Another way to add small detail that has major impact is to use the leaves lost while arranging flowers and scattering them strategically around centrepieces, bouquets, or decorations. Think of them as a way to frame areas you’d like to bring attention to. Eucalyptus leaves are the perfect size for this, and their dusky green colour is so romantic.
Lastly, it’s always practical to reuse decorations from the ceremony at the reception if possible. Bridesmaid bouquets can be reused in vases around the reception, or even centrepieces. Grab any flowers from the aisle and entryway to spruce up co*cktail tables, food stations, and the bar.
Keeping Flowers Fresh
If you or your wedding party are creating DIY flower decorations, chances are you won’t be arranging them the day of the wedding. It’s just not practical! Thankfully, it’s very possible to keep flowers looking fresh and full during the days leading up to the big event.
While keeping your wedding flowers cared for after arranging is important, there is a lot to do beforehand to maximise their lifespan. The first thing in promoting flower health is to wash the vase they’ll be living in. Old residue and mineral deposits living on the glass can stifle flowers’ well-being. Rinse out the soap entirely before placing the flowers!
Like mentioned earlier, cut away any greenery that will be submerged in water. This keeps the water the plants live in clear of microorganisms that can kill delicate blooms. While cutting stems to length, cut underwater. This prevents any air from entering the stem and keeps all the good plant stuff in.
Always store your flowers in a cool area with access to sunlight. Right next to a window, sensitive flowers can burn and dry out. It’s not necessary to refrigerate them the way a florist may, but a bright indoor spot away from the window is fine. Of course, be sure to follow the instructions for your specific species.
Flowers pop up in nearly every part of a wedding. We wear them, hold them, sit in front of them and are generally surrounded by their lush, sweet smelling blossoms. Filling that role can be daunting (or expensive), but it doesn’t have to be. With plenty of inspiration and a couple of how-to guides, DIY-ing your wedding flowers can be accomplished, saving on cash but not skimping on style.
And obviously, it’s not all down to you. Have a girls’ night with your bridal party and split up the work. With some snacks, drinks, and music, focusing on the flowers and friends will be a nice escape from the stress of the wedding. Just be sure to coordinate who is doing what with your florist to avoid any mix-ups.
Go ahead and arrange your own wedding flowers! Try your hand at a DIY bouquet or two, you may find your hidden talent!
Tip: If you are tying the knot under a wedding arch, have your wedding flowers match it! Read all about it on our post 8 Wedding Arch Ideas For a Stunning Backyard Wedding.
Categories: Wedding Tips
